-
Wild Iris
The wind has died down in the morning, so we pack up the climbing packs again and head up to the OK Corral wall of Wild Iris. At 9,000 feet, we know this area will be hit-and-miss in October, and it is indeed quite cold when we arrive. It’s sunny, getting warmer, and windier. In…
-
A windy tour of Sinks Canyon
The day begins with only a stiff wind. We optimistically don our climbing packs and start toward the cliff walls of the Fairfield Hill area of Sinks Canyon. Those cliffs are more distant than they look – we hike for an hour just to reach them. By that time it’s very windy. We tour the…
-
Landed in Lander
Ann’s parents have braved snowstorms and the continental divide with their new 19-foot trailer to meet us here in Lander, Wyoming at the Sleeping Bear RV Park. It happens to be our first time testing our camper with full hookups, so we have a little RV test fest going. Our traveling pets, Sandy and T…
-
Cranner Rock Lunch Stop
Shortly after turning west at Muddy Gap we stop to take a look at the wonderfully remote Sweetwater Rocks from the rest area by Cranner Rock. The 200-meter face of Split Rock beckons to climbers, but we’re headed to Lander to meet Ann’s parents today. We do have time to explore some of the BLM…
-
Great Basin – Where The Rain Goes
Intellectually, I know that rainfall doesn’t drain in the Great Basin, the one spot where the continental divide follows two separate routes around the lip of a giant bowl of dirt. I know that we’re headed for a junction called Muddy Gap, but in my head it’s just a name. What I’m concerned with is…
-
East of Eden – Poudre Canyon’s Best Trad Route?
We’re a bit slow in the morning, but happily able to perambulate, so we pack up and descend the canyon a few miles to East of Eden 5.9, a lovely dihedral rising up next to the road in the Narrows. The crux comes early on this 100-foot route, at a blocky roof. Just after I…
-
Mountain Park Campground
Some of Ann’s coworkers treat us to a free site at mountain park campground in the Poudre Canyon. We didn’t realize how big this place is. There are multiple loops and dozens of sites, showers, hookups, the whole bit. We are given some strong beverages as we tour around admiring our hosts’ rigs. We go…
-
N Table Mountain Sidetrip
We have errands to do today, but we decide there is time for a quick trip to North Table Mountain for some sport climbing. At my suggestion, Ann starts up Deck Chairs on the Titanic 5.9+ on lead. The opening moves of this climb are pumpy, which make the remaining crimpy face harder. Ann has…
-
Live Music: Olga Kern & CSO
Too much going on right now for a full review, unfortunately. It’s almost sufficient to say that Olga is a force of nature, and we’re powerless to resist her. We’ll be seeing her again in Fort Collins on Oct. 6! The night’s program: Glinka Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of…
-
Guyot Cirque Hike
Dad (and Jezze) suggest an exploration of a small, intriguing old mining trail that Dad spotted once on his way up to Georgia pass on the continental divide. The drive itself is a treat, taking us through crowds of blazing yellow aspen (and crowds of people too) on Kenosha Pass. The hike begins close to…