Descending from Castor’s summit. The route started all the way out on the snowy plateau in the distance. With the race behind us, we made our way from Zinal to Zermatt where we would finally be able to make use of the 40 lb. duffel of climbing gear we had been carting around with us. (more…)
A slideshow, some ice climbing in Lake City, and and our first peak ski attempt of the season.
The rocky ridge on the mountain’s north side climbs for about 2,000 feet to where it joins the standard East Ridge route. After our run up Quandary’s East Ridge we decided to climb the mountain a second time (the next day) at a more casual pace. The north side of the mountain has a seldom visited, semi-technical climbing route called the Inwood Arete that we wanted to explore. (more…)
On the airy spine of Coxcomb. I guess the 3rd time is the charm. Back in 2006, despite a weather forecast for steady rain, Christy and I made the drive to Middle Cimarron Creek in the North San Juans, and backpacked high in the valley below Coxcomb Peak. We had long known of this uniquely shaped mountain near the Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn peaks, and had it on our list to...
Looks in to us. A climber ascends the ice near the Upper Bridge. “The park is 100% open!” reads the sign at the Upper Bridge of the Ouray Ice Park. It was an interesting announcement because by January I figured it’s always completely open, but just a couple of weeks earlier things weren’t so certain. (more…)
Some of Joshua Tree’s park residents. The road trip continues, and after our jaunt at the Grand Canyon, we put the running stuff away and headed towards Joshua Tree. In keeping with our plan to prolong summer as long as possible, we made a trip to the desert climbing mecca in Southern California– something we had long had on our list. Its legendary status as a “bucket list” climbing destination...
On approach, the route climbs the crack in the middle of the face. Click to enlarge. Indian Summer has made an impressive run this year, and despite the calendar declaring it’s time to start snowing, it continues to feel like summer. Nearly everyday this past month has been marked by blue skies, cool temps and dry trails, welcome conditions for anyone looking to get outside. Of course it will all...
The group trudges up to Camp Muir, at about 10,000 feet,with the Nisqually Glacier, Cleaver and Ice Cliff in the background. Because it was such a great climb and since we came home with so many pics, I thought I’d share some more. (more…)
Lindsay, Angie, Craig and Nick descend the Emmons Glacier. Last April, when warm weather and dusty snow seemed to call an end to the Colorado spring ski season, we booked tickets to the Pacific Northwest and set our sights on some peaks in the Cascades. But when winter made a surprise comeback here at home, we were faced with a decision. We could head up to Rainier and Hood as...
Spearhead. The North Ridge follows near the sun/shadow line in the photo. Click all pics to enlarge. Feeling as though we had done a good job taking advantage of what the Aspen area has to offer lately, and with plans forming for a climbing trip to Joshua Tree and Red Rocks this fall, we thought we’d change gears and hit the road for a little alpine climbing. So on Dirk’s...
We met in Aspen in 2000 and have been happily stuck in the rockies ever since, getting out in the mountains every day we can, in every season and by all means possible. Read More
