After climbing Independence Monument, Ryan and I headed to the Rockslide Brewpub in Grand Junction for a late lunch. Refueled, we continued our journey south to Ouray then located a campsite at the Angel Creek campground partway to Yankee Boy Basin. The cool air and clear sky felt like home after the sand, wind and [...]
Archive for May, 2010
Potosi Peak
Posted in climbing, tagged North Couloir, Potosi Peak, Yankee Boy Basin on May 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Independence Monument
Posted in climbing, tagged Colorado National Monument, Independence Monument, Otto's Route, rock climbing on May 31, 2010 | 5 Comments »
Somewhere around when the full moon passed duties on to dawn, Ryan and I wake up and bump out of Rabbit Valley (watch that coffee!) and backtrack to Fruita and the east side of Colorado National Monument. We’d scouted out the trailhead location the day before and are pleased to see we’re the first car [...]
Castle Rock North
Posted in climbing, hiking, tagged Castle Rock North, McDonald Creek, petroglyphs, Rabbit Valley, rock climbing on May 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Given a long weekend, Ryan and I leave the Front Range for a road trip to western Colorado. Our first stop is past Fruita and nearly in Utah at the Rabbit Valley. Driving in we soon see the Castle Rocks. There’s a small campsite on the north side of the north Castle Rock, and we [...]
The Canal Zone
Posted in climbing, tagged Bears Choice, Box of Rain, Clear Creek Canyon, Holiday Road, rock climbing, Route Canal, The Canal Zone, Venice Beach on May 27, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Despite living within a couple miles of the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon, I’d never done any rock climbing along its walls (ice yes, rock no). A small group had organized on Fourteener World to get out and climb midweek. John, Steve and I were the only ones available this Wednesday and we trekked over [...]
Star Wars
Posted in climbing, tagged Cornered, Eldorado Canyon, Lower Peanuts, rock climbing, Star Wars, Your Basic Layback on May 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Winds were gusting 50+ mph on the Front Range when Gary and I drove into Eldo. The winds must have chased or scared off all the other climbers as the parking lots were nearly empty. I was hoping we’d be a bit out of the wind on the Lower Peanuts formation, especially compared to the [...]
Fifth Flatiron
Posted in climbing, tagged Fifth Flatiron, Flatirons, rock climbing, Schmoe's Nose on May 24, 2010 | 2 Comments »
After doing the Y Couloir on Pikes Peak, I needed something of a rest day. Somewhat easy climbing in the flatirons was my choice and I carpooled up to Boulder with Lewis. Lewis was new to trad climbing so I decided to start easy with the Fifth Flatiron. After hiking the Chautauqua and Royal Arch [...]
New Era
Posted in climbing, tagged Garden of the Gods, Grey Rock, New Era, rock climbing on May 23, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Friday morning comes with a day off and I get some alone time in the car with the new album The National and an americano as I drive south to Colorado Springs. Once the visitors center at Garden of the Gods opens up I get a climbing permit from a lady who looks just like [...]
Blue Mountain
Posted in hiking, tagged Blue Mountain, Golden Gate Canyon State Park on May 21, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Forgoing rock climbing for an evening, I decided to take a hike. I hadn’t yet been to Golden Gate Canyon State Park so I made the 30+ minute drive and headed out on the reassuringly-named “Mountain Lion Trail”. A mile or so brought me to an old quarry were I took off towards Blue Mountain. [...]
Chianti
Posted in climbing, Uncategorized, tagged Chianti, Clementine, Eldorado State Park, rock climbing, West Ridge, Whale's Tail on May 18, 2010 | 2 Comments »
For our second day of climbing together, Gary and I again headed to the West Ridge in Eldo. At the Unsaid area we scrambled up to a ledge and Gary took pitch one of Chianti (5.8+). The crux was right off the ground and Gary suffered a bit from the heat of the afternoon sun [...]
