Four Pass Loop, Aspen, Colorado 2017

Post date: Jun 20, 2016 7:52:11 PM

Trip Report

Summary

The loop was not completed. Four members got a stomach bug! Two started throwing up on the first day; one on the 3rd day, and the 4th on the final day. Due to illness the decision was made to not to continue hiking. We made a base camp on West Maroon Trail at about 10,000 feet. Steve day hiked West Maroon Pass, and Steve and Sabrina day hiked both West Maroon and Frigid Air pass. We endured one major thunderstorm which flooded two tents. We should also note that O'Neil's had major car problems on the trip up. We had lots of problems, but we survived with our health and goodwill!

Photos

    • Lynna and Rana's photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjCWNNB0GkqhVUyl2

    • Jill's Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjCWNNB0GkqhVUyl2

To Do List

  • Where are we staying? Tri-State Motel 1020 Liberal Street, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States of America

  • Room Assignments

  • Room Reservations

  • Job Assignments

  • Meal plan

  • Travel Time

  • Car Plan

  • Map Schedule: June 13 / June 20

  • Acclimation Day

  • Decide on a day to go through safety stuff: June 6

  • Bear/ Ursac Day: June 6

  • Need to buy 2 bear canisters

  • Maroon Bell Videos/ pee rag: June 27th

  • First Aid Kit Day! (Ranger Award: section 14 & 9h)

    • Part 1: Health and first aid (Can Steve teach?): June 27th

    • Part 2: Talk about first aid kits

    • Part 3: Everyone bring first aid kit and talk about it

  • Paperwork

Itinerary

Travel to Aspen

    • Friday, July 14th

      • Depart Austin, Texas TIME??

      • Arrive Dalhart, Texas TIME??

      • Travel Time:

      • Lodging: Tri-State Motel 1020 Liberal Street, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States of America

    • Saturday, July 15th

      • Depart Dalhart, Texas TIME??

      • Arrive near Camp Alexander (Lake George, Colorado) TIME??

        • meet up with Steve and Grant

        • Transfer Joe, Logan, and Andrew to Steve's car

        • Say goodbye to Jen

      • Arrive: Difficult Campground near Aspen, Colorado TIME??

    • Travel Time:

    • Lodging: camping at Difficult Campground

Acclimation

    • Sunday, July 16th (Acclimation Day!)

      • Travel to trail head BEFORE 8 am to checkout parking and consult with rangers.

Hike

See trekking plan below.

    • Monday, July 17th

      • Begin trek - need to arrive at trail head before 8 am!!

    • Tuesday, July 18th

    • Wednesday, July 19th

    • Thursday, July 20th

    • Friday, July 21st

      • Hike out!

      • Stay the night at Difficult Campground

Travel Home

    • Saturday, July 22nd,

      • Depart Difficult Campround TIME??

      • Arrive near Lake George to transfer Joe and Logan to Jen TIME??

      • Arrive in Dalhart, Texas TIME?

      • Travel Time:

      • Lodging: Tri-State Motel 1020 Liberal Street, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States of America

    • Sunday, July 23rd

      • Depart Dalhart, Texas TIME?

      • Arrive, Austin, Texas TIME?

Driving Maps

Trekking Plan

Four Pass Loop - Trek Plan

Meal Plan

Colorado 2017 Meals

Cars

Jill's Car

    • 2016 Honda Pilot

    • Black

    • Seats 8

Steve's Car

    • 2013 Ford Flex

    • Black

    • Seats 7

Joe's Car

    • 20?? Kia

    • White

    • Seats 5

To Colorado

From Colorado

Room Assignments

Tri-State Motel 1020 Liberal Street, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States of America (1-806-244-2187)

Note: Reservations made via phone using Jill's USAA credit card. Call to confirm prior to trip to confirm.

To Colorado

    • Lynna, Rana, Anna

    • Andrew, Logan

    • Joseph, Jenn

    • Jill, Sabrina

From Colorado

    • Lynna, Anna, Rana

    • Andrew, Grant

    • Jill, Steve

    • Sabrina

Trail Info

Maps/Trail Guides

Altitude Hiking Articles

Bears

Leave No Trace

Other than the Trail

Notes

Campsites

Difficult Campground

Training Hikes

Required Safety Training - Adults

Wilderness First Aid - Jill

Trek Safely - Jill

Weather Hazards - Steve

Crew Assignments

Medic - Anna

    • Reviews medical records

    • Tapes blistered feet

    • Cleans wounds

    • Applies bandages

    • Assesses medical condition of crew members

    • Inspects personal first aid kits

    • Prepares by review first aid

LNT - Lynna

    • Ensures camping is on the most durable surfaces

    • Checks campsites for trash / traces after packing up

    • Ensures LNT principles are followed

Navigator - Andrew

    • Finds and follows trail.

    • Identifies water sources on map & trail

    • Coordinates with scheduler & weatherperson

    • Briefs the crew daily on the route (start and end points, water sources, campsites, distance and elevation changes).

Scheduler

    • Works with crew to determine wake up, departure, meal, and arrival schedule.

    • Enforces the schedule when appropriate.

    • Briefs the crew daily schedule (consult with navigator/weatherperson/water person to create schedule).

Water/Food - Rana

    • Verifies crew members are drinking A LOT of water.

    • Verify crew members are eating snacks and have enough food.

    • Create food plan.

    • Notes and communicates with crew the location of water sources.

    • Ensures food is stored properly every evening.

    • Ensures cooking is completed AWAY from out campsite.

