Andrew Skurka's Blog, page 5

Application deadline today for UT, AK, WV

If you’d like to join a guided trip next year in Utah, Alaska, or West Virginia, the open application deadline is today/Monday.

Officially, you have until 11:59 pm MT. Realistically, if your application is waiting in my inbox tomorrow morning, you’ll be fine.

This week we will finish reviewing the applications, and next week we will start forming groups and offering spots. As we get deeper into this process, it can be difficult to find spots for new applicants; if we’re unable to, they’ll go on a waitlist and hope for a cancellation.

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Ask Us Anything about Expedition Canyoneering, with Jeff Wohl and Jose Mendez

Last evening, Andrew and I hosted our fourth Ask Us Anything event in two weeks. The topic was canyoneering and our special guests included Jose Mendez and Jeff Wohl, the guides for our inaugural canyoneering trips last spring.

Jeff is a senior NOLS instructor with over 200 weeks of guiding experience. He’s guided courses in technical canyoneering, vertical caving, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, backpacking, backcountry horse packing, and Wilderness First Aid instruction.

Jose is an experienced thru-hiker, climber, and canyoneer. He is an AMGA Climbing Single Pitch Instructor and has completed an Advanced Canyoneering 3-day course for Assistant Canyon Leader training with Zion Guru.

Topics we covered:

What canyoneering allows you to do that you can’t get with backpackingHow our approach to canyoneering is different than what you may find elsewhereRequired gear, including technical gear, backpack considerations, and safety gearPreferred skill and fitness qualifications for our canyoneering tripsTips for getting started in canyoneeringHow to retrieve your rope when rappellingRisks of canyoneering and techniques to increase safetyA typical itinerary on our 5- and 7-day canyoneering tripsThe fun and challenges of canyoneeringThe typical rappel length on our tripsThe difficulty and complexity of the canyons we run in EscalanteThe type of trips you can expect to be capable of after our canyoneering courseWatch the event:

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Preview: 3909 Apache Ct E, Boulder, CO

In about six weeks Amanda and I expect to move into our newly renovated home. It’ll have been almost two years in the making, and we can’t wait.

Around the time of move-in, we’ll have a choice to make about our current townhome at 3909 Apache Ct E, Boulder CO 80303: sell it, rent it, or use it as a dedicated home office. Naturally, I’ve spreadsheeted the options, and with this blog post I wanted to both (1) mark the life event, and (2) preview the property, if we opt for a sale or rental, offering perspective about the property that won’t necessarily be clear in the MLS listing, during a 30-minute walk-through, or with an inspection.

Check back in late-January or early-February for listing or rental details, if any. The basic specs are:

1969 townhome in Frasier Meadows, south Boulder, Colorado3 bedroom, 2.75 baths2,336 square feet, including a finished basementTwo-car attached garagePrivate community-maintained 2.3-acre (101k square feet) park in the backyardHot water baseboard heat with central air-conditioningOwned 2.1 kW photovoltaic system Front entryInflection point

I bought the townhome in July 2012, at 31 years-old, as I was transitioning between my adventurous twenties and my more domestic thirties. In this post about it, my excitement is palpable — emotionally, I was wanting a place to call home; and, financially, I thought that in the long-term buying would be more attractive than renting. Both justifications proved valid.

In the subsequent 4,200 days, Amanda and I made memories here. We got married in the backyard under a party tent during an August thunderstorm, made certain that three cats would live their best lives, helped the backyard birds and squirrels through the winter, hosted family and friends for holidays and visits, and became spoiled by homegrown tomatoes from our raised beds. From the front door, I also ran more than 30,000 miles, including hundreds of outings through Chautauqua and up Bear, Green, and Sanitas.

It has not always been paradise here, however. Amanda endured the historic Boulder floods mostly solo. We had to work hard on our marriage. A global pandemic forced us to shelter in place. And we lost our perfect fur baby Oden after seventeen years. We lived here, and life includes the good and bad.

