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Backpacking the Aspen 4 Pass Loop

It's officially a tradition....for the 2nd consecutive Summer, some of the old TELUS crew got together in Colorado for a backpacking trip through some of Colorado's finest wilderness area. This year's objective was the Aspen 4 pass loop. This ambitious backpacking trip located in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness is routed over four mountain passes (West Maroon - 12,500 ft.; Frigid Air - 12,415 ft.; Trail Rider - 12,420 ft.; Buckskin - 12,500 ft.). For 4 days and 3 nights, we hauled everything we needed to sustain on our backs (we didn't need the beer, vodka and wine, but it didn't hurt) across 27 miles and 8000 ft of cumulative elevation gain. It was an amazing trip to say the least, and I've got a newfound respect for my flatlander buddies who all came from sea level and hit the trails hard the next morning. Vern (aka Cowden from Seattle), Nigel (aka Nippard from Ottawa), Archibald (aka Hogan from NJ) and Little Willie (aka Bob from DC)...you guys made me proud!

Some of the top highlights from the trip include: Polar bear swims in the Crystal River and Snowmass Lake, Handstands on the passes, out of this world campsites complete with fire rings and wood, good weather (we apparently avoided the downpours that occurred daily in Aspen), fly-fishing lessons at Snowmass Lake, getting across each pass with no incidents, raman noodles, my ipad (to ensure sound sleep next to Marmot 3), and above all, the company of the group....can't think of a better group of guys to head into the mountains with (Saleem, Neel, Chris and Scott, you're honorary members in this group of course)....
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  • Here's the trail map, along with blue diamonds which indicate our camping spots each night. We went clockwise around the loop and started/finished at Maroon Lake (far right side of the map).

    Here's the trail map, along with blue diamonds which indicate our camping spots each night. We went clockwise around the loop and started/finished at Maroon Lake (far right side of the map).

  • The crew as we're about to head off on a 4 day trek through the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness

    The crew as we're about to head off on a 4 day trek through the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness

  • The requisite Maroon Bells shot

    The requisite Maroon Bells shot

  • The peaks surrounding Maroon Lake

    The peaks surrounding Maroon Lake

  • Looking back down at Crater Lake about 2 miles into the hike. This is about the time Darren and Kevin started feeling the full effects of the altitude and lack of oxygen. I was hoping that they'd find enough willpower to get to our first campsite before the storms rolled in.

    Looking back down at Crater Lake about 2 miles into the hike. This is about the time Darren and Kevin started feeling the full effects of the altitude and lack of oxygen. I was hoping that they'd find enough willpower to get to our first campsite before the storms rolled in.

  • In an effort to reduce the total amount of trailmix this year (last year's bag will live in infamy), I packed individual goodie bags this year so that each man was accountable for hauling his own food/trail mix. Had to get at least one picture of Darren with his bag given he had to haul last year's full load.

    In an effort to reduce the total amount of trailmix this year (last year's bag will live in infamy), I packed individual goodie bags this year so that each man was accountable for hauling his own food/trail mix. Had to get at least one picture of Darren with his bag given he had to haul last year's full load.

  • After a long first day, we finally arrived at our campsite just below West Maroon Pass. One of the first things Mike did was grab the beers in his pack to chill them in the nearby creek. Can't tell you how good those Fat Tires tasted a few hours later sitting next to the campfire.

    After a long first day, we finally arrived at our campsite just below West Maroon Pass. One of the first things Mike did was grab the beers in his pack to chill them in the nearby creek. Can't tell you how good those Fat Tires tasted a few hours later sitting next to the campfire.

  • Think this pretty much sums up how Darren was feeling after the first day's hike!

    Think this pretty much sums up how Darren was feeling after the first day's hike!

  • The 2 person tent Mike and I shared at the West Maroon Pass campsite. We arrived around 5:30pm and quickly setup camp, made some terrible mexican beef freeze dried food, and then went straight to Fat Tire, Tang/Vodka, and Red Wine. Mike and Darren struggled to make a fire, but soon found a new use for the Jetboil! The rain and storms arrived after dinner and we checked in for the night to get ready for the next morning.

    The 2 person tent Mike and I shared at the West Maroon Pass campsite. We arrived around 5:30pm and quickly setup camp, made some terrible mexican beef freeze dried food, and then went straight to Fat Tire, Tang/Vodka, and Red Wine. Mike and Darren struggled to make a fire, but soon found a new use for the Jetboil! The rain and storms arrived after dinner and we checked in for the night to get ready for the next morning.

  • First Pass = First Group Shot....West Maroon Pass was the first of 4 passes that we ventured over.

    First Pass = First Group Shot....West Maroon Pass was the first of 4 passes that we ventured over.

  • Nice Socks!

    Nice Socks!

  • Bob celebrating the summit of West Maroon Pass with another tradition (the handstand) firmly established during our hike up Tszil Mountain in the Coast Mountains of BC. Perfect 10!

    Bob celebrating the summit of West Maroon Pass with another tradition (the handstand) firmly established during our hike up Tszil Mountain in the Coast Mountains of BC. Perfect 10!

  • Darren's handstand...Very impressive.

    Darren's handstand...Very impressive.

  • Enjoying the first pass.

    Enjoying the first pass.

  • In between West Maroon and Frigid Air Passes. Unreal how green it was....definitely been a rainy Summer.

    In between West Maroon and Frigid Air Passes. Unreal how green it was....definitely been a rainy Summer.

  • Cowden motoring up Frigid Air Pass

    Cowden motoring up Frigid Air Pass

  • The amazing view from Frigid Air Pass

    The amazing view from Frigid Air Pass

  • Kevin looking out over Fravert Basin at the top of Frigid Air Pass. This single photo pretty much captures the essence of this year's trip.

    Kevin looking out over Fravert Basin at the top of Frigid Air Pass. This single photo pretty much captures the essence of this year's trip.

  • Second Pass (Frigid Air) = Second Handstand

    Second Pass (Frigid Air) = Second Handstand

  • Untitled photo
  • Mike and Bob coming down the trail into Fravert Basin.

    Mike and Bob coming down the trail into Fravert Basin.

  • Looking down to the North Fork of the Crystal River. Our second campsite was nestled in the first patch of trees just beyond the iridescent green pond.

    Looking down to the North Fork of the Crystal River. Our second campsite was nestled in the first patch of trees just beyond the iridescent green pond.

  • Crossing the Crystal River in the early morning to avoid all the dead tree fall that is currently blocking the trail.

    Crossing the Crystal River in the early morning to avoid all the dead tree fall that is currently blocking the trail.

  • Looking towards Treasure Mountain and Lead King Basin on the way up Trail Rider Pass

    Looking towards Treasure Mountain and Lead King Basin on the way up Trail Rider Pass

  • The amazing view atop Trail Rider Pass. Snowmass Lake is below, and reminded me more of the Canadian Rockies with it's turquoise blue colors. After a long descent towards the lake, we found an excellent campsite on the far shore of Snowmass Lake to call home for the night.

    The amazing view atop Trail Rider Pass. Snowmass Lake is below, and reminded me more of the Canadian Rockies with it's turquoise blue colors. After a long descent towards the lake, we found an excellent campsite on the far shore of Snowmass Lake to call home for the night.

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    Kevin looking out over Fravert Basin at the top of Frigid Air Pass. This single photo pretty much captures the essence of this year's trip.
    Second Pass (Frigid Air) = Second Handstand
    IMG_5415.jpg