Springtime!

This last weekend was a bit of a let down. On Sunday, Crystal and I opted not to pack up all of our ice gear and instead decided to take advantage of the 60 degree temps and head up to the Satellite Boulders at the base of the second flatiron for a bouldering session. On our arrival in the parking lot it was sprinkling and it looked as if clouds were building over the flatirons. After much debate, (mostly by me, Crystal was game) we headed up the 20-30 minute approach. Lucky for us a few patchy sprinkles was all we encountered and by the time we walked out the sky was clear. Just goes to show you have to put yourself in a position to get lucky. We climbed several problems including a few long traverses. On our way out I played around on my long-standing project Aerogel V5 and to my amazement stuck the crux and the last move. I was too whipped to give the whole problem a solid try but I am stoked to head back and put this thing to rest. 

Wasn't looking good initially.

Crystal rocking a V1 on the Sputnik boulder.

 
Now for the disappointing part...
 
That night I was packing for a day of sport climbing in Clear Creek the next day.  As part of the deal making process with Crystal I agreed to fill up my jeep with gas in exchange for taking her car.  On the way back from the gas station I noted a weird noise coming from the jeep. On investigation the Jeep's rear drivers side wheel was about 3 inches farther back then it should be. It turns out the U bolts holding the axle to the leaf springs loosened up causing the axle to shear the spring’s center pin.  The result being the axle walking back on the spring. Needless to say the next two days were spent in the garage and driving back and forth to the 4x4 shop. Now it is fixed and I am looking forward to spending some pent up energy this weekend. I have also renewed my interest in my Jeep and will hopefully get it on the trails now that it’s trailready again.
 

'Til next time, 

-Mike

 

March

March...

So March was a fun and exciting month but I didn't have any big trips so I kind of neglected to post any pictures.   All of my trips were relatively short, a weekend at most.  I had a couple of people ask me why the lack of activity so I thought I would post a little summary of my March activities.

Crystal and I headed out to Jewell Lake one morning in RMNP to grab a couple pitches.  Jewell Lake is nice consistently forming icefall in Glacier Gorge in the park.  It is approx 3 mile approach with snowshoes or skies.  Amazingly it was pretty easy to find which is always stunning when it is your first time to an area.  I have killed hours trudging around in snow looking for some hidden climb.  We found the ice to be 100 feet wide and 30-60 feet tall.  The ice was a bit inconsistent quality.  I specifically chose this climb for its potential to be my first lead climb.  I initially started the easiest line I could find but quickly found that the middle half was rotten ice thinly smeared over rock.  I backed off and reconsidered.  The toproping potential hear is somewhat limited due to the lack of an easy way to the top.  To the right was a deep snow slog that in the right conditions would avalanche.  After poking around I tried the lead again, this time slightly right of the previous line finding better ice.  I topped out after placing 4 screws in 30ft.  Probably a bit overkill.  We toproped a few more lines on the right side and then booked it out of there as Crystal was slowly becoming a popsicle.  

Lincoln Falls

We took BW out on his first ice climbing trip to Lincoln Falls.  The Ice has been super fat here in the last couple weeks as freeze/thaw cycles are kicking into full gear.  Bryan even found some crazy mixed line to climb.

BW sinking some tools for the first time!

Bryan inching out...

Also our buddy Nate got married the last week of March.  CONGRATS NATE and CASEY!!  We headed up to the beautiful Devils Thumb Ranch for the wedding.  Devils Thumb is a ranch style resort catering to cross country skiers.  It truly was an amazing venue and a great place to spend a few days surrounded by good people.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures while we were there....lame right?

With spring in full force I will be starting to transition to mountain biking and climbing as my focus.  Stay tuned for some new posts.  I am vowing to be more active in my posting and drag my camera with me everywhere I go.

1K update
 As of today I am 29% done with my 1K project (see January post if you're confused)
I have over 206,000 ft of ski descent, 39 Ice pitches, and almost 10,000 ft of mountaineering elevation gain.  I must say that this challenge has really forced me to take full advantage of every day I get out.  It forces me to grab one more run, pitch, or problem.  I get at least 2 and usually 3 days a week out in the mountains.  I am sore and tired, which I think is a good thing.  Even if I don't meet the goal the challenge has pushed me to get better.

Til next time,

-Mike