The People's Republic of Boulder

I take boards this Thursday and needed to study on Sunday, so Darren and decided to take a quick jaunt to Boulder.  We climbed another North American Classic Climb (some friends were supposed to meet us, but I'm not sure what happened to them), ate free samosas from the farmer's market, explored the diminutive Boulder Contemporary Art Museum (It's gratis during the market.  We liked the Virgen de Guadalupe paintings (for Stella) and the fashionable accessories and clothing made from recycled material), and crazily ran into Darren's old road bike racing buddy from college while we were in a coffee shop.  Darren hadn't seen him in five years and had no idea he was in Colorado.  I hope they get in some sweet biking in the future.  

After we chatted, Darren and I purchased some tubes and bumped our butts down Boulder Creek.  It was so freezing and I didn't have a bathing suit, but we loved it just the same.  

The route was 5.4 so Darren and I shared leads and averaged two pieces of gear per pitch.  Also, because it is a classic and easy climb, we had to climb around the hoards of other people climbing.  It really wasn't too bad, because there were many options of places to go.

Enjoying our Native American energy bars at the top of our route

The rappel was lethal to both Darren and I.  We both got abrasions.

Besides the abrasions from the rappel, Darren got a nasty cut while descending the route.  Ouchee!!

It's like Deep Creek, but with trustafarian college students in Chacos smoking, drinking, and laying out on the banks!

Frustration

Life is more than traveling, climbing mountains, reading classic literature, and learning how to dance/fight.  I believe it.  I just wish I knew how best to do unto others beyond just being nice to folks from day to day.  I feel like there should be more, like I should be being something more, but I'm not sure what or how.  And I'm not really sensing or understanding any direction from the Big Guy.  I am sure it is my fault, but urg.


"Not well traveled, not well read,

Not well to do, or well bred,

Just wanna hear instead,

Well done good and faithful one"

Gray's and Torrey's

My friend Tara invited me to go with her young adults group to climb Gray's and Torrey's, two 14ers right next to each other.  And although we conquered both in one day, even collectively they were the two easiest fourteeners I've done climbed so far.  We did, however, make it a little more interesting by descending the ridge route (Class 3, I believe) which, admittedly, I was periodically freaked out on.  What I enjoyed most about the whole experience was being able to hang out with a large fabulous group of people.  That hasn't happened in quite a while.

Darren conquered a small peak along the way.

Does somebody have an asprin?  'Cause I've got fourteener fever!

Eating lunch on top of Gray's

Darren is so proud of his banana holder

Freezing on top of very windy Gray's

Eating our second lunch on top of Torrey's

Starting down the ridge route.  Aiee!  The exposure was crazy.

I was so relieved to be off the steep section

Our Consolation Peak

Registering at the trailhead with the intention to rock climb Crestone Needle, a North American Classic Climb

Saturday we leisurely hiked to the South Lake, fly-fished, ate a ton of food, stored our gear at the start of our climb, and camped.  Then we realized that I had left my long pants many miles back at the car.  We made the difficult decision to not do Crestone Needle--a committing technical route--and instead hike up Humboldt Peak.  It is still a 14er, but one in which I wouldn't have to be freezing while belaying.

On Sunday morning we had incredible fog everywhere, but by the time we began, it had mostly burned away.

This crazy looking flower-plant was strewn all along the path

I used to think that marmots were mythical creatures.  Let me assure you, they are not.  The trail resounded with their chirping.

The top!  The hike was much easier than Holy Cross, but much windier

Baby Marmots!  Their mom was not happy with us.  This is her in mid-chirp

Some sort of mountain goat

hiking pole daps for another 14er completed!

We stopped in Westcliffe for a bounty of Mexican food and ice cream

Crystal Mill, Shooting, Minturn Climbing, and Boom Days

On Saturday I jeeped the Crystal Loop with Edwin and his father Howard

Then in the afternoon I shot my first gun with Olivia, Brian, Darren, Joe and Stephanie

Try one!

It was a little scary shooting for the first time

Before Darren and I drove home, we did a little climbing at Minturn with Joe, Stephanie, and Brian

We happened to pass right through Leadville's final hours of Boom Days.  We were able to enjoy a yummy crepe and some sweet potato fries