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Welcome to ColoMtnSkimo!
Introduction
Hello! I am Declan Knies. I have a passion for walking up big rocks and I especially enjoy when I can slide down them! I am setting this up as a resource for myself to remember, but also as a way to share beta on some incredible big mountain lines. As of writing, The 2024 season is wrapping up. Record high temps and rain are putting a hasty end to what was an incredible season! I am going to go back and write up some reports on some of the bigger trips I have done, but will be putting out content as I go on. Primarily in the form of ski mountaineering and expeditions. Keep an eye out for Peru in 2025! That's all for now, but I am excited to share this information with you all! I am always looking for strong partners so reach out if you want to ski! :)
About me
I am a fresh graduate of the Colorado School of Mines in Engineering Physics. It is in college where I discovered the beauty and joy of backcountry skiing. As a burnt out mountain bike racer, I struggled with the motivation to compete against others and ride the same trails over and over. Ski mountaineering is my outlet for creativity, passion, excersize, community, and freedom. It has brought me to the most incredible places, introduced me to the most incredible people, pushed me to compete against myself to be the best I can be, and has irrevocably changed my life for the better. I work at the Colorado Geological Survey on Hazard detection, groundwater data mangement, and InSAR data manipulation. Bringing together my passion for mapping and the outdoors, I am able to give back to Colorado while developing my own skills in GIS. I hope to pursue a master's program in GIS, before finally going for a PhD in snow and avalanche science. For now, you can find me on a mountain somewhere in Colorado -- hopefully with skis.
Upcoming Expeditions
In the next few weeks, I am planning a ski backpacking trip to Gannet Peak, with a few objectives along the way. In the long term, a small group of my friends are looking into a trip to the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca. We have several classic lines on our radar, with a few first descents in the books too!