A little background for those that don’t know me. I have been a true diehard skier for over 20 years. I love the backcountry and all that Colorado has to offer and have been in the outdoor/recreation/ski industry for over 20 plus years. Some years I skied over 200 days, which included hiking and skiing in the summer.

At one time in my life I could have skied over 365 days and never tire of it. Maybe you might call that situation an addiction?  (most likely)

So here’s the scoop, I enjoyed my visit so much that I am going back for a few more months. I want to see if I can live in this tropical environment on a long term basis. I also am excited about the opportunity to live in another country again. Before I became obsessed with my skiing I traveled extensively outside of the US and lived in Europe for over 4 years. But I have never been in a tropical area, so this change of environment and new sports is an exciting adventure for me.

I look forward to sharing my journey with you right here on Backcountrygirl blog or I may start a new blog Ski Bum turns Beach Bum!

 If you have been to Belize I would love to hear about your experiences.  

Some of the incredible speakers “Rich Dad”

Just because I am in awe with Palm Trees

I know I posted this video before but it says it all…

I’m all about simplifying and systemizing my business. How about you? There are gobs of twitter tools out there to help you simplify and enhance your twitter experience. Several of them are free and there are some you pay a small fee for.

Let’s discuss 6 of the FREE ones that I personally like to use. I will briefly review each of these tools and then in later posts go in more detail about how to use the tool, the benefits and maybe some of the quirks. Twit, tweet, twid etc.

Tweet Deck http://www.tweetdeck.com

I wouldn’t even consider using twitter without Tweet Deck. This makes the twitter experience actually fun and very easy. Tweet Deck is a desk top application that can be installed in less then 2 seconds. It is a way for you to manage your tweets in a simple and easy manner.

Twellow http://www.twellow.com

Twellow is the yellow and white pages for finding people to follow. This is another tool that is simple to use and is accessed by your twitter profile name and password. So you need to have a twitter account before you can access Twellow.

Social Oomph http://www.socialoomph.com

Social Oomph (previously known as Tweet Later) is a tool to automate your tweets. There is a debate in the social media world on weather this is a good tool to use. My advice to you is just be ethical and honest in all your business and you shouldn’t have any issues. We will discuss this more in the detailed post on Social Oomph.

Twit Wall http://twitwall.com

This is a great tool for when you have something to say that is over 140 characters. It’s actually a blog that can be used right with your twitter account.  I use it for different scenarios and I will give some examples in the detailed post on Twit Wall.

 Split Tweet http://splitweet.com

Split Tweet is a wonderful tool (one because it has a purple background), to manage more then one twitter account. I like this because I can pull this up and look at the accounts as a whole or as individuals. You can also post tweets from this application.

Twitpic  http://twitpic.com  and TwitVid http://www.twitvid.com

Ok now the fun ones! Twitpic is a tool to easily post pictures on twitter and TwitVid is the tool to post videos. Just that simple, and they are both simple to use. More details on the posts for these two tools.

What’s your favorite? Out of these 6 tools which one do you use most often and why? Oops I snuck an extra one in there!!

People have been collecting for centuries. Collections can range from dolls, clothes, coins, rare baseball cards worth thousands of dollars, teddy bears and other trinkets.

Most collections are comprised of oddities that have little value beyond the sentiment for the collector. Even with a collection of high dollar value, it isn’t often that a collector sells the collection to claim the money. Why, then, would someone put so much time and effort into gathering a collection?

There is a debate on why people collect things. Like childhood unmet needs and for completion. I like what Kuersteiner says in his article, “I believe the main reason people collect something is a basic interest in the topic.”

I have more then one thing I like to collect. One is topo maps, if I am in an area like I was in Steamboat and I don’t have the topo map I will get it. That topo map becomes my souvenir for the trip and also an addition to my collection of maps.

Everyone has their own reasons why they collect certain items. Following are some of the primary reasons people buy, collect and cherish teddy bears. I borrowed the teddy bear collection reasons from this site. http://www.articlealley.com/article_11202_27.html 

 I used their reasons and compared it to the reasons why I collect topo maps.

So the next time you wonder why people collect things, ask yourself if  there has ever been anything you had an affection for and just had to have one more! http://topomaps.usgs.gov/

What outdoor gear, gadget, or tools do you like to collect? I’d love to hear from you.

Getting traffic to your blog posts:

 With a simple post to Twitter, you can have lots of readers come to your blog.

Even though blog feeds do the same thing, you can often find new readers on Twitter or remind current readers to re-visit your blog or a specific article.

What to tweet about

• Be useful and helpful.
• Not every tweet has to be about “you”.
• Take time to tweet about others.
• Be a helpful part of the community.

 Listen and respond to your followers

• Try to help them out.
• You can get great feedback using tweets.
• You can get ideas for info products and affiliate products from the feedback you receive from your followers.

Please NO spam!

• If all you do is send out tweets that scream, “Buy from me! Buy from me!” you will quickly lose followers.
• These are the people I quickly unfollow and some of them I block

What forms of spam irritate you?

I wanted to share this with you because of the incredible line up of speakers.

T. Harv Eker – How YOU change yourself first and the rest of the world will follow, from the author of the NY Times #1 Bestseller, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.

Mark Victor Hansen – Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, whose principles have shifted 1000’s of lives forever (and what new changes he’s creating in the new economy!)

