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Back Country Vagabonds

The Back Country Vagabonds club is for people who love the back country and want to join their passion with helping the world.
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Sustainability

At Vagabond Ranch we view sustainability as not merely a technical issue, but a behavioral one as well.
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Mind-Body Synchronization

Synchronizing mind and body is quite simply being aware of one of our five senses. There are many different techniques that cultivate mind body synchronization and its mental and physical benefits.
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News & Blog

Grand county newspaper article on VR

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: March 19, 2010

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Alps in April

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: March 6, 2010

As many of you know (some maybe all to well) my darling wife gave me permission to spend two weeks skiing in Switzerland with some old friends from Telluride this past February.  It was an amazing trip.  ( check the video) One of the main reasons it was so good is that we were able to ski with two of our friends, Kenny and Daniel, who guide in the Alps every year.  We skied 8 – 20,000 vertical feet of off piste powder a day with Kenny and Dan or their recommendations, certainly rivaling helicopter skiing.  In gratitude for all they did to make our time in the Alps so amazing I returned wanting to tell everyone I know who loves to ski powder about Kenny and Daniel’s trips.  There is no way in the 12 days we had we could have skied what we did without Kenny and Dan’s guidance.  They are great guys and incredible guides with an uncanny ability to find powder and challenge safely.  Daniel has been skiing the Alps his whole life and he knows those mountains like most of us know our favorite ski terrain.  He is a local with a sense for good snow and safety that makes powder hounds feel all warm and fuzzy.   Kenny’s love for skiing and instruction is infectious.  I always feel safer and ski better when when it is with Kenny.  I am writing to ask your help in giving their guiding business a shot in the arm from the Republic of Boulder (or wherever you may be).  Here are some ways I thought we could help.

1.  Anyone who can consider their spring trip April 10th-18th it is shaping up to be an epic year.  Here is the link http://www.alpenglowskisafaris.com/guided.html

2.  Spread the word to your friends or family thinking of going to the Alps or a Heli ski trip: Alpenglow Ski Safaris is a top notch option.

3. Plan a future trip

May all your turns be powder and bring you to the present,

Josh

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Winter is on!

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: February 24, 2010

Well I have not blogged in three months.  Besides not being a naturally gifted blogger I would blame it on skiing the back country.  Our first season of hut skiing at Vagabond Ranch is well underway.  Many groups have enjoyed the experience despite an unusually low snow year.  Tristan Hobson, a CU student and back country adventurer, posted a story and pictures of his trip over New Years viewable at

http://highaltitudeadventures.tumblr.com/  Thanks for sharing Tristan!

I had my 40th Birthday party at Vagabond with some friends a few weeks ago and we found good powder on gravel Mountain which we accessed with the Ranch maintenance vehicle.  We found the limits of Dr. Pow Pow and ended up digging it out for three hours one day.

Everyone was ready to help.

There is nothing like hardship for a growing and bonding experience.

We got some great turns in that afternoon and saw a beautiful sunset.  The next day I headed to Switzerland for two weeks to research the roots of ski culture to better develop Vagabond Ranch.  I was beat up and sore from digging out Dr. Pow Pow but made it to Europe all the same.  The video results of our trip can be viewed below.

I love being in the mountains and powder skiing with friends.  I have been reminded over the past three weeks that what makes me happy in any situation is letting go and thinking of others.

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Hut Skiing at Vagabond this winter

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: October 11, 2009

Vagabond Ranch will be available to hut users this winter. Check out the terrain:

Guests will ski or snowshoe the 4 miles from highway 125 to Vagabond Ranch.  Overlook (2-6 people), Ranch House (7-10 people), and Cascade (11 or more) welcome groups with cozy wood heat.  The hut experience is a little like going back in time 100 years.  We melt snow for water, chop wood for heat, and rely on ourselves for transportation.  It is less expensive, lower carbon, and more connected to body and nature. Back Country Vagabond Club members will receive rate discounts and %10 of member rental fees will be donated to completing the Broome Hut near Berthoud Pass.  We look forward to enjoying winter with you at Vagabond Ranch.

