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Abyss Lake Trail
This trail starts fairly high up the south side of Guanella Pass, intersects the Rosa Lee trail, and continues to Abyss Lake. From there one could climb Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt without the throngs that crowd the other routes to those summits. We had a leisurely breakfast at the Cutthroat Cafe in Bailey, and…
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Quickie at Golden Cliffs
We didn’t have much time, but we figured we could squeeze a climb or two in (yes this post is about climbing) before meeting my Dad for a concert. Just like we thought, the place was clearing out in the afternoon, and we got right on a popular route. It was hot, but tolerable. A…
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Low Water Mayem on the Arkansas
After a leisurely breakfast and some logistically challenging car shuttling, we put in to the Arkansas River in a 14′ raft and a kayak. Pete, Jess, and David have all spent a lot of time on the Arkansas, and the water is as low as anyone has seen it. ‘Bony’ seems to be the word…
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Parakeet Belay at Rainbow Rock
We join our friends Pete & Jess, Jess’ brother David, and his daughter Alex at Ruby Mountain campground on the Arkansas River today. It’s a little cool for floating so we rally to Rainbow Rock, a wall of pumice cliffs along the river, for some climbing. There are a couple of anchors good enough for…
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Contemplations, Switched Plans, and Golden Cliffs
Our plan was to head back to Vedauwoo today, and we told many people that we’d be there for an overnight trip. But even though we’re very excited to spend more time at Vedauwoo, there is another idea stewing in our heads, and this morning our conversation turned to it. Ann and I have been…
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Antics at Vedauwoo
At last, my old childhood stomping ground is melted off and climbable! We headed up to Vedauwoo with our friend Alan to introduce him to climbing, and I eased back onto the lead on Easy Friction, 5.4. We all had a ball on this familiar slab, Easy Lieback 5.5, Cold Fingers 5.7, and Dropzone 5.9.…
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Morrison Bouldering
Another gorgeous, sunny day of Morrison bouldering. As beautiful as the weather was, I’m getting tired of hard overhanging problems. After a couple of nice warmups I flail the rest of the time on one or two moves. Ann may have had the right idea bagging the boulders and climbing up to the ridge with…
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Horsetooth Mountain
The hike up distinctive Horsetooth Mountain, visible from much of Fort Collins, makes a great afternoon outing. I went up with my friends Jess and Alan in just over an hour, with great views along the way of Long’s Peak to the southwest, the reservoir below, and the plains spilling out to the east. The…
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Bouldering at the 420’s
I forgot to ask why this place is called The 420’s. It’s a wide, forested meadow about 35 miles miles up the Poudre canyon, strewn with a variety of shapely granite boulders. There’s still a little ice and snow in the shadows, but when the sun came out this was a really nice place to…
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Off Day at Golden Cliffs
One of those days. We get to crag late, it’s busy, and the climb that is free is cold and shady. Neither of use climb very well. We’re hoping that too much climbing in the gym isn’t ruining our footwork.