D Sheats in the Rockies

Boulder Weekend Rentals

2009-10-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Boulder Weekend Rentals

Check out this great new site for lodging in Boulder, Co. http://boulder.collegeweekends.com/default.aspx My friend Gordon Sutton started this company and they are expanding this model to new markets all over the country. Here are some examples of their weekend rental properties in Boulder.

Link this image to http://boulder.collegeweekends.com/more_details.aspx?prop_id=814&ref=browse

Peaceful, family getaway in Left Hand Canyon at the foot of the mountains, less than 9 miles from the University of Colorado in Boulder – great for attending college events or family gatherings and returning to a quiet retreat afterwards.

Link this image to http://boulder.collegeweekends.com/more_details.aspx?prop_id=744
Centrally located on Iris Avenue...you will be walking distance to shopping centers,restaurants and a park. CU Stadium is one mile South on Folsom and main campus is 2 miles.

Sipi Trout

2009-07-28T04:23:00.001-07:00

Earlier in the trip, I heard some stories about trout on the Sipi near Mbale. After a few days teaching, I decided to go check them out. You have to hike above the the third falls on the Sipi to get to cool water. What I found was a small steam crawling through maize and bean fields (the farmers intercrop here, three beans plants at the foot of each corn stalk), and cattle pastures. To the right is the second falls.

After a nice slog up several hundres feet, my guide (he later got drunk off of local brew and past out under a tree) and I approached the third fall. Fishing begins just after the third fall. Casting by a 100 foot drop was a fun experience.

The third falls...

Cattle in the Sipi

He's a picture a nice trout taken from a section you could hop across. That's another guide's finger in the frame (he was sober replacement). The fish was given eggs, too. I caught several fish in the afternoon. It was a blast. Never thought I was going to catch trout on the equator.

Teaching at Hamdan

2009-07-28T03:50:00.000-07:00

Teaching has taught me so much about communicating, presenting, and looking at business with a critical eye.

I've been fortunate enough to teach lessons on business planning to a variety of schools - some near the city, some tucked in between plantain groves near villages.

I recently taught at Hamdan, an all girls Muslim school in Mable, near Mount Elgon (a foothill is the background here).

Here Eric, the founder of Educate!, speaks with a Hamdan student later in the trip.

Some other students at Hamdan...

Thsi week I read "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World," by John Woood. Wood has built an amazing organization called Room to Read that builds schools and libraries around the globe. After the students at Gayaza High School asked for a list the five best business books, I am trying to follow Wood's foot steps, raise some funds, and send back a few appropriate titles to the Educate! schools.

Rwanda & EWB

2009-07-21T03:54:00.000-07:00

In the first week of July, I headed down to Rwanda to work with Engineers Without Borders. I met with a young Rwanda, named Innocent, EWB was hoping to mold into their business manager for their pumice rocket stove project. Innocent and I worked on his business plan that helped focused his efforts for implementation. EWB would ultimately like to have the entire organization Rwandan run. The business idea, using highly insulating, locally harvested volcanic pumice to create very efficient cooking stoves, saves fuel and burns more cleanly.

This picture is of the capital, Kigali, taken from the Genocide Memorial.

After a taxi ride to Kibuye, and an hour ride on a motorcycle taxi through some of the most stunning country I've seen, I arrived at Mugonero, a small town on Lake Kivu.

EWB is working with a local organization to build an efficient and comfortable orphanage complete with filter and UV water purifier, solar electricity, and the aforementioned cook stoves. This picture was taken a short walk from the site.

After a few days (one of which I was doubled over with a bad bug), we hiked about hour down to town to go to the Wednesday market. The market was very busy, since most people from the rural districts walk to town to buy necessities.

You can the town in the distance.

At the dock, boats were arriving from the Congo, just across the lake, bringing goods, including a lot of plantains, to sell and trade.

On the hike back up to the orphanage we stopped by our guide's home for a brief visit. Jacque also worked for the orphanage.

This picture is looking back down on Lake Kivu during the hike back up. Here you can see the terraced hills. Rwandans face a dearth of farming land because of the high population, so they plant wherever they can including unstable hillsides.

Internet Access and Infrastructure in East Africa

2009-07-18T07:18:00.001-07:00

A recent piece in the Economist, revealed that Kenya is constructing fiber optic cables that will bring faster internet connections to East Africa. That's good news considering I've been struggling with posting anything from our office just outside Kampala. A faster internet connection, like the cell phones so common here now after their introduction in the early 2000s, will connect people, enable more businesses to develop, and deliver more information.

Relative to most Ugandans, I am extremely fortunate to have the amenities I do. Although we have brown-outs daily here in Kampala, the Buziga office does have has electricity; yet, only 12% of the 30 million Ugandans have electrical power. Most of those with power are in the capital city, but other locations like Masaka, Mbale, and Hoima have access to electricity, as well. Forty percent of the country's population have no access to an improved water source and all the water in Uganda must be treated. Fifty-seven percent have no access to improved sanitation.

The road conditions range widely. Two lane highways new Kampala are paved, with frequent potholes, but generally keep free of mud. Recently, Sipi, a small tourist area outside Mbale on Mount Elgon received a nice, new paved road (Sipi will be the subject of a future post). The Road from Kampala to Masaka is quite nice, but afterward, as it approaches Rwanda, it turns into a dusty, rutted mess. The consequences are evident. I saw three accidents on my nine hour ride to Kigali. An Educate! mentor's father was hospitalized recently after he flipped his car avoiding a girl crossing the road.

These posts have come late, because first, the internet connection is challenging and second, traveling for work takes up much of my time.

Kyangwali Refugee Camp & Educate!

