Friday, September 18, 2009
I can’t believe I just got back from my last week of real work (not that we don’t have work next week, it’s just that half of it will probably be front country work where we’re cleaning the cache, vehicles, etc). We were out all four days up at La Poudre Patrol cabin on the west side of the park. A pretty relaxed, though productive week.
Anyways, I’m getting a head of myself here. I still haven’t finished telling you about last weekend and I’ll get really confused jumping back and forth in time.
So Saturday I was originally going to go to this huge Celtic festival with Garrett, Brian and Christina, but then they didn’t want to pay the entrance fee of $25 and then pay for everything in there. Instead, we decided to go climbing at the Monastery. Morning comes though and it was the coldest, most overcast day we’ve had since I got here. We decided to just go see the Celtic parade in the morning, see if it clears, and if not, find something else to do. Well, it didn’t clear, even drizzled a few times during the parade and the rest of the day. The weather definitely had an immense influence on the crowd’s mood, because that was the quietest parade I have ever been to-the rain dampening their spirits and energy. Nothing much ended up happening on Saturday. Brain, Garret and I did end up seeing The Inglorious Bastards in theater and sort of just hung out, did nothing productive of course.
Sunday, I went to the Ironclads with Christina in the morning. Finally got on the legendary “Gut Buster.” Which I have to say really lives up to its name. I unfortunately forgot to take pictures of the climb when we were actually climbing it, but I snapped a few photos of it after so you can get an idea of it. Early afternoon, Christina dropped me off at Jim Detterline’s so I could finally chop some wood for him and do my research. We arrived in the middle of his cleaning frenzy (now that all the Venezuelans finally left, he can finally put his home back the way he wants it). For a guy who basically only has on arm right now, it’s impressive the amount he got done. Christina ended up staying for about half an hour to help move furniture. I stayed a few hours, getting some moving and wood splitting done. Unfortunately the research will have to wait till next weekend. That night, when I got back, I met up with Christina to go do a workout in the Bouldering room (since she’s going to Thailand this January for climbing and all the routes there are 5.10 or harder because they’re all overhanging, she wants to build up her strength).
Monday morning had a rather bad start off. My phone stopped working Sunday night for some reason, so I had to use my watches for my alarm. Unfortunately, they failed at their job and luckily me roommate too the business over a bit late, waking me up 5 minutes before I was supposed to be picking Christina up for work (how will I ever live without a roommate?). It was a mad rush and I was 10 minutes late in picking Christina up. On the way to work, we made a 2 minute stop at the Donut Haus to grab breakfast. For work we drove to the west side, up the ditch road to the La Poudre Pass cabin. There we would stay all three nights to get work done at the different campsites in the area. We did have some excitement on the drive in. A moose with her calf were on the ditch road when we came around a corner. We followed them in the jeep about 500 m down the dirt path before they finally found a way down the steep slope and disappeared among the trees. Unfortunately only Christina was able to access her camera, but hopefully I will track down the pictures from her.
That week we got some tent pad work done, but also had time to hike up to Crystal Lake and Thunder Pass-both beautiful spots that I have not been to before. The pictures are posted in photobucket.
Thursday, I got back from work and went bouldering with Sam at the Suzuki boulders. There we played on some problems and made plans for the weekend.
Friday morning, after making some banana molasses bread, which failed to rise as much as I hoped (I have to remember to add extra flour-last time I remembered, this time unfortunately I did not-still edible though. Well At least I and my friend didn’t die when we tried it), I went for an interesting short run. Long story short, I ended up having to walk for some of it-to avoid 3 large bull elk with about 6 points on each antler and who were getting a bit competitive over a female. I didn’t feel like running through the middle of that conflict and risk being charged (I haven’t heard of elk attacking people, but I didn’t feel like becoming a statistics-whether I was the first or not).
Right after my exciting run, I met with Sam to go to Chaos Canyon for bouldering with Estabon and Tommy Caldwell (who happens to be one of the best climbers in the world and is yet so down to earth and kind). It was great, though the problems (meaning a was just getting my butt off the ground or hold a position for a second or two) were all out of my league, I worked on a couple of V9’s and this awesome V7 which Tommy had set. It was great having him there for beta.
Upon returning home, I found myself glued to the computer, again searching for gear on pro-deal, trying to decide what to buy. Then I met up with Walt and Sally for dinner in Estes. It was fantastic to catch up with them, learn about a huge contest they went to for sheep dog herding, and other updates with themselves. Hopefully I will see them one last time before I go. 10 days…
Sunday, September 20, 2009
I will be productive, I will be productive…oh drat.
