Hi! My name is Heather Balogh Rochfort, and I’m the voice behind Colorado Gal. Nice to meet you!
Adventure {ad-ven-cher}: an exciting or unusual experience
I think we all need to spend more time finding adventure: running on trails, sleeping in tents, exploring the open road, climbing big peaks, and traipsing about foreign countries. To that end, I’m trying my best: I’ve cycled my road bike across the United States, lived in a tent for four months, honeymooned in a van, climbed 45+ peaks of 14,000 feet or higher, and packrafted the Alatna after being dropped in the middle-of-freaking nowhere by an Alaskan bush pilot. I’ve lived on three continents and traveled to 30 {and counting…} countries and six continents.
Photo (top): Packrafting Canyonlands National Park
Photo (bottom): Trail Running in Portland, Oregon
Yet I’m just getting started.
I wasn’t always this way, though. In fact, I spent the first 20 years of my life as a dancer–a ballerina. I didn’t discover the Great Outdoors until my freshman year of college at the University of Colorado- Boulder. And as I progressed through my journalism degree, my love of outdoor adventure exponentially grew. By the time I graduated in 2004, I knew I wanted more than a simple post-collegiate job at a desk. Instead, I took a position as an associate editor for a local magazine for one year. Once I saved up enough cash, I quit my job, sold my belongings, and hit the road.
Photo: Our Van-Living Honeymoon Road Trip to Canada
It was August, 2005. That, my friends, marks the beginning of this little blog.
I covered 3,893 miles while cycling from Boulder to Miami, all while spending evenings in my tent and subsisting on copious amounts of Little Debbie’s snack cakes. Once I reached Florida, I bought a one-way ticket to South America. I didn’t know what I would do or where I would go, but Quito sounded like a great place to begin the next adventure!
Photo (top): Traveling in Iceland
Photo (bottom): Riding camels in Wadi Rum, Jordan
After 14 months of jungle journeys, Patagonian voyages and Spanish-speaking friends, I decided it was time to return to the “real world” back in Colorado. From there, life settled down a bit–but only just a bit.
Our little family: Will, Tally and Me
These days, outdoor adventure and travel are still near the top of my priority list. I’m a freelance writer and photographer in the outdoor and fitness industries and am passionate about environmental advocacy and encouraging women to get outside. I published my first book, Backpacking 101, as a guide to encourage newcomers to the sport. If you’re interested, you can purchase a copy at Barnes & Noble or via the link below:
Order Backpacking 101 Here!
My second book via Falcon Guides is entitled Women Who Hike and launches June, 2019. I am beyond excited for it to hit store shelves as it was a major passion project for me. It’s an unconventional hiking guide that blends trail beta with an anthology of women in the outdoor industry. I profiled 20 amazing women ranging from pro athletes to CEOs to founders of non-profits to social media influencers, and I can tell you that their stories are inspiring, uplifting, and incredibly motivating.
Order Women Who Hike Here!
Previous two photos by Andrew Bydlon
My husband, Will Rochfort, is a talented photographer and videographer and the two of us are fortunate to frequently travel together. We both enjoy hiking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, and trail running. I’m also an avid CrossFitter and former coach, holding my L1 certificate.
And did I mention I’m an outdoor mama?! October, 2017 saw the birth of our daughter, Liliana. She is the light of our lives and we love her more than ever dreamed. In her short time on this planet, I have learned a thing or two about getting outside with children, so I hope to encourage future women to continue their outdoor journeys–with or without their kiddos!
Looking for More?
I’m neck-deep in social media, so you can find me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
33 Comments
Hi Heather! I found your blog via a comment you left on LoveLifeSurf. I love your adventurous spirit! I can’t to read more!
I heard acupuncture was good for shoulder and neck pain, I went to this place in DTC called Integrative Health, Inc for my migraines and it turned out I had a lot of built up tension in my shoulder that were aiding in my problem, they really help me combat my shoulder pain. I would recommend this place for acupuncture, as well as chiropractic care and massage. Last time I went in the receptionist gave me a brochure and they also do cryotherapy, deep tissue heat laser and physical therapy. This place is definitely a one stop wellness center.
Hi,
Not sure if my last email went through. My name is Jenny I am an avid runner and work for RaceMenu. RaceMenu is located in the Boston area and is looking to expand out to the rest of the US. My job is focused on the west and particularly the running scene in Colorado. At RaceMenu, we build technology solutions for event organizers. Our registration system helps grow your event more efficiently and turns your entrants into your marketers thanks to our Sharelink feature which tracks referrals.We can also help you streamline your event’s on-site registration and payment process via Raceday, our mobile app for both iOS and Android phones. Our registration services are user friendly and much cheaper than our other competitors. I came across your blog (loved your story by the way) and thought you could be a major help! I was wondering if you know any race directors, running clubs, or any individuals who would be interested in our services. Please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Jenny Patenaude
We were searching for Colorado Blogs and yours came up, I was definately impressed to see what a fine young girl you are and it seems you have a good head on your shoulders. I am glad you started writing again, seeing the world oon a bike is pretty neat. Keep up the good work here,
Michelle
Thanks Michelle 🙂
Please post more Tally photos. Thanx
Gladly! She is one of the cutest faces ever, after all 🙂
I’m thinking of taking my dog on a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail around July 1. What kind of very expensive dog food do you back-pack with? My dog, Copper is a 2 year old red lab. He weighs in a very lean 60 lbs so he’s not one of those thick ones that seem so popular these days. We hike 12 mile loops in the local mountains/hill of So Cal at least once a week. So far, I haven’t had any paw problems. I’m on the fence regarding the dog boots. Any updates on the boots?