2009-07-18T01:37:00.000-07:00

In the middle of June, the Educate! teamed bused to Hoima, strattled bicycle bodas to a partner school (see picture), and then jumped on a Matatu (a taxi van) for a two hour ride over washboard dirt road to Kyangwali, a refugee camp near Lake Albert. Goverments tarnsferred Congolese hutus and Sudanic Christians here to secure them from violence in their respective countries. Kyangwali is also the site where Eric, the founding director of Educate! started his first lessons with students.

Educate! students raised funds though a farming project to build an orphanage and school for the youngest in their community. The students convinced local government officals to donate land for the student projects. Besides the orphanage, the students have formed a livestick business, a poultry farm, a Women's Support and Empowerment Group, a football league, and started projects like this phone charging business powered by a solar panel on top of the orphanage (see picture).

Here are the phones being charge in the building.

This is a typical home you see in Kyangali. The huts are made from mud, sticks and grasses. There is no electrcity, no convenient source of clean water; food is cooked over open fires. Large families often live in these structures

Work is hard.

The student group hired local women to construct a rocket stove made from clay for the orphanage's new kitchen. These women have been traveling in the camp (23,000 people live there now) building rocket stoves by hand. The stoves are much more efficient and direct smoke out of the kitchen, improving women's and children's health.

One of the stove builders and her child. Women with children work most of the day with their children on their backs.

The stove building team.

Social Entrepreneurs in Uganda

2009-07-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Besides teaching classes on business planning at Educate schools, I have been meeting Ugandan social entrepreneurs to get advice on the country's needs, gather input on Educate's model, and enlist help in creating business plans to serve as examples of triple bottom line business for our students. Right, is Dr. Musaazi, an engineering professor at Makarere University, who has developed an innovative way to make interlocking building bricks without firing the product. This not only saves fuel wood, but it also results in cheaper building costs.

Here, workers are making a wall made from the Dr. bricks at the University rugby field. In a brillant move, the Dr. used the soil from leveling the field, to consrtuct the walls, the locker room, and the stadium seating.

Here is the locker room.

I also meet with Mr. Mohammad, the owner of Ugastove. Ugastove is a innovative charocoal stove that uses 50% lees fuel the conventional stoves in Uganda. Mr. Mohammad has partnered with JP Morgan Chase's Climate Care program and CEIHD to apply carbon credits to his business model. Mr. Mohammad can now sell ugastoves below costs because the price is subsidized by the revenue from carbon credit in the UK market.

Mr. Mohammad is hoping to mechanize operations so that he can reduce the price point even further. Soon his stove will be price competitive with convential stoves that waste large amounts of charcoal, saving Ugandan much of their income. It should be easy to compete with cheap stove then.

Mentors

2009-07-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

Educate trains Ugandan university graduates to teach highschoolers about social entrepreneurship and leadership in order to effect positive social change throughout the country. By using this model, we have found some of the most effective and passionate teachers here. Teachers that students can relate to easily. Here are just a couple of the inspiring mentors on Educate's staff.

On the left of this pitcure is Barbara, one of our mentors. On the right is Irene Mutumba, an Ashoka Fellow. Irene works to train existing teachers to encourage leaderships skills in school. Barbara and I had an enlightening conversation with Irene last month. That interview will be published in Educate's next Newsletter.

James is another one of our mentors teaching our curriculum. James is an excellent communicator and leader, with some innovative business ideas up his own sleeve. Here, James is teaching at St. Marys College of Kisubi, just one of the 25 schools at which our mentors teach.

New Kabala Fundraiser

2009-07-17T02:46:00.000-07:00

New Kabala, a school outside of Kampala, is one of the Educate! partners. All of the Educate Scholars have started Social Entrepreneurship Clubs, or SECs, at their schools that are open to any student. New Kababla is intending to start up a poultry business in order to raise school fees for students without enough financial resources to pay. Sadly, many kids drop out of school because they cannot afford the $60 in school fees.

However, first, the school must raise enough money to invest in the poulty operation. Where to get the capital? They decided to have a "Welcome Parents Day" where they would sell a Ugandan meal and snacks to raise funds.

This type of initiative is not common in Uganda. Unfortunately, there are some cultural barriers that discourage entrepreurial efforts. Many Ugandans believe that the highest accomplishment for a student is to get a job with the Revenue Authority, where salaries are the highest. Many also believe that starting a business should be left for people of Indian descent, Muslims, and students that didn't complete school. This was a shocking cultural bias to learn.

The students raised about 90,000 Ugandan Shillngs, about $45, which is significant if you consider that most Ugandans in rural areas make about $1 a day. A few more fundraiser and they'll start the poultry business that will provided fees for many students annually.

This is Mugisha. Mugisha is the president of the SEC and a driven, outspoken leader, traits not common in Ugandan Schools. The Ugandan school system is based on rote memorization to prepare the students to pass state tests. Creativity and individuality are not encouraged and even resisted in some cases. Educate works hard to inspire students to embrace their individuality and become leaders in their communities. Mugisha also won second place in an Educate Essay Contest which asked students to express their vision of a better community and future for themselves.

Dawn moonset

Ugandan Food

2009-07-16T23:22:00.000-07:00

Rice, posho (steamed flour), Matoke (steamed plantains), sweet potatos, and beans make up the typical Ugandan meal.
Just outside of Kampala you can get a lunch like this for $0.50. The price is great, but you'll soon go looking for some more flavors.
Fortunately, Indians and Ethiopians have opened restaurants serving spicy fare throughout the capital.
Ethiopian dishes are a bit more expensive at about $2.00 a plate and you should expect to pay about $7-$10 for a Indian meal. If you're outside a major town, however, your only option is the Uganda standard.

