Awesome trips and adventures require a couple of things: great friends, the basic gear and a location. The first two are easy enough to get ready for a trip, as it usually only requires one to look around their room and pick out what or who they want to bring. The hard part is deciding where to go.

With so many various places in the world, and around the United States itself, the world is an oyster that can be difficult to choose where to start from.

Different locations have pros and cons to them in their own respective manner, which can make it hard to decide which one is better than the other. That decision is simply dependent on the preferences of the adventurer.

So, rather than comparing the differences and trying to make a decision as to which locale is the best, let’s weigh the benefits of the individual places. First off, the list is the landlocked Colorado favorite: mountains.

The most noticeable aspect of the mountains that most other locations don’t have is the elevation. Varying from slightly above sea level to 14,000 feet and beyond, mountain ranges can offer a ton of different experiences based on the altitude.

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The higher that you go, the more likely there will be snow, sometimes even in summer, and can offer a nice alternative to burning up for the entire summer.

Not to mention that there are alpine lakes once you get up high enough. Alpine lakes are strange bodies of water that rest among the peaks and summits of the tallest mountains. They offer a fun opportunity to take a dip with your friends and, while they might be freezing cold due to the altitude, it is definitely worth the shock that your body will go into once it’s submerged.

However, if the cold isn’t your style, simply stick to the lower mountain ranges and stay warm, as there are plenty of activities at the lower elevations as well.

Most mountains also host more trees than one could count. The forests upon mountains offer shelter from the elements, places to hang your hammocks, Christmas trees and beautiful colors paired with delicious scents.

In autumn the aspens, and other trees that shed their leaves start to change colors and the forest lights up with the flame-colored fauna.

The vibrant colors contrast the green evergreens that cover the mountains, making a serene landscape to visit and spend the night camping or within the shelter of a cabin. The colors and the shapes of trees, rocks and cliffs make the mountains a picture-perfect escape from the ordinary.

When one thinks mountains, they don’t typically think of water sports, but there are several mountain lakes, typically brisk and definitely not heated, litter the landscape.

This opens up kayaking, water skiing, canoeing and plenty more water activities for those willing to brave the colder temperatures. These lakes will never be able to replace the ocean, but they sure do provide a substantial substitute.

With the benefits there are negatives, and one of the most notable is the wildlife that shares the mountainside with you.

Squirrels get into the picnic baskets, raccoons steal tiny dogs and mountain lions, tigers, and bears, oh my, will eat you if they are resorted to it (But, there aren’t any tigers in the American mountains).

Precautions must be taken every time someone makes a trip out into the wilderness so as to stay alive but if this is done correctly, there is a small chance of death and no need to worry.

There is also the very real threat of becoming lost out in the mountains and unless you are Bear Grylls, there is no camera crew to helicopter you out of danger. Not to mention that if you were to get lost, the temperatures can be brutally unforgiving and cold, making survival very difficult.

In order to avoid this scenario, there must be adequate warm clothing packed into the gear list and a proper bearing of where one remains to be possibly the most important aspect of the trip. Respect mother nature and she’ll let you come and go without much harm.

Together, these pros and cons define the mountains that several of us Coloradans call home. They are out there, waiting to be explored and offer a plethora activities and boundless fun to be had. The next time you want to take an adventure, consider the mountains as the location of your choice, they won’t let you down.