The Talisman

Today Thad and I made it out to climb 'The Talisman' which is just outside of Ouray.  It's in fat right now and we had a great day for it!  The only issue we encountered was the gate getting closed and locked while we were climbing, so at the end of the day so we couldn't get back to Ouray.  Luckily the Sheriff came up to let us out!

Winter Mountaineering on Mount Sneffels

Ivan and I were able to make it up into Yankee Boy Basin this week to do some winter mountaineering.  We enjoyed great Colorado weather the whole trip and were able to summit Mount Sneffels (14,150')!

Ridgeway Biking

Amanda and I were able to get away last Saturday to visit Thadd, Marie and Mazzy in Ouray.  We got a nap, a bike ride, a soak at Orvis, and some great time visiting good friends!

Clearlight

Matt and I climbed Infared on Big Bend Butte in Moab a few years ago and eyeballed the two routes to our left as we rappelled off the butte.  I wanted to get out and check out Clearlight and gave Matt a call last week.  Unfortunately he couldn't make it.  Fortunately Bill was available and we made plans.  Clearlight was a great route and on the descent I was able to climb Dolomite Wall's amazing off-width pitches.  Great day in the desert!

Winter in the San Juans

Saturday Tim and I were able to get out and climb Snowdon.  Although it's still fall in Durango, it most definitely is winter above 10,000'.  I'm pretty sure I can speak for both of us when I say, that we were thankful for every layer we brought.

Enjoying the crisp morning!

Snowdon still a ways off.

Last few steps to the top!

Heading back down.

Finally really starting to warm up.

It's hard to beat a cloudless Colorado day.

Climbing with Tim is always a blast.  He is super positive and always raving about the amazing views.  As much as I try not to take the San Juan Mountains for granted, Tim always helps me to appreciate my surroundings.  It was great climbing with you Tim!  See you soon.
-BK

Rocktober!

Just got done with a 6 day trip to Moab/Indian Creek. Jonas came over from Sweden for some time in the sun before the winter darkness comes to Stockholm.

Day 1:

We started out at Wallstreet climbing a combination of cracks and slab. On our way down to Indian Creek to set up camp we stopped off and climbed 'King Arthur's Seat'.

The Bridger Jacks 

Day 2:

Climbed at Donnelly Canyon.

Jonas on 'Generic Crack' at Donnelly Canyon, Indian Creek.

Day 3:

Climbed at Battle of the Bulge, and then checked out some Native American ruins in the evening.

Day 4:

Climbed at Supercrack Buttress in the morning then headed back up to Moab in the afternoon.

Day 5:

We climbed the 'North Chimney' on Castleton in the morning and then headed over to the Fishers to climb 'Ancient Art' in the afternoon.

Jonas following pitch 2 on Castleton.

Jonas on top of Ancient Art.

'The Cobra'

Day 6:

We finished off the trip at Wallstreet. Then parted ways.

Great trip Jonas!  I hope to see you this winter on the ice.

East Animas Trail Day

Yesterday we had a trail day at Durango's great local climbing area East Animas.  The trail was in lousy shape when we started planning the trail day in the beginning of September; and then we got the rain which caused all the flooding.  It needed some work to say the least.  Trails 2000 helped us with organization and leadership. Bread Bakery donated some fuel for the volunteers in the form of coffee, cookies, and muffins. Backcountry Experience offered some coupons for discounts as an incentive to show up at 9am on a Sunday morning.  We worked mostly on improving the trails drainage, but also were able to create two small reroutes to bad sections of trail.  We wrapped up around 1pm and grilled hot dogs in the parking lot.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning!  Hopefully this will be the first of many climbing area trail days.  All photos are from the highly talented Bill Grasse!

Coffee's out, banner's up, now we sit back and wait for folks to show up.

Grady from Trails 2000 giving a tool talk.

Getting it done.