This restaurant is just down the street from Educate!'s office. It's a simple structure that also sells bananas, the biggests avacados you have ever seen, perfectly sweet mangos, the most delicious pineapples you have ever tasted, and blackened whole fish that I'm not adventurous enough to try.

A few images from Kampala and Bizugo

2009-06-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Typical homes and side street in Kampala

Lake Victoria

This picture is taken from the top of hill near Buzigo where Educate had its office. The village below is called Monyiro. Lake Victoria is in the background.
Another look at Monyiro.

2009-05-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

I’m writing from the atrium at the Newark, NJ International airport while I’m waiting to fly off to Brussels and I can’t stop looking at the four-foot-tall ice cream cone and 200 gallon strawberry sunday display advertising all the tasty snacks at Ben & Jerry’s as well as the two-foot-wide, sprinkled donuts atop the neon Dunkin Donuts sign. In less the day, I will be in Kampala, Uganda and doubt strongly that I’ll see such a thing.

This post represents the first leg of a 27 hour travel day to get to East Africa. I’ve been spending my morning napping and reading; so, there is nothing really exciting to relay. But, I’m sure that’ll change soon.

Last Run in Colorado for a Few Months

2009-05-31T12:06:00.001-07:00

Trail Run on Hunter Creek, Aspen

Idaho

2008-11-26T15:38:00.001-08:00

Chasing Colorado Ringnecks

2008-11-26T15:33:00.000-08:00

Pheasant Season Is Here Again

2008-11-12T00:09:00.001-08:00

Hog

2008-08-03T10:23:00.001-07:00

Gordo with his hog from last weekend.

Frasier & Colorado River

2008-07-28T14:30:00.001-07:00

Took a weekend and fished the Frasier and Colorado rivers in North Central Colorado. Had a great time with my buddies from UC and had exceptional fishing. This bown from the frasier took a PMD in the evening.

The Frasier at Sunset.

Crabtree

Fished a private section of the Colorado thanks to Crabtree. His childhood buddy has some great water.

Gordo with a 19" bow. We caught fish that topped out in the 22-23" range, with some reports going upto 25". The average fish was about 16-17". My biggest was an estimated 22" bow on a caddis imitation skated over the surface. Fishing was strong all day resulting in 30 fish days.

Average fish...

Old boots...

Good whiskey...

Spring scenes..

2008-07-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Injuries...

Pasque Flowers

- C -

2008-07-02T21:54:00.001-07:00

Branding...

Spring Bow...

2008-05-25T08:26:00.001-07:00

Could I ask for a better fishing dog? Loose net, Chuck!

Crabtree and Hatch fishing a productive section...

The highlight of spring fishing was a snowy, windy mid-week day on the South Platte in Cheesemen Canyon. Crabtree and I fished a strong Baetis hatch throughout the rough weather and caught some nice fish. Here is a 21" bow caught on a size 20 CDC olive biot dun (20/20!). I saw the fish rising for duns in the middle of the river, threw a couple of casts its way and on the third try, it came up slow and deliberate and took.

Rooster

2008-01-19T17:25:00.001-08:00

Hunted near Joes, Colorado recently. Flushed about two dozen birds throughout the day, but unfortunately all but a few were hens. Did get a few shots off (and only a few because only one barrel was firing) and took one rooster. Birds were either flushing far or holding tight until dog-flushed or we approached within five yards.

Thick hedgerows next to corn stubble are prime pheasant habitat. Flushed a few wild birds at about 100 yards here.

Yellow indian grass and switch grass provide good cover for birds. We jumped a couple of hens in this area.

Charlie with her bird. Charlie hunted well all day, flushing some tight holding birds and holding almost a point on a couple of hens tucked in tufts of switchgrass.

Closer look at the rooster...

Pheasant Hunting In Eastern CO

2007-12-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hunted various walk-in-access properties in Easter Colorado yesterday. Jumped one hen and a few of the biggest snowshoe hares I have ever seen. Chuck got really excited in some prime habitat but we failed to get any males to flush. Beautiful day to hike around.

Saw some tracks, too.

Sunset in a wheat field near Road F in Morgan County, Colorado.

Road F.

Another Sunset shot...

Silverton & Crusty Butt

2007-12-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

Just before finals, five of us (and one black named Stella) packed into a truck and headed to Silverton, CO just Souhteast of Telluride to ski Silverton "resort". It's a one lift and hike operation featuring steep terrain and powder conditions. It's not the resort that you see in the back ground of this picture of town, but avalanche corridors. The lift is about six miles from town.

Here's the sole lift.

After we geared up, we realized the lift was broken. Turns out Silverton bought the lift (circa 1977) from Mammoth Resorts in Cali. The amazing thing is that this is the extent of the line after an hour wait. PBRs floated around.

The lifties eventually had to call out a old employee from the line to repair the lift. Here he is banging on the guides.

When you finish a run, you may end up anywhere along either side of the ridge. To get patrons back to the lift, Silverton runs a converted bakery truck called the meat wagon along a mining road that runs along the perimeter of the mountain. Judd's zipping open the vents.

Inside the meat wagon.

Woke the next day to find bluebird conditions after a windy and snowy evening.

Back up the road to the lift...

Parking Lot, Day two.

Dave getting ready for the hike up Tiger Claw (background).

Here's concussion after the Tiger Claw. You can see a couple of my buddies about a third way down. This run permitted boarders to make wide, easy turns though thigh-deep powder.

Looking down the hike up Tiger Claw. You can see skiers packing up the trail.