Oden LOVED the gas fireplace, the closer the better Homegrown tomatoes, potatoes, and peppersHome ownership

This home has taken care of us, and we’ve tried to take care of it, within the limits of our time, budget, and energy. The next buyers will have a good starting point; since we purchased it, we have:

1. Made it more comfortable, energy efficient, and quieter, by

Replacing the windowsAdding attic insulation to R-50Sealing cracks and openingsReplacing the hot water tankReplacing the central AC blower and condensorAdding a gas fireplace insertInstalling a 2.1 kW photovoltaic system that we own outright.

2. Made it more attractive, like by

Painting the exteriorReplacing some of the 50 year-old sidingInstalling a new front door and side lightPouring a new concrete front walkway and steps, and side yard slabRe-landscaping the entire yard, with irrigation and multiple raised beds with good soilRetexturing the living room’s popcorn ceilingAdding window casings and Bali cellular blindsRefinishing the hallway’s cast iron bathtubReplacing the plastic light switch covers with nicer metal ones

3. Completed essential upkeep and safety items, like by

Installing a radon barrier in the crawl spacePig-tailing copper wire at terminal connectionsInstalling GFI outlets in the kitchen and bathroomsReplacing the roofKeeping up on caulk and masonryAdding a basement egress window

4. Improved drainage to minimize groundwater risks, specifically by installing more gutters and by diverting run-off into two underground 50-gallon stormwater wells.

5. Renovated the basement after the 2013 floods, with new carpeting, the nicest bathroom in the house, and as much drywall as was necessary to eliminate mold risk.

6. Updated the kitchen, with stainless appliances, concrete countertops, and open shelving.

Just before we go, Amanda and I will touch up the solid oak hardwood floors, repaint a few rooms, and have it professionally cleaned.

The side yard when we moved in The side yard now, with fresh paint, raised beds, and a concrete pad The basement bathroom when we moved in The basement bathroom now The backyard when we moved in Our backyard now, looking out over the 2.3-acre private open spaceIts next chapter

A few weeks ago I had the house inspected, which validated what I thought: the house is in good condition and should have no imminent big-ticket expenses in the foreseeable future.

If Amanda and I had decided to stay here long-term, we would have next remodeled the:

Ensuite bathroomHallway bathroomKitchen

Instead, we decided to invest our funds into a new single-family home instead.

Assessment

Two years ago Amanda and I decided that 3909 Apache Ct E would not be our forever home. But it’s been a very sustainable living situation (nearly twelve years for a “starter home”), and I’m very thankful that we landed here eleven years ago instead of other properties at which we’d looked. For its probable sales price, I think it’s a great value:

1. Spaciousness. The home has an open floor plan, ample square footage, large bedrooms, big closets, and an ensuite bathroom. We live comfortably on the first floor, which is about 1,500 square feet, all covered in solid hardwoods The basement has been mostly used for business storage and as a daytime hideout for our Halloween cat, Esme. The next owner could more regularly utilize this space as a rental, mother-in-law suite, home office, or man cave, hobby hive, or gaming room. Or, convert it into two conforming bedrooms with some simple framing and drywall.

2. The backyard. Directly outside our dining room and primary bedroom slider doors is a private 2.3-acre grass-covered park with a small pool, both managed by the Apache Park Association (and paid for with our dues, about $85 per month). It’s awesome:

We have a HUGE backyard, but we don’t need to take care of it. And,Our own yard has enough space for gardens and flower beds. Our back patio abuts a private 2.3-acre open space and pool

3. Access. From here, it’s a reasonable commute to Denver, an easy trip to the airport (by catching the skyRide bus at the local parking garage), and a quick drive or scooter ride to downtown Boulder or Twenty Ninth Street. There’s a bike trail at the end of our cul de sac, providing faster transport to the Table Mesa Shopping Center (e.g. Southern Sun) and the CU campus than possible in a car. And for runners who mix road and trail, it’s ideal: it’s one mile to the CU cross-country course, one mile to Skunk Canyon, 2.4 miles to Chautauqua, and 2.4 miles to Bobolink. In fact, we like this location so much that we bought a house in the same neighborhood just a half-mile away!

