Happy New Year

I've been sending out the blog address with emails and greeting cards so thought I'd create a new post to usher in the new year. Slow start in our neck of the woods, but hopefully we get as many powder days as last year (if not a few more.)

Indian Creek Revisited

The mischievous Mr. Widerman convinced me to go out to the Creek for a spell. He was in for the long haul and intended to spend the month of November there. As of yet I haven't spoken with him since and can only assume that his limbs began to disintegrate under the stress of difficult crack climbing. He was, however, adamant that he would "break the chains of domesticated life" and would remain through Thanksgiving.

On a positive note we climbed the summit of North Six Shooter Peak via the Lightning Bolt Cracks. On a less positive note I had a minor nervous break down during an "easy" pitch on the route and would not lead. Hard lesson learned about not climbing in months, but believing I could still lead Creek 10+.

Take that iron horse by the reigns

After spending more time on a bike last sumer than I had in five years two things became apparent. No.1 It's hard to slow down and take as many pictures as I would under any other circumstance. No. 2 One hundred miles through the mountains on a bike is pretty brutal and shouldn't be taken lightly, especially when its deemed an endurance race and serious riders set the pace. Thanks to Kelsea and Kimberly for getting me out and Brendan for showing off in front of the camera. -Kevin-

New Mexico

In Santa Fe we stayed in this awesome vacation rental through the Las Casitas B&B.

A little bit of fresh air and a ride.

Some of the restaurant suggestions are listed. The Bumble Bee was a locals favorite for burritos.

Orlando's had a great side of pasole, although it was two miles from the central Taos square.

Bryan's choice was the Aztec Cafe. Huge sandwich with green-chili eggs and turkey sausage.

Bryan's other choice was the Cowgirl for drinks, live music, and some cards, which I cannot win.

Counter Culture was not Kelsea's favorite. But worth a try for something different.

I recently got a chance to do an exploratory mission to New Mexico. After never spending any time in the state I was surprised at how close it is to Salida. About 3-4 hours will get you to most of the finer parts of northern New Mexico from home.
Along the lines of skiing I checked out Angel Fire for a day then went on over to Taos. I camped out an evening and skied Taos Valley Resort for a half day before heading over to Santa Fe.
The main reason for going was to see Kelsea, who I've missed dearly all winter. She suggested Santa Fe as a choice destination and it lived up to its reputation a a hip place to see art.
Before going I asked some friends what I needed to see and subsequently got a long list of restaurants and a few gallery suggestions. The restaurants varied a great deal and I didn't post everything.
In addition we took Iris the dog out for bit of biking north of town. Cool rolling trails, but nothing to write home about.
The trip was also a chance to break in a new camera. It was just a little Olympus point and shoot. If I had something bigger I really would have geeked out. Probably would have embarrassed myself and everyone else.
Great trip though.

Selected photos from 2010

Happy New Year everyone and anyone who takes a look at this page. I've let it get stale over the last year or so, but thought I'd post some pictures and see if anyone is still checking it out. The sorry thing is I don't think I have anything provocative or sexy to post.

I'm still in Salida doing the same thing and people tell me that I've carved out a nice little niche for myself. Despite spreading rumors that I'll be gone in a few months the reality is that I will probably be doing the same thing in six months time and most likely I'll wait for my pension here, and retire, and have my bones placed in a neat little plot in the Upper Arkansas Valley.... sigh...

Belated Winter Post

We might not have a record snowpack compared to the last two years, however winter isn't quite over yet.  The mountain is still getting snow and the wind is spitting flakes outside my window as I type here in April.  I figure it's now or never for getting some winter pictures up on the blog.  I haven't been the most diligent blogger this winter, but at least I got my ski days in.  Whether it was blasting across Wyoming going 80 on 80 to Salt Lake or sucking in 2-cycle fumes from the snowmobiles and chainsaw up at White Pine it seems like this winter was a mechanized one.     

Tower Power

FRIDAY-

11p.m. -Wrap up with work.

11:45p.m. -Start driving to Avon.

SATURDAY

2:10 a.m. -Get lost in Avon and drive around and around round abouts.

2:30 a.m. -Find John and Erin's new house.  Swap cars. John starts driving and I sleep in the back.

4:?? a.m. -Grand Junction stop.

6:30 a.m. -Arrive at Castle Valley get out and start hiking.

8:00 a.m. -Rack up and John begins mega-long first pitch of N. Face of Castleton.

12:15 p.m. -Top out. Give John shit for a minor breakdown, but secretly thank God I didn't have to lead that last heinous pitch.

12:25 p.m. -We try a simulrapp.

12:27 p.m. -I decide simulrapping is sweet.

1 p.m. -Arrive at Fine Jade in time to watch a party of three block the route.

2 p.m. -Arrive at Honeymoon Chimneys and promptly start whining that it looks like nasty off width.

2:10 p.m. -Still whining.

2:15 p.m. -Pony up.

3:00 p.m. -After a lot of cussing I accomplish half of the pitch and demand to be lowered. I'm now exhausted, sweaty and shaking.

3:10 p.m. -John Lie backs the off width and the Chimney opens up with ample protection and easier moves.

3:30 p.m. -The rope get stuck on second I take a big TR whipper and have to jug on tiblocs then proceed to lead the next unprotectable 70 feet of chimney. Very spooky, very cool.

4:30 p.m. -John starts complaining that he's cramping up, but the next pitch looks nasty and I don't want to do it.

6:?? p.m. -We swing the last pitch to the top.  

7 p.m. -Darkness is now approaching as we simulrapp back inside the very dark chimney- cave and eventually to the bottom in pitch blackness.

8 p.m. -After repeated stubbed toes we find our headlamps and chug the rest of our water reserves before starting the brutal hike out.

9 p.m. -My spirits are high although the hike is very brutal and I think I may be hallucinating. John is complaining of dehydration. I half fall down the scree when I believe a white wolf is stalking me. Yeah I was tripping out.

10 p.m. -Back in camp, no fire, no beer, no hot food, no speaking.  Just calories and liquids and sleep in the Subaru.

SUNDAY 

6 a.m. -Consciousness reveals a puzzled look on John's face after I was touching his face.  Oh my God; are we spooning?  I've been so lonely lately.

9 a.m.  -Up and moving. As we load up, a friendly conversation reveals our plans for Sister Superior. Unbeknownst to us a large group of climbers leaves camp quietly. 

10 a.m. -Road Closures-Moab Marathon? Head scratching ensues.

10:30 a.m. -We arrive at an impassable  washout and it is hotter than blazes and oh shit there are like ten kids passing us to get on Jah Man.

12:30 p.m. -We've given up hope of doing another climb today.  There are three parties on Jah Man and two waiting.  We wait.

1:30 p.m. -Waiting.

2 p.m. -Waiting.

2:30 p.m. -We smoke the first two pitches... Waiting. The other climbers are a bunch of kids out of Gunnison; nice, but slow.

2:45 p.m. -As is my style I switch pitches so John has to do the crux.  Sucker.

3 p.m. -Thin steep hands for the next next pitch. Awe man!  Weak.

3:30 p.m. -We top out and the gunny crew is still hanging out.  The gears start turning and as soon as they offer us a spot on their 70-meter rapp we're already stacked and clipped in and gone to a far better ledge.

4 p.m. -We walk out ahead of the others and head back to the car in perfect weather.  I officially end the 2009 climbing season.