Robert Roriston - Employee of the Summer - 2021
This quarter we are going to celebrate our “Employee of the Summer” and we felt like this Employee deserved a few words of recognition:
Rob Roriston came to us from New Hampshire in the Spring of 2021. He was hired on as a guide and quickly became an established face for guiding some of the harder hikes that we offer. During the summer, Rob took over our operations work, ensuring guests and employees alike have a memorable experience with Hike for Life, Co.
All the while, Rob was on a mission to hike all 58 of the 14ers in Colorado. One of those peaks was not accessible due to permit access timing, but Rob made quick work out of the other 57 14ers. Balancing this summer goal with his duties at hike for life was just one of the challenges that he took on this summer.
I decided we needed to hear from the man himself so here is an interview that I did with Rob about this summer, how it all came together, and what we can expect to see him up to in the near future!
Rob at the South Colony Lakes with the Crestones in the clouds behind.
You had an awesome summer! Did you plan to hike 57 fourteeners? or... how did it all come together?
This wasn’t actually something that I had planned out for myself! I moved to Colorado to hike and knew that the 14ers were one of many goals I had, but no particular timeframe stood for me to finish them. One thing led to another and I constantly found myself on trips with friends and before I knew it I had completed a fair deal of the 14ers. There was a point somewhere in the summer, where in typical ‘Rob’ fashion, something clicked in my head and I zeroed in on completing them. Less than five months after moving to Colorado, I found myself on top of Humboldt Peak, marking #57 for me (my final 14er, Culebra, runs on a strict permit system that closed before I had any knowledge of it) – I look forward to #58 on Culebra this January for a winter ascent.
Which day do you remember the best, for whatever reason?
It has to be the Crestone Needle – there has never been a hike so important for my confidence. I was already nervous for my first class three hike in Colorado, and weather was not on our side and actually forced us off the mountain the day prior… twice. We got up extremely early the next morning and went for it. Surrounded by clouds, fog, and low visibility, I was able to successfully navigate myself and those around me up to the summit of one of the more dangerous peaks in Colorado – it was incredible, and I knew I was right where I was supposed to be doing what I am supposed to be doing.
Rob on the summit of the Crestone Needle.
Which hike would you not do again?
I never dislike any hike because I find there are positives and benefits that can be drawn from all of them, regardless how bad the trail may be, how obscured the views are, or whatever it is. We have the power to turn any situation positive – the mountains have taught me that. With that, I’ll never close the door completely on another hike, but I do not see myself rushing back to Mount Antero and its dirt road you walk on to just below the summit.
Which hike are you itching to do again?
Easy – Capitol Peak, but this time as a camping trip. The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is absolutely incredible and most reminds me of New Hampshire of anywhere out here in CO. You stare at the peak for the entire 6 mile approach hike and then the fun really starts. To camp below the summit, wake up, and have some ‘knife edge’ for breakfast? Yup sounds fun to me.
Rob just below the summit of Maroon Peak before starting the traverse to North Maroon.
What is the hardest part about living out on the road out of your camper?
Where to next! When I wasn’t in the Springs leading hikes, I was out on the open road letting the mountains lead my travels. There is so much beauty to be taken in here in Colorado and I would often find myself confused as to where I should call ‘home’ next. With some better planning I could have probably avoided those moments in the gas station parking lots wondering where I would be headed, but that is all part of the adventure and I wouldn’t change one part of my summer!
Did you learn anything about yourself this summer?
Ill expand “this summer” into the last 5ish months since moving to Colorado – and that answer is a resounding YES. Over the past few years, the mountains have really led me on a spiritual journey in which I have learned, grown, struggled, cried, smiled, laughed, and became more in touch with who ROB is. I would say these five months in Colorado have been the most dense in that regard. I came to Colorado to hike, that was my goal, and I accomplished just that – with that hiking came those lessons about myself and what it is I need to be successful in all facets of life, the mountains connect me with that side of myself and open the pathways for me to process emotions and thoughts I may be working through.
One of Rob’s favorite trail meals - pancakes!
What are you excited to plan for in the coming winter months and then what does next summer look like for you?
I have started to focus on my rock climbing skills and rope skills that will help me to reach new heights in the mountains and am excited to continue that through the winter with some ice climbing thrown in there as well. I am also quite excited to get back on my skis after missing most of last season due to a broken collarbone suffered on the slopes. For next summer, you will most definitely find me in the mountains that I love, and hopefully sharing that joy and passion with people through guiding and friendship. I have recently been promoted to Operations Manager at Hike For Life, and one of my main goals for us is to expand what we offer and get us out on some new trails and peaks… stay tuned!
Rob carrying his dog Zoe across a washed out stream!
If you know or follow Rob please reach out to him and congratulate him on being our Employee of the Quarter and being a motivator and champion for HIke For Life, Co!!
Jason “Mac” McEwen
Hiking Guide - Content Creator
10.11.2021