Interestingly, the property’s proximity to Highway 36 has never been one of our chief complaints. It’s visible (barely) from just one window; the noise is rarely audible inside the house; and our backyard is in the “noise shadow” of the house. I suppose you just get used to it, too.

Ultimately, we decided to move because we wanted a single-family home: that has more privacy, a larger yard, dedicated driveway, and two home offices; that is better laid out for my business; that is surrounded by more owner-occupied properties; and that can host one set of our aging parents. We just hope that we like this next property as much as we’ve liked this one.

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I’m hiring: Operations Manager (and maybe Instructor + Guide)

To help me during the 2024 season I plan to make a new hire. This is a local position, and the individual must live within a reasonable commuting distance of south Boulder, Colorado (75-ish minutes max, and ideally much less).

The Operations Manager is responsible for all program gear, food, and other supplies. With the necessary qualifications, this individual may also serve as an Online Instructor and/or as a Backpacking Guide.

When reviewing applications, my primary goal is to find an excellent Operations Manager. An excellent Operations Manager who is also qualified to be an online instructor and guide would be very appealing. At this time, I am not looking for Online Instructors or Backpacking Guides who are unable or unwilling to serve as the Operations Manager.

Depending on the roles, this position will range from part-time to nearly full-time.

Critical role: Operations Manager

Half to three-fourths of this work must be done locally, usually out of my house in south Boulder, Colorado. It amounts to about 300 hours annually, with the hours concentrated between January and September. On its own, this could be an addition to more regular work, or part of a portfolio of separate income streams.

Primary responsibilities include:

Calculating and ordering ingredients for our guided trip breakfasts and dinnersManaging preseason bulk meal preparation and overseeing 5-10 temporary food workersCoordinating and preparing one-off meals for clients with dietary restrictionsManaging our gear libraryPreparing first aid kits and other group suppliesPrior to trips, loading the vanAfter trips, unloading the van, cleaning the van, and putting supplies back in their place.

Applicants must be:

Competent with Google Sheets that have 10+ tabs, hundreds of rows of data, and intermediate-level formulasAttentive to detail, knowing that small mistakes can have huge ramifications in this businessReliable and independently productive, with regular but not extensive oversightTask oriented, because hundreds of things must get done before each tripProfessional, with good communication skills, high emotional intelligence, willingness to give and receive feedback, and a client-first mindset.

It would be a bonus if applicants have prior experience with:

The food industry (and, if not, to at least have a personal interest in food)A guiding or outdoor education program.Optional roles: Online Instructor and Backpacking Guide

At this time, I am NOT hiring standalone Online Instructors or Backpacking Guides. Please do not apply if you are not interested in the Operations Manager position.

Online Instructor

To prepare clients for their trip with us, we put them through a 9-week planning curriculum. Online Instructors must be expert backpackers and very familiar with modern equipment. They are responsible for:

Reviewing client assignments (e.g. environmental assessments, gear lists)Answering promptly client questions in a timely fashionHosting virtual meetings with client groups, multiple evenings per month between April and September

This work should be done remotely. Annually, it will total about 500-750 hours, depending on the number of trips, the number of clients, and the number of other instructors we have in 2024.

Backpacking Guide

We specialize in modern backpacking gear and technique, long-distance thru-hiking, mountain high routes, and off-trail travel. Our 2024 locations include southern Utah, Alaska, the High Sierra, Washington or Greater Yellowstone, and West Virginia.

Minimum qualifications for this position include:

Extensive personal backpacking experienceGood physical fitnessExcellent interpersonal skills

Ideally, applicants for this position also have:

Prior experience as a backpacking guide or trip leaderTeaching experienceRelatable livesInterpretive knowledge Community credibility

For a sense of my hiring standards, review the bios of our existing guide team.

