Sky Pond: Epic Subzero Rocky Mountain Adventure
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- Опубліковано 17 січ 2024
- Winter hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park! We were in search of the ultimate Colorado winter hike and boy did Sky Pond deliver. We only had one day for a winter hike in Rocky Mountain, so we opted for one of the park's most popular and beloved trails - Glacier Gorge to Sky Pond and Loch Vale. With frozen waterfalls (Alberta Falls and Timberline Falls), gorgeous icy lakes like the Lake of Glass and the Loch, falling snow and extreme bitter chill winds, this made for one epic day out on the Colorado hiking trails!
If you plan to attempt this Sky Pond hike in winter, make sure to check trail conditions before hand and bring plenty of winter hiking gear. The winds this time of year can be ROUGH and the trail can be very icy in spots. But wow is it pretty!
#hiking #rockymountain #winterhiking
Wow - you two are beacons of fortitude. Only a handful of people would say - what a great mini vacation!! 🥶 🥶 😅
Thanks Jason, and yes it was such a fun CO vacay! We're getting super psyched, because CO is going to be one of the first long stops on our multi-state hiking and climbing tour starting this summer. SO many 14ers there we want to climb!! ❤️
Beautiful - but also kind of terrifying. Loved the view of the water flowing under the frozen waterfall.
Us too, Carl! It was a gorgeous hike all the way around, but the thing that we'll never ever forget was that flowing iced-over waterfall. Never seen anything like it, and to actually be able to climb on it and look down was truly a special experience. ❤️
What a great day ! Way to hang in there most folks would have turned around, the ice with water flowing behind it is common really beautiful, so much fun ! Thanks for sharing! Larry Owens
Thanks Larry! We really want to have that experience again of climbing on an iced-over waterfall that is still flowing. Def one of the coolest things we've seen out in the wild. We still can't figure out how ice can form over a waterfall while it's flowing! ❤️
This is so typical for me, busy day, no time to watch video... wait LH^2 just put one up. OK I will just take a quick peek and probably not watch the whole thing... WHAT that is amazing... wait, a new song... its so beautiful. Ethereal clouds in amazing peaks, by frozen waterfalls, this is the best video ever. Wait its over already, I want more. OK you got me again, what can I say. Best channel on the internet, you guys killed it again.
Thank you so much! We're stuck inside on a stormy weekend, and your message really cheered both of us right up and motivated us to get off our butts and back to work on a new song! ❤️
I envy your lives! If only if I could convince friends and family to adventure with me like this.
Thanks Peter, and give it time! It took us about 10 years to convince Adam's son to come with us on some of these adventures, but now he's finally really getting into outdoor adventuring!! ❤️
Very cool", water flowing underneath the Rocky mountain water fall"
So happy we could show that to you! Neither of us had ever seen anything like it in our lives, let alone gotten an opportunity to climb on it. Will def never forget that experience! ❤️
Magical Tolkienesque grandeur!
Well said, Mark! The misty blowing snow and epic peaks are Tolkienesque for sure!! ❤️
9:42 loved this.....never lose your inner child or you will cease to exist. great episode.
Haha yes! Adam could not possibly be more in agreement with you on this, and just wait til next week when we glissade about 500 feet down a glacier. It is inner-child paradise!! ❤️
Wow, that was wild, even for you two! Fantastic! I couldn’t help thinking that, if I were much younger, I’d want to take off my spikes, stand on the pond, and open my jacket to use as a sail! That wind was surely blowing hard enough.
Haha it was definitely blowing hard enough, but it was SO cold up there in the wind I think we would have turned into icicles before we sailed very far! Still, it would be pretty awesome to be a human sail! ❤️
Love that area of Rocky Mountain Nationall Park. I've been on the Sky Pond hike in the summer. Our climb up/down Timberline Falls was signifcantly less treacherous :). Thank you for sharing your winter hike!
Yes! It was our first time visiting, but definitely won't be the last. So glad you've gotten to experience it -- truly a spectacular place. Would love to do this in the summer as well when we can rinse in the falls, and when we come back in summer we'll hopefully be summiting some of those gorgeous surrounding peaks as well! ❤️
Wow, what an adventure!
It really was a special one, especially with those amazing frozen waterfalls -- glad you enjoyed!! ❤️
The brilliance of you two and every one of these experiences is that you always approach them with curiosity, wonder and excitement. You expect the unexpected and see it all as an adventure, no matter what comes your way!
Thanks very much -- that's a very apt description of the way we try to approach life! Adam always tells me that the gods don't want us to be perfect, they just want to be entertained, and as long as they're entertained they'll keep blessing us with good health and exciting experiences. I def take his philosophizing with a grain of salt, but it really does point to exactly the attitude you're describing, where even mistakes and challenges are part of a joyous overall experience. ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard I'm with Adam! You scientists crack me up.
@@gwbaker Hahaha he would say the same thing 😂
So you got to experience a bit of this bitter cold snap we are currently in! I really love how you two have such a playful banter back and forth - it always brings a smile to my face and I really needed that today! Thanks for taking us along again! Adam - love your lyrics too - this new song is one of your best yet!
Thanks Jeff! So happy you're enjoying the banter and music as well as the adventure -- it's been really fun for us to just grow comfortable being our full goofy and artsy selves on camera, and it's super nice to get positive feedback on that! ❤️
Heck yeah you two !!!!!, I’ll admit I was on edge while you where climbing that face, but what an experience this trip must of been!!!
