hiking with pack horses

This is a five-day non-technical hiking/mountaineering tour with packstock support. Do you love the feeling of standing on top the world, but are leery of ropes and sheer heights? This hiking trip is designed to take you into the remote wilds of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness offering the opportunity to climb peaks higher than 13'000 feet without the need of ropes.

Camping is safari style. Packhorses carry comfortable tents, kitchen and personal gear between spectacular wilderness camps leaving the hiker free to carry a light daypack. No experience is necessary. The adventure is for healthy participants in good physical condition. Although the distances traveled are not long (the longest day we cover about 9 miles), we do climb steep trails at high altitudes (8,500'- 12,500'.) The climbing is optional. Some may choose to enjoy the wilderness trek and camping. If you climb, previous experience or training is not necessary. We teach the basics during the trip.

PEAK BAGGER'S DELIGHT ITINERARY
DAY 1 We meet at the Colorado Springs hotel and travel to the trailhead in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. Following a brief introduction while camp and gear are packed on packhorses, we head out along the Rainbow Trail. Arriving at the first night's camp by late afternoon, we relax as the evening meal approaches perfection on the glowing campfire.

DAY 2 Enjoy a leisurely morning, complete with cowboy coffee and hearty breakfast -- today we trek into the nearby peaks. Traveling along a seldom-visited trail, we follow a tumbling mountain stream to a high camp near timberline (6 miles 8500 - 11,400). Towering above us are the majestic peaks we will attempt to climb.

DAY 3 After breakfast, we depart early for an attempt on our objective, a major 13'000 ft. peak. Everyone settles into his or her own pace as we carefully pick our way up the steep summit ridge. Our guides explain technique and safety, the slow, steady, rest step, and refinements of alpine route finding. Exalting in clear, cool, high altitude air, we savor a panoramic vista of much of southern Colorado. Everyday life is remote and forgotten. Returning to camp, we enjoy a before dinner happy hour around the campfire. The guides share colorful stories of past adventure.

DAY 4 Each day more exciting and rewarding than the last, our goal today is the second summit chosen for its climatic value. Some may choose to remain in camp to enjoy the remote solitude of this peaceful
hidden valley.

DAY 5 Reluctantly departing our peaceful valley, we climb out over a short pass hiking past several sparkling glacial lakes. Descending down valley on an easy trail, we soon meet the waiting van and the end of our mountain odyssey. We arrive back in Colorado Springs by early evening.

* This is a sample itinerary for our five-day trek/climb. We have many options available for different valleys and a selection of great peaks to climb within the range of our Forest Service special use permit for the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness Area. The route that we select will follow the above itinerary as closely as possible. However, we make our pre-trip decision based upon weather, trail conditions and other varying factors. Travel and climbing in high mountain terrain is always contingent to favorable weather conditions. Due to factors beyond our control, we occasionally find it necessary to change the order or the route of these activities.

POST TRIP INFORMATION
At the end of your trip you will be brought back to the hotel sometime between 5:00 and 8:00pm. We recommend making prior lodging reservations if you plan to spend the night. If you must fly out that evening, please do not schedule a flight before 8:30pm, to make certain you can make your flight.

ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS... WHO WE ARE:
We are a small company based at an 1890s working ranch in the heart of Colorado. Owners Amy Finger, Gary Ziegler, and a staff of hardworking guide/wranglers run a selection of horse pack trips, wilderness programs, guided climbs,combination trips, research adventures in Colorado’’'s Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Peru and Mexico’’'s Copper Canyon.

Gary and Amy combine extensive outdoor experience to make Adventure Specialists a successful and unique operation. Gary's unusual background includes a Ph.D. in archaeology, discovery of archaeological sites in remote Peru, first ascents of seven Andean peaks above 18,000 ft. and extensive exploration of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico by horseback.. Along the way, he did a stint with U.S. Army Special Forces in Viet Nam, instructed for Colorado Outward Bound, staffed for the Peace Corps, worked for National Geographic, and chased bad guys as County Sheriff.
Amy has led more than one hundred groups into Mexico’’'s rugged Copper Canyon since 1980, and countless more in Colorado, Spain and Peru. She brings a lifetime involvement with horses to our programs. She has been guiding pack trips into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness since 1981. Amy’s degrees in geology, climatology and her studies of flora and ecology strongly influence our emphasis on natural history and environmental awareness. The Adventure Specialists’ staff form the Ranch’s vital core. Most have been with us for many years. A talented, colorful crew of well-educated, experienced guide/wranglers help insure an exciting and memorable mountain vacation.
During summer months Amy, Gary and the Ranch staff don boots, spurs and crumpled cowboy hats to disappear with a string of pack ponies into the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness Area. Or, on occasion, with rope and ice ax, to stand on the airy summit of nearby 14,000 foot high Crestone Needle.
New for 2002: We have formed a new legal structure called Bear Basin Pack Trips LLC including long time guides and employees, Dan Weiss and West Philps. Dan And West are taking over Ownership of our Colorado pack trips with Gary and Amy reverting to a consulting and guiding role.
So...that’s our story. We’re not the big California travel company with 1-800 numbers and a staff of dozens ready to sell you a trip. When you call, you reach our solar-powered, wood stove-heated, 1900 log cabin office at Bear Basin Ranch. Perhaps Gary is in Peru, Amy in Mexico or Harry out pushing cows, but one of us will soon return your call. You can, however, count on talking personally with someone who genuinely lives horses, cows and adventure, with hands on knowledge of our programs.

