Vagabonding around Colorado and Elsewheres
nevko
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Homepage: http://www.nevko.org/blog
Posts by nevko
Trip to Snowmass (part 2)
Oct 12th
View from above
On the second morning, we decided that we weren’t going to do the full 4 pass loop, but we still wanted to see the next basin over the 2nd pass. So we were off early in the morning to see Trail Rider Pass. Without our 40lbs (which we left at base camp) we made very good time and speed.
Trip to Snowmass (part 1)
Sep 29th
Over Labor Day weekend, I tagged along with Ben to go on a camping trip. The trip was initially set to hike the 4 pass loop in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area. The total trip was to be a 28-29 mile slog, but do to some injuries along the way we decide to just to an out and back to the Snowmass Lake only 24 miles.
View of the Trailhead
Climb up Buckskin
The trip started from the Maroon Bells View area (9,580 feet). This was a heavily touristed area, and allowed the visitors to Aspen a chance to see some of \the true ruggedness of the range. The first couple miles of the trail took us to crater lake. This trail was frequented by the very prolific species that is the the”Aspen Cougar”. Walking up the trail, you felt the constant glare of the predatory species. Amanda (Ben’s Girlfriend) received numerous compliments from the Cougars for hiking with “3 young men.”
Adventures at Pueblo
Aug 24th
So its been over 1 month since my last update, and this is due to the horrible month that is August. As my mom pointed out to me, lots of bad things tend to happen to our family in the month of August and this year it was no different. However, to make the best of the month and cheer me up, the group of us went to pueblo reservoir. The entire trip was put together by Derek and Sean much props to them.
Jimmy, Z, and I got there late in the afternoon after sneaking out of work early. Well actually, I worked in the car on the drive down and Z practice his stick driving skillz. Derek and Sean had rented a boat from the Military outpost for the weekend, so we now had a way to get around the lake. The BASSHUNTER was a formidable vessel. Complete with live well, tackle compartment and swiveling bass chairs, this thing was made to slay fish. The boat was super fun to drive to drive both on water and off.
|
sean boating |
 Making sure the boat arrives safely |
 cruising around |
Dude on a Cliff
As soon we got to the lake, we all jumped on the boat and head out for some Friday evening cruising. The lake was pretty quiet and we just motor boated around. The goal was to scope out some cliffs for the next day, but we found one that we all had to do right then and now. We made harbor behind the rock in a cove and had some fun.
 Kicking Derek Off |
 Sean's Flying Monkey |
 Derek Sean Me. Rockstars |
The next day we spent alot of time on the water. We headed directly for another cliff that we saw earlier yesterday. Sean and Derek made there way to the top, while Jimmy, Z and I monkey’d around the bottom looking for some deep water soloing routes. This cliff, which I dub “HUGE ASS SPIDER CRACK ROCK”(due to the spiders which were about the size of mouse) was lots of fun. We found some routes up and it was really deep to jump.
 Me Diving |
 Danny's Crane |
 Deep Water Solo'ing |
Boatin
Afterwards, we went to chill in a cove and fish for a bit. While fishing in the middle of this cove, we got inspected by the boating police. Apparently we were over capacity for the BASSHUNTER. # of people we had on the boat = 7 ; BASSHUNTER’s capacity was = 4. After talking to them for awhile, they let us go with a warning, and that we get the extra people off the boat asap. So we made are we to the shore, but along the way we met a sweet dude name Mike was a bitch’in boat. Mike had a MOOMBA boat that was in the gravity games for wake boarding. The tower had a awesome sound system and PA. He blasted metal and rock. They just cruising for the day and we happy for us to join, we brought beer which made them even more happier. We tied up and hung out with them for most of the day. Definitely a cool group of people.
Hangin
Other times we took groups of 4 out for some more jumping. Derek Sean, Z and I decided to assault “the nipple”. This was a jagged outcropping in the middle of the lake. This was the highest jump of the day (40-50 ft), as well as my most epic Deep water Solo Route. Everyone found different ways to go up, but I wanted claim the face of the Nipple. The Climb started out with 1 juggy hold and a crimp, it then move to a weird but sweet turndown, and then just handjams the rest of the way. Free climbing above water is such a weird feeling, you feel worried that you going to fall until you start falling, after that while you falling you feel super calm because you know you be ok. In the end I got the nipple twice, but was completely exhausted. I believe I can state that I have the first ascent, onsite and redpoint of this route.
 Derek on the side of the Nip |
 Handjam-Mantel on the Nip |
 Seans Flying Squirrel off the Nip |
Pueblo was a fun time here are some more shots from the trip.
Pike’s Peak or Bust: Rodeo and Parade
Jul 13th
*not all photos published due to wordpress issue.
Every year near the beginning of June, Colorado Springs welcomes the rodeo to town. This year was the 69th annual time that the citizen of Colorado Springs embraced the wild west lifestyle. With Colorado City, being the first territorial seat of Colorado back in the 1800′s, the rugged lifestyle has forever been forged into this region. So in typical western fashion, downtown had a parade of horses. So myself and Derek headed downtown after work to see what this hoopla was all about. After making use of a handy handicap permit (cough), we made it right downtown and ontime.
The parade was pretty entertaining including sheriffs, horses, cowgirls, old’e cars, and cows.