Thanks very much, John, and yes it really was a great experience. Any time we get to do something we've never done or even imagined before, like climbing on the ice over that still flowing waterfall, it just feels perfect, like we're doing the right thing with our lives. ❤️
Fabulous they don't call it colorful for nothing it really is , Thanks for sharing and taking us along
Thanks Andrea -- yes the visuals the whole hike were absolutely stunning to the eye. We just kept turning to each other and saying, "can you believe this?" Especially the frozen falls -- those were just so beautiful and amazing, and they have definitely put us on a track of seeking out more frozen falls in the future! ❤️
ELISE and ADAM a hello from France. Your "polar" adventure is frighteningly beautiful, even the water of the waterfalls that continues to live under this thick layer of ice and the mountains that suddenly emerge from the trees, it gives an unreal aspect to the landscape. In the face of this nature frozen in winter, in the face of the cold and the icy wind, you do not lose your good mood, and in your professionalism I feel you are happy as children, it is a beautiful philosophy. Kisses to both of you. DAN
ELISE et ADAM un bonjour de France. Votre aventure « polaire » est d’une effrayante beauté, voire l’eau des cascades qui continue de vivre sous cette épaisse couche de glace et les montagnes qui émergent soudainement des arbres, ça donne un aspect irréel au paysage. Face à cette nature figée dans l’hiver, face au froid et au vent glacial vous ne perdez pas votre bonne humeur, et dans votre professionnalisme je vous sens heureux comme des enfants, c’est une belle philosophie. Bises à vous deux. DAN
Merci beaucoup, Dan! Tu as raison sur notre philosophie -- nous voulons toujours rester comme des enfants dans notre joie de nature. Je pense que c'est le secret pour une vie heureuse, et je suis tres heureux que tu partages ce point de vue! ❤️
So many whoas I expected a double rainbow across the sky! The ice falls were totally worthy of them as were the views and your enthusiasm. 🥶 I enjoyed it very much from my heated home.
Haha ya when we watch back our footage sometimes we're like, "we need another word!" But in the moment in these places that's often what comes out 😂. Totally agree about the ice falls -- definitely the highlight for us as well! ❤️
Summer at Sky Pond is amazing too
We were thinking it must be, Bruce -- glad you've gotten to experience it! We're gonna be in CO for a whole month this summer climbing 14ers, so will hopefully get to do it then in some very different clothes! ❤️
Since you love waterfalls, I thought I should mention that at 7:42, I it looks like you are hiking up Timberline Falls, the crux of this hike. In summer, everyone has to climb up pouring water to get to Sky Pond. I still brag about it.
Your videos are stunningly beautiful, every time. Love your music. Watching your videos makes me feel so happy and inspired. Thanks for all you do.
That is awesome about hiking right up Timberline Falls!!! We definitely need to come back in the summer and do this bad boy in swimsuits -- and also, of course, scale some of those gorgeous surrounding peaks. So glad you're enjoying the music as well as the video footage, because we're having a great time making it! ❤️
Last winter we were snowshoeing on this trail and stopped in front of Timberline Falls. The snow was almost waist deep with blowing snow and wind and we were forced to turn around.
@@fedorpravov5372 Wow that sounds epic! Good for you for making it that far in snowshoes -- we know very well how hard it is to snowshoe through deep snow, and that's a really impressive feat!
Blue ice is so cool looking in Sun. Gorgeous.
Ice and snow in the sun are the best!
@LiveHardxLoveHard always take the jetboil in CO WY MT. Always. And 950 fill down pants and vest. 😆
Wow the raw dog of winter wonderland.rockmountain hight.
Seriously -- it was SO beautiful up there, but also very frigid with the wind chill. Definitely a real taste of the winter Rockies! ❤️
Great job of giving us a feel for what the Rockies are like in the winter. Beautiful but quite chilly.
Thanks Mickey -- ya it was cold but nice when the wind wasn't blowing, but once it hit us full force the wind chill was def way below zero. But worth it -- so beautiful!! ❤️
Enjoyed this one! Great accomplishment producing in those crazy wild conditions 😮!
Thanks very much -- the filming for sure made it tough, because our hands were freezing turning the cameras on and off. But totally worth it to be able to share the views of that incredible place with you guys. Very happy you enjoyed it! ❤️
Very cool. Like how you showed us that unique ice window into that waterfall, and everyone is fully clothed. :)
Haha ya we def would have been in swimsuits if that waterfall wasn't iced over 😂. But it really was an amazing thing to be able to climb on it and see the water still flowing underneath -- we'll def never forget that experience. ❤️
insane, the end is like a movie scene
Haha ya it was CRAZY windy up there, and it was a freezing cold wind too! But totally worth it to be literally all alone in such a gorgeous place. And the ice waterfalls -- just amazing in person! ❤️
Fantastic vlog Elise & Adam
Amazing views, that running water inside that, apparently frozen, waterfall !