We started several runs from the Tiger Claw (top left) which dumped us through concussion and eventually out this narrow gully that was tight enough to simulate a half pipe.

BWOs

2007-12-01T19:02:00.000-08:00

Killed 'em on the pan with BWO patterns. Specifically with CDC Biot Drys size 20.

Accounting, Duck Hunting, Microeconomics, Fishing, Business Statistics, Boozing, and More Fishing/Finance

2007-10-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

Between classes I've been catching browns in local creeks...

Hunting with Crabtree and Hatch...

Hunting with Gordo and Dex...

...getting boozy with the roomies...

...catching small brookies in Rocky Mountain National Park...

...and restoring a old WWII era reel mower that I bought at a thift store for $9.99, a steal. She cuts like a razor blade.

Before Leaving Aspen...

2007-09-14T19:15:00.001-07:00

Fished the Fork one last time before leaving, caught nice green drake hatch at dark.
Brought about 8 fish in in half an hour, all on cripples.

Nice bow to hand...

Bringing him back...

Releasing...

Update/Procrastination

2007-09-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

As soon as I quit my job, I headed out to the Green River with Charlie and fished for three days. Had a great time catching 25+ fish a day on drys and hooking and missing countless others.

Caught lots of 17" browns...

Releasing a brown...

You can see my tent left center...

Managed to catch my ear, too...

Mountain Whitefish...

Browns...

And rainbows....

Winter Squall

2007-06-06T20:56:00.001-07:00

Enjoying a fire tonight after a nice run through late spring snow storm.

Cathedral Lake

2007-06-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Headed to Cathedral Lake on Sunday for an eight mile hike to attempt climbing Electric Pass. Too much snow to get to the pass without snowshoes, but we had a good time anyway. On the way up to the trailhead, brown dog checks out a mulie spike buck.

Charlie's first snow drift in weeks.

Getting up to the snow line.

Cathedral Lake still frozen, but breaking.

Mountain Dryads signal the start of the tundra growing season.

Light weather in the south...

Nice view of some cragged peaks.

Afternoon popcorn thunderheads building from the East. Time to head down.

Ride for the Pass

2007-05-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Biked to the top of Independence Pass last Saturday along with a few hundred others. The race fees support efforts to improve habitat along highway 82 on the way to Leadville. I started the race from my house, pedalled 20 miles and 4000 feet up to the saddle. The 20 miles back down take about a third of time to go up and I've gotten up over 50 mph on the decent.

Late Snow Last Tuesday

2007-05-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

Early flowers took a beating.

Aspen branches covered.

On the morning trail...

New Camera - First Warm Weekend

2007-04-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

The airport is closed for expansion. The lifts are shut down. The pass roads are still closed. No tourists. This time is my favorite time to be in Aspen.

Here's Charlie retrieving Friday evening...

Chuck launching again.

Headed up Independence Pass. This road is closed to car traffic. I made it nine miles up to the Lincoln Creek juncture. They have yet to plow the road at this point.

Shot from going up...

Hiked up Highlands for the last run this year. The mountain is closed so the only way up is to hike. Saw one other skier the entire day.

Taking a break...

Charlie looking at o the Bells from near the top of Loge Peak.

Looking down the top of Loge Peak Lift to the valley floor.

Woke up early and rode the freshly thawed road to the Maroon Bells. The road is still closed to car traffic, so it was wide open for me. It's entire length was pretty clear except for some areas that where there were slides leaving boulders, rocks, and sticks.

At the foot of the Bells at Maroon Lake.

After the ride up to the bells, Bert and hit the canyon at Sardy Field. There's Bert new '83 scrambler. WE caught 5 or 6 fish a piece on Caddis and lost many more.Good fishing in warm weather. Finally.

First rainbow...

Closer look at the bow...

Fish on!

Landing...

Bert with a nice Bow.

Take Root Records Bash

2006-12-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

Take Root Records! Tacate are in the fridge.
Nate's parking tickets...
Off to the show!
Old roomies...

Some guy, Shalou, and Little.

Who was this guy?
The next band on Nate's Label:

Snow Run

2006-12-20T19:29:00.000-08:00

Chuck and I after a night run up Smuggler Mountain in a little squaw.

Cat Tour

2006-12-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

I was able to weasel my way onto a cat tour after a early December storm dumped 26" on top of Ajax. Here we are resting after a run with one of the guides, Sam.
The new snow on the old crusty stuff made for ideal slide conditions...
Fresh tracks....
The loaded cat...

Trip Home - Saturday

2006-11-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

Bramble with a bird from the morning hunt.
Mallard...

Finn and me...

Where Middessa used to be...
Former Sheats Homested..
St. Andrew's 14, Friends 6
Jai and I after the win.

Trip Home - Sunday

2006-11-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

Mark looking for stripers...
Stink ready to fish...
Bramble's duck blind folded in the high winds.

Finn eager for a run on the island...

Jeremy fishing Big Creek.

The ghosts of Hoopers.

The Boys and Finn at my folks house...
The ham, Tre, and I.

Elk & Bears

2006-10-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

On my morning walk with Charlie along the Ajax Trail, I frequently see bear tracks. With the first snows covering the woods' floor, you can easily pick up these prints. Here Chuck's print (left) lies next to a bears print (right). The bear mostly likely passed this spot the day before.

The bear tracks led to this small cave under a boulder. Since these prints were at most a couple days old and no tracks left the den, I think the bear stored herself up for the winter. Great to think while I walk the pup in the morning that a black bear sleeps just yards from the trail.

On the way to hunt Basalt Mountain, I took the back road through McClean Flats and as I admired the farms off to my right, Charlie stared intently to my left. Looking in that direction, I saw a large herd of elk, mostly cows but some young spike bulls mixed with the gals.