Weatherperson - Weather

    • Carries the weather radio.

    • Checks weather reports morning, noon, and night.

    • Read up on NOAA weather: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOAA_Weather_Radio

    • Take BSA Weather Hazards course (online - it's not long)

    • Review Snow and Temperature info

Essential Equipment

Personal Equipment

Shared Equipment

Packing List

Costs

Gas estimate: ~$85/person

Camp sites: ~$13/person

Hotel: ~$50/person

Food:

Paperwork

Ranger Award Possibilities

5.

Land Navigation.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Using a topographical map for your area or the area you will be navigating in, demonstrate that you know the following map symbols: index contour; vertical control station; hard-surface, heavy-duty road; railroad, single track; power transmission line; building; checked spot elevation; marsh; map scale; intermittent stream; depression; ridge; trail; stream; hard-surface, medium-duty road; bridge; cemetery; campsite; water well or spring; unimproved dirt road.

Explain contour lines. Be able to tell the contour interval for your map and be able to show the difference between a steep and a gentle slope.

Using a map and compass, navigate an orienteering course that has at least six legs covering at least 2.5 miles.

Learn to use a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Demonstrate that you can find a fixed coordinate or geocache at night using a GPS receiver.

Teach the navigating skills you have learned in 5(a) through 5(d) above to your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout unit, or another group.

6.

Leave No Trace.

Recite and explain the principles of Leave No Trace.

Participate in three separate camping/backpacking trips demonstrating that you know and use Leave No Trace principles.

Make a tabletop display or presentation on the Leave No Trace principles and how they affect the environment and attitude of campers for your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout unit, or another group, or teach a Leave No Trace Awareness course.

(a)

(b)

(c)

7.

Wilderness Survival. Note: Before you complete Wilderness Survival, you must have completed the Cooking, Land Navigation, and First Aid requirements.

(a)

Write a risk management plan for an upcoming crew high-adventure activity such as a whitewater canoeing or rock-climbing trip. The plan should include nutrition, health, first aid, supervision, insurance, safety rules and regulations, proper equipment, maps and compass, in-service training, environmental considerations, emergency and evacuation procedures, and emergency contacts.

9.

Backpacking

(a)

(b)

Develop a personal exercise plan and follow it for at least three months, exercising at least three times a week. Set your goals with backpacking in mind and write them down. Keep a daily diary.

Backpacks.

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

Try on three types of backpacks. Learn how to choose the proper size frame for your body size. Learn and then be able to explain to others the difference between a soft pack, an internal frame pack, and an external frame pack. Tell the pros and cons of each type and what kind of trek you would take with each pack.

Explain the different parts of a backpack and their use.

Learn the proper way to lift and wear your backpack.

Describe at least four ways to limit weight and bulk in your backpack without jeopardizing your health and safety.

Learn how you would load an internal frame pack versus one with an external frame.

(c)

Packing gear.

Pack your backpack with your personal gear, including outdoor essentials, additional gear, and personal extras. Pack as though you were sharing equipment with one other person for a three-day, two-night backpacking trip.

List at least 10 items essential for an overnight backpacking trek and explain why each item is necessary.

Present yourself to an experienced backpacker, unload your pack, have him or her critique your packing, then repack your pack. Have him or her critique your efforts.

i.

ii.

iii.

(d)

Cooking.

List at least 20 items of group backpacking gear. Include a group cleanup kit.

Learn how and then demonstrate how to cook a meal using a backpacking stove.

Demonstrate proper sanitation of backpacking cook gear.

Learn how to properly pack and carry a backpacking stove and fuel.

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

(e)

Environmental impact.

List at least 10 environmental considerations that are important for backpacking and describe ways to lessen their impact on the environment.

Considering Leave No Trace principles, tell how to dispose of the human waste, liquid waste, and garbage you generate on a backpacking trip.

i.

ii.

(f)

Three treks.

Participate in three different treks of at least three days and two nights each, covering at least 15 miles in distance each.

Plan and lead a backpacking trek (can be one of the treks in (i) above) with at least five people for at least two days. This group can be your crew, another crew, a Boy Scout troop, or another youth group.

Plan the menu for this trek using commercially prepared backpacking foods for at least one meal.

Check for any permits needed and prepare a trip plan to be left with your family. Have an emergency contact number.

Using the map you used to chart your course, brief the crew you are leading on your trip plan.

Lead a shakedown for those you are leading.

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi.

(g)

Outerwear.

Learn about proper backpacking clothing for backpacking in all four seasons.

Learn about proper footwear, socks, and foot care.

Learn and then demonstrate at least three uses for a poncho in backpacking.

i.

ii.

iii.

(h)

Health and first aid.

i.

ii.

Learn about trail health considerations and typical backpacking injuries such as hypothermia, frostbite, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, altitude sickness, dehydration, blisters, stings and bites, and sprains and how to avoid and treat these injuries and illnesses.

Because fluid intake is so important to a backpacker, tell how to take care of your water supply on a backpacking trip. Include ways of treating water and why that is important.

(i)

Using all the knowledge you have acquired about backpacking, make a display or presentation for your crew, another crew, a Boy Scout troop, or another youth group. Include equipment and clothing selection and use, trip planning, environmental considerations, trail health and safety considerations, food selection and preparation, and backpacking physical preparation.

14.

First Aid

First-aid kit.

(a)

Build a personal first-aid kit or help build a group first-aid kit.

Know how to use everything in the kit.

Teach another person in your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout unit, or other how to make and use a personal or group first aid kit.

i.

ii.

iii.