There's a mousse lose around the housse :) 😺😸 ❤
Haha thanks John! OMG I always get moose and elk confused, and ya that frozen running waterfall was one of the coolest things either of us has ever seen in nature. Really amazing. ❤️ --E
There is a certain viciousness to wind. Hard to explain. Been high up on a few peaks where the wind felt as though it was a monster. Unpredictable ,unseen, unknown intensity. Terrifying really. On Rainier saw a ropemate get picked up and slammed to the snow. Been a tent when the wind was howling so hard we had all our battle gear on in anticipation of the tent exploding. Witnessed gales approaching across the water, Something evil about it. There is also something mythical about it too. Embrace the terror I say. It teaches you just how insignificant we really are. Appreciate the things that are more powerful then you. Nature at it's core is brilliant .Accept it for what it is and remember we are just visitors. Humble , insignificant visitors.
This is very beautifully said, and I couldn't agree more. It is absolutely humbling to feel the power of that wind to knock you over or freeze you solid. And in addition to all you said, this kind of weather also gives me a deep appreciation for mankind's ingenuity -- things like warm, comfortable clothes, heated gloves, micro-spikes, etc., allow us to experience this natural magnificence in ways that go beyond the natural endurance and abilities of our bodies, and that is an amazing thing. ❤️ --A
I was feeling cold just watching both of you! It's amazing how the snow and ice transform the landscape into something completely different. It would be interested to repeat that hike in the summer and compare the two!
We were thinking exactly that, David! In the summer we might do this hike as part of a bigger loop involving one or two of those big peaks, and then be able to jump in a lake or waterfall or two along the way! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Looking forward to that!
Congrats on the 40k you guys!!!!🎉🥳
Love this adventure - the frozen waterfalls are insane!
Thanks A! OMG the one with water still flowing under it was my favorite thing from the entire trip. Never seen anything like that. ❤️
A place I would love to visit someday 😎😎😎👍👍👍❤
You definitely should, John! It was our first time in Rocky Mountain National Park, and we were totally blown away. Will definitely be going back again ourselves! ❤️
Wow, I've never seen something like this before, so amazing 😍👌🔥🤘🍻💯
We're right there with you! Honestly, we never even imagined being able to stand on an iced over waterfall while it was still flowing beneath us -- so fun to share that amazing experience with you guys!! ❤️
Fierce beauty!
Well said -- Colorado is spectacular in winter!! ❤️
So windy and cold! But beautiful! We would totally do this hike. Sky Pond is EPIC! 😊 Awesome video. Loved Adam sliding down the snow at the end! ❄️
Yes! You guys should definitely do it. So beautiful! And if you liked that glissade at the end, just wait til next week when we slide about 500 feet down a glacier!!! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Ooooh! Can't wait to see that one! 🥰🤣😄
That was awesome, thanks for sharing.
Our pleasure, Kim -- loved sharing this one with you guys, especially those epic ice waterfalls! ❤️
Excellent video, as always! I love the winter views of the mountains!
Thanks Miguel, us too! The way the snow and ice glisten in the light is so beautiful. We'd never had a chance to see the Rockies in winter before this trip, but we will for sure be doing it many times again. Just absolutely gorgeous!! ❤️
Magnificent photography guys! Jellybean you did an outstanding job keeping the camera trained on Adam while up on that frozen waterfall. We were both anticipating an Adam fall blooper. Your little face was so dejected when he stayed upright as usual! Arg! There were numerous dicey icy spots all along those trials. One slip and you could slide for miles. Elise can we count Adams slide at the end as a fall blooper that you just didn’t catch the actual fall on the footage. 🤔 We’re getting desperate here! 😂 Thanks for sharing and as always I love you guys! Blessings! ❤️ LB
Haha yes Larry! And just wait until next week, when I'm filming him trying to go straight up some ice in his microspikes and of course he slides precariously back down and somehow STILL doesn't end up on his butt 😂 But I def kept that camera on him just in case! Glad you liked the photography on this one -- it was one of our favorite adventures in a long time visually. All the frozen falls and blowing snow were just absolutely gorgeous! ❤️ --E
Wow ! Amazing. Great job
Thank you -- we had an incredible time on this one, just pure joy of discovering new thing we'd never seen before! ❤️
Great Hike, Great Music❤
Thanks Jim, that is so nice to hear! We've just been working on a new song today, and hopefully will debut it soon on one of our upcoming adventures! ❤️
beautiful and super intense!
Thanks Carl! Ya it was really a great adventure -- will never forget the frozen falls, or that crazy frozen wind!! ❤️
You guys are so much fun. Even though u were freezing, you made an excellent video. Waiting on you guys to make dope stickers of your channel. Fan from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Thanks so much, Angelo! Love that you're seeing us all the way over in Puerto Rico, and glad we can bring you some snowy highlights from the mountain west!! ❤️
What a video! Truly majestic winter Wonderland! But also terrifying - especially seeing Elise running on that skating rink at the end... The frozen waterfall with a water seen running underneath must be one of the most surreal experiences one might encounter out on a trail, now I wanna see that with my eyes as well! You guys are making me so happy seeing all of this!
Yes!!! This is definitely something you should see with your own eyes. In the meantime, we're so happy to be able to show you the Rockies, and we're going to come back for a whole month this summer and climb some of the really big mountains in the area. After you see that, you're going to want to come for sure!! ❤️
What a blast (in more ways than one)! Those waterfalls were amazing! But pretty extreme conditions by the look of it - hope the way back down wasn't too icy!
