Diggin the martin, saw my first one on a PCT section last year. Curious little buggers, so energetic. Second, that shot of the snowmelt drink just about made me quit my job! Love it. Third, I know I'm ocd, but it looks like that pack could use some load lifters :P

Sweet video. Jealous.

Thanks Ozzy.
About the pack. I don't keep much in it. I make a virtual frame with my sleeping pad, and stuff the middle of the pad burrito with everything else. This gives me the option to extend the shoulder straps and vent my back. When I carry a more substantial load, I fold the pad next to my back and once the bag is packed I open the valve to get a rock solid compression in the pack.

Edited by Matt_Mahaney on 10/29/2011 07:25:57 MDT.

Michael,
When I first looked at my map I almost went West over the pass to RG. I thought I could use the easy climb on the East side of the pass to build the confidence to drop down the other side to RG. As it was though, I was huffing and puffing anyway. I had spent about 14 days in Gunnison, but I'm coming form DC at a little over 200'. I had some catching up to do, and I never feel like I really got there. So I opted to stay on trails first incase I got in over my head and needed to bail. The contours on the West side of the pass concerned me more than the East and I've always been better at climbing, so I chose to climb the side that I was more cautious of. Not sure that's exactly what I want to say. I'll try again. I knew the West side would present more of a challenge to me. Either by my understanding or lack there of. A perceived level of comfort and fear. That place where we (however small the challenge i.e. this case) get to rub shoulders with our limits and we make our choices and hopefully become better outdoors people. I think I made the right choice for me.
Technically, there wasn't much more to do than look for the most positive places for footing and kicking when I couldn't find something good enough to stand on. Go do it. For me it was a good choice to do a little off trail walking in a low risk location.

That video is really great, giving me motivation to give it a try, really much cooler than still shots. You just raised the bar on trip reports!

slaying the Maroon Bells!

nice one with that Glitch Mob remix. don't like their recent direction, but seen them lots of times and definitely love their older (pre-Drink the Sea) stuff, both collectively and individually (though the Drink the Sea mixtape is good).

great trip!

p.s. i might have to start a "glitch/whomp/wobble/future bass-lovin' ultralighters" thread, to compete with those bluegrass and whatnot music threads. represent!

Edited by DaveT on 10/29/2011 14:11:30 MDT.

> Technically, there wasn't much more to do than look for the most positive places for footing and kicking when I couldn't find something good enough to stand on. Go do it.

Did you take the north or south route over the pass? You can see what I mean at 10:30-11:00 on my Part 2 video. They both looked reasonable to me from a distance. By kicking, do you mean there was snow when you were there or just dirt/mud instead of talus/scree as it appeared to me? I wish my knee would have cooperated on this trip, but it was the rock-hopping coming down from Pierre Lakes that stressed it early on.

I'd also contemplated doing Heckert Pass from Pierre Lakes pre-trip, but even with a good knee I wouldn't do that one alone once I saw it. It looked much tougher than this one at Cassi Peak.

Very good video Matt, glad you got to see Colorado. Let me know the next time your in Colorado we can hit the Flat Tops or RMNP.

Again great video!

Peter! Sir, how are you? Would love to see the Flat Tops. Thanks a lot. Glad to see the virtual you.

Nice vid

Thanks Ken.

Enjoyed your trip report. After the bear attacks near Aspen this year, I didn't do my annual solo trip to the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness, so I've been experiencing it vicariously. I'm going next year -- no excuses...

I was surprised how fast word spread in the Bells. Two guys were "attacked" by a bear in West Maroon the night I was in East Maroon. Word 'round the campfire was that one was critically injured. I have no way of knowing. I witnessed a wide range of backcountry skill there. In my opinion bear avoidance and food safety were lacking in some. Not all, some.

Thanks for the great TR Vid! I haven't been able to make it anywhere this season due to injury and this gives me things to look forward to. Colorado is my home state and I just can't get enough of it! Thanks again.

Aaron, thanks. Your home state is gorgeous. I can't wait to go back. Heal well and get back out there.

Makes me want to go back! Great Video!

Great Marten Grab!

Now, if only I had the patience for proper video editing.

Hmm anyone know if you can set videos as part of ones screen saver function? Surely something like this exists. Pictures/Videos dumped or linked to a folder and the "screen-saver" plays the folder....

Just wondering!

Thanks, Great Trip.