More European Adventures

For our latest adventure we rented a car and drove south to the Dolimites of Italy.  The Dolimites is a large area in the northern, German speaking, mountains of Italy.  The rock climbing is endless and the landscape incredibly beautiful.  
We camped out and cooked on a stove, which was a first here in Europe.  We get a lot of this state side, but in Europe we have utilized the huts.  It was fun to camp and dirt bag it again.
The Rock is all limestone, making some very beautiful formations and inspiring towers.  The rock climbing is unique in a few ways.  There is a "no bolt" ethic, so most of the protection is pitons.  The climbing is very run out, often 20 to 30 feet between pro, and the pro that there is is often suspect.  The routes are also very circuitus, following the path of least resistance.  The path of least resistance on these limstone walls means lot's of traversing, making route finding difficult.   I am maybe making climbing in the Dolimites sound not real fun, but that is not true.  Climbing here is very fun and very adventurous.  You absolutely must be on your game, falling is not an option here.  So even the moderate climbs will keep you excited!

Mongolia 2009

I loved guiding in Mongolia this year with Dianette Wells, Tracy Murgatroyd, Lani Hicks, Lynn Jacobs, and Cathy Goodrow!  We climbed Mt. Khuiten, 14,500ft. , the highest peak in Mongolia which is on the boarder on China.  We also climbed Mt. on the boarder of Russia.  We rode horses out, drove to the lakes in Western Mongolia and went horseback riding to the waterfalls.   We also went rafting and rock climbing! Here are the photos!

Europe 2009

We have had a great vacation over here in the Alps.  We climbed the Matterhorn, in Switzerland.  It was a long rock ridge route that was super fun!  It was interesting to see the mad rush of people climbing the ridge, and the delicate etiquette of how to pass other guided parties on the ridge. 

We then spent a few days in Italy craging because it was raining/snowing in Alps.  We stayed in a great hotel that was an old church, and ate good food. 

Then we climbed Mt. Blanc from the Cosmiques hut going over Mt. Blanc de Tacul, Mt. Maudit, and then to the summit of Mt. Blanc.  We made it up in 5.5 hrs. came down to the hut and then climbed the Cosmiques Arrete on the way back to the Auguille de Midi to catch the tram back down to Chamonix!

Check out photos here!

Hiking up Mt. Blanc early morning, Mt. Maudit portion!

I have just returned from Alaska where I enjoyed working a 12 day course, an 8 day course, and a trip on Denali.  It has been a great seaso up there.  Check out the photos from the Yin and Yang Barkaloungers here.    I am now enjoying being at home for a week in the Wasatch before heading to Mongolia on the 7th of July.

Winslow

What has been happening lately!

Well since our last post a lot has happened around here.  Winslow is still in Nepal.  She finished her Everest base camp trek and Island peak climb, and is now doing a Yoga training at an asharum in Phokara, Nepal.  She is doing well and enjoying the experience,  but I will let her tell about both her trek/climb and her Yoga.

Meanwhile  I have been between Salt Lake City, Seattle and Red Rocks.  Since last year I have been training and preparing for my AMGA rock exam by rock climbing since Winslow left in early Oct.  Then at the end of Oct.  I participated in and passed my rock exam.  This was very exciting for me, as I have now passed two of the three exams necessary for international certification. (check out my blog if you want to know more about AMGA and IFMGA certification process)  Since the beginning of Nov. I have been back here in SLC doing house projects, climbing at the gym and here in the Wasatch mountains. 

Washington Pass and Squamish!!! August 7-9th, 2008

After the Enchantments we headed to Washington pass with Sara and Chris. We hung out their for 3 days climbing and staying at our friend Mark's cabin in mazama. We climbed on the North Early Winter's Spire, the Minuteman, and a day on Goat Wall.

Next we headed up to Squamish for another fun week. Unfortunately I fractured my heel. Bummer! Nonetheless we enjoyed the climbing.

Now I am heading home to relax and recover before going to Nepal in October. Todd is stay on in the Cascades to work until mid September.

Todd and I just had three weeks off to play in the Northwest. We started down in the Enchantments near Leavenworth. Here is Todd hiking toward Prussik Peak. We climbed the South face of Prussik, and then the Backbone and Fin Direct on Dragontail. Super fun! Check out more photos in the Adventures in the Enchantments folder by clicking here.