Thanks Catherine! The ice wasn't too bad coming down, though it did take a long time to descend the really steep parts making sure not to slip. But after we got down the steep part we somehow got blinded by a snow gust and and led off trail, and then had to stomp through super deep snow for about a half mile to get back to the trail! It was a pain at the time, but actually kind of a fun memory in retrospect. ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard I was actually thinking at one point that people could get lost up there if the visibility got too bad with the snow and they didn't know how to deal with it. Luckily you guys know what you are doing, even if the deep snow was a pain at the time.
Adam! I've never seen someone brush off snow, of a frozen waterfall, showing the running water underneath the ice 😎!!
Right?!? I still can't quite believe we were standing on that thing just a few inches above a still-flowing waterfall. Def a unique experience for me as well, and so happy to share it with you guys! --A
We did this hike in the summer a couple years ago. It was awesome.
Excellent -- very glad you've seen this amazing place. We would def like to do it in summer some time as well: it seems like it would be so fun climbing up that waterfall to Sky Pond! ❤️
Hello Adam and Elise!! Awesome videography....incredible sound tract.....and very fun script! It looks to have been another incredible day; thank you so much for bringing us with!
Thanks Alan! Very glad you liked the videography -- it was so mesmerizing to the eye out there and we really wanted to capture it as best we could. What a place! Def going to go back to that area in the summer and scale some of those big peaks!! ❤️
Awesome views
So happy to share them with you -- it really is an amazing place!! ❤️
Thanks for a glimpse into another majestic place! This one happens to be in my state and y'all have inspired me to make the journey (in the Summer 😅)!!! Great video!
And your music really fits your videos. Think about that 😉
That is so great to hear -- you will not regret a trip to Sky Pond, we guarantee you! And so happy you like the music. We write every song specifically to fit our vibe on the channel, so it's good to hear that that's coming across! ❤️
I did this hike in November 2022 and it was a breath taking view! ✨✨
Yes!! November sounds like a great time to do it -- glad you've seen this gorgeousness first hand! ❤️
Too windy. Thanks for sharing.
Haha ya Ted it was def a bit breezy up there 😂❤️
That was one epic hike in some of the worst conditions, bitter, bitter winds. You two make every hike look like so much fun! Congrats on bringing the beauty of RMNP to life. That was one slip and slide just before Timberline Falls, death drop. How was it coming down from Lake of Glass on your return, the first lake above Timberline Falls, that steep, ice path? You wouldn't believe how many people think that's Sky Pond. I've broke the news to a few hikers and they actually hiked back up. Were you able to do any more hikes while you were here in Colorado? Not trying to spoil any upcoming videos. I've been really looking forward to this one. Magnificent video!!! Thanks for taking me along.
Thanks Vickie! So glad we did justice to Sky Pond -- what an incredibly gorgeous place!! There were definitely a few sketchy spots exactly where you're saying, after Lake of Glass, but we just took it slow and didn't have too much of a problem. All the rock climbing and scrambling we've been doing definitely came in handy for giving us confidence coming down Timberline Falls. Yes we did do a couple other hikes, and have a super fun hike up and glissade down St Mary's Glacier to show you next week! ❤️
Wow, that's a cool winter hike with gorgeous scenery! Maybe you can get yourselves an ice axe for such hikes. That part where Elise is scrambling up some icy rocks was really sketchy.
It really was amazing there! We do have an ice axe for our winter mountaineering adventures, but felt pretty comfortable climbing this one with just the poles. However, stay tuned because there should be a few ice axe climbs coming up later this winter!! ❤️
That hike looks awesome and intense
I drove through the Rockies in CO on my way to Ohio. It was pretty beautiful
Yeah we had that same feeling on this trip -- the Rockies have to be one of America's most beautiful places just to drive. And when it comes to the hiking, wow. Really looking forward to exploring some of the big Rockies this summer! ❤️
For us Californians, you say Elk I say Moose, potato potatoe haha
Haha exactly -- I know Moose have different horns, but still always get them mixed up 😂 --E
Happy New Year to you both! Wow, what an icy adventure with epic views of those cathedral spires & aretes of the Middle Rockies. I need to get out there and out of Montana. Cheers. Have a safe year of adventures. You two are inspirational. 🏔⛰🌄
Thanks very much, and yes you gotta come down for some of these epic CO winter hikes! It's just amazing that they keep so many of these high trailheads open, and now that we know that we will def be back for lots more CO winter adventures! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Beautiful!
The waterfall was some kind of special but I live in the south and have no interest in doing that but I am glad you showed it as I will never see it in person
Haha glad we could show it to you, Rick! We've never seen anything like that before, and it was really fun to be able to share the moment of discovering it with you guys! ❤️
omgoodness that was intense, esp with the wind blowing dramatically on the mic! The under-ice waterfall was mesmerizing. And brrr... now I need a cup of hot cocoa! Pls could you travel to the southern hemisphere and show us some bright, warm Sun?
Haha thanks Liam, and we were thinking the same thing! We need a Hawaii trip to warm up!!! ❤️
Awesome Colorado adventure guys!❤. I put a “Colorado Pines” decal on my Chevy “Colorado”😊 and I can’t wait to someday drive it to Colorado for some epic snowboarding!😮. Rock on!😊
*decal might be called “Rocky Mountain Pines”😊
Heck yeah! We found out that the reason so many trailheads are open is that they keep the highway open for skiers because there are so many ski areas, so you will def put that snowboard to good use! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard 😊❤️🌲
That waterfall ice fountain was awesome, subbed
Thanks very much, and so happy to have you along for the adventures! 2023 was a huge year, but if all our plans come together then 2024 will definitely be our biggest and baddest adventure year yet! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard That's amazing love the pony tail flips in stunning scenery. Fun channel looking forward to adventures , Found you on Google home page, you rock.
