Adapting to the Mountains: Restoring the Spirit at Boreas Pass
There is something uniquely transformative about stepping away from the noise of daily life and immersing yourself directly into creation. For the past couple of years, heading deep into the backcountry has been my ultimate reset. It’s a space to clear the clutter, restore mind and spirit, and build the mental and physical endurance needed for the real-world battles that matter most.
I just returned from my latest expedition to Colorado, and I’m beyond excited to finally share this journey with you all.
When the Rockies Test Your Plan
If there’s one constant in the high country, it’s that the mountains will test you. This time around, the Rockies threw everything at me—forcing quick pivots, strategic rest days, and a complete shift from my original itinerary.
Rather than letting the change of plans stall the expedition, I shifted strategy and set up base camp along Boreas Pass Road just outside Breckenridge.
Living out of my VW Touareg ("Bernadette") tucked into the pines gave me the ultimate launchpad. From there, I was able to adapt, take on massive lower-elevation trail loops like Baker’s Tank and Aspen Alley, explore historic mining sites, and keep pushing forward with purpose.
A Campaign Bigger Than the Miles
This trip wasn't just about bagging peaks or testing gear—it was a mission driven by family and community.
I hit the Colorado trails with two primary goals:
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Supporting My Family: Raising funds to directly assist with ongoing medical bills.
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Giving Back: Making another major impact donation to two organizations extremely close to my heart—the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the National MS Society.
Every mile logged on those trails was fueled by the support of everyone following along, donating, and repping the gear back home.
Backcountry Gear & Basecamp Setup
Staying self-sufficient while living off-grid in the Rockies requires gear you can rely on completely. Whether it was running a hot meal on the Jetboil, staying level with off-road recovery gear, or building out a comfortable cargo-area sleeping setup, having the right trail systems in place made adapting to the elements possible.
(Stay tuned to the blog as we publish deep-dive gear reviews and breakdown lists of our exact backcountry setup!)