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Horsetooth Reservoir
I peer over at the fun roof I just climbed on toprope, during which Ann was too busy waiting to catch me when I flew off to snap a picture. But I managed to keep myself scrunched up in there with my hands working quickly into the smooth crack long enough to get over it.…
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North Table Mountain
It’s a nice day above Golden. We start on Killian’s Dead (5.6), a reference to the giant Coors brewery below. It’s a steep crack with some good, awkward moves. After that we return to Lemons, Limes, and Tangerines (5.8 ) , which feels much better than last time. I almost manage a downclimb of it.
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Back on the rock
After scoping out Golden Cliffs, a sport climbing area above the monstrous Coors brewery in Golden, we’re inspired to get the gear out of the storage unit. We attempt two 5.8 routes on top rope, a crack and a face. The rock is good basalt, reminiscent of the rock in Owen’s River Gorge. We can…
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Jenny Lake
A rainbow greets us as we enter Grand Teton National Park. Ann’s parents rent kayaks for us, and we venture out onto a misty lake. The foliage around the shore is beginning to turn bright yellow and red. Like the last time we were here, the spires of Teewinot peak out only occasionally through the…
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Indian Hills
With all our errands to run getting ready for the continental divide hike, it’s hard to get good day hikes in too! Today my Dad takes us up a trail on Bear Mountain behind his partner Sarah’s house in Indian Hills. It’s mostly nice forested hillside, with occassional views of Denver far below. We top…
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Wagonwheel Farewell Party
A variety of oddball climbers have been my family in Ridgecrest, California for the last two years. Many of them show up at Wagon Wheel for my going away party. My need to blow off steam after my last day of work seems contagious, and we howl and drink our way late into the desert…
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Last Day of Climbing / Alabama Hills
At first I’m disappointed that our group (Walter, Roy, Barry, Sean, Tom) decides not to go to Margaritaville, a place I haven’t been. Instead they opt for the familiar, chossy Alabama Hills. But we end up having a near-perfect last day of climbing. Ann starts off by taking the lead for the first time! In…
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Sleeping warm, staying light
It’s a gorgeous morning, and Ann stayed warm during the cold night. We’ve now tried a number of different ways for her to keep warm at night. Read on if you’re interested in what we’ve learned.
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Evening on the PCT
We only have time for a couple of short hikes this weekend, but we also want to test some more gear on a cold night. So we work through the morning, pack up, and are on the Pacific Crest Trail by 3:30 PM. We are treated to vibrant sunset, Mt. Jenkins basking in the last…
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Little Hunk & Snickers, Joshua Tree
We meet our friends Steve and Catherine in Joshua Tree and agree to go to the Echo Rock area. Their friends Mike, Roger, and Hoffman are on their way also. I haven’t been feeling like leading anything, but when we get to the Little Hunk the weather is gorgeous and there is a short 5.8…