Around the World

 WED, 3/23

"I am awakened at Dingboche by a sound drifting in from the edge of consciousness," writes Peter Potterfield in his new book, Classic Hikes of the World, about getting acclimated at the foot of Mt. Everest. "Soothing and exotic, but not identifiable. As sleep fades, my oxygen-starved brain grinds on towards lucidity and finally recognition: yak bells...a gentle wake-up call in a strange land, and a reminder I am deep within an outrageous landscape and a profoundly different culture."

Since he began hiking in the 1970s, intrigued by the self-sufficiency attainable in nature, Potterfield has experienced a wealth of different cultures. His journeys have spanned the peaks, canyons and coastlines of six different continents and taught him a great deal about the more elusive and beautiful regions of the world. Potterfield shares his expertise in Hikes, outlining the possibilities in each of his favorite treks -- from trips through Patagonia to the famed Shackleton Crossing of South Georgia Island -- and offering the sort of hard-won practical advice that only someone with firsthand experience can. In the section detailing Colorado's Maroon Bells area, for example, Potterfield advises hikers to avoid a costly stay in Aspen and to stop in Glenwood Springs instead. He details a thorough four-day itinerary through the Rocky Mountain wilderness, including several different ways of approaching the mountain circuit.

Potterfield will share his experiences during a slide show tonight at 7 p.m. at the CU Student Recreation Center on the Boulder campus. He will also make an appearance at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the REI flagship store, 1416 Platte Street in Denver. For information, call 303-492-6051 or go to www.rei.com. -- Adam Cayton-Holland

Starting Line
These training clubs preach practice and play.
SUN, 3/20

The philosophy of the Bolder Boulder Training Clubs is "There are times of year for training, and there are times for playing." Guess "Life is short. Play hard" was already taken.

But the training clubs' slogan is fitting. Organizers understand that while many runners want to push themselves to their best time yet at this year's 10K Bolder Boulder run, not everyone can dedicate his life to it. So they've divided their Spring Training Program into an easily accessible ten-week format, with club members meeting once a week for pre-arranged running trials. In addition to the group jaunts, club membership includes personal training schedules and journals, as well as e-mail access to coaches (for that extra little bit of motivation).

Spring training is offered at a number of Denver and Boulder locations. The cost is $109 per person, and the deadline for registration is Monday, March 21. Participants are required to attend an Orientation Expo today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millennium Hotel, 1345 28th Street in Boulder. For more information, call 303-444-7223, ext. 11, or go to www.bolderboulder.com/trainingclubs.cfm. -- Adam Cayton-Holland