PHOTOGRAPHS: WORDS: RORY GOULDING. MAP ILLUSTRATION: VIEW FROM THE NORTH POLE, 1910, RALPH S. TARR, B.S., F.G.S.A.AND FRANK M. MCMURRY, PH.D., NEW GEOGRAPHIES 2ND ED (NEW YORK, NY: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, 1910), DOWNLOADED FROM MAPS ETC PHOTOGRAPHS:
Colorado, USA
Feelings of giddiness are almost a given in Colorado: it’s the only US state to lie entirely above 1,000 metres, and its capital, Denver is nicknamed the ‘Mile-High City’. Amid the peaks of the Front Range, which rises abruptly to the west of the city, there are reasons other than altitude for hearts to beat faster. This section of the Rocky Mountains is an arena for almost any conceivable adventure activity, snow- and ice-based ones in particular. The town of Estes Park sits just outside the majestic expanse of Rocky Mountain National Park, and has plenty of winter sports outfitters. Rent some snowshoes here to join tours, led by park rangers, deep into forests where summer hikers never venture, or rope up and put some spikes on your boots to get to grips with a frozen waterfall in an introduction to ice climbing. Conditions permitting, you can still drive to many parts of the national park for sublime winter views without much exertion – or typical summer crowds. And if you’re in need of an immediate shot of warmth amid the chill, consider a visit to the bar at the Stanley Hotel, stocked with more than 1,000 whiskies. Though this century-old pile was Stephen King’s inspiration for the hotel in The Shining, it’s actually a pleasant place to be snowed in.