Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
First Snow of the Year
We had our first snow, so we knew we wouldn't be doing any climbing this weekend. Instead we went to church and then hiked in Waldo Canyon. Shamefully (but not offensively) we totally got called out. The young adult pastor said something like, "The weather is bad. You guys are at church!" Oh dear.
But in our defense, the weather was good last weekend and we went to church. AND I wanted to go this weekend anyways because the pastor spoke about why he is an Adventist and I was curious about what he'd have to say. I will briefly outline his three points he gave. Obviously there are many reasons he could give, but these are the ones he chose to share:
1. Sabbath--It speaks of our origin. It is a day of rest and is a gift given to us to help fulfill our spiritual and physical needs. Otherwise we can lose sight of what is important and lose our relationship with God.
2. The Second Coming--it reveals our divine destiny.
3. The Great Controversy--it is our current life. It is our part in a cosmic battle. It is our divine mission to everyday show that evil can be overcome with good. Ephesians 6.
The sermon was not what I was expecting (What, no dragons or timelines? What about the state of the dead?), but refreshingly simple. I like how it spoke to our past, present, and future.
Then we enjoyed our walk in the woods, passing still brilliantly yellow aspens hovering over our snowy, wet trail. I should have known better and worn my ice climbing boots, but wore my 5.10 approach shoes instead. My feet were sufficiently sopping by the time we finished.
On Sunday we went climbing with our friends from Pueblo and a group of Pathfinders in the Wet Mountains. The area is almost always people-free and great for enjoying uninterrupted nature. I was just glad to be out climbing with friends...although kids don't last too long with activities. They were done by around 2PM, so we left as well and drove about two hours directly to the Denver Aquarium to enjoy a free meal and a free pass to the exhibits curtesy of the Alumni department of the Allied Health department Darren and I had both been in. It was fun talking with other former alumni, eating tons of food, and seeing the tigers and fish. This was the cheesy picture they took of us for the newsletter.
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!
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
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.
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
