I’m 60 and loving the outdoor life in Summit County, CO.  Skiing (Nordic and backcountry) and hiking are my two greatest outdoor pursuits.  However, I’m also a former ultrarunner and alumnus of the Mohican 50 Mile, North Country 50 Mile, and Run Woodstock 50 Mile races, as well as a handful of 50K pursuits.  Prior to my trailrunning days, I was a road marathoner and two-time participant in the Mt. Washington Road Race.

Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range fueled my love for the mountains and trails.  I spent a lot of time honing my skills in the Mt. Washington environs in the late 1980s.  In the early 1990s, I added single-handed ocean sailing to my resume.

Discovering the Colorado mountains started in 1988, with my first 14ers (Longs Peak, Mt Elbert, and Quandary Mtn).  Once I moved here, the allure of the Gore Range became my focus.  As far as my local endeavors go, “I wonder what’s over that ridge?” or “I wonder if I can get there from here?” resonate in my mind as I explore the lesser-traveled areas.

In my pursuit of new (to me) terrain and achievements, my gear is a critical factor in my comfort, success, and safety.  At age 60, I’m still trying to be efficient (read: fast and light) while maintaining some creature comforts.  Striking that balance requires planning and critical evaluation of the utility of every item I put in my pack.