RESERVATIONS: 719-783-2076 Call the Adventure Specialists staff at Bear Basin Ranch for booking information. Or email us at: info@adventurespecialists.org. Visit us at our website for information on other Adventure Specialist offerings.

MEETING TIME AND PLACE
Time: 7:30 a.m. on the first morning of the trip.Place: Radisson Inn Colorado Springs Airport 1645 N Newport Rd Colorado Springs, CO 80916 719/597-7000 800/333-3333
Please meet in the lobby with your duffel bag, and your day pack or saddlebags packed. Travel to and from the Ranch in our van, or follow to the Ranch in your car.

TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS
Hotel: We recommend that you stay at the Radisson Inn Colorado Springs Airporton 1645 N Newport Rd in Colorado Springs. Call 719/597-7000 or 800/333-3333 for reservations and mention you are with Bear Basin Ranch to receive the special discount rate.

CAR: You can drive to the Radisson Inn Colorado Springs Airport and, with prior notice, leave your car in the parking lot while on the trip. Arrangements can also be made to drive to Bear Basin Ranch where the trip is based. Let us know and we will send you details and a map, or you can meet the van in Colorado Springs andfollow us to the Ranch.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance when you book. This can reimburse you if you need to cancel last minute due to sickness, forexample, or other trip emergencies. (See AIR above.)
EXCLUSIONS Items listed on the equipment list, alcoholic beverages, and tips are excluded.

.EQUIPMENT/PREPARATION LIST
In order to best acclimate to our higher altitude, we recommend that you begin increasing your water intake to 8 or more glasses of water per day at least 24 hours before you are due to arrive -- this will help your body to adapt to the higher altitude.

CLOTHING:
Pants
___ 2 pr. long
___ 2 pr. shorts
Shirts
___ 1 heavy long sleeve (cotton is cold when wet) sweater
(wool or synthetic)
___ 1 lightweight long sleeve
___ 1 short sleeve
___ 3 T-shirts or tank tops
___ Underwear
___ Long underwear bottoms (to combat saddle sores)
Footwear
___ Boots, medium-weight with stiff sole
___ Boots, lightweight trail hiking boots or shoes
___ Tennis shoes or tevas (for around camp)
___ Socks -- 4 or 5 pairs of heavy wool, liners also help prevent chaffing
Outerwear
___ Bandana
___ Gaiters to keep out snow, rain etc.
___ Warm parka or jacket, windproof and waterproof
___ Windproof outer jacket/shell (optional)
___ Two piece rain suit (poncho or slicker with rain pants)
___ Fleece, polartec, or other brand pullover or
jacket, or heavyweight sweater
___ Gloves (for warmth)
___ Hat with brim (for sun, hail, and snow protection - must have some
form of stampede string if wearing while riding)
___ Wool hat (for warmth)
OTHER ITEMS
___ Large daypack (to carry things during the day)
___ Warm sleeping bag (good at least to 30° F. - we can rent bags and
thinsolite pads if they are reserved in advance)
___ Light foam pad or air mattress
___ Sunglasses - quality dark or glacier-type glasses
___ Pocketknife - Swiss army type
___ Flashlights - mini-maglite flashlight with headband or headlamp
with extra AA batteries
___ 1 or 2 lightweight water bottles
Toiletries
___ Towel & washcloth
___ Biodegradable soap
___ Toothbrush and toothpaste
___ Sun screen - heavy duty sun block
___ Lip balm - with sunscreen
___ Mirror
___ Comb
___ Hand lotion
___ Shaving kit
___ Personal medication
___ Personal first-aid kit with Band-Aids and moleskin
___ Insect repellent
OPTIONAL
___ Ice ax or trekking pole
___ Fishing rod and gear, collapsible (a temporary Colorado license can
be purchased here)
___ Candy, gum or tobacco items (we will have ample meals and
high-energy trail snacks)
___ Light camera and extra film (you may wish to include a disposable
waterproof camera for wet days)
___ Note pad, field guides & light field glasses
___ Cocktail liquor (place in unbreakable containers); please, no beer,
it's too heavy for packing
___ Cash for incidentals, fishing license, tips, alcohol, etc.

Pack your gear into your duffel bag and daypack. The maximum weight allowable for your duffel bag is 40 pounds (for the sake of the packhorses.) Your duffel bag will not be available during the day. Your daypack should hold rain gear, water bottle, gloves and other items you will want during the day. Line the duffel and day bag with a garbage bag or ziplock. The weather is unpredictable; it can snow even in August, so be prepared for anything. Use the layer system of clothing, where items can be added or taken off with changes in temperature. On May, June or Sept trips snow and hail are common. The most important thing to bring is your cheerful acceptance of whatever surprises the wilderness may hold in store!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

info@adventurespecialists.org