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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Another Ride on The Red Dragon


"I needed to escape from normality. To leave the din of my life, leave...thoughts and troubles behind. The only thing that always seemed to be simple was this piece of rock." Andy Kirkpatrick, Psycho Vertical

Sunday, June 25, 2017

MOAB, Paper Boats, and Mother Cabrini


Using only duct tape and cardboard, Colorado School of Mine students hold an annual contest/race to see who can build a paper boat sturdy enough to withstand the rapids of Clear Creek in downtown Golden.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Hypoxic Junkie


I was in a funk last week (you may have noticed). It was one of those glass-half-empty weeks; barely energy enough to do what I need to do in order to keep a grip on sanity. It takes a toll, doing what I need to do in order to combat the minute by minute scroll of apocalyptic headlines.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

A Campfire Promise Kept


31 years ago, lakeside—in the burgeoning morning twilight on the first day of summer—a small wedding party climbed into a couple of rickety wicker baskets attached by rope to hot air balloons. With a deafening blast and flame, they ascended in unison...earth shrinking, love expanding...smiles all around. An acrophobic Justice of the Peace wondered out loud why in Christ's name he ever agreed to this gig. 

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Tread Softly Upon My Dreams...


Bobbie and I are up early today, shoving food into backpacks, filling hydro-bags with water, wolfing down coffee. We are getting ready for an "Anniversary Hike" (31 years of marriage, preceded by 4 years of living in sin), an attempt on the summit of Mount Abram. Though warm lately, I can see from the deck that much snow lingers about its pyramidal peak. This attempt may prove to be premature; I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Serendipity on the Mountain; Breaking Glorious New Ground on the Shoulders of Trico Peak


Sara N. Dippity found us wandering around in the mountains yesterday, and stopped to say "Hello." It's been a while since our paths crossed. Then again, maybe I'm underestimating her cunning ways of slipping in and out without notice, you know, all those little things in life that we sometimes take for granted. The "thing" with "Sara" is, she only meets you halfway. It's up to us to get out of our chairs or cars.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

The Way to The Bridge of Heaven Goes Straight Through Hell


Bridge of Heaven is a long, but Heavenly hike; 10.6 miles roundtrip from our doorstep, to be exact. Old Horse Thief Trail adjoins the Bridge of Heaven Trail on a grassy ridge line I can spy from our living room. When put together, the two trails ascend an astonishing 4,000 feet in just over 5 miles, and lands you on a precipice that overlooks a cavernous glacial basin...so eroded, so rotten of rock, so impossible to traverse that Big Horn ewes choose it as the ideal place to "lamb." 

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Perseverance Is Key To Twin Peaks Summit




It has been an exhausting, thus grand week, having notched three colossal hike-ascents on our "climbing belts." Number two was a summit on Lovely Ouray's sentinel, Twin Peaks. It's a hike to my liking, a grinding workout with a thrilling payoff, and no logistics beyond checking the forecast. Simply walk out the front door and trek.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

"Treading Lightly" (concluded) Plus, a "glacading" video for your amusement



In regard to extreme outdoor endeavors: Embrace them as challenges...un-forgettable, un-regrettable moments of triumph that carry us through doldrum times, or when such things have slipped beyond our grasp.  Box Canyon Mantra: 

Monday, June 5, 2017

Treading Lightly on Red Dragon's Back


 From exceptional minds comes wisdom so simple and lucid in its expression that even I can grasp. Here's a few reminders for those whose priorities need adjustment:  "Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. Khalil Gibran, and, "In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play," Friedrich Nietzsche,  and my favorite, “Play is the highest form of research" Albert Einstein.