Belonging: 2022 Hut Trip
Seventeen athletes and eight coaches representing all TCE teams across our four counties joined at the Continental Divide and Point Breeze huts at Tennessee Pass for a weekend of camping to dig deep into our value of belonging. We started day one by learning about each other and reflecting on what it means to belong. Athletes were responsible to leave no trace, cooking and cleaning meals, and supporting each other while navigating a two-night camping trip. We ended the evening with a fun hour of stretching and yoga with our new friends. The tent campers persevered through a rainstorm on the first night and were all in good spirits the next day.
Riding on the majestic Colorado Trail did not disappoint! Athletes were able to bike at over 10,000 feet of elevation and practice switchbacks, bridges, and technical rock sections.
It was fun to see each group try something new and find growth in their riding skills. Brett had the opportunity to ride alongside a moose for a few seconds until the moose wandered off into the woods. During our rides each day, we continued the conversation about belonging about how to support ourselves and each other when we start to feel big emotions or that we don’t belong. A handful of athletes have been in our program for five years and it was amazing to watch them attempt features and sections on the trail with confidence and courage. Coach Molly realized that they can take these skills and be happy and safe on almost any trail they want to ride. These athletes are pumped and prepared to be lifelong mountain bikers and bring along TCE magic with them wherever they ride in the future.
Our group was grateful for the use of the huts that they were happy to volunteer for a fire mitigation project with the hut owner, Lee Rimel.
He described the danger of forest fires and how quickly they spread by setting and extinguishing a small fire. We worked with saws to clear away lower dead branches on trees. Lee taught us about how cutting as close to the tree as possible will signal to the tree that it is cut and it will begin healing itself. It was a lot of fun to work with the push saws and to work together to clear away the branches.
On the last evening of the trip, we took advantage of the drier weather and had the opportunity to stargaze in a meadow with spectacular views.
Although the clouds didn’t clear too much, it was a great time to connect with each other and pose for lots of lovely sunset photos. It was great to relax in a peaceful place with a beautiful view. The night hike back to the hut proved to be a bit of a mental challenge. After getting turned around a bit and a good scare from Brett, we managed to make our way home safely.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip where we connected with teammates from each team and learned how we all belong to the TCE community. We practiced supporting each other and taking responsibility to help the entire group. It was an amazing trip and we can’t wait for the next one!