Kevin got me climbing in upper La Cueva Canyon again today. We did a fantastic line up The Thumb. Three 60' technical pitches at an average of 1 pitch/hour and then a long ridge simul-climb to the summit to beat the storms. Hit the trail at 12:30 just as the first crash of lightning struck.

6:40am in the parking lot.
8:00am roped up and ready to climb.
11:00am switched to simul-climbing.
12:00pm summit.
12:30pm hiking La Luz
1:00pm sleet and rain
2:00pm beers at Kevin's place.

4:00pm HHH event in the foothills near Central and Tramway with Kelly.

7:30pm BBQ at Jeanne's with Kelly.


Route



Sweet Pic

Did a couple 14ers with the best mountaineering team ever assembled: Nate, Paul, Noah, and my dad! Spectacular trip with great fun had by all.


Full


Full


Full


Full


Full


Full

Did a lap around White Mesa this morning with Mike. Nice time out since we beat the heat. Only 8.5 miles with some moderate technical challenges. The real fun is that if you fall, you aren't going to stop for a while.




Full

Last weekend, after heading down to Ahh, All out Sushi with some Mountain Rescue folks I was biking home at 1am and stripped a pedal (for the 2nd time!)...barely made it back. I finally got around to fixing it today.


Full

We've got some hot, dry weather hitting us now. The only time to get out and ride (which is all that's allowed now due to the fire closures) is bright and early. Did 36 miles with Nate around town this morning.


Full

Had a great climb of Mt. Hood on June 24-25. The notoriously consistent cloudy weather broke for Nate and I as we drove down from Seattle and managed to gain 1000 ft before setting up the tent. Lots of snow catting here for the ski area. Up at 2:00am and climbing by 2:40am. The wind was brutal in the night and we had to take time to set up a wind break for the tent and make sure that Nate's hands had fresh hothands. We made quick time and passed a few guided groups. The shrund was easily traversed around and the final pitch was steep, but not steep enough to warrant roping up - the falling person would just drag more people down the steep, icy mountain. Nate and I managed to get up easily and we carefully walked over to the summit along the ridge. 6:30am on top. Summit beer of choice was a New Belgium Trippel. Took time on the way down and watch the Olympic ski team training on the glacier.


Full


Full

All I know about Seattle is what I new originally: they're big on fixies, starbucks, and REI. ...and the REI isn't all that impressive either. Sure it's got a forest around it, and there's a mountain biking path and a climbing gym, but they didn't have AT boots. What kind of self-respecting flagship store is that?

Ran the 3 mile Sun run this morning at IEEE PVSC. I'm now the proud owner of a Kaz Solar 2011 Tie!

Also, meeting all the big guns in PV: Sarah Kurtz, John Wohlgemuth, Kaz, plus Michael, Ward, Jennifer, etc. are up here too. Quite the event.

Lot's of slogging in mushy snow with Nate, Jason, and Scott. Got Wilson Peak but no Mt. Wilson.


Full Size


Full Size


Full Size


Full Size

Marble 2:00-11:00.

More fatness!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... HFzfZl6NQQ

Awesome!!!

After a very long day at work, it's horrible to be confronted with a 20 mph head wind and thick, suffocating smoke. AZ is on fire and Albuquerque gets screwed.

So a couple guys in a beater low rider flipped me off, yelled at me, and then hit me with something off my helmet in the back of my head. I got the Nebraska license number and filed a police report. Maybe something will come of it, maybe not.

Cool sport: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBbpEIoZz9c

Exhausted from trying to ride with Mike and the other "casual" cyclists at lunch on Friday, I biked downtown and had sushi with Nate, Todd, and Kat before watching Hangover 2. Took the ham radio class Sat and Sunday, with a nice trip down to Marble with Nate to have an Amber and play hacky-sack. Climbed and descended La Luz quickly with Leigh and Nate on Sunday night (partly by headlight) to train for Rainier and the La Luz Trail Run. Looked at houses on Memorial Day Monday, lunch date, and mountain biked, bbq'ed, and fixed the van transmission with Jason.

I have completed the AMRC final test and am now on the team. Thanks to all the team members, especially Justin, for putting the classes and trainings together.

Also, this weekend I received my ham radio license so that I can better communicate on missions.

The most interesting statement from the 3 day class was about why we can't find intelligent life in the vast cosmos. The answer: because as soon as life reaches a certain level of intelligence, the species has the ability to wield too much power in order to fight for the limited resources, and destroys itself. Intelligent life is self-extinguishing.

Truches' 4WD roads/rocks caused a fracture in the van's transmission pan. It's a sad day in the life a the mountain machine, but I've got a replacement part on the way.

I found out by backing out into the road and then not being able to use any gear or reverse. Had to slowly push it in neutral to the side of the road through the intersection. (Glad I live in a unbusy portion of town.)

Attempted to climb Truches Peak with Nate and Megan. Epic fail.

Late departure from ABQ (7am); didn't find the right trailhead, bushwhacked for a ways, found the trail but it was covered in dead trees - requiring an obstacle course-style of trekking, then the postholing began. We gave up at around the base of the true climb.

Moral of the story: "Oh the summit ridge looks passible" != "Don't bother with the snow shoes."

http://www.summitpost.org/truchas-peak- ... eak/151757

Full

Did around 50 miles of backpacking through Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon over 5 days/4 nights with Lisa and other CS company. Good time. Check out the pictures on the photoblog.