The Great Outdoors
Photography by Ian Spanier
What It’s like.
Are there words to describe true adventure?
These six Denver guides think so. They describe what it’s like to take on the grat Colorado expanse by land, air and raging river
Paraglide "You fly like a bird"
GRANGER BANKS President, Parasoft Paragliding USHGA Advanced Tandem Instructor
YOUR TURN
“There’s no cockpit, no motor noise. You feel every movement of air,” Granger says. “Plus, there’s no jumping involved. You run down a hill—and off you go!” There’s nothing like it—see for yourself at www.parasoftparagliding.com
Rock Climbing “You get the greatest view.”
SARAH HAYDEN Rock Climbing Instructor, Outdoor Divas
Your Turn
“Once you learn the gear and safety aspects of it, it’s a really safe sport,” Hayden says. Denver- and Boulderbased Outdoor Divas (www.outdoordivas.com) makes it easy with programs designed by and for female rock climbers of varying skill levels.
Mountain Hiking "Its a nature walk with an altitude."
CARLOS LUCERO Hiking Instructor, Denver Adventures
Your Turn
The “Front Range,” just west of Denver, is home to “a good array of trails, whether it’s for beginners or [those in search of] more complex stuff,” Lucero says. Check out Denver Adventures (www.denveradventures.com) for equipment and tour needs.
Whitewater Rafting “You can float or run it"
ERIC BADER Owner and Rafting Guide, Boulder Outdoor Center
Your Turn
“You can float in fantastic scenery and also find exhilarating whitewater,” Bader says. From family trips to daredevil thrill rides, the Boulder Outdoor Center (www.boc123.com) will find a trip that’s right for you.
Cycling outdoors “Time builds our connection.”
DAVID SECUNDA Founder, Avid4Adventure (with daughters Paloma & Eliana)
YOUR TURN
Through Avid4Adventure’s fun family biking trips, Secunda hopes that kids “will get connected to the outdoors so that they become advocates for the environment as they grow.” To plan a trip of your own, visit www.avid4.com.
Kayaking "The river is different every time you go out!"
JONATHAN KAHN Founder/Owner/Teacher, Confluence Kayak
Your Turn
“Everybody is scared at first. It takes one lesson to get over it. It doesn’t have to be whitewater—you can paddle flatwater, too,” Kahn says. Go to www.confluencekayaks.com for your equipment and training needs.
Taku sunglasses with ColorTec Polarized Copper Lens by Panoptx ($139, www.panoptx.com), ADC Pro Altimeter/Barometer ($180) and Epoch Compact Binoculars ($559) by Brunton (www.brunton.com), Sandstone GTX-XCR hiking shoe by La Sportiva ($120, www.sportiva.com) |
Nomad V2 Pro Altimeter by Brunton ($139, brunton.com); The following is available at www.outdoordivas.com: Women’s harness by Trango ($100, part of beginner rock climbing kit), Rock Star climbing shoe by Evolv ($90), Climbing camelots by Black Diamond ($60/each), Highline Top by Patagonia ($40), Meiko capri pants by Verve ($53) |
Atlas MNS GPS by Brunton ($399, www.brunton.com), Red Trail Grinder Tee by Columbia Sporting Goods ($30, www.columbia.com), Stratos 18 backpack by Osprey ($99, www.ospreypacks.com) |
Toy Chest 90 duffel ($100) with Gear Box 30 ($30) by Eagle Creek (www.eaglecreek.com); The following is available at www.boc123.com: Ranger Swiftwater life jacket by Extrasport ($165), Self- Bailing Raft by Hyside ($5,111), Soft-Shell Semi Drytop by Motion ($180), Rec Canoe paddles by Werner Paddles ($105). |
Next Kids Sunglasses by Julbo ($30, www.julbousa.com), Nylon Summer Shelter Windbreaker by Napapijri ($195, www.napapijri.com); Aqua Day Hydration Pack by Eastern Mountain Sports ($69, www.ems.com), Red Vienna backpack by Eagle Creek ($35, www.eaglecreek.com) |
River Runner Knife by Gerber ($35, www.gerbergear.com), Aquavest300 by Astral ($185, www.astralbuoyancy.com), FreeRYDE Drytop by Stohlquist ($220, www.stohlquist.com), Neoprene-Lined Guide Shorts by Immersion Research ($78, www.immersionresearch.com), “Player” Bent Shaft paddles by Werner Paddles ($305, www.wernerpaddles.com). All materials also available at the Confluence Kayak store. |
STAYING IN DENVER?
The contemporary and chic Curtis Hotel, located in central downtown Denver, has first-class amenities, quirky themed floors (with names like “Sci Fi,” “Big Hair” and “Chick Flick”) and alarm clocks shaped like Volkswagen Beetles. It’ll give you the sense of humor and good night’s rest you’re going to need for tackling the Rocky Mountains—or for heading to the Sixteenth Street Mall (two blocks away) to find that perfect outfit to wear to a show at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, located right across the street. www.thecurtis.com