Uinta Camping

We were able to spend an awesome weekend with our friends Taylor and McKenzie camping in the Uintas. In spite of the crowds all along the Mirror Lake Highway we were able to find an awesome campsite right off the road. We also spent the afternoon climbing at the Stone Garden. The cool temperatures made for some great climbing which you can't get in the middle of the summer in the Wasatch Range. Taylor and I both think we need to head back up next summer. There's tons of rock left to be climbed.

Steort's Ridge

Taylor and I were able to make it out for one final climbing adventure before I leave for California. Since I had such an awesome experinece on High Dive, we chose the three star Steort's Ridge on the neighboring Dead Snag wall. Even though the route was very easy, it provided some incredible views and exciting climbing at the top where the protection was a little sparse. Although the route is described as a 3 pitch climb we combined the last 2 pitches into about a 180 foot pitch. We climbed another great Wasatch Front classic.

Friends!

We went up Millcreek Canyon again with some friends for FHE. It was great to be outside and to be with friends. It's so fun to see the kids play and have such a great time! We really should do this more often!!

Cole Loves the ZOO!

We already posted some pictures from Cole's first trip to the zoo, but we wanted to make some scrapbook pages so we can put them in our family scrapbook, so here they are. We all had a fun time at the zoo. THANKS Grandma and Grandpa!

Finally! The High Dive

I got up early again this morning to finish the climb Chris and I started last fall. High Dive, on Glass Ocean wall, turned out to be incredible and everything I hoped it would be. In order to reach the base of High Dive we climbed Lord of the Long Arms again. We had to quit after only this short climb last fall when we looked at the wall above and realized we didn't have time to climb High Dive before dark. This time when we reached the top of Lord of the Long Arms, which is also the base of High Dive, it started raining lightly. Even though we were both set on climbing High Dive, the prospect of climbing slick quartzite and the possibility of lightning kept us waiting. Once the weather broke we decided to go for it. It was an incredible climb with a great line, great moves, great exposure and great scenery. After about 200 vertical feet of climbing Chris's altimeter said we were 800 feet above the road. It was incredible. I'll have to back and do this one again.

Happy "Un"birthday!

We're moving to California on August 1st and won't be here for Coleman's first birthday! Grandma and Aunt Leanne thought up a great idea to celebrate Cole's birthday on his 10 month birthday so we could all be together. Last Saturday we went to Grandma's and Grandpa's to celebrate! Grandma made all Cole's favorite foods: watermelon, mashed potatoes, grapes, and a few things for the rest of us. She also made Cole a 2 layer chocolate cake with his most favorite food - strawberries!! Coleman was so happy and had such a great time. He loves playing with the new toys and is finding new ways to use them every time he gets them out. Thanks to Grandma and Aunt Leanne for the awesome party! It was so fun to be together!!

The Crescent Epic

Taylor and I got up early this morning to climb the Crescent Crack. After the first pitch warmup we began the second pitch with the elusive offwidth crux. Although the climb is only rated at 5.7, the crux is a downward flaring crack which goes from squeeze chimney to offwidth. Both of us struggled through without managing to find the "easy way" to do it. Basically, we got our butts kicked by a 5.7. Now I have to go back and figure out the "easy way" so I don't feel so weak.