Camping and packpacking
- Thread starter Don
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- Jul 20, 2006
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There are literally hundreds of places to camp and backpack within 150 miles of the Academy. If everyone in the group is in decent shape, I would suggest hiking up one of the "Fourteeners" in the area. (Fourteeners are 14,000+ ft mountains, of which Colorado has 53, the most of any state.) The closest is obviously Pike's Peak, which can be done in a day. Several others in the area that are fairly easy are Mt. Sherman, Mt. Evans, Long's Peak, and Mt. Bierstadt. Most of the mountains are in National Parks and are open to the public.
My son is a big snowboarder, but in the months with no snow he tries to conquer a different Fourteener every weekend that he has the time. His group leaves a brick-sized rock at each summit. The rock is painted gold, with "USAFA Class of 2011" in black letters on the side.
If you have any questions about where the mountains are and how to get to them, send me a PM.
Stealth_81
My son is a big snowboarder, but in the months with no snow he tries to conquer a different Fourteener every weekend that he has the time. His group leaves a brick-sized rock at each summit. The rock is painted gold, with "USAFA Class of 2011" in black letters on the side.
If you have any questions about where the mountains are and how to get to them, send me a PM.
Stealth_81
Christcorp
15-Year Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2008
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- 5,382
Too funny you should ask. "Not answering your question, but a little humor". This year for parent's weekend, my son mentioned possibly wanting to go camping. He's not 100% sure yet. But he really enjoys camping and hiking. He even makes sure he's free for certain weekends in October and comes home so he and I can go deer and elk hunting. He just started his C2C year. Now.... Timewarp back 2 years ago. I asked him for his very first parent's weekend if he wanted to go camping. His response was almost pure death. You know, like when E.F. Hutton talks. Finally he said: "I just graduated BCT and was hiking and camping for almost 3 weeks. I want real food, real beds, movie theaters, the mall, etc...
Point is, this first parent's weekend, ask him what he wants to do. Our 2nd parent's weekend we did all the 7 falls, estes park, etc... type excursions. The first one, he simply wanted to sleep, eat, go shopping, more restaurants, etc...
To answer your question about camping; you're in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. You can go "Real" camping anywhere around here. I say "Real" to emphasize the woods, mountains, NO TOILETS, 100% pure nature. Now, if you want to go to a "Camp Ground" type environment, sorry, don't do much of that. When we go camping and such, we go to the national forests, drive until we find we're on trails and can't go much further by vehicle, and park. We do use a map to get us near some water. Best of luck. mike...
Point is, this first parent's weekend, ask him what he wants to do. Our 2nd parent's weekend we did all the 7 falls, estes park, etc... type excursions. The first one, he simply wanted to sleep, eat, go shopping, more restaurants, etc...
To answer your question about camping; you're in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. You can go "Real" camping anywhere around here. I say "Real" to emphasize the woods, mountains, NO TOILETS, 100% pure nature. Now, if you want to go to a "Camp Ground" type environment, sorry, don't do much of that. When we go camping and such, we go to the national forests, drive until we find we're on trails and can't go much further by vehicle, and park. We do use a map to get us near some water. Best of luck. mike...
Thanks guys.
My son is a 3rd class. It will be just his 16 year old brother and me. (Both eagle scouts, high adventure types). I like the idea of one of those 14ks and your idea, Mike ... drive till you can’t and then start hiking. My 16 year old is on the case and plotting out a course. So we should have a decent challenge. At least I will.
My son is a 3rd class. It will be just his 16 year old brother and me. (Both eagle scouts, high adventure types). I like the idea of one of those 14ks and your idea, Mike ... drive till you can’t and then start hiking. My 16 year old is on the case and plotting out a course. So we should have a decent challenge. At least I will.