John Assaraf – How YOU too can “re-wire” your mind everyday to become an instant success, even when others say “it’s impossible”.

Joe Vitale – How YOU can learn from Joe’s mistakes and struggles and a new world after just 30 minutes where opportunity for massive growth abounds.

Marci Shimoff – How YOU can instantly raise your level of happiness (a component to wealth) even when things look bleak, meager, or just down right hopeless.

Lisa Nichols – How YOU can reverse any circumstance to achieve your dreams no matter what!
…and much more! What a line up!!

Many of the world’s foremost thought and business leaders are participating in an exciting 21-day virtual event called: The “New Wealth Experience”- A Global Event for a New Humanity.

This amazing immersion experience includes over 21 world thought leaders who will share their masterful teachings to help you create ‘the new wealth’ in your life.

It begins on Nov. 2nd…and it’s F.R.E.E to attend! (Just dial In or listen online from the comfort of your home!)

The founders (Darius Barazandeh and Jeneth Blackert) are ASKING the greatest minds to reveal ONE PRACTICE that changed their life… and so much more! (What would that be worth to you? $1,000, $2,000, $5,000?)

The only thing you have to do is claim your free spot by clicking here:
http://newwealthexperience.com/cmd.php?Clk=3350726.

Twitter is one of the social networking websites. It’s essentially a micro blogging tool using 140 characters http//www.Twitter.com. Twitter is an incredibly fast way to get more traffic to your blog or website while also building relationships.

• You will want to portray your status as an “authority” in your area of expertise.
• Mix your posts or “tweets” up with industry-relevant links in addition to your personal activities, opinions, quotes and helpful tips.
• When you can have custom graphic background designed that includes your other social network sites.
• Here’s a brief article from Entrepreneur about branding your business http://bit.ly/13zlvP  

Follow people

• All this means is that you sign up to receive their messages and they will recieve yours.
•  If you follow them, they will most likely follow you.
•  This is an important step in order to acquire followers.

 Two Ways to follow people

• You can use the search feature or find people right from your Twitter profile 
• You can use the twitter yellow book known as Twellow http://www.twellow.com

Be Social

• Ask and answer questions
• Give value to your community. You don’t have to say anything profound – just relevant.
• Post and answer surveys: You can increase your relationship with your followers by asking questions. Ask people for advice, what they think of the latest news story or their opinion on a topic.
• Retweet others view this blog post for tips on re-tweeting http://bit.ly/oj6RT.

Utilize direct messages

• This is the way to send a private message to someone that no one else can see.
• You’ll also receive messages from others and be notified via e-mail when someone direct messages you.
• Another great way to connect personally with people

Use Links

• Post links as a natural part of the conversation.
• Use links properly. Don’t send a direct link to your product.
• Send a link to your blog or a general informational website.

For a fun little video series on Social Media Etiquette register at the top right corner of this site!

What are some ways you use twitter to drive traffic to your site?

Rumor has it – When God takes a vacation, he goes to a Colorado Wilderness!

I just love that saying because I feel the presence of the Lord any time I am in the backcountry. This saying is on the website for Mt. Zirkel Wilderness at http://bit.ly/46gsGV. 

I was in Steamboat for a business trip and ended up staying longer then I planned at the end of August. I borrowed a vehicle from a friend and it broke down, which meant I had to wait over the weekend for a part. Good thing I had my backpacking gear and my gracious hosts willing to drive me several miles to a trail head so I could get at least one night backpacking in. (My first night in town due to the auto issues so I stayed at a local campground http://bit.ly/1lFdSP. It was nice and quiet and during the week so not too many people).

Thanks to a local shop: Because I was not real familiar with the area I stopped to pick up a topo map and ask some of the locals their favorite spots. The guys at Straightline Sports http://bit.ly/1c6mvw directed me to a great place to check out. 

Buffalo Pass Trailhead: From Steamboat, travel 2 miles north on Forest Development Road 323 (Hot Springs Road), then 12 miles northeast on Forest Development Road 60 (Buffalo Pass Road). Four Wheel Drive or high clearance vehicles are recommended for the Buffalo Pass Road.

My route: I was dropped off Saturday evening after we spent the day at Steamboat Lake. My goal was to make it to Round Mountain Lake to camp for the evening. It got dark quick and so I just found another site and enjoyed a wonderful sunset. The next morning the goal was to hike the Wyoming Trail up to Lake Elbert, Luna Lake, and Lake of the Crags. This morning brought a gorgeous sunrise that I enjoyed while I was packing up camp.

I am going to have to visit this area again because storms moved in and I made a decision to hike back out before reaching the lakes. According to my calculations and map I was too darn close to do turn around. I don’t do that too often but the clouds were ominous and I was also on a time crunch to meet my hosts at the trailhead.

I got out in time before the storm and actually down early enough that a wonderful couple from town was heading down so they gave me a ride. That saved my hosts the time and drive to come get me and I met two wonderful new friends that delivered door to door service

When I go back I will plan on doing at least 3-4 days and a big loop. There is so much to see and I really want to spend more time at the lakes. Great time in Steamboat and thank you to my gracious friends who didn’t plan on me being in town for more then a few hours!

On my way out of town I grabbed a sandwich at Backcountry Provisions http://bit.ly/Bs5Nn.

Have you hiked in this area? If so please share your experiences.