@@tyvovo Haha yes! Our signature hair flip 😂You'll find some excellent ones in previous adventures -- especially our summit of Shasta in 85mph winds!
That was an epic hike. Cold 🥶 and what you were wearing got my respect. CO MT WY ain't California and now you know that. I love my mama.
Ya CO in the wind chill is absolutely no joke. It was especially brutal on our hands with all the filming, even with heated gloves / Hot Hands!
@LiveHardxLoveHard Mount Lady Washington. Loop Ridge over to Longs
But the Face and Meeker and Panoramic is enough video. Go straight to top. Designate and sustain the main effort in cold. Sand Lake is you wander area. Be careful if you go up Meeker it's all slick rock. Backside. So if under snow not good. Dangerous. Ridge directly across from Longs is a long long traverse of Meeker exposed Ridge. Very exposed. Hence front and Mount Lady of Washington. For peak.
@LiveHardxLoveHard in Moab I stay at adventure Moab. My Dad lived there 13 years.
In Saint George the snow Canyon Campground is great. Has showers etc.
But if doing Zion I stay in the El cheapo hotel in Hurricane UT. BUT I have stayed in valley for $39 a night in winter. Bam.
Observation Point from upper road seems the winter go too way. Don't know. I do know if you stand on top of the second tunnel you will be impressed. And if on sidewalk side and dropped off road in Sun its warm. Snow Canyon takes all day to walk west road Cliffside up the white mountain etc. But you got Zion Toroweap if you can get there. Snow Canyon. Exit 18. I 15. Bathrooms have heat.
BLM campground. You can go to top of Canyon across from the campground. Sullivan Canyon is 13 miles up. Across the river though.
Crappy Gold Butte. 💩
You can get to Toroweap park outside walk to river.
2 miles? Nice scenery.
@@sluggotinfantryman We love the cheapo hotels -- St. George for under $60 every time!!
Beautiful. Very few people would ever experience seeing those lakes frozen like that. Only you two diehards would attempt that in the middle of winter. Glad you made it out safely. Looks like where I live in Joseph, Oregon with the High Wallowas right next to town. (Eagle Cap Wilderness) When you come to Washington next summer , maybe you want to swing by. But this is not as beautiful as it will be on Mt Rainier. I don’t know how you go to all these places when you work regular jobs. Thanks for sharing.
Ya we might very well swing by on our way up. One of the things we really want to do when we start traveling more full time is go to some of the places where you guys live and try some of the hikes and climbs you suggest. Right now it requires pretty much all our weekends and vacation time to get to these places, but that's ok because in our opinion that's exactly what weekends and vacation time were made for! ❤️
Amazing! Looks like a great hike in winter and summer. We hiked to Black Lake which is a few valleys over from Sky Pond a few summers ago. It was one of our favorite hikes in RMNP! Mills Lake on the way to Black Lake is very beautiful. We'll have to try Sky Pond.
Thanks for the tip on Black Lake and Mills Lake, Chris! We're going to be coming back to CO for a whole month this summer to climb some 14ers, and hiking to those lakes should make a great and beautiful change of pace between some of the mountain climbs. Meanwhile, you def have to do Sky Pond. Beautiful lakes, epic mountain backdrops, and waterfalls -- it's a dream hike! ❤️
I've had very similar experiences there, Wow rough, frostbite in seconds. Final climb in snow and ice is sketch, especially in ski boots. Also had some lifetime experiences climbing the Saber and Petite Gripon! Magical but unforgiving place. Great camera work guys, especially for the conditions! I was off at Arches enjoying some Magic during this. I would really like to plan a Bridge Mountain climb with you!
Yes Karl! So we are 100% a go for coming to CO this summer. Probably in late July or August. We will let you know as soon as we have the dates set, and let's plan at least one or two adventure collabs with you! ❤️
beautifulll... was there in 2019.
Awesome! So glad you've gotten a chance to see this miraculous place -- def should be a hike for everyone's bucket list!! ❤️
Love this park! Always wanted to do Sky Pond in the winter. If you're looking to go back in the summer, a spicy route I've always wanted to do involves climbing to Flattop, traversing to Hallett, and glissading/shuffling down Andrews Glacier, tacking on Sky Pond at the end for good measure. Very little information online about the glacier, and when I asked a ranger about it they were reluctant to give me any info. They probably don't want anyone falling into crevasses or the tarn below.
That sounds freaking awesome, and right up our alley! We are definitely going to be going back this summer to climb some CO 14ers, and might very well try that route -- thank you for the excellent tip! ❤️
Way to go - impressive! I've done that hike countless times and it's not easy in summer, you guys made it look like a piece of cake in the winter. I would have been dressed like Adam, totally bundled. Hope you had a great time in the area with RMNP!
Thanks Paul! Ya Adam is a baby about the cold, but he definitely had the right idea on this one. It was SO cold with the wind chill! We absolutely loved RMNP, and are going to spend a lot more time in the area as soon as Adam takes early retirement in June and we're free to adventure wherever we want! ❤️ --E
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Sounds awesome! Happy to offer suggestions / ideas of hikes, places to see, etc. Don’t miss Erik Stensland’s Images of RMNP gallery - stunning images of the area! Take care, stay warm, and thanks for posting your adventures!
