Summer Fun

Last summer Amanda and I went to the Eastern Sierras to climb and explore.  This summer I wanted to check out Wyoming.  Fortunately, our friends Trevor and Emily were getting married while we were going to be up there so we were able to celebrate their wedding with them in Ten Sleep.  We had planned on checking out Lander and the Wind River Range after the wedding but the climbing was so good we stuck around Ten Sleep for an extra day.

Walking out of a cool crag called Section 6.

Amanda loving on a cloud.

After our fill of sport climbing we decided to skip Lander and the Winds because of the heat and bugs.  Instead, we headed east to Devils tower.  I had climbed it once before in 2002 with John but had always wanted to return to climb el Matador.  10' up the classic stem box I was already apologizing to Amanda.  I was able to stem and knew that she wouldn't be able to, which would make the pitch much harder for her.

el Matador's stem box.

Amanda crushing.

Summit!

We then drove to Estes Park to visit the Brandewies.  Brad, Owen and I climbed at Combat Rock.  I told Brad I had a trad rack packed and discovered at the base of the cliff that I only had 3 cams.  Luckily we found a few bolts and made it work.  Oh and Owen did his first rappel which was 230' long!  The next day Amanda, Brad and I got up early and headed into RMNP to climb Zowie and Wham.  The climbing was good, the weather was great, and the company was even better.

Zowie

Amanda rappelling off of Zowie.

Amanda and I have been wanting to rent big down hill mountain bikes, ride chair lifts and rip down hill for a long time.  We finally made it happen at Winter Park.  Super fun day!  After 5 hours of biking we drove to Rifle for the night.  The next morning we only lasted 3 routes before we decided we were too tired to continue and headed home.