March 21, 2012 - Dennis Brandt

The White Rim of Canyonlands National Park

Dennis Brandt will present highlights from a number of recent mountain biking and hiking trips in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. Island in the Sky overlooks the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, near Moab, Utah. The white rim is a striking feature of the park consisting of a resistant layer of white sandstone - the most prominent feature of a 100 mile loop road enjoyed by mountain bikers, motorcyclists, 4WD vehicles, and hikers. There are spectacular views of near-by snow-capped mountains, sheer cliffs towering above, and a vast maze of canyon country below. Nearby are expanses of slickrock country that offer wonderful rock climbing, mountain biking, canyoneering, and whitewater boating opportunities.

Dennis Brandt at the "White Crack".

Dennis Brandt has been involved in mountaineering activities for the past 39 years. His first trip was a Los Alamos Mountaineers Grand Canyon backcountry adventure in 1973. Dennis took the Los Alamos Mountaineers climbing school in 1974 and has been continuously involved in outdoor activities ever since. His Early Mountaineering experiences included Arizona canyon trips, local rock climbing, climbing Colorado’s 14ers, climbing volcanoes in Mexico, mountaineering in the Pacific Northwest and caving in southern New Mexico. He focused mainly on whitewater canoeing and alpine skiing through the 1980s and 1990s. He renewed his mountaineering focus in recent years by participating in winter hut and yurt trips, mountain bike trips, backpacking trips, and Utah canyon trips.

View of "The Maze" in the distance.

Dennis' current interests include mountain climbing, several forms of skiing, white water boating, mountain biking, backpacking, day hiking, and international travel.

Cyclists along the White Rim road.

Dennis retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory after 35 years of work in various aspects of nuclear material management.

Dennis was President of the Los Alamos Mountaineers in 1987 and again in 2009.