For additional information about requisite qualifications for this position, you can read this post from early-2022.

Compensation

If employed on a part-time basis, the minimum rate will be $25 per hour. Pending prior experience and qualifications, I would consider more.

If hired as an Operations Manager, Online Instructor, and Backpacking Guide, it may be best for this to be a full-time position. The minimum salary would be $50,000 and would have a benefits package.

To apply

To apply, submit this form.

Applicants must upload a resume and/or a letter of interest that demonstrates relevant experience. The Application Form will accept PDF’s and other document file types like .txt and .docx.

To upload files you must be logged into your Google account, if you are not already.

I will accept applications through at least Tuesday, December 26, or until the position is filled. When the position is filled, I will disable the application form and update this page.

Apply nowHiring timelineApplication deadline: December 26, 2023Interviews: first week of January 2024Start date: second half of January 2024Notes

Andrew Skurka Adventures LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

If you have general questions about this position, leave a comment below. I will answer it there, to avoid multiple private answers to the same questions.

If you have a question that pertains specifically to your application, please contact me directly.

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Ask Us Anything: Canyoneering

Next Thursday, Andrew and I will be joined by one (or more!) of our canyoneering guides to host a Canyoneering-focused Ask Us Anything event. The event will last no more than 60 minutes and will be similar in structure to the three Ask Us Anything events we hosted last week with Dan Durston, Brian Robinson, and Mikaela Osler.

Join us on December 14 at 6:30pm MT here.

We will be joined by Jeff Wohl, a member our our guide team who led these trips last season. Jeff is a senior NOLS instructor with over 200 weeks of guiding experience. He’s working in technical canyoneering, vertical caving, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, backpacking, backcountry horse packing,
and Wilderness First Aid instruction.

We will discuss topics, such as:

How our approach to canyoneering is different than what you may find elsewhereRequired gear: technical and backpacking; group and individualPreferred qualifications for our canyoneering tripsItinerariesThe fun and challenges of canyoneeringQuestions?If you would like to submit a question for the Ask Us Anything events, complete this form. During the broadcasts we try to answer all questions received.

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Ask Us Anything: Mikaela Osler

Last night, Andrew and I hosted the last of our Ask Us Anything events this week. Our special guest was Mikaela Osler. Mikaela is a Triple Crown thru-hiker (AT, PCT, CDT), has set FKT’s on the Long Trail and Colorado Trail, is an excellent guide, and has an infectiously positive personality.

In this conversation, we cover:

Which 70’s Swedish pop supergroup Mikaela knows all the lyrics ofMikaela, Andrew, and Katie’s most perilous incidents in the backcountryWeather expectations and travel logistics for our WV trips in OctoberHow we like to debrief tripsPracticing LNT when traveling off trailHow we determine trip locations and choose new onesCharacteristics of our favorite clientsHow we minimize tick risk for our Appalachian tripsThe potential value of attending one of our trips if you’re already experiencedAverage fitness and vertical for our trips and how to interpret those numbersWhat inspired Mikaela’s FKT’sAfter doing so much off-trail hiking, do long on-trail thru-hikes still interest us?Watch the event:

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Ask Us Anything, with Mikaela Osler

Last night, Andrew and I hosted the last of our Ask Us Anything events this week. Our special guest was Mikaela Osler. Mikaela is a Triple Crown thru-hiker (AT, PCT, CDT), has set FKT’s on the Long Trail and Colorado Trail, is an excellent guide, and has an infectiously positive personality.

