Devon O'Neil

2 months ago | 5280.com | Caitlin Brooks |Jay Bouchard |Devon O'Neil |Jeremy Jones

A fatal race thrust Tracee Metcalfe into a surprising position: the closest to becoming the first American woman to summit all of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. But to claim the record, she’d have to face both the public’s scrutiny and her personal demons.

2 months ago | 5280.com | Alyssa Chutka |Devon O'Neil

Tracee Metcalfe plodded through the thin air of Tibet, toward a distant white pinnacle. Shishapangma’s summit was still a few hours away but in sight. Extending 26,335 feet into the sky, “Shish” is the shortest of the world’s 14 tallest peaks, all of which top 8,000 meters, and features a technically manageable route to the apex, relative to other eight-thousanders. It also has a history of deadly avalanches. It was October 7, 2023—a breezy but clear day in the Himalayas.

Jan 14, 2025 | vailmag.com | Devon O'Neil

There’s a reason (actually, many reasons) why Colorado Parks and Wildlife calls Sylvan Lake “Colorado’s most beautiful state park.” Located 15 miles south of Eagle via Brush Creek Road—where ranches, cows, and crumbling pioneer-era farm equipment and homestead cabins evoke a stuck-in-time western feel—the 42-acre lake offers a plethora of recreation options, most of which I’d classify as “adventure light.” And while the lake and surrounding grounds provide an excellent place to spend a day...

Jun 20, 2024 | vailmag.com | Devon O'Neil

There’s a reason (actually, many reasons) why Colorado Parks and Wildlife calls Sylvan Lake “Colorado’s most beautiful state park.” Located 15 miles south of Eagle via Brush Creek Road—where ranches, cows, and crumbling pioneer-era farm equipment and homestead cabins evoke a stuck-in-time western feel—the 42-acre lake offers a plethora of recreation options, most of which I’d classify as “adventure light.” And while the lake and surrounding grounds provide an excellent place to spend a day...

Aug 2, 2023 | coloradosun.com | Devon O'Neil |Dana Coffield

On a warm summer evening in July 2021, Doug Schwartz, a healthy 50-year-old former college soccer player who lives in Edwards, was having dinner in a corner booth at Etown, a popular restaurant he owns in the Riverwalk plaza. Many of Schwartz’s longtime friends were scattered around the room, as is often the case on Friday nights.  Around 6 o’clock, he turned to his girlfriend, oncology nurse Shelly Belknap, and his friend Eric Ross. “I feel lightheaded,” Schwartz said. Then he slumped to the floor.