Another shot of the herd...

Fishing The Fork and Pan

2006-10-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Charlie and me with a 14" Brown from the Lower Roaring Fork.

Nice bow from the Upper Fork...

14" Brown from the Fork...

Shaun with a little Brown from the Pan...

Two Cords

2006-10-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

This summer, cut just under two cords of aspen and pine from Basalt Mountain and the Norrie region. Stacked a dry cord and a quarter on the patio, ready for the woodstove.

Half a cord of Lodgepole Pine in reserve.

Grizzer Bears?

2006-10-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

From the Aspen Times...

DOW investigates report of grizzly

Hunters spot bear, cubs near Independence Pass

By Janet Urquhart

State wildlife officials are investigating a report of a grizzly bear sighting in the San Isabel National Forest near Independence Pass, east of Aspen.Two hunters who have past experience with both black bears and grizzlies reported the Sept. 20 sighting, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. They reported watching a female grizzly bear and two cubs in a clearing, from a distance of about 80 yards. They observed the animals for about a minute through binoculars and a spotting scope, the DOW said. The hunters were unable to find tracks or scat after the bears moved on.The hunters are considered credible witnesses, according to Tyler Baskfield, DOW spokesman in Denver. DOW personnel have searched the area on foot and by helicopter, though Baskfield declined to pinpoint the locale of the sighting. No evidence to confirm the presence of grizzlies has been recovered, he said.The San Isabel National Forest borders the White River National Forest to the east; the boundary between the two forests roughly follows the Continental Divide and meets at the top of Independence Pass. The White River National Forest surrounds Aspen.Grizzlies were commonly thought to be extirpated from Colorado until 1979, when a female grizzly bear attacked an outfitter on an archery elk hunt in the San Juan National Forest in southern Colorado, according to the DOW. He survived the attack; the grizzly was killed."Since that 1979 incident, the DOW hasn't ruled out the possibility of grizzly bears in Colorado," Baskfield said. "I think it's unlikely, but we haven't ruled it out."Baskfield declined to speculate on what the agency would do if it finds a grizzly sow and her cubs, which will presumably begin hibernating for the winter soon.It is currently hunting season in Colorado for sheep and black bears. Bear hunters need to recognize their targets, Baskfield stressed."Hunters have to be aware of what their target is," he said.

Aspen Mountain First Snow

2006-09-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hiked up Aspen Mountain after a few days of storms. Near the top, we had 16".

Call of the Wild: Charlie following coyote tracks...

My snow shoe and Charlie's track coming up a run...

Tracks from eager skiers on Gentleman' s Ridge.

View Southwst from the top of the Sundeck...

Bear prints on the trail down.

Mount Elbert 8-26-2006

2006-09-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, August 26th, Bert, the dogs, and I hiked Mount Elbert through every type of weather. This peak is Colorado's tallest peak at 14,440' . Here's a sot from the beginning of the hike. The summit is somewhere behind all clouds and snow.

In the distance you can see Leadville, CO - "Fun Living at 10,200'"

Chuck loving some August snow...

The storm sliding up the hill...

Bert pushing up the slog as the snow turns on...

The storm strengthened as we neared the summit. About 300 feet before we reached the top, Bert and I discussed turning around if visibility decreased any more.

Chuck and I on the highest kanine accessable peak in the lower 48.

About ten minutes after we retreated from Elbert's peak, the sun broke through the clouds...

Another picture, just below the summit: Bert and the mongrels.

Further down the decent, the clouds briefly parted to reveal Twin Lakes far below.

More Grouse Hunting - Less Grouse

2006-09-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hunted the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness accessed via the Midway Pass off of 82.

Chuck on the pass...

Heading up Midway Pass Trail...

View from Midway Pass as the sun rises, Elk Range in the distance.

Blue Grouse

2006-09-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

Charlie retrieves our first Blue Grouse in a Douglas Fir Grove on Basalt Mountain.

Sunnyside Trail - Views

2006-08-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

After work, I hiked up Sunnyside Trail just NorthWest of Aspen proper. It's dry, dusty jaunt that leads to some dense, lush Aspen groves after about an hour. It provides some great views of Aspen in the fading light.

In the center of this show is Highlands Ski resort and to the right, a portion of Butter Milk's ski runs. The valley that runs betweens to the two resort mountains is Maroon Creek Valley which leads to the Maroon Bells (the jagged 14,000' peaks in the ditance). To the left of Highlands Resort is the Castle Creek Valley.

Midway Pass

2006-07-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

I often complain how Aspen is the most materialistic, shallow, and pretentious town in America but, although these descriptions are true, it is still a thrilling place to live. Where else could I maintain a semblance of a career and hike to the tundra after work on a Thursday evening.

Looking back down the switch backs to 82...

The rare Perry primrose...

Reunited with the snow.

On the pass...

The wind swept tundra at 12,500'.

Sunset on the tundra...

Running down the trail after the sun set. Took us an hour and ten minutes to get to the pass and 32 minutes to get back to the trail head, just as it was getting dark.

Trail Runs Around Aspen - Ajax

2006-07-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

After seeing a bear, two mule deer, and my first common yellow throat on a run on Tuesday, I decided to start documenting my trail runs. Here's Chuck being patient while I stretch.

The trailhead...

We saw a 300 lb black bear in this section on Tuesday. Charlie was a little confused, gave chase, but turned back after I called to her.

Wild flowers along the trail...

View from the face of Ajax mountain. Across town on the opposite mountain, you can see a trail's switchbacks climbing up the hill. That's the beginning of Smuggler Loop, another trail I run.

