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Las Conchas Climbing
After a nice night along forest road 280, Ann and I make our way to the Las Conchas trailhead for some climbing. This is a lush, forested area along the East Fork Jemez River, whose headwaters flow from the caldera of a long-since-blown volcano. We cling to the remaining volcanic walls here, while hikers, fishers,…
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Diablo Canyon
We make an evening outing to this climbing area on the Rio Grande outside of Santa Fe. You have to drive through a suburb to reach it, and a I make a big, confused loop through it, somehow ending up driving back the way we came without realizing it. Finally we figure out we have…
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El Rito Camping and Sport Climbing
After four days in Santa Fe, we put our new lifestyle to the test by taking our home up into the hills for a long weekend of climbing. We leave Thursday evening when Ann gets off work. The drive in with the camper turns out to be pretty stressful due to many low tree branches.…
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Life is but a Fanta Se
Santa Fe feels a little dreamlike. I’m moving here, but I have everything I need with me already. Granted, everything in the cargo trailer is in a giant pile after my shelves collapsed during the bumpy ride. I don’t look forward to taking inventory of the damage. Even so, I feel like Santa Fe will…
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Sugarite Canyon Climbing
The first order of business this weekend is to get our home moved to Santa Fe, but we figure we can mix in a little climbing too. I meet Ann on the night of my last day of work at Cedar Rail RV Park & Campground, where the owners have fed Ann dinner while she…
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I’m jobless!
I’ve enjoyed my 3 years and 7 months as a full-time web developer at Colorado State University, but I can’t remain an outdoor weekend warrior anymore! I’ll join Ann in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she is working, and I’ll have some time to explore. My first move is to launch a new website: Outdoorism Please…
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Mount Shavano Hike
Ann meets Dad and I along the road to the Mount Shavano trailhead for a belated Father’s day summit attempt. It’s a long haul, over four miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain, but we have good weather and we make it. We’re happy that we gain the eastern ridge early to avoid a few…
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Ironsides Climbing
Sean pulls himself out of bed at an unspeakable hour to make a 7:30 (make that 7:45) am meeting with Doug and myself. Liz is attending a wedding in New Hampshire, but has left us men a giant carrot cake packed with goodies that helps to fortify lonesome souls for a day of climbing. Clare…
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Holy Saturday Climbing, Vedauwoo
Clare and Dennis come up for Clare’s birthday, and accompany me to Vedauwoo on a warm bluebird Sunday for some big crack climbing. The Holy Saturday formation provides the goods. We only hit two climbs, but they provide plenty of material: Hideaway Chimney 5.5 is nice and long, incredibly varied, and holds plenty of surprises…
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Jurassic Park Climbing
A group of climbing friends and acquaintances enjoy a day of Vedauwoo adventure together at the Jurassic Park wall. The day’s routes: Lawyer on the Toilet 5.8 – my only lead, one or two good offwidth moves. Get Up That Tree 5.8 – climb the scary chockstones. Rowdy Joe Bad 11b – cranky slab on…