A Moab Anniversary

31,536,000 seconds equals 525,000 minutes which turns into 8760 hours that make 365 days which make up 12 months and equal one year. Roughly. Neena and I have been married for one full year. To celebrate we headed to Moab with some friends back in October.

Moab greeted us with rain. Lots and lots of rain. We got our tent set up in between the bursts of rain and settled in for a long night. The next day brought more rain and that changed our plans dramatically. Rather than spending the day on the river, we went for a hike and just hung out together. We drove around Moab and ended up in the musical park for a few hours.

The next day brought warm temps and clear skies. We headed out to a crag called the ice cream parlor and got in some good climbing. That night Neena and I went out to dinner and spent the night in a hotel to celebrate. It was an awesome evening or relaxing together.

We spent the next day on the river with everyone. Good times, good food, and good company. 

Touring lately

Winter? Oh yeah. This is what that feels like. After last year I kind of forgot. So far it already feels like we have more snow than all of last season combined. We have been getting out a bunch and it just keeps getting better. The snow has been fairly stable and I am looking forward to getting into some bigger lines this year.

Todd came out for a tour a couple weeks back, it wiped him out for a few days but we had a good time. Other than that there have been quite a few good days and I am looking forward to the rest of the winter.

 

The Green Monster

 

Eric and I went shooting in the morning and then met up with Chase for a quick climb up Rock Canyon. We went for the Green Monster. Eric went first. This was the hardest trad lead to date for him and he powered through it. It was a good day at the crag hanging with friends. 

 

Lone Peak: The Open Book

Our legs were well beyond worn as we came to a dead end. It was 10pm and we were lost. Our day started at 5am and, other than getting lost twice, it was one of the best days in the mountains I have ever had.

I had been wanting to get up to the cirque all summer and for some reason hadn't been able to pull it off. Finally, a weekend opened and the weather seemed to be on our side. We worried that it would be too cold and there might be ice on the route, but we went for it anyway. The sunrise brought with it renewed energy. As we gained the ridge the towering cliffs of the cirque came in to view. It was a sight that I will never forget.

 The route was in the shade as we were approaching the cirque. We racked up and headed for the base of the climb. We got there right as the sun hit. We started up the route and found the climbing to be excellent and the temperature to be perfect. Our legs and calves were tired. We would have to find rests here and there when our calves would cramp up.

The last pitch was my lead. As I pulled the final moves to the summit, I peaked over and the rest of the Wasatch was there to greet me. I waited for Eric before standing on the summit and then we celebrated. I can't describe what there is on a summit, but there is always something to be found. This summit held something Eric and I both were looking for.

The misery of the trip down the mountain dimmed the joy of the summit, but we eventually found our way home. The trip was a success and after the sore muscles faded away so did the memory of the misery we found on the descent, all that was left was the memory of the summit.