Producer’s Note
"There are two things I will especially remember about the Sneffels shoot- the attacking marmot and a missing hiker. It was both ironic and humerus that Tami joked during an interview about one of the dangers in the backcountry being rogue marmots. The following day she actually encountered one! One part of the adventure that didn't make it in the edit was the fact that we spent some time on our way back down Sneffels helping look for a missing hiker. A group of three guys had not kept track of each other on the descent and each taken different, somewhat sketchy routes. When an inexperienced member of their party didn't show at the bottom, the others became quite worried and asked for our help. We set up a small search party, with Brian (Belleau) going up to search some precarious rock chutes while the rest of us spread out to see what we could see. Eventually they guy showed up on his own, which was a relief for all of us. But in the backcountry, a even a small slip can radically change your life."

Nikia Furman

Sneffels

Colorado

Solo Wilderness
Even within a group, backpacking can be a soul-searching experience, and trekking into the wilderness solo is guaranteed to be! Add the challenge of climbing a mountain in the beautiful San Juan range of Southwestern Colorado and you are sure to have a memorable experience.

Logistics
While it may seem like a low-risk trip, there are many things to be aware of in the mountains, so Tammy relied on experience from previous trips in virtually all aspects of her trip to Mt. Sneffels. Luckily, the Southwest Ridge route doesn't call for too much extra gear, which keeps the pack weight down a bit.

DIY
The shortest and easiest way to climb Mt. Sneffels is from Yankeeboy Basin, out of Ouray, CO. The Blue Lakes Trailhead, near Ridgway, is a less traveled and longer way to get to the mountain, but the scenery and camping are amazing! Most people who choose the Blue Lakes route plan on backpacking, but if you can spare the time, it is worth the extra effort.