Rocky Mountain High

Today marks the 44th Earth Day. It's a time to think about our connection with the planet. I feel fortunate to be able to constantly follow the changing seasons in the Rocky Mountains, although the average backyard is full of wondrous sights for those who look closely. Close to home, wildflower seeds are beginning to sprout. Meanwhile on the distant slopes, the snow is receding and shrubs are becoming green again. The aspens are budding, and soon the leaves will be quaking in the wind.

Spring in the Rockies requires flexibility and patience. After an unusually mild winter, over twelve inches of snow fell in one early April day.

Some days are reminders of the amazing high country summers, while others are marked by morning snowfall that melts and evaporates by late afternoon. The prehistoric rock of the highest peaks is very slowly being uncovered.

I chose Rocky Mountain High as the title of this post because it seemed highly appropriate. As both the second state song of Colorado and the most famous song by John Denver (who was extremely passionate about the Rocky Mountains), it's a good choice for Earth Day. The second line, "...coming home to a place he'd never been before", resonates with me. I'll always remember how it felt to arrive in Colorado.

As the Snow Melts

On this first day of spring, I can look around and see that, while the snow around my house can only be found in grimy-looking piles, the mountains are still blanketed. My favorite trails are still buried under several feet of snow. Still, the big thaw is happening, even if it isn't always readily apparent.

The first green shoots and, even better, the first flowers are just weeks or maybe days away. For me, watching the wilderness change is like a gardener and his or her prize tomatoes, or even an animal lover and a young pet. So many people look for a meadow or an aspen stand, but there is also incredible beauty in a fresh leaf or an intricate flower.

With many dirt roads and worn trails, the springtime melting leads to a 'mud season', which is not much fun. Even so, it is an essential part of the yearly cycle of life. Melting snow and ice in the mountains fills streams and rivers, and allows plant life to flourish, which in turn provides food for wildlife.

In some ways, spring is a very dramatic time of the year. In a matter of weeks, the natural world transitions from night (winter) to a new dawn (spring).

This spring will mark a new beginning for From The High Country, too. My new book, San Juan Inspirations will be released this summer, as will a new-look 2014 calendar. To learn more about the book, click here.

In The Wilderness

Living in the mountains is quite an experience, but it is no substitute for spending time deep in the wilderness. Spring is a time of rapid change, and each week new shoots and flowers can be found (in my own yard, the seeds I've sown are beginning to germinate and sprout).

One nearby trail begins with a steep ascent through relatively heavy tree cover, which follows an old jeep trail. Moist ground and protection from intense sunlight allows some plants to thrive.

Oregon grape is quite distinctive and can often be found alongside wild strawberries in the leaf litter. Its purple berries are sometimes used in jams, and the crushed plant has been used for healing of wounds, although some sources suggest it can be poisonous in large doses.

The tree cover fades to give views of the valley floor below. Lupines and gooseberry bushes flourish on the exposed hillside, but the view is soon left behind as the trail follows a bend into a huge aspen stand, where fungi can be found in abundance later in the summer.

The trail is unrelentingly steep, but the natural world has a way of providing incredible sights an smells at every turn. Creeping junipers add fragrance to the forest, while translucent young aspen leaves shimmer in the sunlight.

Barren, rocky slopes are a sure sign that the end of the trail is nearby. After a final ascent, a collapsing cabin marks draws the visitor to an idyllic lake. Sheltered by tall trees and a nearby peak, the 12,000ft high lake is still partially covered in ice, while patches of snow are scattered between nearby trees.

Videos of the lake can be found here and here.

It is a perfect place to spend an afternoon in the Uncompaghre Wilderness. You can view several more images of the lake and the trail in my gallery.

Spring Cleaning

Spring in the mountains is a time of rapid change. Every walk (or run) is a chance to see new scenery. Despite little rain or meltwater, the local flora and fauna appear to be thriving.

 If I can learn anything from the natural world, it is patience. As I continue to be busier than I could have imagined, I have to remember to prioritize and remember that, like the seeds I've sown this week, building a new life takes much longer than three months.

Since there are so many things to do, and time is a fixed commodity, it is good to review the ways in which I spend precious time. If I find that something (whether it be a business strategy or a part of a daily routine) no longer works or is not worth the cost, then I have to be objective enough to recognize it and jettison it. At the moment, the FTHC presence on a certain social networking site seems to fall into that category. I'll be sure to let you know of any long-term changes in the next post.

In our lives, we must not be afraid to try something new, even if (or especially because) it is a little out of character. Similarly, we must be bold enough to discard those things that do not work for us, even if it means breaking a long-held habit. Wasting time and creative energy is one of the worst things we can do for ourselves.