@@PaulBeiser Thanks Paul, we will for sure reach out to you before our summer trip out there!
7:40 Yes, be careful. I was holding my breath here. ANOTHER awesome hike!
Thanks Steve! Ya that ice was so slippery and treacherous, even with microspikes. But well worth it -- WOW were those frozen waterfalls cool!! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Please KEEP that female universal beautiful creature ALIVE. Such beauty needs to be preserved....needs to be...adored.....needs to be WORSHIPED. EDIT: Though we are small we will soon become MIGHTY! We will guard her, protect her. WE ARE GROWING. Uh, yes we are.
Great job 🙂
Thanks Petr -- it's getting cold out here in the west!! ❤️
Wow, that is some serious wind chill! I went there in the Fall one year and I was struck by how clean that park is! A very nice park. After seeing you guys hike in this weather, it gets me pumped up to hike in some cooler weather here in Florida! We have had a very wet dry season so far this year. I'm hoping to get some dryer weather so I can continue to go on my day hikes!
We hope that for you as well, Joseph! We always think about you when we hear about crazy weather out there, and hope you're still making it out on your hikes. Very glad you've gotten to see this park -- it really is absolutely beautiful and, as you say, perfectly maintained! ❤️
Cool adventure guys! Might want to add an ice axe to your equipment for these hikes. Watching water run under the ice is cool, used to ice climb at night sometimes and it was surreal to watch water water running like that by headlamp while you're climbing it! I know about the wind, have climbed Mt. Washington in February when wind chill was 40 or 50 below!😂
Ok ice climbing at night sounds like maybe the coolest thing ever. Seeing the water run under these falls def got us stoked about ice climbing, so that will def happen next winter if not this winter. Awesome you did Mt. Washington in Feb. We are def gonna do it, but hopefully in a warmer month! ❤️
So beautiful! I guess that’s why folks go to Colorado for ice climbing, so many frozen waterfalls and ice coming off high cliffs🥶 Once again thanks for sharing. I must say it’s a grand adventure, but I am enjoying living here in 75 degrees in Tucson😂
Yes Mary! It def gave us the ice climbing bug as well -- but only if safely top-roped from above!! Ya, we love those gorgeous winter adventures but it is kind of nice to come back to Cali sunshine after. Tucson winter temps sound perfect!! ❤️
Hi Elise and Adam, Great job in filming the beauty of RMNP. And the intensity of the weather conditions were captured perfectly.
I hiked Sky Pond last winter in similar conditions but with deeper snow. I needed to claw with my hands up Timberline Falls despite wearing microspikes!
I enjoyed the Chasm Lake hike, but this is probably too easy for you. No doubt you will climb Longs Peak during your upcoming adventure. Thanks for your exciting videos.
That is awesome you did the winter Sky Pond, and with even more snow!! Really a cool adventure -- congrats! And you are totally right: Longs is most definitely on the list for this summer, along with Capitol and several other epic CO 14ers! ❤️
Awesome video as always! The way the mountains looked in the clouds and snow, straight perfection. This is why I love winter hiking! When did you guys go? The snow levels look a bit too low on the Rockies!
Thanks so much, and we agree about the clouds and snow. They made everything SO mysterious and beautiful -- we'll never forget how mystical it felt there. We did this hike almost two weeks ago and there was a storm due the next day, so the snow level is prob a bit higher now. ❤️
Wow. Amazing adventure. Looks like a pair of ice tools would come in handy on a couple of those moves.
Not gonna lie, Jared -- being on that waterfall absolutely got me thinking about trying some ice climbing! It was just SO cool, but ya crampons and the double ice axes would def be a must to ascend ice like that in any real way. --A
I actually love Great Dunes in the cold.
And road up Blanco too. It's cold. Can definitely freeze you.
Mount Hallet is doable once through woods. I am a Wild Basin guy. Backside of Meeker area. Sand Lake TH. Lilly Lake is fantastic rest spot. Summer.
THE THING ABOUT ROCKY IS EASY APPROACHES! YOU ARE ALREADY HIGH UP.
GOOD TRAILS.
Longs is way shorter than this one. More open up top and Mount Lady Washington is over 13000 feet.
Rocky low trails 👣 ♥️ are the best I have seen as far as going low goes. Because they are not low lol. 😅
Totally true about the approaches, Dan -- so nice to have trailheads actually be open in winter! ❤️
That whole Glacier Gorge area is beautiful. A few years ago, my wife and I snowshoed up to black lake on that same trail. We had more snow but it was much colder for you. That frozen fall was mostly running when we went. I'm guessing this was last weekend during the sub zero temps? We were in Yellowstone and the ice was amazing there too. The lower falls had a full ice bridge at the top.
That sounds like an awesome snowshoe! Ya it was the weekend before last, and SO cold especially with the wind chill. Must have been gorgeous in Yellowstone! We're really looking forward to more adventures in this area -- we have a whole month planned for CO this summer doing 14ers, and then a whole other month next winter, so will have lots of time to explore and might try your snowshoe route. ❤️
Reminds of Minnesota with the mountains!
Love your adventures;!
MN Dave
It was definitely MN level cold with the wind chill, Dave -- but totally worth it!! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard awesome! ❤️
The Boulder at 1:35 looks like it needs a nice push!
