No Ice ? Climb Rock !!!

Average temps this week in boulder topped 70 degrees, and with hours being cut back at work I was able to skip out early Thursday afternoon and go climbing in Boulder Canyon with a long time climbing buddy Jacob, who had just recently moved down to Boulder from Jamestown.



We decided to climb a popular and fun multi- pitch sport climb on east blob rock called Young and the Rackless 5.10a/b 4 pitches. The line is generally right up the middle of the buttress in the photo below.



This isn't the first time Ive climbed this route and it surely won't be the last, as in my opinion its one of the best in the canyon. Intricate thinker moves on every pitch add to its flair; liebacks, cracks, slabs, edging, its all there.




Jacob starting us off








We were definitely having a good time. It felt great to get back out on some rock and climb after about two months of no climbing and just skiing. Just like riding a bike...








Ive never been able to get into climbing indoors. I guess its just too much of a scene for me.
I need the outdoors, the fresh air and sunshine ( well not always sunshine ) to power my adventures. Living in Boulder I feel its possible to climb outdoors year round, you just have to be flexible ( because mother nature isn't ), and you have to like climbing with numb fingers.




Rock'in it on pitch 2

Looking back toward Boulder, at the end of a great climb. Getting in the last of the warm temps ,as it was forecasted to drop into the 40's for the rest of the week.







Peace, Jason

Hidden Treasure !!!

Great snow, awesome weather, good friends. Undoubtedly the prerequisites to an epic backcountry yurt trip - of the good kind. The mob of 13 consisted of a colorful array of AT skiers, telemark skiers, and of course one split border . Our objective; 3 days skiing above the Hidden Treasure yurts nestled in the trees at 11,200ft on the south east side of New York Mountain 12,500ft. Each yurt slept up to 8 people outfitted with a wood stove plus propane fueled burners and lighting. It was pretty cozy, as long as the fire was stoked.










Once settled in the yurt it was time for a little sunset ski session.









Waking up on Saturday we were stoked to get back out and ski. Half of the group decided to ski some slopes near the yurt while Aaron, Sara, Cory, Liz D. , Alex, Kendra, Eric , and myself made plans to summit New York Mountain (12,500ft) and then ski down it. Definitely worth it.
On the way to the summit.














After summiting and skiing some awesome lines down the south west side of the mountain, Liz D., Alex, and Kendra decided to return to the yurt, and Aaron, Sara, Cory, and myself commenced to pretty much track out most of the rest of the un-skied terrain on the south east side of the mountain. Hats off to Cory for breaking trail about 100% of the time.














Sunday brought exactly the same conditions, clear skies, soft snow, no wind. A welcomed change from my last hut trip. Unfortunately Cory awoke feeling under the weather, but was still motivated to get out and ski. Well, halfway through our morning tour Cory ended up vomiting on the skin track. Whatever was ailing Cory definitely seemed to be more serious than just an upset stomach from drinking the night before. Not letting a little vomit slow us down we all pressed on and ended up skiing some great trees on the north east side of the mountain and also found a fun little half-pipe style gully below treeline.










All in all I can definitely say that this was a great yurt trip. Plenty of skiing got done with great friends sharing awesome sunsets. Couldn't ask for a better redemption trip.







FYI- We had found out later that Cory's sudden sickness was brought on by a salmonella tainted power bar. One of which was part of a recent large recall of peanut butter. Thankfully Cory made a quick recovery and was back to himself Monday for the ski out.


Had an awesome trip, thanks to everyone that made it happen.

Rich, Liz B. , Cory, Liz D. , Aaron, Sara, Kendra, Eric, Victoria, Alex, Matt, Ted.


Peace, Jason

Right on Par....

Trying to rest up this weekend I hung out with my old high school buddy Alex, who was rolling through town on his way up to Minnesota. Played a little frolf ( aka- frisbee golf ) on Sataurday in the crisp 30 degree weather. Needless to say we had the course to ourselves.



Al in his Ti Chi frisbee pose.






















Waking up Sunday morning the lure of the mountains was strong, and of course I went skiing. I have to say I was a bit more anxious than usual this being my first time out since the "hut" trip, especially when my jacket and pants still reeked of survival camp fire. Anyway, it turned out to be a beautiful day in Ned to get in some fresh wind blown turns. Clear visibility and 100% sunshine.























Peace, Jason

Resolutions...

When I started this blog a couple weeks ago its sole purpose was to be adventure based ( rock climbing -skiing- mountaineering ), to help with my documentation for guiding purposes, and to keep my family and friends who don't see me that often better updated as to how I spend my free time. But as I sit here typing another entry taking inventory on 2008 I've realized that my love of writing has returned to me. I feel that I've always loved writing, even from the young age of ten when I won a young authors award, its always just come easy for me. I think my mom still has the book that won the award ."The Robbery"
Writing also helped me get promoted in the military. Composing an essay of 500 words or less stating my reason for joining the Marine Corps and why I thought I should be promoted to Lance Corporal over another Marine who had the same number of promotion points, I amazingly wrote the better essay, and was at the First Sergeant's door the next morning picking up my new rank.
I'd like to read that essay today!

So with yet another year past I come to think about the future and the resolutions that I can make. One of them could definitely be writing more. Which I suppose is inevitable now with the start of this blog. But I would like to go on more rides with Butters, read more books, climb harder, ski faster, and overall just live life to the fullest. Because isn't that what its all about?


Happy New Year
Butters and Jason