How many people remember what they got for Christmas when they were 15? As we get older gifts tend to become even less memorable. This year instead of buying an object, get your loved ones an experience. A summer backpacking trip, rock climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park, snowshoe adventures through the snowy woods, all things you and your family will remember for decades to come. Let your friends at Kent Mountain Adventure Center know how we can craft a vacation trip for you.
All that being said, we are having a great (busy!) winter so far, and winter hasn’t even officially started! Lots of early season snow is accumulating in the mountains just outside our door in Rocky Mountain National Park. We’ve had lots of snowshoe adventures already, been out on the Cross Country Skis a few times, and have definitely been spending time in Hidden Valley on the Weston Splitboard fleet. All your adventures with us include access to the Spa at the Aspire Building of the Stanley Hotel. The hot tub and sauna sure feel great after a day in the mountains! Snow is deep up here in the mountains already, come on up and share an experience with us!
We hope you’re enjoying some time off with friends and
family. We are truly thankful for our great staff and all the wonderful
guests that allow us to take them into the mountains. We take great joy
in our jobs and couldn’t do it without you!
It’s snowing out, and we’ve had several feet already in
Rocky Mountain National Park. We’ve been busy with some great winter
trips up into the mountains and have exciting stuff on the schedule for the
rest of the season.
Some of our upcoming programs include single day Splitboard
clinics, Sponsored by Weston Backcountry. The Splitboard clinics are
perfect for folks that have some Snowboarding experience and want to experience
backcountry Snowboarding.
Our AIARE course is about half full, we’re excited to be
hosting it in the Aspire Building of the Stanley Hotel. There’s a single
day companion rescue course as well, that’s perfect for anyone spends time in
the backcountry.
Our Half Day Snow Shoe and Cross Country ski tours are an
amazing way to get into the mountains and see them in all their winter
glory. Since we are based out of the Aspire Building at the Stanley
Hotel, our courses include access to the spa here. After a winter
outing in the mountains, it sure is nice to warm up in the hot tub or the
sauna! We’ve also got some package deals with the Stanley Hotel that
we’ll be posting shortly. Staying at the Stanley Hotel and spending time
in the mountains with KMAC combines the best that Estes Park has to
offer. Finally, you know we love to customize outings, so let us help you
turn your winter adventure ideas into reality!
Summer is wrapping up, or already
has. If you’re back in school, summer is
definitely over and I apologize for bringing it up. Temps up in Estes Park are
dipping down into the 40’s and our days here in the office are becoming noticeably
less hectic. The guides are smiling more because they’re spending more time in
the mountains on their own, doing crazy amazing stuff.
We’re
starting to make plans for our 2020 calendar, we’ll be releasing that with an
updated website this fall. Keep an eye on our Social Media, we’ll probably leak
some dates there first. The youth climbing
camps will look about the same. We’re going
to be adding some new stuff though, some traveling camps, some multi-sport
camps, fun stuff that we’re excited to get out there and see how people react
to it.
All
that being said, September is a gorgeous month up here, and October can be
pretty beautiful as well. Let us know if
you’d like to schedule something now that we’re approaching the off-season. Don’t
forget, we’re here all winter too.
Dustin’s going to be taking as many people as he can up into the
mountains teaching them how to Split Board, I’ll be taking folks on snow
shoeing tours of the park. In addition, if you’ve got an idea for an adventure,
let us know and we can make it a reality.
Check out this article our friend Jenny Irwin wrote. Around 600 people die in the US each year from hypothermia, nearly all of those are preventable. Below are some simple tips for avoiding such an untimely demise.
How to Keep Warm on Your Mountain Camping Trip
Camping in the mountains can be an unforgettable experience, but without the right gear, your nature retreat can get uncomfortable fast. As you trek higher up into the mountains, conditions start to get colder and colder, which can ruin a camping trip for underprepared travelers. Luckily, there are some simple steps that you can take to ensure that your campsite doesn’t get too cold at night.
Packing Your Bags
When preparing for your camping trip, you should expect the unexpected. Bring plenty of clothing to layer so that you can warm up and cool off as needed. Your bottom layer should be a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric to prevent the buildup of sweat, while your middle layer should be made of an insulating material such as fleece. Your outermost layer should be weatherproof to protect you from rain and snow.
If you’re worried that you might get cold in your tent, it’s a good idea to bring a hot water bottle with you on your camping trip. Tucking it between your legs at night is an easy and eco-friendly solution that will help to warm up your entire sleeping bag.
Setting Up Your Campsite
Your sleeping arrangements are just as important when camping as they are at home. You should arrive at your campsite early enough to get everything set up and in working order. Your tent should be properly assembled and anchored, with all zippers and vents are closed. Any sleeping bags should be laid out on top of an insulating pad, as the ground can steal a great deal of heat from inside your tent as you sleep.
Cooking and Dining
When you’re out camping it can be easy to let the hours pass you by and to forget important meals, but in cold weather, going hungry can result in much more than just a rumbly belly. Without enough food each day, our metabolism slows down, which makes it harder for our bodies to keep extremities such as the hands, feet, and nose warm. Eating plenty of healthy snacks as you camp can help you to avoid health complications from cold-related stress, such as hypothermia or frostbite. You should aim to bring high-protein foods that are stored and wrapped securely to avoid piquing the interest of local wildlife.
Camping in the mountains can be chilly business, but by taking certain precautions when you pack, you can avoid getting cold as you reach higher altitudes. Bringing the right gear can make a world of difference for you and your fellow campers when the temperature starts to drop.
The Stanley Hotel and renowned outfitter Kent Mountain Adventure Center have teamed up to create the ultimate way to play in stay in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) Winter 2019! From snow shoeing, cross county skiing, split boarding, back-country skiing, ice climbing and more through exclusive locations in the park, we have something to satisfy everyone’s adventure needs!
Book your reservation through the Stanley Hotel. Use this hotel room discount code: The Stanley Hotel
Basecamp Winter Activities menu 2019
Family Adventure Package- snow shoeing, cross country skiing
Couples Adventure Package- snow shoeing, cross country skiing
There’s a New Way to Play this Winter… And Where We Take You, There Are No Lift Lines, Guaranteed.
Check out the winter package offerings while staying at the Stanley Hotel. Guests can choose from any number of winter outing adventures! Check back soon for summer hotel adventure packages.
“I am 61 years old. My longest “hike” was to Chasm Lake, a relatively easy hike as those who have taken it would attest to. Even to Chasm Lake, I had never utilized a real backpack, just a waist pack to hold a couple of bottles of water and some snacks.
On Monday, September 18, 2017, I climbed to the summit of Long’s Peak.
I can state with total certainty that this journey and accomplishment would have NEVER been successful without the experience, support and encouragement that my KMAC guide, Ms. Amanda Harper, constantly and so thoughtfully provided during our 15 hour adventure. It was not only her professionalism, but her caring and thoughtful attitude that instilled the confidence that was needed for me to reach the summit.
It is truly hard for me to put into words how this experience has affected my life. I will FOREVER be in her debt, as she ensured my safety and allowed me to experience what so few people will ever experience…reaching the summit of a 14ner.
Thank you KMAC. And, thank you Amanda, my friend and mountain guide. You will be in my prayers and thoughts for the rest of my life.”
