Some multi-pitch climbing to get ready for some overnight alpine climbs this summer. Read More ...

Continue reading More weekend climbing at PMags.com.

A rare day of climbing for me. But anytime in the outdoors, and using unfamiliar skills, only enhances the overall skill set. Read More ...

Continue reading Some weekend climbing at PMags.com.

An explanation of the different classes of the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) esp as it applies to hiking. Read More ...

Continue reading Classes of hiking – The Yosemite Decimal System at PMags.com.

A climb on Boulder’s classic Third Flatiron.

Living in Boulder, CO has its quirks. After fifteen years of living in or near Boulder, I’ve learned to adjust to the rising cost of housing, the increased congestion and the “Aspen-ization” of the downtown corridor. ( For now. 🙂 )

What I do love about my current home town is the outdoor opportunity in a place that also allows me to pay the bills.

Within minutes, I can be at a trailhead that leads to a 8000′ plus peaks, or take a quiet walk on the high plains or  perhaps climb to the top of something that no less than Yvon Chouinard  called “The finest beginners climb in the country”.

So it was one unusually warm and sunny November day my buddy Mark and our friend Michelle and I did the classic climb of Boulder’s Third Flatiron.

Continue reading Last bit of Fall: Third Flatiron Climb at PMags.com.

Misc hikes, rambles and other outings in the last part of Autumn.

Towards the end of Fall is a transition.

The days grow shorter and  cooler. There is a bit of snow up high. Some day hikes in local areas seem more enticing.

So through October and November, some local outings were had.

The first outing was in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park.   Colorado, along with other states, reopened the park during government shutdown.  Over 10,000 visitors came that weekend.  A sure sign that Americans love their national parks.

And with the beautiful fall scenery that someone and  I saw on our hike to Calypso Cascades, we could see for ourselves why.

As much as I love, the Rockies in the Fall, there is something about my native New England in the autumn that is even more scenic.

Continue reading Towards the end of Fall at PMags.com.

A quick overnight (attempted) alpine climb to Notch Top. We were going to do the Spiral Route, but the 60+ MPH gusts on Sunday morning made us bag the trip. Still, a nice overnighter if anything else….

Over the course of my outdoor 'career', I have grown to enjoy more outdoor activities that complement my preferred type of trail: Covering distance as opposed to speed. Getting to places that are a little off the beaten path instead popular routes. And increasingly getting more vertical.

Over the past few seasons, I've done more and more alpine climbing.  Rather than pull up to a spot on a road with perhaps a twenty minute walk, I am enjoying the climbing where there is a long approach (hike!) and then some technical climbing.

The climbing itself is seldom difficult (no more than 5.6) but it a physical challenge and where new sights not seen by most.

Continue reading Taking my climbing gear for a walk – Notch Top Mountain at PMags.com.

Over the past two seasons, I've dabbled in climbing.  Started off with sport climbing and progressed to what is known as alpine climbing. Combining the endurance and long days of hiking with the more technical aspects of rock climbing, it is an activity that is physically challenging but rewarding.

And the culmination of two seasons worth of climbing? Summitting Grand Teton.

Grand Teton is a classic of mountaineering.  The range with its jagged peaks and huge vertical relief looks like something a child would draw.

This past August,  my friends Mark and Mike along with  myself again attempt to reach the summit of Grand Teton.

This year, the weather gods would cooperate. We would be well rested. Everything that could go right would go right! 

Why alpine climbing? Because it is a different way to enjoy the outdoors. Another way to explore and experience the mountains.

Continue reading A Grand Weekend – Grand Teton at PMags.com.

Well, August was not quite my month for outdoor fun….

In the first weeks of summer, I think I did 4 backpacking trips, 2 multi-day camping trips, misc alpine climbs and even some backcountry skiing!

August? Well, the clutch went on my truck one Friday on the way to work (doh!). After 104k miles on the original clutch, I can’t complain too much. But one weekend shot…

The girlfriend suffered from allergies on weekend so we got all of 3 miles in one weekend …

But, I did get to attempt to climb Grand Teton up in Wyo.

I say attempt, because we had to turn around due to weather a mere ~400′ from the summit.

C’est la vie.

I can’t complain about the views, though:

September is looking to be back to my usual suckiness….  😉

Over Labor Day Weekend, had a 40 mile loop that involved disappearing trail, some map and compass ‘schwacking and back at my truck 7:30 Sunday night (I don’t suggest driving 2 hrs after 20 miles of backpacking….

Continue reading August Follies at PMags.com.

A few trips in the past month. Trail work. A wedding weekend (not mine!) stroll. A quick backpack where I did not bring any camera memory (doh!), and a day hike last weekend with an old friend.

But the most interesting trip I did, at least for me, was continuing my evolving into an all around outdoors person.

I've been getting into alpine climbing this past year. Combine a thru-hiker's endurance and over-all outdoor experience add in some technical skills and you get alpine climbing.

I have no desire to walk in 100 yards and perfect gnarly moves all day. Hiking in 6 miles and gain 1000'+ vertical with scrambling and ropes? Sounds good to me!

The climb this past weekend was Longs Peak. A Front Range classic, this 14260' is a rite of passage for many people. But, it also epitomizes why I seldom DO NOT do 14ers: Crowds of people (Picture Franconia Ridge on Labor Day weekend!), people who put themselves into situations they are frankly not ready for (out of shape, not acclimated, poorly prepared, no outdoor sense), and people disregarding outdoor ethics (No dogs..and look who brings a dog up???)

Basically, doing a 14er makes my 36 yo self a premature cranky old man.

Continue reading Hiker Trash continuing to go vertical… at PMags.com.

The first part of Spring 2010 was learning the rudiments of climbing under the tutelage of my friends Mark and Kevin….

Some highlights are below.

Here is the link to all the photos

It started off with a knot/belay lesson in the garage. Continued with a climbing gym session. And one afternoon in Boulder canyon? An honest-to-goodness outside climbing session.

Started with an easy 5.5 climb and ended with a 5.8 climb with an overhang. Not bad for my first time. The ultimate goal is to get in some alpine climbs this summer (Longs followed by the Tetons!)

End of a rap session

Top of the climb

Followed by Beer-Thirty!!!! (My friend bought me two happy hour rounds as a congrats)

We did more advanced climbing at Shelf Road

A climbing weekend in Canon (pronounced the Spanish style -Canyon) City, Colorado for some sports climbing and some camping.

Continue reading Hiker Trash Going Vertical at PMags.com.