The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — A presentation tonight will give people a chance to learn more about local wilderness areas.

Ray Ave, an outdoors writer from Fort Collins, will present a slideshow of photos he took during three summers of hiking in the Mount Zirkel and Rawah wilderness areas.

Ave is the author of the guidebooks "Backcountry Adventure Guide to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness" and "Backcountry Adventure Guide to Colorado's Rawah Wilderness." "Writer's Digest" recognized his Mount Zirkel guidebook as one of the best self-published nonfiction books of 2003. His guidebooks also won first place awards from the Colorado Independent Pub--lishers Association.

Ave said his photos will show his encounters with wildfires and moose. They capture the 328 miles of trails he hiked.

"I took lots and lots of pictures," Ave said, adding that he thinks showing slides is the best way to visually describe a trip.

Ski Haus is hosting the show.

"He's got to have some beautiful slides," said Murry Selleck, Ski Haus manager.

Ave is also the cartographer of the topographic map "Back--country Adventure Map for Colo--rado's Rawah Wilderness."

"I hiked all the trails. I did most of them twice because the maps I was working off of were so inaccurate, and I saw what a mess it was," Ave said.

Selleck said he hopes the program will help people appreciate the hiking opportunities Steam--boat has.

"Hopefully people won't take for granted the nearby wilderness areas," he said. "They're so nice to have and are such a great aspect of our community."