www.ava.org/clubs/chch

The Colorado High Country Hikers is a Volksmarch Club dedicated to hosting interesting
events of possibly a more challenging nature. CHCH events are typically within 75 miles of
Denver, CO, and are in the Rocky Mountains or associated foothills. They are on groomed or
periodically maintained and well marked trails. By the nature of this geography, there may be
significant elevation gains on some of the hikes. Because of this, and the starting elevation (we
are a mile above sea level), our hikes have trail ratings of 3 and above.

We will attempt to make all of our events of high quality and try to stay in the foothills and
mountains of Colorado. Leave the pavement of the sidewalks and city streets behind... it is good
for the knees and the soul!

We hope to provide a social atmosphere with meetings in fun locations and have social events as
well as Volkssporting events.

What is Volkssport?

Simply put, Volkssport is for "Volks" or folks who enjoy walking, hiking, cross country skiing,
snowshoeing, swimming, biking or any or all of the above. The main activity is walking. Anyone who
completes the required distance (10 km at your own pace - 5 KM for beginners) is a winner. You'll find
that the terms Volkssport, Volkswalk, and Volksmarch are used interchangeably, but Volkssport is
becoming more common as it encompasses biking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc.

Volkssport is not a contest - it's non-competitive! Generally, Volkssport participants are regular folks
who like to walk for fun, health, friendship or just to see more of our beautiful country. You can't smell the
flowers or meet the wildlife from inside a car or RV. Everyone can participate and in most cases even
the family dog.

There are three categories of walks. First is the Special Event or Regular. These are events held on a
specific date. Club members are there to check you in, and provide information. You have a 2-3 hour
window to start the event and usually need to be finished by 3-4 PM. Take your time, walk alone or with
a friend (many allow your family pet to accompany you) and enjoy the area. Normally there is an award
for a small fee. Second is the Year Round or Seasonal Event. These are 10 KM courses laid out with a
start point in a store or location with extended hours which you may walk as many times as you like
throughout the year. No one from the club is there, and you are on your own to register your walk. A
seasonal event is offered for only part of the year. Third is the Guided or Club Walk. Club members get
together to walk one of the clubs year round or seasonal walks.

Members record their achievements in AVA/IVV Record Books, for both number of events and
distance walked in kilometers. They can then earn awards and recognitions at various milestones.
There are also awards for special programs that require completing multiple events over a certain time
period. For instance, special programs include all fifty states, lighthouses, river walks, covered bridges,
etc.

The object is to make walking, hiking, skiing, biking and snowshoeing interesting, fun, social, healthy,
and possibly educational.

One of the great things about Volkssport is that it's both National www.ava.org and International
www.ivv-web.org. You can do it in all 50 United States and in most countries throughout the world. It's
great for travelers and lets you see places you might not normally see!

Beautiful weather greeted the Colorado High Country Hikers to Summit County and the Breckenridge Gold Run
snowshoe and cross country ski event. It was hard to believe that under all that snow is a golf course, but late
spring will reveal what's now hidden. We have been holding this event for several years, but this year the
snowshoe route was changed a bit to include some great trails through the trees. Thank you Ann and Craig
Grotness for putting this event together! Just up the road in Breckenridge was the judging of the 20th Annual
International Snow Sculpture Championships. There were dozens of amazing works of art. It just goes to show
you that there are more things to do with snow than just play in it. Team Lithuania won first place with the hand
(above left) that symbolizes the fragility of victory.