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Crestmoor ladies trade racquets for snowshoes

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Contributed by: Leslie Madsen on 2/3/2008

An annual snowshoe trek to a backcountry hut, organized by a core group of tennis mavens from the Crestmoor Swim and Tennis Club, lived up to expectations as the six mile hike to 'Uncle Bud's Hut' from Turquoise Lake outside of Leadville was as picturesque as a postcard.

Trees flocked with fresh snow, abundant animal prints of life adjusted to harsh conditions, views of lakes and the Collegiate peaks made the trek in to 11,500 feet an adventure that included breaking trail and matchless solitude.

Once inside the hut, the twelve member, all-women entourage enjoyed two nights of great food, conversation, ample time for reading and games that kept everyone in high spirits.

The walls were adorned with information about the 10th Mountain Division as well as Bud Winter, the member who was only 20 years old when he was killed in action in Italy during WWII. A fascinating tribute to 'Uncle Bud' by his nephew was framed and hung on the hut's main level as he had helped construct the building in 2001.

A successful backcountry adventure, complete with chicken curry and matching savignon blanc, takes a lot of planning and preparedness. Determining which hut to visit and making the reservation through the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association ( http://www.huts.org/) needs to be made 4-8 months in advance.

In addition, all participants have to have the proper equipment, know what to pack (and better yet, what to leave behind), be in good shape and have the mental fortitude to either charge or plod their way to the top.

But the rewards of an adventure in Colorado's winter wonderland are amazingly therapeutic. The physical reward of 'hey, I made it' to a lonely outcropping six miles from anywhere is like a mini-Outward Bound experience. Having the time for in-depth conversations is a luxury that has mostly disappeared in today's electronic culture. And leaving kids and husbands behind.....well, we just don't do it often enough!!

The intrepid Crestmoor clan included: Kathleen Gormley, Kass Schwappach, Carolyn Woody, Bridget Moran, Leslie Madsen, Andrea Glass, Mo Wulf, Mary Wells and Stacey Eschelman. They were joined by their good friends Deana Macdonald, Pam Read and Julie Morrison-Layn.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Leslie Madsen

Denver , CO

Leslie Madsen has posted 4 stories and 0 comments since joining on 10/1/2007. Leslie Madsen 's average story rating is 5.

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