Hey David! I don’t take a different dog food with us backpacking, so she still eats the same Natural Balance that she eats at home 🙂 As for the shoes: honestly, if you haven’t experienced any problems yet, you may be safe, especially if your dog hikes regularly and likely has calloused pads anyway. Do you go above treeline with your pup ever? Unfortunately, I gave up on the dog boots for Tals since she hated them all, and we haven’t run into any problems since. Sorry I’m not more help!
Just came across your blog on Blog-lovin. We have a lot in common. I just started an adventure blog and live in Utah. We are thinking about moving to CO though. How do you like Steam Boat?
I don’t live in Steamboat anymore but I absolutely LOVED it there! Hands down, my favorite mountain town in the state and if I hadn’t gone back to grad school, I may not have left 🙂 It’s a beautiful town, has an adorable downtown street, and the outdoor options are limitless. Plus, it’s far enough off I-70 that you don’t deal with the Denver traffic. I’m happy to answer any specific questions if you need!
new to your blog but so looking forward to read about your adventures.
Thanks Dixya! And, welcome!
Aww Tally looks a lot like my Morton. He’s gluten intolerant and allergic to chicken and beef, so he gets expensive food too haha: Taste of the Wild.
I figure that the expensive stuff makes her SO happy, who am I to judge?!
Love all these adventures!! I can live vicariously through you. Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks for visiting Tori!
Heather, I think you should add Everest to your bucket list, just sayin!
OH MAN. I used to think it sounded fun but these days….not so much. I would love to him some other mountains though!
Hey! My mom sent me a link to your website as I’m headed to RMNP this weekend and was planning to leave my dog behind–so nice to see there are some dog friendly trails nearby. While reading your bio I couldn’t help but wonder if you’ve tried Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine for your asthma? I work in Boulder and Denver if you’re ever interested in trying it out. Thanks for your great blog, I’ve got it bookmarked now 🙂
Hey Caitlin! Nope, I’ve never even thought of trying acupuncture for my asthma! I didn’t realize that was a possible solution? I’d love to hear more about it!
Hi Caitlin!
I found your blog this winter when you posted about Never Summer Nordic. My (now) husband and I went there right after moving from NYC to CO in 2012 and fell in love with that whole area/a particular yurt 😉 We actually ended up getting engaged at that yurt on our second visit and are planning our 4th visit back in the fall.
I am loving your posts and Joe and I have been learning a lot about some CO hidden gems from you! Keep em’ coming!
Hey! Glad you’re enjoying my blog! {PS My name is Heather- although Caitlin is a great name too 😉 )
Hi Heather,
I really love your blog, i love your passion for the outdoors. I have just crated my own blog called http://www.kurandaleestravels.com i would love it if you could check it out adn give me some feedback. i hope to turn it in to a career one day because i have such a big passion for it. Look forward to hearing from you 🙂
What a great blog! Your love for life and the outdoors is enrapturing. I moved here in 2010 and hope to pass on to my kids (now 3 of them😳) the rest and grit that only being outdoors can teach. Thanks for sharing your adventures and encouraging others to get out there!
Hi Heather,
Thank you for your blog. It is helping me plan a dispersed camping trip for my family.
If you have time could you answer a question for me? I am going to try out the camping spot near Twin Lakes you described. I am exploring it via Google Earth and I am having trouble finding the turn off “South Fork Lake Creek Road (aka Forest Road 391).” About eight miles west of Twin Lakes On Google Earth there is a road labeled 399. Could that be the same? It looks amazing if it is.
Thanks again!
Hi Heather! I stumbled upon your blog while on the WYLDER website. I also live in Colorado, and I also have a dog named Tally! It’s so cool that you were able to make a career out of adventuring. I also love the outdoors, but I have never really thought about blogging…anyways, thanks for the awesome posts and keep up the great work!
Tally is the name for all of the best dogs 😉
I’m so happy to have stumbled across your blog! I’ve been researching for weeks now, trying to decided if I really want to go through with starting a blog. I finally came across your space here and it is beautiful. I’m excited to follow you for inspiration while I build and grow my blog. After I get on my feet, I’d love to look into working with you in some way, that is if you find yourself interested at that point! You’ll be seeing me pop up and around, thank you for being such an awesome source of information and inspiration!
Hey Danielle! Sorry I’m just now responding but hopefully you got that blog off the ground. Holler with questions!
Wonderful! I absolutely love the outdoors and sharing my adventures with others so I started my personal blog. I love the combination of travel advice and storytelling here on your page. Thank you for sharing this with us all 🙂 Also, as a fellow buffalo – Go buffs!
What an adventure life has been for you!!
I do women only adventures in East Africa. We have a lot in common. I grew up climbing any tree i came across, ovcos nobody encouraged it. i got all sorts of comments like women should never climb tree blah blah blah. After tourism collage I’ve dedicated my life to finding girls like me who take pride in doing outdoor activities. There are more than one can do in a year in Kenya alone. would love to encourage you all to try east Africa, trust me the experience is different here.