In this conversation, we cover:

Which 70’s Swedish pop supergroup Mikaela knows all the lyrics ofMikaela, Andrew, and Katie’s most perilous incidents in the backcountryWeather expectations and travel logistics for our WV trips in OctoberHow we like to debrief tripsPracticing LNT when traveling off trailHow we determine trip locations and choose new onesCharacteristics of our favorite clientsHow we minimize tick risk for our Appalachian tripsThe potential value of attending one of our trips if you’re already experiencedAverage fitness and vertical for our trips and how to interpret those numbersWhat inspired Mikaela’s FKT’sAfter doing so much off-trail hiking, do long on-trail thru-hikes still interest us?Watch the event:

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Ask Us Anything: Flyin’ Brian Robinson

Yesterday Andrew and I hosted the second of this week’s Ask Us Anything. Our special guest was Brian Robinson, one of Andrew’s original guides who was the first person to complete the Calendar Year Triple Crown, in 2001 and the seventh Barkley Marathon finisher and former course record holder, and who completed the John Muir Trail in 4 days and 7 hours

Our last Ask Us Anything will be held tonight/Thursday with Mikaela Osler.

In this conversation, we cover:

Brian’s status as one of the first people in the country to solve the Rubik’s Cube and his Rubik’s PRWhy Brian didn’t brush his teeth for a year and what happened as a resultHow Brian ended up with 150 pounds of free Snickers bars in his closetThe recommended start date and trail order for the CYTCBrian’s motivation for the CYTC at age 40 and how long it took him to prepareThe differences in doing the CYTC in 2001 vs now How Brian became the very first hiking influencerDifferences in preparation and gear for our Alaska trips versus other locationsBears in the Brooks Range and safety in larger groups versus as an individualHow to transition from being an on-trail hiker to an off-trail hikerThe highlights of the Ventana WildernessThe teaching techniques we use the field and the origin of our leaning-intensive guided tripsHow to plan a route just by looking at the mapWatch the event:

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Ask Us Anything, with Flyin’ Brian Robinson

Yesterday Andrew and I hosted the second of this week’s Ask Us Anything. Our special guest was Brian Robinson, one of Andrew’s original guides who was the first person to complete the Calendar Year Triple Crown, in 2001 and the seventh Barkley Marathon finisher and former course record holder, and who completed the John Muir Trail in 4 days and 7 hours

Our last Ask Us Anything will be held tonight/Thursday with Mikaela Osler.

In this conversation, we cover:

Brian’s status as one of the first people in the country to solve the Rubik’s Cube and his Rubik’s PRWhy Brian didn’t brush his teeth for a year and what happened as a resultHow Brian ended up with 150 pounds of free Snickers bars in his closetThe recommended start date and trail order for the CYTCBrian’s motivation for the CYTC at age 40 and how long it took him to prepareThe differences in doing the CYTC in 2001 vs now How Brian became the very first hiking influencerDifferences in preparation and gear for our Alaska trips versus other locationsBears in the Brooks Range and safety in larger groups versus as an individualHow to transition from being an on-trail hiker to an off-trail hikerThe highlights of the Ventana WildernessThe teaching techniques we use the field and the origin of our leaning-intensive guided tripsHow to plan a route just by looking at the mapWatch the event:

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Ask Us Anything: Dan Durston

Last night Andrew and I hosted an Ask Us Anything with Dan Durston. Dan is best known for designing the X-Mid tents through his company Durston Gear. He’s also a five-time fastest finisher in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Open and the first person to yo-yo the Great Divide Trail.

This is the first of three events this week. Join us tonight/Wednesday with Brian Robinson and tomorrow night/Thursday with Mikaela Osler.

In this conversation, we cover:

Dan’s first business running one of the most popular Scooter websites in North AmericaHow Dan became a gear designerHow Andrew and Dan’s thinking on gear has evolvedConditions in which lightweight tents fall shortWhen Dan, Andrew, and Katie switch from quilts to mummy bagsPermitting for a guiding companyDan and Andrew’s favorite piece of gear they’ve designedWhy you need longer guylines on your tentDifferent ways to make money in the outdoor industry and how to chooseDesign features that make a great tent, andDan’s insight into emerging trends in the gear industry.Watch the event:

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