Haha I always feel that way too, Steve! Adam says it's because I'm an instigator 😂 ❤️ --E
RMNP, my stomping grounds. Last I did Sky Pond was middle of winter a few years ago.
Heck yes -- good for you! Middle of winter definitely seems like the right time to go, because it's probably pretty crowded at other times but in winter we really had the whole place to ourselves. Loved it, and will for sure be back in your 'hood this summer and also for a longer trip next winter! ❤️
The places you find are just amazing! The waterfall under a sheet of ice?? How does that happen? You must be at 10,000', right? Lots of new music, Elise--love the one at the 3 min mark. Love you both.
Ya Bob it's at almost 11,000 by the time you get up to Sky Pond, and SO cold in the wind! Still trying to understand exactly how the ice can form over moving water -- sure was cool, though! ❤️
What an amazing experience. Have you ever encountered yourself with pumas or bears on your trips? This is so wild!!!! Thanks for taking US with you😊
Thank you, and yes! We have run into quite a few bears -- in fact, Adam almost literally bumped into one while rounding a corner early on in our Alta Peak to Pear Lake traverse video in Sequoia! But we've never seen a puma or cougar yet. Will definitely try to get it on film if we do see one though!! ❤️
@@LiveHardxLoveHard Woooow that would be one of mi biggest cocerns/ fears. Although you don't see them they see you, hahahaha... Would be fantastic to see one of your encounters but more important is that you guys take care out there (at least a little 😄) Love your stories!!! Keep on....🤙
Adam took butt sliding lessons from Elise! Lol (but gave it a fancy name to seem sophisticated)
It's so true, Sam! If I did that he would definitely not call it a glissade!!! 😂 --E
Hopefully, you have a few more videos of hikes in RMNP on the way. I've been up to Sky Pond a few times in March when there was lots of snow, but never when it was that windy.
John the time you went sounds perfect! We loved all the snow and ice, but def could have done with a bit less wind. It was still great, though. We only had time for one more Rocky Mountain hike on this trip -- climbing up (and sliding down!) St. Mary's Glacier, which we'll post this coming week. But the good news is we'll be back in CO for a whole month this summer climbing 14ers and doing other cool hikes, and also for a whole month next winter, so lots more RMNP coming up on the channel in 2024! ❤️
@LiveHardxLoveHard Sorry to bother you with a reply, but if you're looking for a glacier to hike, there is sort of a variation of this hike that is more like some of your adventurous hikes. From Bear Lake take the Flattop Mtn trail to the top of Hallett Peak, take a social trail down the SW side and bushwack along the Continental Divide to Andrews Pass, then down Andrews Glacier to the south side of Andrews Tarn, and back down to the Sky Pond trail and Bear Lake. That used to be one of my favorite hikes (when I was younger).
@@johnconroy4002 That sounds fantastic, and right up our alley -- thank you! We are writing it down, and will likely do it this summer! ❤
Yeah!!!! This is exactly what I was hoping for from you guys while your out here in Colorado. Excellent!! That frozen waterfall near the beginning with the water flowing under it was AMAZING!!! Was that Alberta Falls? As a California transplant these winter adventures still seem a little daunting to me. This video will be my inspiration. It ALREADY IS!!! One last question... I have chains for my tires. Did you need them on your drive in to the park? Best wishes!!! Take care!
SO happy to hear that!! Yes, you really should get out there this winter and take advantage of the fact that CO has so many trailheads open all year round. That first frozen falls was Alberta Falls -- incredible, right? We've never seen anything quite like that water flowing underneath the ice. We did not need chains, though you should check if you want to go right after a big snowfall because there did seem to be signs suggesting that chains are sometimes required in places. For us, though the AWD Subaru handled business just fine. ❤️
Take crampons! Lol. La Sportiva 20 below boots.
We thought about bringing crampons but the beta said microspikes and that was def enough on this one. But of course if we ever decide to climb right up those falls the crampons will be needed for sure! ❤️
👍👍
Thank you! 🙏💪❤️
Hallett is very doable but exposed. Up top.
Mount Lady Washington is your winter mountain there. Got Meeker and Longs with it if it ain't enough.
We wanna do the Meeker - Longs traverse for sure! ❤️
Ah man, I can enjoy myself in most any temperature, and weather condition, but wind just annoys the heck out of me. Still though, what a beautiful location! I'm just finishing up reading "Mountains of the Mind" by Rob MacFarlane and I'm itching to get out to the Rockies next weekend.
You know we're all for you going out on an adventure next weekend! The wind does suck, but as long as you layer up and have some face protection you'll still have a great time. It's gonna be like 30mph wind in Cali this weekend, but we're still gonna climb something! ❤️
this looks so nuts. So completely nuts! What's the wind chill? I always have trouble with layering properly to avoid sweating but being not entirely too cold! I guess that's probably not possible. I imagine those were the heated gloves?
