James Hess - Beyond The Horizon: A Guide To Snowshoeing Historic Sites in Northern Colorado

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Introduction toThird Edit ion

There is a school of thought thatbelieves doing something for at least 10,000 hours will yield anexpert.

Respectfully, that is not true.

Do something for at least 10,000 hours, anddemonstrate dedication, determination, and discipline, which willresult in experience and expertise. But such a commitment does notmake for an expert.

After more than 10,000 hours on snowshoes theclaim of expert could be made on my part without challenge, butexperience and expertise prove otherwise, because each outing hasbeen unique, and the uniqueness of each negates the claim ofall-encompassing expert.

The year after starting snowshoeing, muscleswere used in a different manner in the off-season, and whensnowshoeing was resumed an unpleasant discovery was made:Off-season living does not ensure fitness for the snowshoeingseason and muscles not used in the off-season had gone soft andphysical stamina had decreased - the second season of snowshoeingstarted with a less-than satisfactory adventure. To ensure thatthis was not repeated a change was immediately pursued to ensurethe next snowshoeing season was not as unpleasant.

Something an expert would not know.Something only experience provides.

A routine involving diet and exercise focusedon snowshoeing was implemented, ensuring success for the nextseason of snowshoeing. My enthusiasm inspired others, but theyreported that their experiences had not been as satisfactory, and Irealized the reason was because they had not pursued the sameroutine. When this was pointed out several snowshoe advocatessuggested that a new edition of BEYOND THE HORIZON should includespecifics on how to achieve this in order to make the most of thesnowshoeing season.

Because diet and exercise are an individualconcern, always consult with your physician before making changes.Information provided is based on personal programs and regiments,and should only serve as guidance.

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Introductionto Second Edition

My inaugural snowshoeing outing wasnot a graceful undertaking: I misjudged the spacing of my feetafter donning snowshoes, and put one snowshoe on top of the other.The resulting imbalance caused me to react in an awkward manner andI fell, tangling my feet and lower legs, and smacking my backsidewith one snowshoe before I came to a resting position at the bottomof a small, icy incline.

The second attempt at snowshoeing wasslightly more successful where grace and elegance were concerned: Ionly fell once, and did so in such a manner that other snowshoersinterpreted my faux pas as an attempt to make a snow angel.

My third sojourn into snowshoeing - less-thanlithe - involved a shallow creek bed I assumed was dry. Theassumption was incorrect: The snow I stood on turned out to besnow-covered ice.

It was thin ice - which I plummeted through,soaking my boots, socks, and pants in a few inches of very coldwater before I wadded out of the mishap.

Despite my less-than stellar entrance intosnowshoeing and mishaps that might have been a reason fordiscouragement, I became and remain a supporter of the pursuit, andadvocate the sport.

The enthusiasm and passion for snowshoeingprovided reason to write about the subject, but when the decisionwas made to do so I also decided that I needed to write about itfrom a perspective that would contribute to the existing canon ofwork.

More than a few expressed genuine surprisedwhen I made my intention known - snowshoeing and history. Someactually asked how I intended to bring the two seemingly dissimilartopics together.

Some expressed explicit approval for theresulting book. Others remained initially unimpressed, but theircuriosity won them over to my side.

Although I was pleased in the interestexpressed in in my writing, I found myself wondering - often whilesnowshoeing - if there was more, I could offer by way of myperspective.

When the opportunity was presented to updatemy literary effort, I knew how to do so.

Experiencing the outdoors in any season is awonderful thing. Adding to it with knowledge of the place you arevisiting makes it more so, but when you put yourself in harms waythe only thing that matters is your safety and well-being.

Information added to this edition emphasizessafety and well-being, but it also includes an additional focus onthe historical aspect of the locales provided.

May your days on the snow, in the seeminglyinfinite whiteness of winter be joyous ones and may yourexperiences into history be memorable.

Introduction

One of the first hikes I participatedin involved a small pack and my fathers strong back. I was abouttwo years old, and trying to keep up with his long legs was not arealistic option, so he carried me in the pack on his back, eachstep bouncing and jiggling me with delight.

The first hike I personally undertook was afew years later, and over the years the hikes pursued have totaledthousands of miles.

Several years ago, after years of hikingoften alternated off-season with cross-county skiing, I took tooffsetting hiking with snowshoeing. Like hiking, the number ofmiles logged on snowshoes shows no sign of diminishing or endingsoon because I intend to remain part of it for as long aspossible.

Over the years these outings have resulted inmemorable moments and unforgettable experiences that, when recalledfor others, instigate many comments and responses, including thefamiliar exclamation: I wish I could do that!

Because everyone lives busy lives, trying toorganize a snowshoeing event that would accommodate everyone is notalways realistic. Regardless, the opportunity to take advantage ofwhat Nature offers through beauty and splendor is not something toforgo. Hopefully, the excursions and historical informationincluded provide the encouragement needed to do so.

The trips included range from easy tochallenging. They should appeal to the beginner and the experiencedsnowshoe alike. Each found inspiration and motivation from theSnowshoe Itinerant Preacher, Father Dyer, whose historic tripstook him from one end of Colorado to the other, and back again.

On the subject of history, all the tripsincluded share at least one thing: Each not only offers specificsabout the outing but also information about relevant historicalfact. Snowshoeing provides for a good physical workout. Knowingabout the place where snowshoeing takes place provides for anintellectual workout. Together they make memories that lastforever.