Expressive, Outdoor Portraits by Kate Densmore
So, a few months ago, my best friend Kate puts up a photography website. I knew she dabbled in photography and I looked forward to seeing her get the site up and running with some of her stuff. Today, I checked back at the site and was downright floored – she is spectacular! This is not the stuff of dabblers. If you are looking for portrait photography in the Colorado Springs area, please check her out at www.katedensmore.com. An experienced hiker and skier, Kate is likely to take your portrait session outside for results that are anything but average. She has experience photographing with man’s best friend and is sure to capture the connection between you and your pooch. Her ability to take your interests and express them through photography is fantastic. Whether buying a Christmas tree or dropping into some backcountry powder, I highly recommend you invite Kate on your next adventure to capture those rare moments.
I can’t wait to see her other work. Kate, please post a comment here when it is up and running!
One of Kate Densmore's Expressive Outdoor Portrait Sessions
3rd Flatiron
Climbed the 3rd Flatiron today with Matt and Dave. That was the first time I’d done the 3rd and it was a fun cruise-fest. The descent down the scree, however, was a miserable icefield… probably WI1. 
What are you going to give your favorite Kayaker or Canoer for Christmas?
We have scoured the web to find the most interesting and unique kayaking and canoeing gifts for paddlers! Check out our gifts for paddler’s page. You'll find kayak and canoe t shirts, Christmas ornaments, paddling posters and art prints, license plates, crossing signs, street signs, novelties, car accessories, toys, jewelry, games, puzzles, and more!Glacier Gorge Ice & Conditions Photos
Took a hike today up into Glacier Gorge to swing tools and check out the Black Lake Area. Super glad we didn’t take skis….would have been a scrape-fest. And was, for the folks who tried. All Mixed Up looks quite thin. We climbed a sweet one pitch WI2-3 just below Black Lake, sticking to the left side. I think the climb is named “Reflections” but it wasn’t the WI3-4 that Mountain Project claims. Afterwards we checked out the Black Lake Slabs which appear to be in but thin, especially at the top. West Gully looks pretty good. We’ll definitely head back up there for some more winter fun. Can’t hope for too many days with weather like today, though!
Canoe, Bike and Trek Adventure Race
If you are looking to burn off some of that Turkey you’re gonna eat for Thanksgiving, then you need to check out the Pangea Turkey Burn Adventure Race. This canoe, bike and trek race is on Saturday, November 28th at the Wekiva Falls Resort in Sorrento Florida. Canoeing is on the Wekiva River and the bike and [...]Stamina, Smoothness, Power: Use Your Core Part 2
The best way to improve your paddle stroke is by learning to paddle from the core. The core, or that muscle group which includes the abdominals, obliques (the muscles over your hips), hip flexors (the muscles at the front of your hips), and the lats or latissumus muscles which run from behind your armpits to your hips, are an all-too-often underutilized muscle group among sea kayakers.Stamina, Smoothness, Power: Strengthen Your Core Part 3
As described in part 1, the core, or that muscle group which includes the abdominals, obliques (the muscles over your hips), hip flexors (the muscles at the front of your hips), and the lats or latissumusmuscles which run from behind your armpits to your hips, are an all-too-often underutilized muscle group among sea kayakers. Many paddlers, even those with years of experience under theirStrengthen Your Core Part 4: The Dumbell Lat Row
The core, or the muscle group which includes the abdominals, the obliques (the muscles over your hips), the hip flexors (the muscles at the front of your hips), and the lats or latissimus muscles which run from behind your armpits to your hips, are an all-too-often underutilized muscle group among sea kayakers. Of all those muscles, perhaps the most difficult to gain an awareness of are theStrengthen and Paddle from the Core Part 5: Plank Variation #3
While the plank is a fine exercise for increasing core strength and paddling from the core, time will come when you'll want to try the variations on this effective and fundamental drill. Variations on the plank are helpful for several reasons. For one, after several several of the plank your core muscles will adapt and the plank will become easier. Once your muscle fibers become accustomed toI Go Canoeing With the Cree
Here in Okmulgee, the leaves have almost all fallen and the geese are flying over everyday. My guess is that a taste of winter weather is right around the corner. I'm sad to say that my day job and other distractions have prevented me from getting out and enjoying the Fall color and higher river levels much. Just sneaking in a bit of sunset paddling after work is pretty tough with sunsets coming in at 5:30pm.
I did manage to get some reading in. I read Canoeing With the Cree by Eric Sevareid. This is the first actual book I have read, purely for pleasure, in years. My day job requires a great deal of reading, so I normally try to be more active in my off-time. Of course, I didn't make the big leap all the way into reading an actual work of fiction.
The story of Eric Sevareid and his friend Walter Port paddling through the great northern wilderness, way back in the 1930's, was inspiring, exciting and informative. I can see how it has managed to stay in print for so many years. Canoeing With the Cree is the non-fiction account of two recent high school graduates, novice paddlers, that planned and executed an historic 2,250 mile canoe trip from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay.
These young folks plotted the route, picked their gear and even talked a newspaper into funding this risky four month long adventure. Heck, I was impressed that they were able to talk their parents into agreeing to let them go on such a journey!
The newspaper stories that Eric Sevareid sent in about this canoe trip, not only earned him and his partner a cool $100, they also launched an impressive career in journalism. Sevareid went on to become a celebrated war correspondent and to appear in or on the CBS coverage of every presidential election from 1948 until 1976. He died in 1992, widely recognized as one of the most influential journalists of the 20th century.
Although this book will certainly make you long for your own personal canoe adventure, "Canoeing With the Cree" is also a story about growing up, facing risks and working together in the great outdoors.
Tenacity is a pretty fair substitute for bravery, and the best form of tenacity I know is expressed in a Danish fur trapper`s principle: 'The next mile is the only one a person really has to make.' - Eric Sevareid
The power of one person's story is often underestimated, an honest tale can give shape to the dreams of several generations. In 2008, two more teenage friends named Colton Witte and Sean Bloomfield recreated this historic journey in record time, you can read all about it here: Bloomitte Expedition 2008 Chaska to Hudson Bay.