We have that same issue, Thaddee, but have gotten a lot better with layering over the years. It helps a lot to have a pretty warm outer layer that you can zip and unzip quickly, because just unzipping when you feel sweat coming on can often do the trick. The wind chill was brutal that day -- the news said below zero, and it definitely felt like that to us. Yes, Adam had his heated gloves and I had Hot Hands in mine, but my hands still got really cold taking them in and out of the gloves to operate the camera. Adam had his gloves on max heat and did slightly better than me, so I might have to get some of those as well! ❤️ --E
what a video wow - winter wonderland !!! btw what was the song at end around 8 mins ? thank you
Thanks so much -- and delighted you like the song! That's one of our brand new ones, and we don't even have a name for it yet! But will def let you know once we name it. We have a couple other new ones we're going to put in videos in the next month or so too. ❤
Wow Elise, you are absolutely crazy in that blizzard and ice everywhere.. So dangerous... But guess after all so amazing to see... Are you in holidays or did you put your retirement project up ahead of time.. Have a great evening.. 🤗😘🥂
Thanks Serge! Yes we took 10 days of holiday plus two weekends, so 14 days of fun and travel! But really looking forward to being able to travel even more full time!! ❤️ --E
@@LiveHardxLoveHard oh ok that's so great Elise.. Did you drove down from LA to Denver... I did that drive many years ago and so awesome... ✌️
@@sergelainesse7893 Yes it was a beautiful drive for sure!!!
@@LiveHardxLoveHard one of the best I did... Cheers
Looks like a ton of fun! You mentioned that your GoPro died because of the cold, just wondering what you used instead? Also, that iced waterfall looked so enticing for roped ice climbing, I kinda wanted to just gawk at it then head up ASAP. Probably one of THE ones i would repeat from ALL your posted videos!
Joseph I am right there with you! I really wanted to climb up the waterfall, and it would have been easy to top rope it from above. That will def need to happen next time. Fortunately the GoPro died right at the end and we do a lot of our shooting with the iPhone anyway, so it wasn't a big deal just to use that. It just made it hard to do the wrap up both talking into the camera at once, as we normally do at the end. They really need to make those GoPros more cold resistant! --A
@@LiveHardxLoveHard i just bought a DJI Osmo Action 4 specifically BECAUSE of the cold factor, they still work even underwater in freezing conditions--scuba diving got tiresome because my GoPro would die:(
@@JosephTMyers That is great to know -- we will def check it out when it is action cam replacement time!
Your in my backyard now! We done this hike before and your video tells the story of winter experience, very good video! How long are you around Rocky? Some good winter snowshoeing hikes for your level of experience: Black Lake, Lions Lake, and Chasm Lake. Cheers, Dave
OMG Dave thank you -- we should have asked you before we came out! We were visiting friends so only had a couple days of adventuring on this trip, but are going to come out for a month this summer (to climb some big ones) and probably for another month next winter, so we're putting all of your snowshoe recommendations on the list! Meanwhile, psyched that you've done this hike -- we were stunned at how beautiful it was with the mist, the mountains, the frozen falls. Just an amazing place you get to live in and explore! ❤️
Just reach out when you plan on coming out to Estes Park. We know the National Park very well. Especially off the beaten trails. Safe travels!
@@davek4442 Thank you, we will for sure!
I dont know how far you are from Colorado Springs but if you're ever near there try the manitou incline. I did it last year it was kinda hard for me being 5ft 240lbs but i did it! Took almost 2 hrs to get up it and about 45 mins to get down. Ive since lost 65lbs so im preparing for my next hike (halfdome)
Trudi good for you, that is freaking awesome!!! Super psyched that you're doing Half Dome next. Such a classic hike, and a wonderful goal to train for. We will be in CO Springs this summer and also next winter, so will def check out the incline! ❤️
Did Adam freeze his PopTarts?? Awesome adventure. Did you have to use microspikes?❤❤
Haha yes Jason, microspikes are a must on this one because of all the ice. Adam was upset because he pop-tart got super crumbled on this one, maybe because of the cold! ❤️
I think you guys are scouting your future alpine adventures in Colorado. 52 peaks over 14,000 ft.
Haha you know us too well -- that is absolutely what we were doing on this trip! We're planning to spend at least a month in CO this summer going for a bunch of those 14ers!!! ❤️
I got to try it ice climbing a little .
We're going to be right there with you!
Have yall still not bought ski googles =/. Good choice of hike for the park. Best one imo
Haha we actually did get ski goggles, and Elise even had them in her pack on this one just in case! But we didn't quite feel the need for them -- our eyes felt great with just the sunglasses, but E's hands were freezing even with her hot hands in the gloves! ❤️
Will Comment later Elise... Still o' the road at work.. 👌
Thanks Serge! Hope the rest of your work day goes well!! ❤️ --E
Obviously you drive back on I 70 so La Sals Gold Basin is the best.
The walk up the road is not tough. The road from La sal loop up through Aspens is generally okay. The huge parking lot is plowed. In car might not be doable if new snow.
At top you can go up Mount Tuk or left up creek. Snowshoes WITH HEEL elevator for sure. Gaiters.
Skiers like Tuk side.
I like other towards Peale.
Don't go down steep faces. Avalanche risk.
Obviously you got Arches too. If you go to delicate go left out around Hulk Bowl. And on other ranch side go down into area below arch. Left down giant rock until you can climb down into slot canyon/creek. Right is cool too. 3 to 4 hours. Ranch side. Hulk bowl side is same sidebar 2 hours. You can climb down into that arch on other side of bowl and there is another smaller one above it. Red on red hides opening. In photos. Red rock behind opening.
Tuk sounds great! ❤️
You two ever try ice bouldering with ice tools crampons.the easey stuff.
We haven't tried it yet, David, but it's all Adam can talk about since seeing those beautiful icy falls!! ❤️