2021 Recap

On By coloradochelseaIn Hiking & Travel Blogs

2021 was the year of trying to be thankful for what I have. Easier said than done when plan after plan was cancelled due to weather, health issues, or the everlasting Covid-19. But I was still able to go on a few short trips with friends, and of course hike a ton.

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January – my favorite picture of 2021, and the reason I hate snowshoeing (Photo by Diana)
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March – 13ers Grizzly & Cupid were repeats for me, but this trip marked my first 13ers in calendar winter! (AKA Snowflakes)

In April, Allie & I flew to El Paso and road-tripped around Texas and New Mexico. We visited three new National Parks: Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, and White Sands; and we also climbed to the Top of Texas!

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Guadalupe Peak, the high point of Texas

Shortly after our Texas trip, Allie accepted her dream job in Telluride and moved six hours away. I went down for my first visit in early May.

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My very first wild hot spring! Though this one was more of a warm spring. (Photo by Allie)

In mid-May, Diana and I went on a short trip through Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. We explored a ton of parks and hiked to the high points of both Dakotas.

Black Elk Peak – the high point of South Dakota

June marked the start of 13er season and I didn’t slow down much till mid-September. I made two more trips to visit Allie in June and August, and we met halfway a couple times for hiking and whitewater rafting. I visited my first and second developed hot springs (Mt Princeton & Orvis), and I also climbed a handful of easy Class 3 routes. Scrambling has never been easy for me but I am becoming more confident and getting better each time!

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June – hike to Chicago Lakes (photo by Tori)
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June – Old Baldy
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July – Tweto with Allie & Cheyenne
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August – Father Dyer, an easy Class 3 ridge (Photo by Diana)
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August – birthday weekend in the San Juans – Gravel & “Grumble”
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Flat tire on my birthday (Photo by Peggy)

The first week of September was what I called “Peak Week”. I spent the entire week in the mountains by myself, climbing peaks and enjoying some alone time. Allie’s parents were kind enough to let me stay at their house in Alma, so I also enjoyed all of the modern necessities.

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September – my first and only 14er of 2021, La Plata – a solo trip during Peak Week

The rest of September and the majority of October, I wasn’t feeling well enough to do much hiking. After Peak Week, I only hiked 3 times before November, but I’ve been feeling quite a bit better these last two months and was able to get back into hiking and climbing some low peaks close to home. And in even more exciting news, our first nephew, Clint, was born on December 10th.

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December – Prospect Mountain
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December – Horsetooth Mountain – I recently learned that the “summit” the trail goes up is not the actual summit of Horsetooth Mountain, so I couldn’t officially say I climbed it after all. My friend Jay and I remedied that by climbing to the actual summit (left bump). It was a tougher scramble but we had it entirely to ourselves, and waved at the crowds on the lower summit (right bump).

So to recap, here are my goals for 2021. I’d say I made some pretty good progress!

  • (4) Colorado 14ers
    • Just one 14er this year, La Plata
  • (3) state high points
    • Yes! Texas, North Dakota, and South Dakota
  • (2) national parks
    • I actually visited four new national parks this year: Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison
  • (1) segment of the Colorado Trail
    • I didn’t go on a single backpacking trip this year, but now that Kyle is doing better, there is a strong possibility we’ll get back into it in 2022.
  • (35) Colorado 13ers
    • I climbed 27 new 13ers this year (plus 2 repeats). A little shy of my goal but still more than 2020!
  • Hike to a hot springs
    • Yes! It wasn’t much of a hike, but I visited my first wild warm spring as well as two developed hot springs.

2021 Stats: 410 miles hiked, 111,000′ gained, and 50 total peaks climbed

I don’t have any specific goals for 2022, I just want to focus on getting out as much as I can and enjoying what I am able to do. I start a brand new job next week and am getting ready to pick up a new batch of foster puppies tonight, so I will have plenty to keep me busy and moving into the new year.

I hope everyone has a happy and wonderful 2022 and I look forward to catching up on my blog and sharing the rest of my 2021 adventures! I don’t have anything planned yet for 2022, but we do have a $400 flight credit that needs to be used so I’m sure we’ll come up with something. Happy New Year!

Chelsea

57 thoughts on “2021 Recap”

  6. I read everyone of your posts. I may not leave a comment, but I ❤️ Each. Wishing you a healthy, productive, and goal-reaching New Year. BTW: we fostered 5 pairs of puppies this year. Happy to report each now has a loving home. 🤩

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  15. Congrats on reaching many of your goals for 2021!! I’ve enjoyed following along on your adventures and look forward to visiting Colorado someday. All the best to starting your new job and for all the adventures that lie in store for 2022. Cheers. Linda

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  20. Well done Chelsea on an amazing 2021! I realize now that I missed several of your posts. I saw you lots on Diane’s page. My apologies!

    I too hate snowshoeing. If you’re serious about some winter trips, skis are definitely the way to go. You move faster, and you get the free rude down. 😀

    It’s nice to see you branching out into scrambling. It’s not always an easy transition from hiking. If you spend some time in a climbing gym or even some outdoor climbing, you’ll find the scrambling that much easier or at least more familiar.

    I wish you a wonderful 2022 full of high peaks!
    Alisen

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  21. “2021 Stats: 410 miles hiked, 111,000′ gained, and 50 total peaks climbed”

    Mega-super-impressive! I am in total awe!

    However, to let you know, I am thinking of either buying snowshoes or cross-country skiing equipment. With the latter, I can try to do ski-joring with my dog K2.

    Once again, I am in total amazement at your achievements.

    Regards,

    Suhail and my dog K2

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