New Year’s Eve means it’s time for the annual look back at some of my favorite outdoor adventures. Here are ten, in no particular order…
Teaching ice climbing clinics at the Ouray Ice Festival
I was asked by Millet to teach a couple novice climbing clinics as part of the Ouray Ice Festival. While nervous going in to it, I couldn’t have had more fun and learned a lot myself in the process.
I loved riding a bike through the crazy chaos of Bogotá–cycling is such a great way to get to know the local people, a city, and even a country. Colombians are so passionate about cycling–I have my sights set on returning this year to ride and visit more of the country.
The only way to describe hiking through the high-altitude rainforests of Colombia is to imagine stepping inside a real life Romancing the Stone scene. So much history, so much mud, and so much fun.
Our original plan was to climb Whitetail Peak via the obvious couloir but the pouring rain and warm temps melted it right out. Regardless, backpacking, hiking, and camping in beautiful wilderness with a fun group of people made a great backup plan.
After living there for a few years, Sweden remains one of my favorite countries to visit. It was nice to return to the Jämtland Härjedalen region in winter, exploring all the outdoor activities on offer. I loved the ice skating and fat biking just as much as the skiing.
Much of my summer was spent training for this 6-day stage race in Breckenridge, Colorado. While it was both hard and fun at the same time with many ups and downs, I was happy to successfully finish and make some new friends in the process.
Terry and I drove up to Crater Lake to take part in the annual Ride the Rim event where Crater Lake National Park shuts the roads to motorized vehicles. How can you pass up exploring a park on two wheels completely car-free?! More national parks follow suit, please.
On my way to Outdoor Retailer last winter, I road tripped it the long way, stopping off at Horseshoe Bend, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and Mesa Verde National Park before arriving in Salt Lake City for the show. I enjoy visiting our national parks in winter for the stillness and the solitude. On an early morning hike to Angels Landing in Zion, I had the trail and most of the park all to myself. You can’t say that in July.
Riding Across Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
This was my 2015 birthday challenge. It was cold and wet and I was pretty miserable at times but the scenery was oh-so-worth-it.
Normally, I wouldn’t think of riding my bike in Florida as a special event but there is something so nice about the uncomplicated nature of riding mile upon mile of dedicated bike path in warm weather that ups the fun level.
Here’s to many more adventures in 2016. Happy New Year!
Wow wow wow—what a year!
Wishing you an even more amazing 2026!
And 2016!