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Articles

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: October 9, 2009

One on meditation in prison.

On CNN.

Another Shambhala Times article on the pilgrimage.

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Gratitude and Looking ahead

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: October 7, 2009

As most of you know we arrived at the Stupa at Shambhala Mountain Center last Wednesday completing our journey from Boulder.  By my calculations including the day we spent route finding we rode 185.91 miles and climbed 25,885 vertical feet.  So far we’ve raised $3956 dollars.  Half will go to rebuilding Surmang monastery and school, and half will support Shambhala Mountain Center here in North America.  I stretched my physical abilities, strengthened my good intention, and had a wonderful adventure.  I think the other riders and many who followed it found the pilgrimage equally inspiring in their own ways.  Next year we intend to expand the ride to include a road bike route and complete the circle back to Boulder.  We are thinking of calling it the Boulder Peace Ride because when mind and body are in synch there is peace, and the more we cultivate personal peace the more it can be reflected in the world.  Thanks again for ALL the support,

Josh

In case you wanted to contribute but haven’t had the chance or instructions were unclear, here’s how:

1.  Credit Card:  go to    https://secure.awe-hosting.com/konchok-secure/donate-form.php

Fill out the amount, billing info, and when you see the field “special instructions to merchant” enter bike pilgrimage and the riders name.

2.  Check: Make check payable to Konchok foundation and write in the memo line “Bike Pilgrimage”  send to: Ginny Lipson,  Boulder Shambhala Center, 1435 Spruce st., Boulder, CO 80302.

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The Big Pilgrimage

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: October 1, 2009

I woke up this morning and realized I have always been on a bigger pilgrimage.  Our six days taught me some valuable lessons about how to proceed.  The way may not be easy or predictable but it is not insurmountable.  With a clear intention, and attention to each moment, progress happens, sometimes more than we can imagine.  In the words of Trungpa Rinpoche and the Shambhala Community I am working to realize enlightened society, which in the words of Joanna Macy is at this point in time a matter of happiness and survival.

With Love and Gratitude,

Josh

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Rain and Shine

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: September 30, 2009

As we left Nokhu hut we saw a big dark cloud in the west. A flag man on the highway said it is going to snow any minute. The storm was a day early. We pedaled as fast as we could and it began to rain just as we reached the summit of Cameron Pass. It was coming in so fast and heavy we knew our only choice was to put on all our clothes and ride down the highway as fast as we could. It poured and sleeted. In 12 miles we reached a small store and went inside to warm up. After three cups of chai, some chicken soup, and local friendliness we began to warm up. When I saw how long it took Margie to stop shivering, I realized hypothermia wouldn’t have been too far off.  As quickly as it had come the rain was gone and the sun was shinning. We dried out and set out again. As soon as we thought we knew what the weather was doing it would change all the way to the Stupa. Even in the freezing cold I felt joy that we were heading downhill to the Stupa. It will never happen just this way again.


 

 Snow hitting the peaks

  

Cameron Pass and the sun returns


 

Drying out 


 

Pingree Hill and a wise tree


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We made it to the Stupa, oh joy!

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: September 30, 2009

  



   Margie and Greg Center 

 Thanks to the Buddha, Jon Barbiere, Ginny Lipson, and SMC folks for a warm welcome

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September 29

By Joshua Weinstein | Published: September 30, 2009

We learned a lot yesterday.
1. Which direction to go at the intersection of BCT and CDT.
2. Start early
3. It is more efficient to walk up the steepest sections than ride 100 ft. and stop to catch your breath
4. The map is not always accurate
5. Don’t expect an easy day
6. Things seem to work out in spite of our plans

The day went well. We got to the Nokhu hut in 6.5 hours and it was not easy. It was full of wonder and joy. Thanks again to our friends and family supporting us to continue, we couldn’t do this without you.

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