I have had the best intentions to start posting regularly on the blog again. I have failed miserably. I have about 20 half-finished blog articles that have yet to be posted and I just haven't had time to finish any of them.
Well, I have about 20 minutes tonight, so I thought I would simply post some pictures from some of my more recent adventures. I am hoping that longer trip reports, gear reviews, etc. will follow, but I am not making any promises.
This was during our Grand Traverse in a day attempt in July. I was not fit enough to complete the route in a day, but we were able to do the Cathedral Traverse in decent time. Here I am on top of Teewinot with Owen and the Grand in the background.
Here I'm standing on top of Mt. Owen. If I look a little fat in this picture that's because I am.
Daniel, my climbing partner, is a much stronger climber than I am. He quickly and effortlessly ran up Owen. When I was at the final move to get to the summit, I got a little sketched by the exposure. He dropped me a rope just in case. I wouldn't have hesitated to pull the move in the past. It's funny how a family changes one's perspectives. I consider that a good thing.
Heading over to Gunsight Notch. Daniel is in this picture. Daniel is the director of the Weber State University Outdoor Program. He runs an awesome program for students and the community. About the nicest and most talented guy you'll ever meet, too. It was fun to spend this time with him.
Daniel on top of the Grand. We had intended to head up the Italian Cracks variation on the North Face of the Grand. We ended up climbing the North Ridge. The chimneys on the North Ridge were wet and tiring. Daniel led and was psyched on the climbing even though we would have rather climbed the Italian Cracks. I was less enthusiastic about the route and was wondering how it was ever considered a classic. Now that I've forgotten how tired I was and how wet the chimneys were, I think I like the route. Probably wouldn't intentionally climbing it again. I'm excited to do the Italian Cracks though.
We headed down to the Lower Saddle and bivied for the night. I was moving too slowly by that point to finish off the route in a day. We decided to just run up the Middle Teton the next morning and head back home to family festivities.
Myself on top of the Middle Teton with the Grand in the background.
The next adventure worth sharing was a recent trip to the Cirque of the Towers with my family. Because my wife was carrying our little boy, I got to carry my stuff, her stuff, Lincoln's stuff, and climbing gear. I'm just not that tough of a person and this pack just about did me in.
70lbs is more than I've carried in a long time and more than I ever want to carry again.
Kelsey, Lincoln, and I on our way up over Jackass Pass.
The view of the Cirque of the Towers from Jackass Pass. A few friends of mine just happened to be going to the Cirque the same days that I was going to be there with my family. In spite of the fact that this was supposed to be a family backpacking trip, my wife gave me permission to climb with them for part of a day. We headed up and did the East Ridge of Wolf's Head.
Heading up over Tiger's Tower between Pingora and Wolf's Head. In the foreground is Joe Keeler and Ryan Thompson is in the background.
Myself, Wes, and Joe and we approach Wolf's Head.
Joe and I and the beginning of the Piton Pitch, enjoying the view of Bollinger Peak in the background. Joe was really fun to climb with. He has such a positive attitude and a lot of enthusiasm. He's also a good climber. The other two, Wes and Ryan, and great to climb with too, but Joe and I got to rope up together on this particular climb.
Wes, Joe, Ryan, and I enjoying the view on top of Wolf's Head. It was an easy route to climb, but the beautiful views and great exposure made this a definite classic.
The view on the descent from Wolf's Head.
Kelsey and Lincoln going to sleep. Lincoln is a great hiker. He happily rides in the backpack all day. Sleeping is another story. We're still trying to figure that one out. This picture was taken before Kelsey went to sleep. She looks much less happy in the morning after a night with little sleep.
The Cirque of the Towers has to be one of the most beautiful places in the lower 48 states. Every time I'm there I'm surprised by its beauty. I will post a lot more pictures of this trip that were taken on my father-in-law's DSLR as soon as we exchange pictures. They were absolutely spectacular.
