High Country Ride

We knew we were going to get wet when we left the trailhead at Coalbank Pass, so everyone had rain gear and a little extra clothing.

Barb, Jody, and Amanda riding up the Pass Trail.

Taking a break with Engineer in the background.

Seth, with Engineer behind. 

It started to rain then the rain turned into hail, then the temperature dropped twenty degrees. There are three people with every stitch of clothing they brought under those two space blankets.  I jumped in the huddle right after taking this photo. When the hail and rain finally stopped we decided it was time to turn around.  We didn't complete our objective but it was a great ride with fun friends.

Savelli Express

Matt, Adam and I left Durango last night for some climbing on Ophir Wall.  After some apple pie and ice cream for dinner we hit the hay.  Matt K. was driving out to meet us this morning so when I woke up to rain a little after 5am I texted him to let him know.  He responded, "Oh well I'm coming anyways." Fair enough.  The rain didn't last long and everything was dry by the time we got up.  A little more apple pie, two breakfast burritos and a the rest of Matt's box wine and I was ready to climb.  We originally wanted to climb in the Black but it's been so hot lately that was out of the question.  So I found the route Savelli Express, thinking cooler temps, 8 pitches and only one pitch of hard climbing.  The route was fun but I felt like it was slightly misrepresented. The 8 pitches turned out to be 4.  Every time the topo said 90' it turned out to be more like 60'.  Either way it was a fun day with fun people on a fun route.  Back at the base around noon, no one could muster motivation to crag on the 400' wall so we headed home.

Adam on pitch 3.

Matt K. on pitch 4.

Bomber anchors everywhere!

Headed back to the car.

Wilson Peak

Bruce and I climbed Wilson Peak near Telluride last week.  We left the Rock of Ages trail head at 6am and were on the summit at 10am, and were back at the trail head by 1pm for a 7 hour car to car trip.  Thanks for the great trip Bruce!

BK

Bruce on the hike up to the Rock of Ages saddle.

On the way to Wilson Peak's summit.

True fans of "Coors"

Bruce on the summit of Wilson Peak with Gladstone, Mt. Wilson, and El Diente in the background.

Telluride

As of June 16th Amanda and I have been married 5 years!  Our schedules kept us from celebrating for a few weeks but we finally made it out to Telluride for a couple of days.  We ended up spending a lot of time at the pool and hot tub but managed to go for a couple of rides, and check out some boulders.  I look forward to the next 5, 10, 50 years!

Pool time!

You've got to love the gondola!

Resting the legs between laps at the bike park.

Vestal Basin

As I was riding the coal powered steam train up to Elk Park I was checking the weather and it didn't look good.  NOAA was predicting 70% chance of precipitation and a chance of snow.  Luckily NOAA doesn't always get it right!  We ended up summiting Vestal Peak and Arrow Peak with great weather the whole time.  Beautiful weather, fun people, and great surroundings made for an amazing 3 days in the Weminuche Wilderness.  

BK

Smoky conditions riding the train to Elk Park. The smoke was blowing in from some wildfires far to the East.

Summit of Vestal Peak!

Sky Pilot at 13,000'.

Vestal Peak from Arrow Peak.

Camp in Vestal Basin with Vestal Peak above.

Catching the train back to Durango from Elk Park.

Southwest Ridge on Sneffels

Tim had climbed Mount Sneffels(14,150') before via the standard route and was looking for a little more of a challenge.  The SW ridge is an amazing route on an iconic Colorado 14er.  Climbing up the SW Ridge and down the standard route gave us a great tour of the mountain.  

Tim with his game face on. The SW ridge is behind him.

Tim on the SW Ridge.

Descending some snow.

TIm making it look easy.

Final stretch to the summit.

As always, it was great climbing with you Tim!

-BK

Solitude east of the Vallecito

David and I left the Los Pinos trail head with food for ten days, not 100% sure where we were going.  We knew we wanted to try to climb Mt. Oso but besides that we were going to play it by ear.  We ended seeing people on day 1,2,9 and 10; but on days 3-8 we saw no one.  We hiked up the Los Pinos River drainage then up Lake Creek past Emerald Lake, Moon Lake, and Half Moon Lake.  Then over 'Moon Rock Pass' to Rock Lake.  Then to Flint Lake and down Flint Creek past the 'Popes Nose' to Los Pinos River and back to the trail head.  We saw an elk, moose, and a bear print.

David enjoying the afternoon.

A little to chilly to get out of the sleeping bags to cook breakfast.

Heading up Lake Creek drainage toward Moon Lake.

Camp at Moon Lake.

Great reflections on Moon Lake.

Headed to Mt. Oso. Just before seeing an elk.

David chillin' on top of Mt. Oso.

Headed down from Mt. Oso.

Moose by Flint Lake at about 11,650'.

Bear print below Flint Lake.

David found a snack along the trail.

David enjoying a fire below the mighty 'Popes Nose'.

Headed back down the Lose Pinos River drainage.

Thanks for the great trip David!

-BK