 Sheriffs in town |
 My type of cowgirl |
 parage of cowgirls |
 type of clydesdales |
 Outside cowboys |
 native americans |
 Rodeo Guy |
 Cowboy and Union soldier |
 Apache |
The end of the parade was the coolest though. The Texas longhorn riders came strolling thorough town. It was pretty surreal to see cows roaming downtown.
The next day we went to the actual rodeo. We headed down from Sean’s apartment, after a very intense game of Mario Cart 64. Primed for some competition, we wandered through the gates. After finding our seat amongst some other avid rodeo fans, we watch the first event; steer wrestling. This is where a cowboy ride next to steer and grabs it by the horns wrestling it to the ground. This was cool event, something that I would like to try. After that we got some nachos and food, and watch the tandem cattle roping from the sidelines. This was pretty intense event. One rider had to lasso the head of the calf, while the 2nd roped its back feet. There by complete mobilizing the cow and it look kinda painful, but oh well. Other events followed, include barrel racing, single calf roping, bareback riding, and the actual bull riding. But by far the coolest part was when a cowboy on wild mustang, rounded up two buffalo in the middle of the ring. He chased the two wild beast around the ring, slightly directing them where his wish them to be. 3 times around the truck in the center of the bison lapped, until a quick move on the cowboys part, pushed the bison on to the bed of the truck. Then he pushed the great beast once more to the top of the trailer. With the crack of his whip, confirmed he victory over the beast.
 Running Bison |
 Elusive Bison |
Corporate: Jet Setting
Jul 8th
Stuck outside for now
Corporations. What’s it like being absorbed into the money making life fuel that powers the capitalist machine? OK enough of the ramblings of the economic versifier, let talk about JETS!. Yeah, jets. Jets are the power toys of the Corporate elite. They are marketed to a couple different groups of clientele. First, you have the typical rich person who desires the need to fly to their different homes, vacations spots, or to Italy for dinner. Next are the competitive CEO types, which amounts to a basic pissing contest between one another of who got the biggest baddest toys. Lastly is my favorite the globe trotting playboy, a man who needs the means to fly to exotic locals, to sweep away gorgeous vixens.
I’d like my experience was the latter, because that would make a much better story. However, my
My plane awaits for me
experience was with the ordinary corporate jet. Last week, my friend Alison needed dropped off at the airport. I was volunteered (no, I did not say “I volunteered”) to drive her to the airport, because everyone had other “stuff” to do at 7 AM on their day off for the 4 of July (I am superfriend). But little did the others know what they would miss.
As I picked up Alison early in the morning, still groggy from (accidentally) watching back to back flicks culminating with IMAX transformers (very good, rawr, Megan Fox) the night before, I learned that I not going to the commercial airline terminal, but instead I am headed to the Corporate Jet Center. I was instantly awakened from my half eyed slumber. I pulled into the jet terminal, only to see barb-wire fence stopping me from driving right on to the tarmac. My hopes were slightly dashed. However, curiosity pushed me further. We went inside to check-in, and low and behold the pilot was just hanging out drinking some coffee. I could tell right off the bat this was a chill dude. He noticed that we were early, and after some sweet talking, he asked if we wanted to check out the plane. I definitely had a mental high-five moment at this point. Walking on to the terminal and beside the hanger, this is what I basically saw.
| Ludacris – Area Codes (Beware.) |
The red carpet
The jet was seriously plush – complete with the red carpet rolled out for me. Immediately I noticed the personalized initials on the wings and tail, they exuded classiness and I could have sworn they really formed a capital N (for nevko, duh). As soon as I boarded the jet, I was immediately graced with a fully stocked bar. Including champagne (no Andre here), the finest liquors, and tuna for the in-flight meal. The cabin had fine wood inlay and flush mounted lcd tvs. Unknowingly, I took a seat in “the BOSS’S” chair. Man this chair was awesome. I think there was more cushion in that seat, than all the lazyboys in the world. For a few moments, I felt naturally at home, like a BOSS.
Taking control of the Cockpit
After talking with the pilot and co-pilot for awhile, they convinced me to checkout the cockpit. Always sucker for people in uniform (ladies hint hint), I was instantly swayed. This thing was like a real-life flight simulator. All the knobs, buttons, levers, and pedals were all there. I definitely played with yoke and rudders, which made me think of changing careers. Then the pilot came in and started up the engines. Immediately, all the gauges came to life making this a truely real experience. After having my fun, I decided to figure what use this plane actually gets. From what I gathered, the owners normally fly to 3 places; Aspen, Maimi, and Italy, and the flight from COS to ATL normally takes about 2.5 hrs. This thing was a cruiser and the owner where apparently very unassuming about being extensively well to do.
That pretty much rapped up my 1st experience on a corporate jet. I hope its not the last. I’ll leave you with some specs of this machine.
| Name: Falcon 2000
Manufacturer: Dassault-Falcon Speed: Mach .8 Capacity: 8 seats. (lots of leg room) Range 3,800 nautical miles. Price: $20,000,000 |
 Plane in Flight |
 The fully stocked bar. |
 Umbrella Storage- very important. |
 Flight Manual |
 Alison boarding |
 Plushness at it best |
 The cabin |
 The Boss |
 Gauges off |
Allison getting sucked into an engine |
 Full power, clear runway A-1 |
 Throttle up |
 Dodads and switches |