The Outdoor Post

Exploration and documentation // Follow us on instagram @mountaindreamers // Check out our gear at mountaindreamersgoods.com

[mountaindreamers]

“I love art for its creative freedom and the endless options for expressing an idea. Being able to transform an idea into a physical expression is one of the coolest things to see, yet can be the most frustrating. What Mountain Dreamers represents and strives to be is something I immediately wanted to be a part of. The free nature and up in the clouds vibe they bring is something I continuously want to portray in my art.” –Victor

Mountain Dreamers is stoked to announce our collaboration and partnership with local artist and Colorado State University student Victor Avila. Co-founder Jake Ingram states, “I noticed Victor’s style and unique outlook in my freshmen composition class.” We became friends and shared ideas alike. Mountain Dreamers would like to endorse and give praise to the awesome work Victor is cooking up for the brand. Be on the lookout for new stickers, apparel, neck buffs, flags, and much more featuring Victor’s designs as well as other local artists in 2017!

[mountaindreamers]

Recap of our Rawah Wilderness 2 day adventure!

[mountaindreamers]

This 3 man expedition set out to conquer Greys and Torreys Peaks a few hours before noon.  However, we were only able to summit Greys Peak due to inclement weather.  We found ourselves caught in a whiteout at 14,278 feet and were forced to descend Greys quickly and carefully.  As much as we wanted to cross the saddle to summit Torreys Peak, the conditions weren’t permitting.  I distinctly remember huddling behind a pile of rocks waiting for the sun to come out... Unfortunately, that never happened.  Justin and I split a set of MICROspikes so we had a little more assurance in each step on the way down (shoutout to Jeff for being prepared).  A solid 4-5 inches of fresh powder blanketed the landscape and it looked different on the way down.  Postholing became an issue on the way down... Overall, we covered 10-11 miles in approximately 8 hours. Quite the adventure!

Date: April 9, 2016

Cole Rickard

[mountaindreamers]

I kept seeing signs for a meteor crater off I-40 near Winslow in Northern Arizona.  I was coming from the Grand Canyon and in a hurry to get to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the night.  I was interested in seeing the crater impact but figured that it would be miles off route.  Now I know that the impact sight is less than 1/4 mile off the highway (thank you Google). Anyway, a strange half dome building on the side of the highway caught my eye.  I figured that I would take 5 minutes to check it before sunset and then be on my way.  I proceeded to turn off on Exit 239 and slowly approached the eerie place that was once known as Meteor City Trading Post.  Turns out that Meteor City Trading Post dates all the way back to 1938 and used to do business on Route 66.  December 2012 is approximately the last time Meteor City Trading Post operated as a legitimate business.  It all went down hill from there...  This is one of the most unnerving places I have ever witnessed.  Bizarre and frightening graffiti covered every wall and tepee on the premises.  The property was covered in trash.  I observed broken planks with protruding rusty nails, high heels, type writers, hammers, toilet paper, purses, beer cans galore, and more.  Every window had been deliberately smashed and the place was completely looted.  I quickly began to realize that I should stop my investigation and get back to my car before Dirty Mike and The Boys and/or desert fugitives got me.  In conclusion, this place looked like something out of a Saw movie and I’ll probably never take Exit 239 off I-40 again.  Here is another good write up I found about Meteor City from 2014:   

http://dialrforretro.com/arizonas-abandoned-meteor-city-trading-post-now-trades-only-in-route-66-memories/

The condition I found it in seems much worse compared to the 2014 pictures.  Stay safe in the desert!  There’s some creepy shit out there.

Date: March 17, 2016 (St. Patrick’s Day)

Cole Rickard

[mountaindreamers]

This 3 man backpacking trip launched from the Devil’s Den State Park upper parking lot in Winslow, Arkansas, USA.  We made it to Junction Camp with headlights an hour after sunset.  15 miles turned into approximately 18 miles after getting lost and following a horse trail that parallels the BHT (Butterfield Hiking Trail).  The BHT is a scenic loop that gets its name from the Butterfield Stagecoach which ran in the area from 1858-1861.  We experienced creek crossings, nighttime temperatures in the teens, companions on the trail, and sickness (lots and lots of puke).

http://alltrails.com/trail/us/arkansas/butterfield-hiking-trail

Dates: January 4-January 5, 2016

Cole Rickard

[mountaindreamers]

This 4 man backpacking trip launched from Rainbow Lakes Trailhead in Nederland, Colorado, USA.  On day 2 we decided to climb a near mountain and we still don’t know the name of it.  This video does not include the big ass bull moose we encountered minutes after sundown.  [WATCH IN HD]

Dates: October 3-October 4, 2015

Cole Rickard

[mountaindreamers]

This 4 man backpacking trip launched from Grey Rock Trailhead near Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.  In total, we covered 8-9 miles round trip. We hiked the meadow trail to the base of Grey Rock and set up camp day 1. We reached the summit before noon on day 2.  Grey Rock peaks out at 7,616 feet.

Dates: August 29-August 30, 2015

Cole Rickard

[mountaindreamers]

This 5 man backpacking trip launched from Centerpoint Trailhead in the heart of Ponca, Arkansas, USA.  With Quite possibly the best view in the state of Arkansas, the view from the bluffs never ceases to amaze.  These Bluffs are the tallest along the Buffalo River and reach heights of over 500 feet.  We were also able to find Granny Henderson’s cabin in the Ponca Wilderness.  Click the following link to read more about the old cabin:  

http://archive.news-leader.com/article/20110829/NEWS0102/108290340/Memories-Granny-flow-along-Buffalo-River

Dates: July 2-July 3, 2015 

Cole Rickard