Over the many years of guiding I was constantly asked, “Matt, what is your favorite trip?”. Such a difficult question to answer. My response always varies. Usually, I answer with the most recent area I’ve ridden in or with an area I know the person asking would be interested in pursuing for their next trip. But if I’m being honest, my favorite trips/areas are the high country singletrack trips! High country trips are a different beast within themselves- they are challenging but rewarding.

Heart rate pinned, pedaling over mountain passes with new friends, the endless high country views! These are all a part of the experience and the things to remember post trip. After a long week riding above 10,000 feet, you’re sure to feel spent while also having a full sense of
accomplishment. The feat always creates shared camaraderie and memories that will never fade.

So why do I like high country trips?

To truly enjoy the mountains you have to slow down, take a deep breath, and soak it in. The dew on your tent in the morning, the smell of the forest around you, the flowers and how the colors take over a hillside. It’s the small things that help you truly appreciate the environment you’re in.

Another aspect of being in the high country that I really enjoy is the solitude. It’s not common to encounter many other humans, but when you do come across other riders, you instantly have a special connection with them. You’re both in this beautiful area together doing this challenging thing, there’s a mutual respect you may not acknowledge with each other, but appreciate.

So what does a perfect multi day ride look like?

In a purist scenario, I would load a bunch of gear on my bike and body and pedal from camp to camp, filtering water, eating peanut butter or freeze dried food. But what really goes into that?

Before even thinking about loading up the bike and pedaling off, there are quite a bit of logistics and planning that go into making the trip happen. Laying maps out on the table and making sure I understand the route, overlapping them with GAIA or Google Maps to confirm there will be water to filter along the way, making sure I have enough food to fuel me for the miles I will encounter, considering the weather and how this could affect the pace of my trip, packing bike tools while also trying to take weight and space into consideration, and having a great sense of confidence before embarking on the route.

But let’s be honest, do you really have the time to do this? Does that actually sound fun spending all this time researching just to pedal a heavy bike in the high country eating freeze dried food, wearing the same clothes everyday, or is just the idea that is appealing?

So how do I skip this step?

So why not let someone else take care of the logistics, carry your gear, cook you delicious fresh meals and set you up with the most scenic camp spots? Well you can! A fully guided and fully catered trip experience is a great option for those who don’t have the time to plan an elaborate trip. Your guides are familiar with the area, have taken care of all your logistics, making more time for you to engage in and enjoy the natural surroundings you’re in.

It’s all about the journey and who you’re sharing the experience with. So leave the logistics, the headache and hassle, and the cooking to your guides so that you can simply show up and enjoy time spent on the trail.