Out There briefs

Barr Trail makes dangerous list

OK, sure, top 10 lists in glossy magazines are rarely good for much more than starting a conversation.

But when Backpacker magazine named Barr Trail the third in its 10 Most Dangerous Hikes, it made a decent argument.

The list gave a rating based on predators, terrain, weather and an "X factor."

No surprise, predators and terrain didn't rate high on Pikes Peak. The trail climbs high, but has no exposed cliffs or technical moves. The big scare factor on Pikes is lightning.

The magazine notes that the Pikes Peak region is one of the sparkiest in the state.

Regular afternoon thunderstorms can strike exposed hikers above tree line, and have on a number of occasions.

Backpacker's advice for skirting the danger is sound: Start early, be off the summit before noon.

The most dangerous trails in the country are Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Trail and The Maze in Utah's Canyonlands National Park, both due to heat.

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Attention, snow DJs

What's your snow-riding soundtrack?

Is it AC/DC's "Back in Black," jammed up against A Tribe Called Quest and cuts from that live Phish Red Rocks show in 1993?

Is it Gershwin showtunes alternating with John Denver?

Or is it something else entirely? (We sure hope so.)

For a future Out There cover, we're asking skiers and snowboarders what tunes they blast on the slopes. Send your top five to srappold@gazette.com or call 476-1605.

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Savage K2

World-class Telluride climber Don Bowie is giving a multimedia show about climbing K2 in the Himalayas in 2007.

He promises stories of the terrifying peaks and the welcoming rural mountain communities at their feet.

It's at 7 p.m. Monday at Colorado College's Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave.

Donations will be welcome at the door. For more information, call 389-6606.