California

California Academy of Science

de Young Museum of Art

Recent ongoings

Big Sky Pond Skim 2009

Anya and I enjoying a quiet afternoon in the bowl.

Unfortunately my focus right now is work, team, and tests.  Until then, there is little time for grand adventures.

Hells Angel

Arms wide open the ice angel welcomes all. 3 years ago Aaron and I attempted this route only to be turned around by a bad ice tool. see March 2006

Deep snow over talus, yum

Mulkey and Hilary waiting for me to catch up

130 feet of rattley chandelier hooks. Not a solid stick to be found. Aaron was on lead for 45 minutes, all of us got beat up by the thing. Myself with a pretty banged up nose.

Hilary on the second ascent of the Chockstone Pitch, aka pitch one.

Walking away from this thing three years ago was pretty hard, and it's been hanging over our head for too long. It's remoteness kept others from even knowing it existed, but it also kept us from going back. I think I can now share its location with others.

Aaron sensing success.

The route "Hells Angels" finally went down on Saturday after a 3 year wait, see March 2006.

A night above Red Lodge

We crashed in the Red Lodge Ski Mountain summit warming hut over the weekend with some friends. Looking out across eastern Montanza. Photos by Fiechtl.

Nash, Suz, Anya, and myself.

file this under Cody approaches

also file this one under Cody approaches

A first ascent up Cabin Creek. I'll post some photos from Mulkey's camera later this week.

later to be named but I like to think of it as "The Best Ice Climb in Minnesota"

Mulkey Style Points

Funeral for a Friend

Hiking in, passing the lake.

topping out Funeral for a Friend

Joel, Ben, and Echo, kicking it at the belay.

view across the moon lake cirque

looking down the north ridge, a year later

weekend at the lake

James starting up the second pitch on a rock south of Red Lodge.

Taylors Falls Bouldering

The doctor and I back in the old neighborhood

City of Rocks

After our USA Climbing Divisional Competition in Salt Lake a few of us headed up to City of Rocks to break away from the confines of indoor climbing.

Nate climbing through the shadows of Sudden Pressure

Jeff living the slab life on Stripe Rock

Jeff topping off a plate of Scream Cheese

Alex coming up Skyline on Morning Glory Spire

Alpinist Article

Alpinist magazine ran a little article on some of our recent Wyoming adventures.

Not Really Rollin'

Yes, I'm on hiatus. Yes, I'm coaching the climbing team. Yes, I'm taking the Architectural Registration Exams. Yes, we actually stuck a saddle up on the wall for our Billings Buckin' Rock Jam climbing competition last fall. Expect some big climbing this year, but don't try to guess when.

Cody Ice Fest Crazy-Doings!

Cabin Fever

I have no idea who these dudes are. But when..... A.) the base of your climb is an hour hike in. B.) your approach navigates open water creek beds, a steep icy gully, and third class rock. C.) you can't even see the climb from the road, and D.) two guys roll in wearing suits, ties, and dress shoes.......... you break out the camera. Hard. Core. Missionaries.

Two of the toughest climbers I've ever met. One on pitch, and the other waiting below.

The Benefits to Guiding

Anya topping off Two Cold to Fire.

Aaron on the upper flight paths of The Testament.

We were 6 miles in right here where we ran into a pack of 6 wolves. We fought them off with our bare hands and then climbed "The Testament" on the left and "The Wolf" on the right.

Starting up The Wolf. My car is at the end of the canyon, on the other side of the mountain.

Finishing up The Wolf

Dr. West Virginia trying to fit in with the Cody locals on the third pitch of Broken Hearts.

Danaher finishing his lead on Stringer.

Gary Sieflick starting up Stringer.

Art Walk Showing

Yup, we're doing it, and we're doing it with style. 35 images from this website have been blown up to 11x14 or larger, some at 20x30! Prints are done. I'm currently framing and putting together some narration and explanation to go along with the photos. Drinks, good music, it's gonna be awesome. CTA Billings Office, December 7th, 5pm - 9pm. If you miss the party, the work should be up for another week, just call ahead and stop by the office.

It's Cody Time

Snuck down to Cody for a little Sendero Illuminoso. Aaron on the ice, Joel on the ropes, and Anya on the camera.

Anya coming up the last 20 feet.

Break (dance) Time

Out to Lunch. Check back in a couple weeks. Work, Travel, Team, Routesetting. We'll get back to the Alpine Life when we're good and ready. In the meantime check out the SteepTeam site.