Friday, September 11
So last Saturday, I went to do some chores downtown, get a run in, maybe even a bike ride and to quickly check out this arts and crafts fair. Well I complete some of my “To do” list and then I decided to call Kelly to see if she wanted to go for a run. Turns out she we making a run down to Boulder with Rohon to get some chores done, so I decided to join her and finally buy some of the gear I’ve been holding off on and some shopping done. We were suppose to be done there only a few hours, turned out to be the whole afternoon, but luckily we still had a chance to run together. We ran around Estes Park lake, with me pushing Rohan in his sporty stroller (which wasn’t all that bad actually, well until you hit the uphill sections...builds character). That night I ended up sleeping over Kelly’s to save her from having to drive me back, though this meant I wasn’t getting a few things on my to do list done.
Sunday morning and early afternoon, I hung out with Kelly and Rohan. Kelly and I finally worked on the legendary 5.11 a finger crack at little twin owls (when they say finger crack, they’re not kidding, some points it’s more like finger tips). I lost my cell phone of course while belaying Kelly. But I was waiting to here from Jim about his the biking trip he wanted to do all summer, so I decided to look for it later and get to a phone first. That evening, I was luckily able to meet up with Jim, the two remaining Venezuelans, and Dave, Jim’s biking friend, to go on the mountain bike trip at the Devil’s Backbone. Hardest mountain bike trip in my life. There were actual drop offs! Jim tried to walk down it on his bike. One moment he’s there, next, he’s gone. I chose, like the other’s to get off and walk these points. I decided I’d rather give up the chance to practice my EMT skills. That night, we all ate together at the Village Inn Restaurant in Loveland.
Monday-I actually got some cleaning done, biked to little twin owls to look for my cell (success!). Then headed over to Kelly’s and Estabon’s to meet for climbing. We went down to the Monastery for a “full half day,” as Estabon put it. I did my first 5.11 lead! Though unfortunately not clean-which annoys me because I easily flashed it on top rope before leading it. See, trusting a crimper that’s half the width of my finger tips is a lot harder when your 3 feet above your last bolt, than when the rope is above you. I didn’t fall but I rested 3 times. Ok, before I leave, I will work on that mental block with falling Especially when it’s a clean fall, which the 11 was! After climbing, we went to the Thai resteruant for dinner. Oh I almost forgot! Rohan and Kelly sang this one song for part of the day-6:00 the next morning, found myself singing it in the shower. It was stuck in my head all morning and it was definitely one of those songs you teach your toddler. I have no idea the name I’m afraid.
As for work that week (a grand total of 3 days), it was rather boring but definitely needed: EMT refresher-yay free hours! Tuesday night was exciting though, incase you haven’t heard, Tom and I finally bought our tickets to South America! Flying into Santiago Nov 15, wonder around Chile for a little together, maybe head to El Bolson/Bariloche (aka Little Switzerland-fantastic skiing, climbing, and chocolate!) together, and then when Tom leaves on the 26th, I’m off to work on an Organic Farm, and hopefully meeting people for climbing and hiking and what ever other adventures that catch my interest when I’m down there. I will be back home on Christmas eve.
Thursday night, for happy hour, the crew and others met at the Rock Inn to sort of celebrate Jim’s “Retirement” and he finally getting his surgery done on his shoulder. Except, Jim ended up not showing up. Unfortunately, Jim’s not that fond of such things, is bitter towards the park system and doesn’t seem to realize how many people who work for the park and who are outside the park admire him. Have to work on that. I’m headed to Jim’s house tomorrow evening after the Celtic festival to chop wood for him and do my research on South America (having been there himself, he is an excellent source of knowledge and he has a little library on South America).
Oh, glad to say I actually was productive today! Unfortunately didn’t go climbing, but did go for a run and bike ride, got to the library, got some shopping done, and some other chores, including letter writing (about time I did that-a bit late I know). Felt good to actually get some things done.
So last Saturday, I went to do some chores downtown, get a run in, maybe even a bike ride and to quickly check out this arts and crafts fair. Well I complete some of my “To do” list and then I decided to call Kelly to see if she wanted to go for a run. Turns out she we making a run down to Boulder with Rohon to get some chores done, so I decided to join her and finally buy some of the gear I’ve been holding off on and some shopping done. We were suppose to be done there only a few hours, turned out to be the whole afternoon, but luckily we still had a chance to run together. We ran around Estes Park lake, with me pushing Rohan in his sporty stroller (which wasn’t all that bad actually, well until you hit the uphill sections...builds character). That night I ended up sleeping over Kelly’s to save her from having to drive me back, though this meant I wasn’t getting a few things on my to do list done.
