The First, on the first

With winter behind us and spring approaching quickly it's once again Flatiron season. Well at least first flatiron season due to the seasonal wildlife closures on the Third and Second flatirons.
So Evan, Amber, and myself decided to get a jump start on the rock climbing season and climb the First, on the first. Both Amber and Evan had never climbed the 1st so I was excited to be their guide for the day and show them how much fun it is to climb a flatiron.
My initial plans were to climb the Standard route (5.6s, 1000ft, 6pitches) but of course due to it being Sunday and that routs overall popularity there was already a line forming to climb it. One thing you must always have as a front range climber is a backup plan. Fandango was mine. Just 200 feet to the left of the Standard route. Although shorter by 2 pitches it is definitely just as good a route as the Standard. Interesting slabs, cool solution pockets, wave like overlaps, all high over Boulder.














Evan in mountain man pose...





The first two pitches of Fandango went smooth although at the end of pitch 2 while squeezing between a tree and a rock overhang, somehow one of the 2 Upslope beers I had in my pack sprung a leak. I hurried up , set an anchor, and dugout the leaking beer from my pack. 400 feet up, Let the drinking begin!





We drank up the leaking beer and saved the other one for the summit. Feelin the buzz, due to the fact I don't really drink that often, I left the belay and instead of climbing up and right off pitch 2 I accidentally climbed over to the left onto Zig Zag, a different route rated at 5.7s. Other than cutting off some climbers who were on the route below us it was no big deal. Having climbed almost all the routes on the 1st numerous times I still knew exactly where I was. Just felt a little foolish for getting off route due to a little beer buzz...I guess the important thing is that Evan and Amber didn't seem to mind and the last two pitches of Zig Zag went great.

Evan and Amber on the "tricky" part of Zig Zag..

Once on the ridge most of the technical climbing is over and you are awarded with a spectacular view of the Indian Peaks and Longs Peak for the 300 foot ridge traverse....


Evan and Amber gigglin on the ridge......... Climbing over the first false summit..




Once on the summit it was time to rig up the 100 foot free hanging rapel. Showing Evan the safer method to descent a rope we all rappelled safely to the ground anxious to drink the surviving beer.























And it was good!!! I'm pretty sure this was the first time an Upslope beer made it up the First flatiron.

Peace, Jason

Steamboat Yurt Trip

So I'm finally posting some pics from this last weekend's Yurt trip to Pearl lake near Steamboat Springs. Our objective was to track out Farwell mountain 10,800ft, and ski some of the best aspens in the state. Upon our arrival Thursday afternoon a fresh 2 ft of snow awaited us, so we headed for the top with much trail to break. After a grueling 4 hours of breaking trail to the summit we were finally rewarded with an alpen glow backdrop and face shots of some of the softest powder I've skied all year. It was awesome, effortless skiing through perfectly spaced aspens.
Chris skiing near the summit.

Friday brought us perfect snow but not so great light for pictures. Chris got some interesting footage with a home made helmet cam. The snow seemed to be preserved due to the cloud cover and cold conditions, but things were soon to warm up and spoil our soft snow. Surprisingly I got some of my best shots on Friday. One of Chris Miller in what we snow ninjas call the "Combat Position" and one of Aaron with snow ninja tools in tow. Notice the whistle and scraper attached to the "dummy" cord.












Mike and Jason joined us on Saturday along with warm temps and clear blue skies. So warm that the pillow light soft snow we skied just 8 hours earlier was now turning into a gloppy mess. Snow, heavy with moisture from the warm temps, was now acting like cement on our skis, slowing uphill progress, and making the descent tricky. But it was sunny and warm, it kind of felt like spring, hard to complain.
Evan showing off a fine example of what we backcountry skiers call "Glop". I'd say this is a serious case.
















With this being my second trip to the pearl lake yurts I got the same impression from my last trip; peaceful isolation, no other skiers, cozy yurts...They actually have electric heat.




So with a keg of Upslope and some of the best food I've ever eaten off my vintage Coleman stove
we lived like kings. Spaghetti, lasagna, and oh yea, shrimp quinoa stir fry....."Mighty Ninja Draw Power From Ocean ! "













Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible, The Doc for reserving the hut, and especially the hard core DBC crew for covering for us and making it possible for myself in particular to attend this great trip.

Peace, Jason

Ice Climbing courier

Secret stash!!

Headed out today with Cory, Liz, and their dog Zowie to check out the skiing at the hidden stash spot. We were also celebrating Zowie's 7th birthday, Butters came along as well for a little dog's day out.






Cory round'in up the doggies.....


Snow conditions were primed for speed. With about 3 inches of new snow sitting atop a pretty hard wind slab it made for some fast turns. Definitely some of the fastest skiing I've done this year. It was like skiing "freshies" at the resort "Bro".....

Liz doing some evasive maneuvering around Butters......


Weather conditions in Boulder this morning were much different than in the mountains, cloudy and cold. With it being partly sunny up high, a classic inversion was present and it made for some great shots from high above cloud line looking east.


Peace, Jason

Lookin to get High!

Went up to East Portal on Saturday with my friend Matt who teaches avalanche courses for C.U. outdoor program. Butters, of course came along to.








Avoided most of the crowd in the mountains that morning and headed for the Continental Divide at about 12,000 ft. to ski some awesome lines off the ridge.
Butters scoping out his line...
The snow conditions were pretty stable and we found ourselves some nice 40 degree slopes to descend.
Even made a few jump turns!



A few more great pics...







































Butters lookin west with Winter Park / Mary Jane in the background.

Peace, Jason
Also check out some more pics and a slide show of this trip, including the past two posts as well.
http://www.flickr.com/pohtos/lmadventures/show

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