A convenient spring at the half way point...

More inclines...

Finishing up the main hilly section...

Took a little detour on the Wheeler to add 10 minutes or so the the course...

Finishing up the run along the Wheeler Ditch trail that parallels the Roaring Fork River.

Chasing the Green Drake Hatch

2006-07-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Drove down to El Jebel after work to fish at dusk during the green drake hatch, the emergence of a large mayfly. A storm threatened to mix things up, but stayed clear of mid-valley. Lots of caddis out and a few drakes emerged at dusk. Fishing was decent, but the views were better.

More caddis...

Sun sets beneath the clouds.

Night Hawk after sunset.

Bramble hits the Roaring Fork Valley

2006-07-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

Fashion show on Highway 82. Here's the "Blue Steel" look.

Bramble on the Arkansas.

Roaring Fork Bow...

Charlie and Paul on the Roaring Fork.

Catching browns on the famous 'Pan.

Branimal takes on the Gunnison

2006-06-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Getting ready before the hike down to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We took the Ute trail four miles and 1000 feet down to the river for a two night/three day trip. Fishing during the day was slow, but, during the cooler evenings, the fish fed heavily.

...like a new father with a 17" brown.

PCB is serious about his fishing & hooch.

Bramble heads out to fish at 6:30 AM.

As the heat rises well before noon, B-Rams heads back to camp to change into shorts for some wet wading.

Here's a typical Gunny Brown - about 16".

Bramble with a 21" Brown form the Gunnison.

Chuck After Fishing

2006-06-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

Got skunked fishing, but Chuck had a blast chasing chipmunks.

Roaring Fork Clean Up Project

2006-06-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Here's the article in the Aspen Times about my clean up project on the Roaring Fork River. The response by the Open Space and Trails department was better than I hoped:

Dan Sheats likes fishing in the Roaring Fork River below Sardy Field - but he couldn't stand the abandoned, trashed campsite that littered the land nearby.Enclosed by chicken wire and scattered with old cans, tent fragments, Styrofoam and other refuse, the site proved to be quite a challenge clean up. But Sheats did it all, and because of him there's a new open space program to help others do the same."It was a solid four hours of grunt work," the Aspen resident said.Sheats began his work at 7:30 on the morning of May 13 at the abandoned campground near the river. Armed with trash bags, gloves and other gear provided by the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails program, he removed trash and 50 yards of chicken wire surrounding the area. After making a few phone calls, Sheats was able to make sure he didn't get stuck with the dump fees for bringing several trash bags and even a mattress frame to the landfill. And now there's a system to make sure anyone who wants to perform similar deeds can avoid any hassles dropping it off at the landfill. If the garbage comes from county open space, the open space program will pay the fees."I definitely don't want them to incur the cost of the landfill," said Keith Berglund, a Pitkin County ranger and naturalist who helped arrange the cleanup. Although many people volunteer to keep open space clean, Berglund said, this was the first time in the three years he's been with the program that one person volunteered to take on such a large project by himself.Sheats was just glad he could get rid of the eyesore and make it a little easier for anyone who may want to follow in his footsteps."It's kind of interesting to start a little project on your own," he said. "If other people see a site like that, they can initiate a cleanup themselves."Berglund is encouraging anyone who wants to help clean up a site to call him."Anything anybody can do," he said. "We're blessed that people in Pitkin County love open space."To do your own open space cleanup, call ranger Keith Berglund at 920-5399

Possibly the kitchen...

Main camp area...

The junk.

Me with the trash. I had to lug this stuff about 200 yards up the hill behind me.

A shot of the camp site after cleaning...

A shot of the cleaned up kitchen area...

And another shot of the main camp...

Highlights from Baja - Todo Santos and Cabo San Lucas

2006-06-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

From La Paz we headed to Cabo San Lucas via the West Coast Highway. Along our drive we stopped in the small artist/surfer community of Todo Santos for lunch. Here's a view down a typical street looking toward the church.

Not many pictures from Cabo San Lucas since the town resembles Las Vegas by the sea. Octopus...

Ceviche...

Me, my nose, and Amanda at the end of the trip.

Interlude #2 - Dinner

2006-06-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Typical rainbow on the Roaring Fork River - not legal for dinner. Caught and released.

Charlie helping me land a Fork Bow.

Chuck sleeping after a day of fishing the Fork.

The perfect trout for dinner. This Frying Pan Brown is 14". Just under the legal limit for the Pan.

Highlights from Baja - La Paz

2006-06-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Eastern Cape, La Paz!

After Cabo Pulmo, we drove to La Paz, the capital
of the Baja Pennisula. It's also the largest city in Baja at 150,000.

Hysterical statue on the boardwalk. Saluting, he wears a paper boat hat and a paper boat around his waist.

Many wrecks lay stranded in the La Paz Bay. Here pelicans hold tight to a wreck's hull.

Exploring another beached sailboat in the bay.

Amanda kayaking with La Paz in the distance.

Interlude #1 - Boarding Independence Pass

2006-06-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

With the opening of Independence Pass on Memorial Day weekend, we drove up highway 82 to get in some late Spring skiing. Climbing about a hour, we reached a suitable peak and boarded our way down the slopes where we could reconnect with 82 in the valley below and hitch-hike back to the car.

Charlie resting at the top.

Rich, Nolan, Charlie and me at the peak above the run.

Nolan on his way through a grassy stretch of the trail.

Hiking up the pass with Chuck leading the way.

Charlie and I part way down the run. Charlie kept on our heels the whole time often stumbling, somersaulting, and sliding on her stomach when her legs couldn't keep up with her speed.