Sunday morning and early afternoon, I hung out with Kelly and Rohan. Kelly and I finally worked on the legendary 5.11 a finger crack at little twin owls (when they say finger crack, they’re not kidding, some points it’s more like finger tips). I lost my cell phone of course while belaying Kelly. But I was waiting to here from Jim about his the biking trip he wanted to do all summer, so I decided to look for it later and get to a phone first. That evening, I was luckily able to meet up with Jim, the two remaining Venezuelans, and Dave, Jim’s biking friend, to go on the mountain bike trip at the Devil’s Backbone. Hardest mountain bike trip in my life. There were actual drop offs! Jim tried to walk down it on his bike. One moment he’s there, next, he’s gone. I chose, like the other’s to get off and walk these points. I decided I’d rather give up the chance to practice my EMT skills. That night, we all ate together at the Village Inn Restaurant in Loveland.
Monday-I actually got some cleaning done, biked to little twin owls to look for my cell (success!). Then headed over to Kelly’s and Estabon’s to meet for climbing. We went down to the Monastery for a “full half day,” as Estabon put it. I did my first 5.11 lead! Though unfortunately not clean-which annoys me because I easily flashed it on top rope before leading it. See, trusting a crimper that’s half the width of my finger tips is a lot harder when your 3 feet above your last bolt, than when the rope is above you. I didn’t fall but I rested 3 times. Ok, before I leave, I will work on that mental block with falling Especially when it’s a clean fall, which the 11 was! After climbing, we went to the Thai resteruant for dinner. Oh I almost forgot! Rohan and Kelly sang this one song for part of the day-6:00 the next morning, found myself singing it in the shower. It was stuck in my head all morning and it was definitely one of those songs you teach your toddler. I have no idea the name I’m afraid.
As for work that week (a grand total of 3 days), it was rather boring but definitely needed: EMT refresher-yay free hours! Tuesday night was exciting though, incase you haven’t heard, Tom and I finally bought our tickets to South America! Flying into Santiago Nov 15, wonder around Chile for a little together, maybe head to El Bolson/Bariloche (aka Little Switzerland-fantastic skiing, climbing, and chocolate!) together, and then when Tom leaves on the 26th, I’m off to work on an Organic Farm, and hopefully meeting people for climbing and hiking and what ever other adventures that catch my interest when I’m down there. I will be back home on Christmas eve.
Thursday night, for happy hour, the crew and others met at the Rock Inn to sort of celebrate Jim’s “Retirement” and he finally getting his surgery done on his shoulder. Except, Jim ended up not showing up. Unfortunately, Jim’s not that fond of such things, is bitter towards the park system and doesn’t seem to realize how many people who work for the park and who are outside the park admire him. Have to work on that. I’m headed to Jim’s house tomorrow evening after the Celtic festival to chop wood for him and do my research on South America (having been there himself, he is an excellent source of knowledge and he has a little library on South America).
Oh, glad to say I actually was productive today! Unfortunately didn’t go climbing, but did go for a run and bike ride, got to the library, got some shopping done, and some other chores, including letter writing (about time I did that-a bit late I know). Felt good to actually get some things done.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The usual climbing and work week
September 4, 2009
Oh, I am pumped-4 day weekend! Woot woot. Gotta love Labor day, the day of no labor, sweat, stress, or boredom, but of adventures and friends. Well, so I hope, I don’t have definite plans yet, but it sounds like a day of sport climbing with Kelly, Estabon and Rohan at the Monastery. No more chickening out, I will lead my first 5.11. And I’ll get over the whole lead fall thing-maybe I’ll make myself take a few (ooh, I do hate doing unnecessary damage to my rope).
Anyways, moving on. Last Thursday, the 27th of August, was a fantastic day at work. We finished the work at the new sunset campsite by putting in the footbridge, taking out a huge stone and a couple of trees. It was great because we got to work with Jim Dougan, who is always an energetic, fun guy to work with. He always amazes me. I wish I could be as spontaneous as he, with an endless storage of energy that needs so little to fuel or stimulate it.
Friday, I went climbing with Garritt, Christina and Brian Drew, down St Vrain Canyon at Monkey Skull (great name ehh? Funny how it sort of stands up to it). I led this 5.10 c right off that bat with my newly resoled shoes, and well, I took my second lead fall, but I blame it on equipment failure-apparently you need to break in the new rubber because it can become oxidized. Anyways, after climbing, Garritt, Brian and I went tubing through downtown Estes. Fair warning to all future tubers, tire tubes can make great inner tubes, but don’t get real cheap ones because they can pop easily (as Garritt discovered about 10 minutes into our trip-it was quite a funny site to see the explosion and him just sink. I laughed, so I suppose I deserve the next minute where I fell out of my tube at a rapid and had to dash out of the water and chase my tube down stream). This karma leads to my next warning: make sure your tube blows up equally on all sides (wait, I’m forgetting my geometry, circles don’t have sides…all turns? You know what I mean).-tubing on a lopsided tube is rather difficult-especially in rapids. Though it does make a good abdominal workout.
