Muddy Buddy

Muddy buddy

There Is No Bad Weather, There Are Just Poor Clothing Choices.

I'm just a-saying...It's important! I went on a 11 miles downhill bike in North Fork Canyon. I went with a group. 21 were signed up, 17 showed up and 4 of us finished. Could be that it was raining, could be that it was 42 degrees, could be that everone was wearing jeans and sweatshirts, but me. I was wearing my Minnesota-go-everywhere outfit; rainsuit, wool, polypro. Of course I wear that everytrip! Those other 3 that finished were just tough! It was a beautiful ride with the clouds all coming down to introduce themselves to us amoungst the rocky crags. We all got man cards.

Another Scary Road or Making Coffee at 12,000 feet

Yesterday Em, CeCe, alex and I made the drive up to Trail Ridge Visitor Center to see where Jake and Levi work and to test our manliness at hight altitudes. I wasn't prepared for the cajones that would be required to drive on that road. I kept telling myself to breath and relax, and asking myself what I was so freaked about, after all I had been climbing for 2 days. Then I realized, it was because I wasn't roped in!
Alpine Tundra, pretty desolate, I must say. I think the lack of oxygen does impact the intellience of the tourists. Jake and Levi have endless tales about that. Then it started to snow so we came down. It would be fun to have a snow day in August.

World's Scariest Roads

Here's a fun slideshow of scary roads in several countries like this one in China. Mike, looks like a place you should go.

Ron This Is For You

We talked about this climb in the Needles with Ron today and I told him I'd post a photo of it.

Ironclads!

Last day of climbing here in Estes Park . We drove out to the Ironclades, long approach, nice hike. There are about 5 climbing areas here, we went to Ironsides and climbed "Repeat Offender" Levi had done it before (snort, that's funny, but I'm tired) It was a mighty fine view from up there so I cleared the gear and rapped on down. Ok, well you know it took me a while but it was fun. The next route was even more fun. "Gypsies in the Palace" was a 5.8 for about 9 clips lots of smearing, glad I had the magic shoes back. Lots of underclings too. Then chains, but you could finish up the top that part was a 5.10d. Sadly we lacked the length of rope it would take to accomplish that so we were satisfied with the first bit. It was a verrrrry long walk back to the car. Fun day!!

Grand Teton Summit Register

I can't find my name on this summit register page - I climbed a different year - but this is John's signature on a climb he did on the Exum Route on the Grand Teton. (It's about 3/4 of the way down from the top.)

I did read through many years of this summit register on the Grand - which dates from 1898 - and found names of famous climbers as well as local people who I recognized.

 

Many Good Reasons To Go Hiking

But this web site - Hiker Hell - has lots of good reasons not to go hiking.  Like the cow who pushes the hiker off the single track which causes the hiker to fall and break his leg.

Climbing At Red Wing

We're planning on this Thursday and Friday about 9ish.

Jurassic Park

Em and I took our rope guns out to a very fun playground today. It was a tough, sandy approach but it wasn't far. The park is near Twin Sisters Peak and Lily Lake. go We climbed Stegasaurus, Mantal Mentality and Coloradodity, last last one was very slabby, that's probably why the area is called "Big Ass Slab" I started to lead it and really I was doing ok until I looked up in search of the bolts and saw that I was about a third of the way up. I guess I had a "What the heck am I doing" moment and had Levi finish it for me. He climbs so fast it's has to keep his belay within reason. I decided to share my new knowledge of rap backup and bought cord for prussuk knots all around at the mountaineering store. They seem to know my guys by name there!

I'm Alive and Outside in Colorado

Hello Friends!
Yes, I had a bout of illness but I popped back up just like toast. No time to be sick. Estes Park is nicely setup to go carless, so we shuttled up to The Bear Lake Trailhead for an easy day of hiking. We''ll things went just fine so we did a lot of hiking. Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Hia yayaya Lake (I might have mispelled that) Alberta Falls and Glaiser Basin. All perty, perty, so here is a slide show for you.
I believe tomorrow is climbing day at Lumpy Ridge.

Unclimbed Peaks Still Exist

The people quoted in the post a few days ago said there were no more unclimbed peaks so what was the point of even climbing.

Well, you can go here and find unclimbed peaks. Or go here. Or here. Or, closer to home, the Neacola Mountain Range in Alaska.

Some Taylors Falls Photos

Ron climbing with his pack 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aaron leading "Rosebush"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Got To Colorado

And is sicker than a dog.

Get well soon.

Mike, Is Your New Climbing Wall Like This?

Heard Mike was building a new climbing wall. Does it look like this?