Highlights from Baja - Cabo Pulmo

2006-05-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

The road to Cabo Pulmo was rough and unpaved and mostly traveled by livestock rather than cars. Cabo Pulmo itself is a small village located near the one coral reef on the Western Coast of North America. We snorkeled along this reef viewing tropical fish and mating sea lions from just mere yards.

Some bungalows along the beach in the distance.

A view of Cabo Pulmo from the beach.

Here is one of the central streets in Cabo Pulmo. There are no paved roads and no electric lines as the entire village is solar powered.

Brown Pelicans continually patrol the coast hunting small fish in the shallows. After locating pray, they abruptly dive bomb and splash head first in the sea.

It could be a little breezy in the afternoon.

Highlights From Baja - San Jose Del Cabo

2006-05-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO BAJA - GIMME YOU SNACKS!

San Jose Del Cabo, population 50,000, is 20 miles East of the tourist trap of Cabo San Lucas and feels more like an authentic Mexican town than it's more populous, raucous neighbor to the West. Here I am resting in the shade of downtown San Jose.

The first morning, we paddled and surfed the Old Man break just West of San Jose del Cabo.

Another look at the Old Man surf break...

The local mission church dominates the cityscape of one and two storey homes. The mosaic on the face of the building depicts native Americans dragging a catholic priest across the desert (see below). The first night in town, we watched a colorful local wedding ceremony inside the church, windows open and fans churning.

Here is a close up of the mosaic on the front of the church.

Here is the the best bakery I have ever patronized. After spending 20 pesos, or two dollars, for a brown paper bag full of buttery, cream filled donuts and sweet, fruit filled pastries, I sat on the curb outside with the morning sun warming the streets and contentedly satiated myself with these sugary treats and a fresh cup of black coffee.

The Bowl

2006-04-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Bert, Nolan, Amanda, and I hiked the bowl at
Highlands. It was my first time in the bowl and I loved the hike up as well as the steep ride down. Here, you can see Nolan strapping in before the ride to the catwalk which leads to the trail up the knife-edge. You can bearly make out the skiers hiking up the bowl below the first false peak in the center right of the picture. Look for little ants heading up the spine of the mountain.

Preparing for the hike up, Nolan straps his board, helmet, and goggles to his pack, puts on the sunglasses, and gets his camel back ready. Too bad the forgot sunscreen.

Amanda about half way up the hike and the view East laid out behind her.

Halfway up myself.
Looking down the first section of the hike up.

Here comes Nolan...

And now Bert...

Looking East from the top of Highlans Bowl.

Looking West across a knife-edge to an apporaching storm.

Amand and I at the top of Highlands just before the ride down.

The troop.

After the ride down, it's time to refuel.

Dief Survives Colorado

2006-03-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the pines lurks a terrible beast.

The Rummager is known to crash through the woods in a frightening, wild ambush and viciously attack unsuspecting skiers...

After devouring his prey, the Rummager often steals the victim's gear for some post lunch runs.

Dief was quite a sport this weekend. Coming from sea levels to Aspen is tough enough on the body, yet Dief trudged up the hike to Long Shot on Snowmass Mounatin to 12,000' with grace.

He used an interesting technique combining his poles and sticks to assist him up the stiff climb. This style was new to me.

Dief lost his cap on the way up. Fortunately, some 50 year old man was trailing him and was able to retrieve it.

Winded.

View looking down valley from the top of Snowmass.

View looking East from Snowmass, 14,000' peaks in the distance

Dief takes on the fresh Colorado powder...

...and goes down.

After Dief recovered froma brief illness, we hit the Roaring Fork River five miles below Aspen for some fishing. Getting down the canyon was a bit tough and we had to slide on our asses for about 40 yards at a particular steep, snowy stetch.

Charlie joined us for her first fishing trip and kept track of Dief and me throughout the day. She turns 5 months tomorrow and now weighs about 40 lbs. Her adult teeth are coming in now and her retrieving instinct is starting to take a real hold.

We fished with midges and micro mayflys during the afternoon, but I think some sporatic cloud cover prevented the hatch from fully maturing. Despite the weather, we both got into some fish. Fish on here.

I got a nice 19" cuttbow to hand after a 4 or 5 minute fight, a large fish for this section of the river.

Another look at the cuttbow.

Here's Charlie and me hiking through the brush above the river. There's still plenty of snow on the ground.

Dief quietly fishing a nice hole.

Snow Storm March '06

2006-03-13T09:48:00.001-08:00

Basalt, out the office window looking into town. The first dump in a while. Looks like this storm could be a good one; reports have us getting snow through the middle of the week.

The wooden fisherman at the four corners suffers through the wind and snow.

The library and some houses up the hill.

One Picture From Vegas

2006-03-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

This picture is the only one I took in Vegas. My room was between the "I and "A" in Imperial on the Signage for the Imperial Palace.

Charlie's Growing Up!

2006-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

12 Weeks

2006-02-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Charlie's twelve weeks old today and just about 25 lbs. Rainer celebrates by giving her a nice ear munch.

Charlie and Rainer get some rest after a long tustle.

Cold Morning

2006-01-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

The Frying Pan freezing through a deep pool...

Just outside my office, the Frying Pan meets the Roaring Fork with slow water and ice. On cold mornings like this one, condensation rises from the river due to the freezing air temperatures relative to the warmer water. Rarely, when the morning are well below zero, the vapor will obscure the far bank and rise 20 feet above the river.

What a look...

Here you can see that Charlie's little body is starting to elongate and mature. As of Sunday afternoon, January 22nd, she has gained six pounds since the ninth and now tips 21 lbs.