Saturday, I can’t remember. Sunday I went climbing at lumpy with Dave from trail crew. I did my third trad lead. Just need to work on my large gear placement and my trust in my own pieces.
Monday at work, Luke and I hiked to Big Meadows again and put some steps and water checks in at the Paintbrush and Sunset campsites. Tuesday, Luke, Kevin and I had the oh so enjoyable duty of carrying out crap with the llamas from the Odessa campsite composting privy. Which by the way was definitely failing at the whole composting thing-way too many users. Well at least we also got to do some tent pad work and Odessa Lake was in a rather beautiful area of the park.
Wednesday the crew was supposed to go on an overnight at Shadow mountain fire tower to take down the privies and burn them, but we got called late Tuesday night to go on a SAR 7:00 in the morning and after hanging around for about 45 minutes, we found out we weren’t really needed-so disappointing. So the trip was cancelled (partially because Tara was still on the SAR) and the crew headed back to the cache, cleaned things up a bit and hiked Twin Sisters-an easy little orientation hike. Thursday, our Shadow Mountain trip became the day trip, though unfortunately, the campfire part was not included.
Today, I got to go climbing at the monastery again-though unfortunately I chickened out on leading hard routes (partially because my climbing partner Luke doesn’t climb that hard, he has never caught lead falls, and I was tired), but I did do some fun classic routes.
Oh, I am pumped-4 day weekend! Woot woot. Gotta love Labor day, the day of no labor, sweat, stress, or boredom, but of adventures and friends. Well, so I hope, I don’t have definite plans yet, but it sounds like a day of sport climbing with Kelly, Estabon and Rohan at the Monastery. No more chickening out, I will lead my first 5.11. And I’ll get over the whole lead fall thing-maybe I’ll make myself take a few (ooh, I do hate doing unnecessary damage to my rope).
Anyways, moving on. Last Thursday, the 27th of August, was a fantastic day at work. We finished the work at the new sunset campsite by putting in the footbridge, taking out a huge stone and a couple of trees. It was great because we got to work with Jim Dougan, who is always an energetic, fun guy to work with. He always amazes me. I wish I could be as spontaneous as he, with an endless storage of energy that needs so little to fuel or stimulate it.
Friday, I went climbing with Garritt, Christina and Brian Drew, down St Vrain Canyon at Monkey Skull (great name ehh? Funny how it sort of stands up to it). I led this 5.10 c right off that bat with my newly resoled shoes, and well, I took my second lead fall, but I blame it on equipment failure-apparently you need to break in the new rubber because it can become oxidized. Anyways, after climbing, Garritt, Brian and I went tubing through downtown Estes. Fair warning to all future tubers, tire tubes can make great inner tubes, but don’t get real cheap ones because they can pop easily (as Garritt discovered about 10 minutes into our trip-it was quite a funny site to see the explosion and him just sink. I laughed, so I suppose I deserve the next minute where I fell out of my tube at a rapid and had to dash out of the water and chase my tube down stream). This karma leads to my next warning: make sure your tube blows up equally on all sides (wait, I’m forgetting my geometry, circles don’t have sides…all turns? You know what I mean).-tubing on a lopsided tube is rather difficult-especially in rapids. Though it does make a good abdominal workout.
Saturday, I can’t remember. Sunday I went climbing at lumpy with Dave from trail crew. I did my third trad lead. Just need to work on my large gear placement and my trust in my own pieces.
Monday at work, Luke and I hiked to Big Meadows again and put some steps and water checks in at the Paintbrush and Sunset campsites. Tuesday, Luke, Kevin and I had the oh so enjoyable duty of carrying out crap with the llamas from the Odessa campsite composting privy. Which by the way was definitely failing at the whole composting thing-way too many users. Well at least we also got to do some tent pad work and Odessa Lake was in a rather beautiful area of the park.
Wednesday the crew was supposed to go on an overnight at Shadow mountain fire tower to take down the privies and burn them, but we got called late Tuesday night to go on a SAR 7:00 in the morning and after hanging around for about 45 minutes, we found out we weren’t really needed-so disappointing. So the trip was cancelled (partially because Tara was still on the SAR) and the crew headed back to the cache, cleaned things up a bit and hiked Twin Sisters-an easy little orientation hike. Thursday, our Shadow Mountain trip became the day trip, though unfortunately, the campfire part was not included.
Today, I got to go climbing at the monastery again-though unfortunately I chickened out on leading hard routes (partially because my climbing partner Luke doesn’t climb that hard, he has never caught lead falls, and I was tired), but I did do some fun classic routes.
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