Dirtbags: In college
Fall Semester recap at Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.
-My first ever experience in college was filled with backpacking trips, days at the crag, freezing nights in thin polyester tents, snowboarding, sand crusted in my hair days after a dessert trip, and all these adventures with a fantastic group of crunchy kids just like me.
-I call Durango, Colorado, home now, and it has offered me so many unique opportunities so far. The Four Corners region is impossible for any outdoor enthusiast to navigate. Mountains, Dessert, Canyonlands, plains, forest, anything you could ask for.
Thank you fall semester,
Mandi
Trip Highlights
5-day backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains, Summiting Centennial peak, where I met my current circle of likewise lovers of sleeping on the forest floor.
Dunes weekend. I attained a backcountry permit for the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Grabbed a surfboard and some sleds, and headed to the dunes. Camped out on the dunes and stressed the sand in the hot morning sun.
Moab Canyoneering/rafting Weekend. Outdoor pursuits put on a trip taking a small group of us through the desert life, repelling down waterfalls, and rafting on the Colorado River.
Ice/Island Lake/US grant Summit weekend. I planned this weekend trip for my birthday with some friends to hike 13 miles roundtrip, 4.5k vert gain up to Ice and Island Lake with a slight detour to Summit U.S grant peak coming in at 13,767ft, all in one day. Late October had us freezing, sleeping at 10,000 feet.
Southeastern Utah Pack-rafting Trip. Outdoor Pursuits took a small group of us to travel through southeastern Utah on a pack rafting trip. Hiking, climbing (with our 60lb packs..), and cowboy camping under the stars upon the dunes of the canyon.
Mt.Sneffels Summit. My first ever 14Er in the state of Colorado. Our route up was quite snow-packed and was a difficult journey up and down in early November, but Sneffles is crossed off the list. Stopped for a much-needed pizza dinner in Ouray on our ride home.
Natural Bridges & Bears Ears. Fort Lewis’s Adventure House sponsored a weekend camping trip to Natural Bridges/Bears Ears. I learned a ton about the area's history, cultural affiliations, and rich beauty.
Grand Canyon 8-day Backpacking trip. Over Thanksgiving break, I took to the trails instead of the turkey. Outdoor Pursuits took a small group of us down into the Grand Canyon. It is filled with rolling terrain, beautiful sand beaches camped under the stars, dips in the Colorado River, and delicious freeze-dried food.
