"Thirty-seven." That was his answer to my question as to when he thought he had reached his top form, and after which he first noticed his speed, stamina and general physical condition begin to deteriorate-- in other words, when things started going downhill. At the time, I didn't think it to be an inconsiderate question, I was genuinely curious. But I later realized that to ask a guy 13 years...
To get right to the point-- it hasn't snowed in a while so we went ice climbing. (more…)
And the honeymoon continues. A day after the warmup on Punta Fiames we decided to hit something bigger. Highly recommended by friends and guidebooks alike, the Via Ferrata Giovanni Lippelli on the Tofana di Rozes was said to be a must-do. The Tofana group is comprised of three separate peaks-- Tofana di Rozes, di Mezzo and di Dentro-- and with each just over 3200 meters, they represent the highest summits...
The wedding was awesome. Afterwards, in need of some serious rest and unwinding, Christy and I headed to Europe, Italy to be exact. I know what you're thinking, how romantic it must have been to cruise around the canals of Venice by gondola, the cliche honeymoon, right? Not quite. In full disclosure we did eventually find ourselves in Venice, but it was only for a night at the very end...
Just passing along some recent good news. On May 5th Phurba Tashi, Dorje, and Nema, along with two sherpa from IMG and British climber David Tait, summited Mount Everest. Their efforts fixing the route to the 29,035 foot summit marks the first summits of the year and thus officially opens the route for the season on the mountain's south side. Their huge effort is deserving of congratulations, though historically last...
We love the Ouray Ice Park. Once a season, in an effort to change things up, we make a trip down to the San Juans, to the town of Ouray, Colorado and its one-of-a-kind playground for big kids. This trip was a reunion of sorts, Christy and I were meeting Adrian, Lissa, Joe and Larry from our Ama Dablam trip. Saturday we spent playing around in the South Park area,...
Gettin' Ready With our depature for Nepal on Wednesday, we had time for a little last minute trip prep. Our planned route on Ama Dablam is the SW Ridge. As a true hand and foot climbing route, it won't have any significant "jug hauling", that is, pulling ourselves up a fixed rope with mechanical ascenders, or jumars. For safety reasons though, we will be clipped in and using an ascender, while...
If the number of visits from UPS in recent days is any indication, something's going down. Our departure for Nepal and Ama Dablam is next week and with the steady stream of new gear deliveries it feels like Christmas around here. New boots, backpacks, crampons, gloves, overboots, down layers, base layers, sleeping bags and pads, one freshette(google it), climbing gear, etc. You name it, Dirk, Christy and/or I just got it,...
One of the best things about having some big goals on the horizon is getting prepared. Friday evening we went up to Turkey Rock for an easy two pitches of rock climbing. The next morning, we headed over the pass towards Twin Lakes to Monitor Rock where we had a climb of the 'Trooper Traverse' planned. At 5 pitches in length and with a crux difficulty rating of 5.8 it was...
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
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