Dawn To Dusk

I can think of no better reason to wake up before dawn than to be on a mountain trail as the sun rises. An early morning frost only enhances the scenery as the sun rises over a nearby ridge. Rabbits dart across the trail, while deer watch warily from a distance before walking briskly away. As the sagebrush fades away, the path is covered in a carpet of orange aspen leaves and pine needles, and the sky is clearly visible through bare trees.

At 9500ft there is evidence of very recent snowfall, while at 10000ft and above last season's snow still lies at depths up to 2ft, which makes travel difficult and obscures the trail ahead. Even so, wild buttercups and strawberries, oregon grape and more are all coming to life once more. Chipmunks and small birds inhabit the coniferous trees, and grouse can be found among the aspen.

At 11000ft the trees become sparse and those that remain are prime targets for lightning and avalanches  from nearby peaks (still laden with snow). Above the trees the whole valley below can be seen, and a boulder makes a great place to sit and appreciate the surroundings. Everything else fades away up here. This is why I came to the mountains.

Creativity

As I was preparing to escape to the mountains, I thought a great deal about living in the wilderness and all the opportunities for great photography. I also thought about the opportunities for change (both habits and circumstances), but I didn't anticipate quite what would happen when I unleashed my stifled creative instincts! The bench that I showed here a couple of weeks ago was just one of nearly a dozen wood projects of varying sizes that I've completed over the last few weeks. I also have a near-constant compulsion to be outside. The changeable spring weather only adds to the excitement of being present and experiencing an April afternoon. As my rhubarb begins to flourish and leaves appear on the wild, native plants nearby, I feel a strong desire to join in by sowing a few seeds alongside those of nature. My only problem is the number of hours in a day!

Spring is a great time to be in the mountains. Just a few days ago, I was lucky enough to see many bighorn sheep. I've already seen my first wildflower of the year, and I'm eager to see some outstanding displays of color on my travels in the wilderness.

For more bighorn shots, see the spring gallery.
Still on the theme of creativity, I'd like you to be the first to see my new project - a new range of gifts and shirts! In addition to FTHC images available on cards and gifts, I've designed a small range of shirts that are in keeping with the values expressed in this blog. I hope you like them!

Age

 This time of year is associated with new beginnings and growth. It's a time of change in the natural world, and nowhere is this more evident than here in the mountains. For me, it's a time of reflection as another birthday comes around. In our culture we seem to fear the passing of each year, but we can achieve a great deal in twelve months and we should feel able to celebrate both the achievements and the precious time that we've experienced. I recently read an article about the most common regrets of people who've reached the end of their lives. Not surprisingly, those regrets were as follows:
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Even here in the mountains it is easy to become preoccupied with work, but time in the wilderness reminds me of my priorities and goals, and with breathtaking beauty all around trivial problems slip away.

By living purposefully and being truly present, you might be surprised at what you'll experience.

You can view more spring images here. Enjoy your week!

Adaptation

As I reached the end of my 4th mountain run yesterday and checked my watch, it occurred to me that the human body is often much more adaptable than we think. A little over a week ago, running at altitude was a real struggle, but now I'm close to a respectable pace. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to change can be our minds, or more specifically our lack of confidence in ourselves. The human mind is a very powerful thing, but it can also limit us if we allow it.

Spring is here, and the local wildlife already seem to be more abundant as the snow and ice melt away. Deer have new sources of food, while geese and ducks now inhabit the thawing lakes.

Soon, the wildflowers will begin to bloom.  The natural world is constantly adapting to the seasons, and this is especially evident during spring.

I haven't been able to get up into the mountains as much as I would have liked this week, but I've still been busy. In just a few hours, I was able to build this classic bench (based on the design by the naturalist Aldo Leopold).

I was impressed with the simple yet rugged design. There is no reason why simple living should be uncomfortable!

Onwards and Upwards

Spring is (officially, at least) here to stay. Traces of snow remain in sheltered areas and high peaks, but the ground is dry and green shoots are no longer hidden. As the snow melted, I lost my excuse for not running since my relocation. Health and fitness are both important when living a simple life (an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!), and I believe that a healthy body is very helpful in maintaining a healthy mind. At a mile and a half higher than my last running environment, I have much work to do if I'm going to regain my old times.

It seems quite appropriate that the indoor mushroom growing and vermiculture (worm composting) experiments began as spring arrived. Both are going well, and I have another source of fertilizer that I'd like to show you:

The first major construction project has been completed, and more images will be added to the new spring gallery soon. I'm also working on a new FTHC project, which I hope to be able to announce in the next week or two - check back soon!

Finally, I wanted to share a link to a free resource for those of you who are interested in permaculture. I think that this is a great site. Have a great week, and don't forget that the FTHC spring sale is now on. To get a 10% discount on any item in an event gallery, simply use the "springsale2012" coupon code. There is no minimum purchase, and the sale runs until April 1st, 2012.