Across the Tracks

Honor Among Thieves

So many Yosemite photos and videos to post, but to get the ball rolling here's Kati Peters sending Honor Among Thieves, V9 at Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley! This is also my movie-making debut! :-)

My Second Greatest Purchase Ever (After Fritz)

It was Halloween night. Everywhere I looked the streets were filled with tiny kitties, cowgirls, and red Angrybirds perusing the neighborhood porches for candy.

Spotting the house number I was looking for, I pulled the van over, got out and headed for the front door, bracing myself in anticipation, worried that the zombie on the porch swing will frightfully spring to life. Peeking in the screen door before knocking I saw one bowl full of Capri Suns and another bowl full of rubber duckies. Original, I thought. I rapped my knuckles on the door.

"Hi, I'm Alex, I called about your Craigslist ad," I introduced myself as the door opened, just to clarify that I'm not here for a juice and a bath toy.

"Oh, right," the woman replied. She guided me to the backyard and there it was, in all its shiny polished glory. A toaster on wheels. My future home-away-from-home. A 1962 Red Dale Travel Trailer.

"My husband has completely refurbished the entire inside," the woman explained the new and improved features as she unlocked the trailer door.

What I stepped into was a 1950's diner themed room. I looked at the kitchen area, the red and white vinyl booth seats and stainless steel table, half expecting to see a milkshake waiting for me next to the Coca-Cola salt and pepper shakers.

The walls were painted white, the cabinets, stove and fridge all red. It was in mint condition, perfect working order. It was love at first sight.

I looked at the woman, beaming. "I'll take it!" I handed over an envelope full of bills and she handed me the title.

Driving off the property, trailer in tow behind van, I couldn't stop picturing how luxurious my future road trips were going to be from that moment on. No more cooking dinner outside in the cold and the dark by headlamp with frozen, numb fingers. Eating meals at a real table, not in the driver's seat. Lounge space that's warm and bright.

I hadn't been this excited about something I had purchased at this high a dollar amount since that June day in 2009 when I took a tiny Fritz puppy home with me.

So while everyone else was out trick-or-treating or going to costume parties, dressing (undressing?) like hoes on the one night a year where it's somehow socially acceptable, I was significantly upgrading my life.

AND I'M PSYCHED.

 

The Colorado Bouldering Season

The hot, hot heat of summer finally dissipated into the perfect temps of autumn. The Aspen leaves were glowing yellow around Colorado and the air was crisp in my lungs.

I had been in a bit of a lull since hurting my finger at the Vail World Cup in June, and although I was still able to climb, the recovery was slow. The fear of re-injuring my finger made me hesitant in my movements, and my motivation less than overwhelming.

And then it happened... One fine October day I went for my morning after-coffee experience and found the Yosemite guidebook sitting on the back of the throne. I felt a spark flicker deep inside me. Each page that turned was like oxygen to the flame, until I felt a burning so intense I knew I was getting my mojo back.
Or it could have just been the Taco Bell from the previous day's lunch.

Whatever the case, it was time for some damn rock climbing!
The plan was as much climbing outside as possible to get "outdoor fit" and develop some tough skin and a confident head for my Second Annual Trip to Yosemite Valley. The word "Yosemite" alone is enough to get anyone who calls themselves a climber excited.

Alas, the title of this blog is The Colorado Bouldering Season. I mean, yes, I'm unbelievably antsy to get out to the Valley, but until then, Rocky Mountain granite is the next best thing!

The Bischer Traverse V8 Poudre Canyon

Surfing The Tsunami V9 Poudre Canyon

Resonated V9 Eldorado Canyon

Beautiful day out climbing!

One Ton Ho V9 Poudre Canyon

The following sequence shots are on Mind Matters V11 in Guanella Pass

All Photos by Kelly McBride

 

Needless to say, it's been fun! Not pictured, but, I believe, worth mentioning, was the Girls' Day trip I went on with Angie Payne to Wild Basin where we both managed to, in quite literally opposite styles, take down a few V8's and V10's.

Taking the van all over climbing areas in Colorado has been a blast, and with the awesome bed I (by "I" I mean Kevin Cuckovich and Stephen Ogburn) made to go in the back, some of the trips have been overnight stays to get those few extra hours of climbing in. But while the van bed is extremely comfy and convenient, having to get out of the vehicle to brave the cold, crisp air to cook dinner by headlamp, or breakfast in the morning wind is becoming something I'd rather not grow more accustomed to.

Perhaps an even greater upgrade is in my near future...