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In June of 1999 I participated in a week long seminar in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which is in the mountains about 3.5 hours west of Denver. The training classes were held outside on the soccer fields at Colorado Mountain College with the inspirational Mt. Sopris in the background.

My husband and I arrived on Friday for several reasons, not the least of which was to acclimate to the altitude before training started on Monday. On Saturday, my husband was busy so I decided to go hiking in Glenwood Canyon with a group who had attended training the previous week. I had forgotten that Colorado could be so beautiful.

Click the chipmunk, right, to see photos of the hike.

We hiked the trail to Hanging Lake, which is a fairly easy climb to an absolutely gorgeous little lake perched on a cliff and fed by waterfalls before it tumbles off down the mountain. It took less than an hour to hike to the lake, including rest stops for those of us not yet used to the altitude (for me, in other words). After spending some time at the lake, we hiked up a little further to Spouting Rock, where the water shoots out of the face of the cliff before working its way down to the lake.

On Sunday, students began arriving for the seminar, and training began on Monday. Students above 2nd Degree Black Belt learned the weapons Doe (sword) and Pu Chae (fan). Students 1st Degree and below learned Doe. Students also learned the form Yuk Hop Qil Quan as well as several punch techniques derived from the form. Because of the altitude, we started the week off slowly and gradually increased the practice time throughout the week. Some open time was left for students to practice on their own, or to take advantage of the natural mineral springs and vapor caves in Glenwood Springs.

Click the image to the left to see photos of the training.

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