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Author: Jack Brauer
Southwest Powder Days
Towards the end of February our month-long drought of snow here in southwest Colorado ended with a powerful snowstorm that dropped several feet of powder on the mountains. I suspect that nearly every skier in the entire region dropped what they were doing to get out and enjoy the return of winter! Continue reading “Southwest Powder Days”
False Kiva
False Kiva illuminated on a February night, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
With no new snow in the mountains we headed out for a quick trip to Canyonlands earlier this week to enjoy the freakishly spring-like February weather. We spent a few days camping up on the Island in the Sky and doing hikes around there.
The shot above is a stitched long-exposure panorama of False Kiva, illuminated by a single headlamp placed in the kiva. This kiva is of unknown origin; it’s not clear whether it’s an authentic native site or of later construction.
Thailand Getaway
An amazing sunset over the limestone karsts of Railay beach.
Claudia and I are mountain lovers through and through; but after two treks in the Himalaya, the thought of relaxing on some Thai beaches sounded pretty appealing. With two travel weeks to spare in December, and just a 3-hour flight from Kathmandu, we quickly planned a getaway to Thailand!
Needless to say, once we were laying in the sand under the warm sun, we felt like that was a pretty damn good decision. We started in Railay and Ao Nang, near the city of Krabi; then worked our way south towards the Trang province, including stays on the islands of Ko Lanta, Ko Kradan, and Ko Muk.
See lots more photos from our time in Thailand below! Continue reading “Thailand Getaway”
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Nepal
In November after our 20-day trek in the Khumbu/Everest region, we headed to the town of Pokhara to embark on yet another trek in the Himalaya — this time a short but strenuous 7-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp, also referred to as the ABC Trek or Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. At 8091m / 26545 ft., Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. The trek to its south base camp ascends the long and jungly Modi Khola gorge, finally reaching a high basin ringed by soaring peaks including, of course, Annapurna itself.
See lots more photos below! Continue reading “Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Nepal”
Khumbu Three Pass Trek, Nepal
In October and November of this last year, Claudia and I fulfilled lifelong dreams to trek in the mighty Himalaya of Nepal – the world’s biggest mountains. We spent 20 days trekking the so-called “Three Pass Trek” over three high passes and through the four major valleys of the Khumbu/Everest region. Of course everybody knows about Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, but often overlooked is the fact that Everest is just one of many other enormous, spectacular mountains in this range. It’s a dream destination for mountaineers and trekkers alike.
Join me here as I share some highlights and snapshots from our three week trek through these magnificent mountains! Continue reading “Khumbu Three Pass Trek, Nepal”
Kathmandu
Sunset at Boudhanath, an ancient Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu.
During our recent travels to Nepal, we spent some time in the capitol city of Kathmandu. Here are a few photos from this crazy and amazing city.
A typical chaotic intersection in Thamel, with motorcycles, cars, and crowds flowing nonstop.
The most immediate observation any first-time visitor in Kathmandu notices is likely the chaotic traffic. With a complete absence of traffic lights or stop signs, cars and motorcycles and people jam the streets inches from each other in a harrowing flow of machinery. Car horns are used more frequently than blinkers. Though it seems like utter chaos at first, one soon detects a certain harmony and efficiency to the madness, like a river with thousands of chaotic particles flowing together seemingly without effort. In any case, it’s traffic on another level.
New Himalaya Photos
Alpenglow light illuminates Ama Dablam. Makalu (8481m, 27,825 ft) is visible at the left side.
Sunset light on Mt. Everest (8850m / 29,035 ft), the tallest mountain in the world, as seen from Kala Patthar (5540m / 18,175 ft). The pointy mountain in the center, which only appears bigger due to perspective, is Nuptse (7861m / 25,791 ft).
I have just posted my photos from the Himalaya in Nepal! I hope that my photos convey at least a fraction of how powerful these mountains are. Trip reports and accompanying photos to follow soon…
First Day
Today was my first day on the splitboard this season. We are finally back in Colorado after our time abroad and it is great to be home, especially with a bluebird powder day greeting!
Frohe Weihnachten!
Merry Christmas!
