Hikers from around the world enjoyed three days of high alpine trekking across Rollins Pass from July 24 to 26, at the Fjallraven Classic USA. The trekkers hiked 30 miles in three days while traversing the Continental Divide and learning about environmentally friendly ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Fjallraven (fjallraven.com) is an outdoor sporting goods company that is based in Sweden and also offers group outdoor activities. It is similar to REI in the US. The Fjallraven emblem is an Arctic fox, and their brands are known for being durable. They promote a sustainable future by building products that are so durable that they can be passed on to the next generation.

The first Fjallraven Classic trek was in Sweden in 2005 and became so popular that Fjallraven expanded into the US in 2016. Gilpin County and Rollins Pass were chosen for the beauty of the area and the ability to support the trekkers.

Hikers spent the first night at Corona Lake and the second night at Jenny Lake. The weather was dry but the views were smoky.

The Classic was cancelled during the pandemic but started up again last year and was completely filled this year. Hikers came from as far away as South Korea and from the flatlands of Nebraska. One common theme at the finish area was the sense of community in the group.

Fjallraven has an extensive presence on YouTube and helped hikers get ready for their trek with videos on what and what not to pack, how to avoid sore feet, how to train for high altitude hiking and how to handle the mental challenges of pushing one’s limits.

Their Facebook page (Fjallraven Classic Official) chronicled hiker experiences on the trek. Their Facebook page indicates that the Fjallraven Classic is more than just a trek – it’s a celebration of the outdoors: “We’ve been trekking for more than 50 years; I hope we never get there.”

The hikers finishing this year’s trek at Rollins Pass echoed that sentiment.