GO AHEAD, TAP THAT CLASS
GO AHEAD, TAP THAT CLASS
So, you are planning a trip to Colorado and trying to decide what to pack. Well, you came to the right place! We are THE BEST at giving advice. Ha! For starters, the best advice we can provide you about packing for Colorado is to plan to wear layers! The weather constantly changes in Colorado. The locals will jokingly state, “You don’t like the weather? Wait five minutes. It will change.” And they are usually right! As residents of Colorado, we feel we are the best people to provide you with guidance as to what to pack, so here are our recommendations:
Hydration is vital while visiting Colorado. You are at a higher elevation in cities like Denver, Vail, and Colorado Springs. Still, if you venture up into the mountains, you will be at an even higher elevation, so drink a lot of water!
Footwear is another crucial area while traveling to Colorado, especially if you plan hiking. If you plan to do any hike beyond a flat trail, we highly suggest some hiking boots. Being the BOUJEE people, we highly recommend the Danner boots for women and men. We LOVE the leather pair we show below for women! While they are great for hiking, they are also fun to wear with a more casual outfit.
Hiking is a fun activity to do while you are in Colorado, and here are a few items we suggest:
Hiking tips:
♥ Be aware of Wildlife and Wilderness! It is unsafe (and illegal) to approach wildlife. Keep your distance and give the animals plenty of space. Carry bear deterrent spray just in case, and know how to use it.
♥ Leave no trace! This means everything you bring in has to leave with you. If you want the technical hiking vocabulary, what you pack in, you must pack out. With that in mind, we suggest bringing extra baggies for wrappers, toilet paper, etc.
♥ Going to the bathroom. Where to do it? Trust me, it happens to all of us. You have good intentions, and you go to the bathroom in advance. However, you have a situation, and you need to go to the bathroom ASAP. For starters, do not poop above the treeline because it will remain there forever. What is the treeline? The treeline is ultimately the line in higher elevation where trees can grow vs. where they can no longer grow. Usually, this is between 11,500 feet and 13,100 feet. Common courtesy is taking at least 70 steps off the trail before going to the bathroom. If you have to poop, poop in the trees and then either bury it at least 6″ deep and cover it with a rock or pack it out (meaning take it with you).
♥ If you are hiking with a dog, ensure the dog is allowed on the trail. Trails that go to a reservoir (a body of water) often don’t allow dogs. Bring water and snacks for your dog, and bring a baggie to pack out their poop.
♥ Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The sun is intense in Colorado.
♥ Pack snacks such as beef jerky, trail mix, apples, granola bars, etc.
♥ Download the All Trails app, which can be used anywhere in the USA. Find the trail you will do and download it to your phone. You can then follow the trail map to ensure you stay on the trail.
♥ Dress in layers and be prepared for rain. Summer thunderstorms are very routine in the mountains. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, temperatures drop three to five degrees, so dressing in layers is very important.
LeAnn is a mentor and the ultimate BOUJEE glamour gal. When she left daily drudgery behind in favor of following her own personal path to joy, she made a promise to herself that she would help others do the same. All she’s ever wanted is to do is stay healthy, live her best life and give back to others by introducing them to their inner BOUJEE.
