Big Bend Bouldering

My Grandma Hansen turned 90 this last weekend and all of the Colorado family went out to Richfield, Utah for her birthday party.

And what does any climbing-dependent person (read: addict) do when there's a trip planned out to Utah...?

We would leave super-early and hit Big Bend bouldering and then the more family-friendly Arches National Park on our way to Richfield. Genius, eh?

Despite thick fog, fear of hitting an open-range cow, sub-freezing temps and mutinous kids who had been told to turn off all electronic distractions and look out the windows, we pulled into the parking lot ahead of schedule. After checking the place out and eating some lunch we all got to work. Before you knew it, it had gained at least 15 degrees and conditions were absolutely perfect for the entire fam.

As much fun as Big Bend was, the small fraction of the Arches we saw was amazing and the kids KILLED the hike to Delicate Arch - making it back just as the sun disappeared.

We have an awesome family.

Socorro & Hueco 2006

Dan, Todd and I went out to Hueco in 2006 to spread some of Ryan's ashes and enjoy the fantastic climbing. We took the Bin-To-Win and made sure to seek out the new location of CiCi's Feces...

I was reading Stone Crusade on the way down and I couldn't get the picture of Bob Murray on "Left to Roof" out of my mind. We had to stop in Socorro, NM. It was only supposed to be V5 but it took some serious effort - and with the light quickly leaving the canyon, I was freaking out. Was it worth blowing out my strength for the rest of the trip for that problem? (I woke up in the middle of the night with pain in my arms from pushing it too hard too fast...)

I proceeded to flap like no-one's business in Hueco... A fingertip flapper from Jigsaw Puzzle (frustrated, I didn't touch Moonshine Roof at all on our tour) and then a pinky flapper from the Gymnasium. But you can't fault Hueco... She's pure.

The most important part of this video is this: It's Todd's proof that he DID send Nobody Gets Out of Here Alive!!!

Faces

Ryan's Inferno

I have finally made a contribution to the Hoagie Trifecta...

Thanks to Dan Russell for doing the climb justice with his editing skills.

Thanks to Dave Phillips at the Gazette for giving Ryan some more coverage!

http://www.gazette.com/articles/hansen_44361___article.html/climb_climbing.html

Photo's courtesy of Stewart Green and Mark Tjaden:

V-Naught/Green Marker Guide

Sometimes choss becomes beautiful... when it's yours to explore and play on. Thus, the V-Naughts and Green Marker areas. Just two spots that don't really qualify for Ute Valley "proper" areas. But, I think they're excellent. I think it's evident of how excited about these boulders by making this little guide.
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Newlin Creek

The first time... So much to do. Footage Todd put together from our visit with Byron, Glenn, Jerad and Chris:

Fall 2006 Trip

Here's the video from the October 2006's climbing trip with Todd, Jeremy and Mike. We went to Joe's with a stop off at Frisco Buttress.

Chick Power

While I'm loading stuff on the site, I might as well have the Chick Power video...

Hueco2007 Footage

I finally got around to putting something together from last year's spring trip with Todd and Chris. Just in time for the Fall 2008 trip!

Vacation Climbing

Horsetooth

The kids and I spent a few hours at Horsetooth Reservoir on Saturday before hanging out with Allison and Nate in Greeley. I convinced them to climb a little bit before the main event - throwing rocks into the water...
They are awesome! I love the highball pictures!!!













I realized that there are some problems that I can't do when it's just me and the kids... Namely ANYTHING on the Mental Block! I got up to the top of the Standard Route (a few times...) and Pinch Overhang before coming to grips with how bad it would be if I fell. "That wasn't very responsible, Daddy..."

SolVista + ManApes = Joy

Ute Valley video featuring the ManApes