In the background, you can see Munson giving Charlie the evil eye.

She's doing well sitting, retrieving and starting to learn stay. She's house broken and waits by the door patiently.

Aspen Mountain Cat Tour

2006-01-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, January 21st, after days of epic snow fall, a TMS crew took a snow cat powder tour on the back side of Aspen Mountain to hit as much freash stuff as possible. By the end of the day we boarded and skied fifteen runs through untouched powder under clear skies and perfectly chilly temps. Quite a day.

At points traveling from run to run, Independence Pass came into view over the Roaring Fork Valley.

A typical stretch on the back side of Ajax.

Looking down on the crew finishing up a run through deep powder.

Looking back up a nice run we hit a few times.

Dump

2006-01-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

Aspen Mountain has received 19" in the past 48 hours and 33" over the last 7 days. My yard, seen here, is surrounded by a three foot fence. This morning, Charlie was able to climb the snow drifts and hop over the fence while I was warming up my truck. She came to me quickly after I called. Should be a good weekend for boarding.

Charlie and Rainer Fight!

2006-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

Charlie's 10 weeks old today -

Here she is with her new toy

And getting ready to attack Rainer

And beginning a battle that lasted hours

In the midst of the some serious wrestling

Rainer reverts to 10 weeks himself

Sore necks

More of Charlie

2006-01-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

...Bored with NG.

...Catching some sun.

...Discovering her kong toy... and the peanut butter inside.

Loving the ample'05-'06 snow fall....

.....Waiting for her first dinner in Aspen.

Rainer and I introduce Charlie to her crate her first night home. She initially loved her crate in its disassembled state, but after I put it together, the crate posed some frustration for Charlie.

This is Charlie's father, Clic. He's a handsome guy, originally from Canada, weighing an athletic 80 - 85 Lbs. The breeder, Kelly, showed off the do'gs retrieving skills by keeping Clic in a sit-stay while he placed six birds in visible and hidden areas around his barns. Kelly would then send Clic out in a specific direction, blow his whistle once, stopping Clic dead in his tracks. After Clic's attention was focused back to him, Kelly would point to the direction he wanted to Clic to go to retrieve a particular bird. Kelly did this six different times for each bird.

Clic's personality and looks won me over quickly. He's friendly, attentive, and gentle.

Charlie Begins Her Path of Destruction

2006-01-12T07:41:00.000-08:00

Here's Charlie! She's a chocolate lab from Bear Creek Labradors in Craig, Colorado, about a three hour drive North of Aspen. Today, she's nine weeks old.

This picture shows Charlie on her first night in Aspen (1/7/2006) when she quickly came out of her shell and attacked everything that moved, including my face.

I began crate training her that night which she immediately protested, voicing her aversion with loud, constant barking for five to seven minutes. Then she slept for three hours. Now, after five nights crate training, she hardly whines, although she still needs to go outside about two times during the night. Last night, the mercury read zero, with moderate snow fall, making for an interesting trip out in flip-flops.

2006-01-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

Sunrise over Independence Pass earlier this fall. In the trough of the valley you can make out Highway 82, my daily commute to Basalt

Big Horn Sheep

2006-01-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks back, I fished the Frying Pan on a clear, cold day. On my way up the canyon, about five miles, I came across several big horn sheep grazing along the cliffs above the road. The sheep migrate down from the high country during winter to find forage and shelter from cold temperatures. At times, I have witnessed several dozen sheep gathered in a meadow along this stretch in the canyon. Both young males and ewes have small, spiked horns seen in this picture of two sheep grazing 30 feet above the road. Because of their size, I think they are ewes, but I wasn't close enough to be sure.

Just below the road, a ram grazed on some grass growing from base of the cliffs where vegitation poked out from the snow. These herds have to endure some tough conditions in this valley.

Cold fishing that day. Manged to catch some rainbows and browns. Here is 14" bow caught on a midge pupa pattern. Typical bow on the pan.

I took this picture on the way back down to Basalt. He was in no rush to get off the road and decided rather to enjoy the minerals there. He stood 10 feet from me for about 3 minutes. I estimated that he weighs 220 lbs and is about 7 years old. Rams live to about 13 years and can wiegh 250lbs.

Fishing the Frying Pan January 2, 2006

2006-01-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

Partly cloudy, 30 degrees, light Westerly breeze. Frying Pan River.

This 13" male brown trout was caught on the Frying Pan around 2PM and grilled into a fish taco with mango salsa around 9Pm. Fresh and tasty. I caught him on a brown trout egg pattern. Trout have no problem eating their young.

This is a native Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (the bright orange slash under its jaw inspired the name) . Usually, you can only find pure cutthroats like this one in small, isolated streams at high elevation. However, I caught his one on the main fork of the Frying Pan River at about 8000'. My first catch of 2006. Released.

Introduced Rainbow Trout from California aggressively compete with cutthroats as well as hybridize with them during their mutual springtime spawning . These factors reduce the cutthroats population and genetic integrity.

Finished the day with three fish to hand, lost two others. Fished 12-3PM. Two browns, one cutthroat.

1/4 - I checked in with a PhD at Colorado Division of Wildlife's Aquatic Research Division, and he confirmed that this fish is a pure Colorado River Cutt. He also added that since the last area stocking of cutts from Trapper's Lake in Evergreen, CO (Colorado's second largest natural lake and great cutthroat fishery) was in 1999. Therefore, this fish would be much larger if it were 6 years old and instead must have traveled down a small tributary of the Pan. This may have happened due to very could temperature a few weeks back when night time lows in Aspen reached - 17, which may have threaten small streams with ice. A pure, native, and wild Colorado trout - a great way to start the year.