Posts by Joe Grant

  “it’s about endurance, it’s about perception, it’s about self-control…body limits is one thing but mental limits are the ones we have to deal with…the body is only the instrument.” Marina Abramovic on being a performance artist. Yesterday was the 150th day of the year. It also marked my 150th consecutive day of running in 2011. It’s not that impressive really, considering the unbelievable running streaks out there, some spanning over several decades but it still felt pretty satisfying running up to Bear Peak knowing that I hadn’t missed a single day since January 1st. I haven’t set any specific goals as to the duration of the streak but I am simply curious to see how long I can maintain an...

  “Being at treeline becomes an experience of reaching supreme freedom. […] The upper limit of the forest marks the end of security, the end of the world we master, the beginning of the harsh world of wind-driven snow, dangerous precipices, useless expanse.” Arne...

This time last year I took a Wilderness First Responder course in Portland, Oregon through NOLS – Wilderness Medicine Institute. I learned a lot of very useful skills during those 10 days such as how to build a traction splint out of a trekking pole and a backpack, what to do if a rattler digs its fangs into my calf and how to fake a broken elbow to make for a good class scenario. Despite having spent a fair amount of time out in the woods since then, I’m happy to report that I haven’t had to use any of the hard skills I learned (save perhaps the theatrics for my “man cold” act). One reason for this is simply luck of not having been a part of or encountered any accidents while out on the trail, the other is that the course focuses...

"We live under the power of Modern Consciousness, which means that we are obsessed with progress. Wherever you are is not good enough. We always want to achieve something, rather than experience something. The opposite of this is Spiritual Consciousness. By that I mean you find enchantment in every action you do, rather in just the results of your action. Spiritual Consciousness is not a particular religion but a way of being." Satish Kumar   Bear Peak – view from Sobo   Laps. Out n’ backs. Words I try to avoid associating with a run. While I tag the same mountain summit most days of the week, rarely do I repeat the same route on the same outing, opting instead for a loop or a point to point. Somehow the loop makes more sense to...

  Life above Treeline – a thematic interview series offering perspectives from the people who live and run mountains.   We meet at 7pm at Caffe Sole – a nice little place where you could spend most of the day – starting with coffee, tea, pastries, moving on to appetizers, various savory foods and closing the night with beer, wine and live music. I settle for a local brew, while Buzz educates both the server and myself on the subtleties of two kinds of Malbec he is tasting. Despite having grown up in France, the only distinction I can make between the two is either “bitter” or “smooth”.  Buzz, on the other hand, knows a lot about wine. He knows a lot about a lot of things. A woman sitting at the table next...

  The morning started off slow, as it should. I brewed some espresso and sat basking in the sun on the porch enjoying some local honey, toast and eggs from the farm down the street. Dog opted for her usual salmon kibble and rolled in the grass while I prepared my kit for the day.     On the way out of town, I swung by the farmers market to pick up some coffee beans and a couple tamales but also to soak in the delightful atmosphere brought forth by spring, good food and live music.      Absorbed in the lectures of philosopher Alan Watts on the sense of nonsense, the drive down to Manitou was a blur. Upon arrival, I saw Mr. Pikes Peak himself running through the quaint little mountain town. My leisurely departure from Boulder had...