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Moonlight Skiing
Ann notices that this may be our last full moon in Santa Fe and plans a moonlight ski, hoping we get better weather than the last time, which was very cold and dark. We start up too early, and climb in the dark once more, but at least under clear skies this time. I lose…
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Sweet Run at Santa Fe Ski Basin
If we only get one run in on the skis and split board this year, we pick the right day to do it. Seven inches of fresh snow glisten under bluebird skies. Conditions are good enough to climb to Tesuque peak today. The snow is so nice that I get over-eager to hit some bumps…
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Snow Running
Not barefoot this time, but back in my Vibram Five Fingers with some rubber trimmed from the left heel, I set out for a run in the recent snow. The soft snow and (relatively) warm feet make this a new game – suddenly it feels like I can work my heart and lungs instead of…
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A Ride on the Rail Runner
The commuter train between Santa Fe and Albuquerque was a new addition during our time here. It’s been a topic of much debate, praise, and mockery, opening new opportunities for commuters, blocking traffic, sitting mysteriously idle, stranding partyers, and generally attracting attention. We figure we should ride it before we leave town. One of our…
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Frostbite for the New Year?
The weather is gorgeous for our first day of the year – sunny and well above freezing. We head up with Brooke to the Dorothy Stewart trail, which is high enough to be almost fully snow covered. Lately all I want to do is experiment with barefoot hiking, so I decide to see how my…
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Snow Break
It’s becoming a tradition for us to get covered in snow when driving to Ann’s parents’ place in Nampa, Idaho. This year we make it to Rupert, where we decide to wait out a snowstorm at an RV park on the Snake River. It’s cold, but we force ourselves to go out for a walk…
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Ropes at the Playground
Do we deserve this? Probably not, but it doesn’t prevent us from basking in warm sun once again high on the banks of the Rio Grande at the The Playground. Sean joins us for the ride. We dangle ropes on a couple of enticing climbs, and we’re all used up well before the sun is.…
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Cerrillos Hills Hike
Kate asks for a desert hike, and we think of this trail we haven’t been to in a while. The scattered mines make good rest stops, some with a platform for an age-old game of toss-a-pebble-into-the-black-pit. There are pretty nice views here too, a chance to race a train, and some good New Mexico sights…
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Potrillo Climbing with Kate & Mark
Despite below-freezing temperatures, we stay optimistic and pile into Kate & Mark’s Prius with our climbing gear. It looks good when we park, but then the sun disappears behind a cloud and a frigid wind starts to blow. Persistent, we drop some topropes anyway, and are rewarded by the return of sunshine and gradually warming…
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Cabezon Peak
This volcanic peak is the closest thing I’ve seen to Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower in New Mexico. It captured my attention first on our 2004 Continental Divide hike, and I’ve returned to the areas several times since. Unlike the monolith in Wyoming, there is one non-technical (no ropes needed) route up this peak. Jesse joins me…