The snow is melting in the Tetons, but slowly. Mark and I planned to hike up the trailhead to check out the conditions. We planned to leave at 1am this morning. So, after stocking up on calories and fluid, I went to bed at 8:30pm and woke up at midnight to drive out to the park to meet Mark. I tediously packed my bag and chose layers of clothes to fit the weather. By 1am I was incredibly excited to get hiking. But Mark was worried about the overcast skies, and we eventually called it off. As it turned out, we would have been caught in a nice thunderstorm. So although it was a good call, I was pretty disappointed.
I changed out of my hiking layers and laid down to sleep. After a few minutes, I heard something brush against my car, and sat up. I looked around, but saw no one, so laid back down. A minute later there was a light shining towards my car. I sat up again to see Mark, from across the trailhead parking lot, shining his headlamp at me. Then, it focused on a large creature, which I first took as a racoon. I cracked my door open and Mark said 'what the heck is that thing?!' It turns out the creature he was spotlighting was a HUGE porcupine! It approached his car, then went around the back and to the opposite side Mark was leaning out. While he switched his headlamp to the front of the car, I kept mine on the back, and watched the porcupine reverse his direction and lumbar back towards Mark. By the time he realized what was happening, the porcupine was only a couple feet from him and was standing up on its hind legs. Needless to say, Mark jumped back in the car and slammed the door!
Jun 26, 2009
Grill Master
I went back to Rapid for a few days to visit the parents and see the Michael family. It wouldn't be summer with the Michaels without 'where's the beef' night. Dad, as always, did an awesome job on the grill.
The Michael family at Pactola Lake,
And some rodeo pictures.
The Michael family at Pactola Lake,
And some rodeo pictures.
Jun 10, 2009
Climbers in China
On June 3, three American climbers were reported missing when they missed their flight home from an expedition on Mt. Edgar (22,368ft) in China. The body of Jonny Copp, one of the best alpine climbers in the world, was found Sunday and identified in avalanche debris. The body of Wade Johnson, of Minnesota, was found Monday. Micah Dash is still missing. The professional coordination of search efforts, both by Chinese and Americans, has been extensive, involving over 200 people.
“We are comforted by the fact that Wade lived and died doing the things that he loved,” the Johnson family said in a prepared statement. “Some say that the loss of a child is the worst thing that can happen to parents. But Wade’s death was not the worst thing that could happen. The worst thing would have been if he died because of anger or hurt. He died as all should live — with joy, purpose and meaning.” Wade, associate producer at Sender Films, was headed to work towards his Ph.D. in Chemistry in the fall.
In an interview of Jonny's father, he commented, "These walls are his objectives, and so he's always got an objective; I'm sure he had one after this, but he won't make that. We've had serious talks, you know, couldn't we slow this down and make them easier, or be careful, don't do anything stupid, all that kind of stuff. But, it's like telling a racecare driver not to go too fast.
All three climbers were highly skilled and experienced alpinists. Incredibly sad and scary.
“We are comforted by the fact that Wade lived and died doing the things that he loved,” the Johnson family said in a prepared statement. “Some say that the loss of a child is the worst thing that can happen to parents. But Wade’s death was not the worst thing that could happen. The worst thing would have been if he died because of anger or hurt. He died as all should live — with joy, purpose and meaning.” Wade, associate producer at Sender Films, was headed to work towards his Ph.D. in Chemistry in the fall.
In an interview of Jonny's father, he commented, "These walls are his objectives, and so he's always got an objective; I'm sure he had one after this, but he won't make that. We've had serious talks, you know, couldn't we slow this down and make them easier, or be careful, don't do anything stupid, all that kind of stuff. But, it's like telling a racecare driver not to go too fast.
All three climbers were highly skilled and experienced alpinists. Incredibly sad and scary.
Jun 7, 2009
Stuck in a Cloud
The Tetons keep sporadically disappearing. At the lodge on Friday, the pictures from the previous post would have been completely white. It has been raining in Jackson for the last four days or so, and, according to the 10 day forecast, rain and snow are all I'm going to see for quite a while. It's pretty cool to watch the clouds drift through town, but this isn't doing much to dry out the mountain bike and running trails.
Speaking of trails, I joined a running club that meets once a week for a 5-7 mile trail run. I got out with them last week before Jackson was enveloped by a cloud. They're all long distance runners, so watching me try to run uphill, at altitude, for a relatively (for me) long distance, was quite humorous to them. They're not too hardcore, so a few waited for me at the top of the trail, but then lost me again on the descent. There is a guy in his fifties that ran slightly slower, so I felt that if I got attacked and dragged of the trail by an animal, at least someone might have a clue of my demise :).
The upside of the rainy weather is that I've gotten a lot of reading done. I've gotten through Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe), Go Tell it on the Mountain (James Baldwin), and I'm now reading and laughing at Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. It's incredible how much free time there is when you're only working 40 hours a week with no outside commitments. I'm even sleeping 8 hours every night, which is amazing!
Speaking of trails, I joined a running club that meets once a week for a 5-7 mile trail run. I got out with them last week before Jackson was enveloped by a cloud. They're all long distance runners, so watching me try to run uphill, at altitude, for a relatively (for me) long distance, was quite humorous to them. They're not too hardcore, so a few waited for me at the top of the trail, but then lost me again on the descent. There is a guy in his fifties that ran slightly slower, so I felt that if I got attacked and dragged of the trail by an animal, at least someone might have a clue of my demise :).
The upside of the rainy weather is that I've gotten a lot of reading done. I've gotten through Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe), Go Tell it on the Mountain (James Baldwin), and I'm now reading and laughing at Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. It's incredible how much free time there is when you're only working 40 hours a week with no outside commitments. I'm even sleeping 8 hours every night, which is amazing!
May 31, 2009
Climbing, Biking, Pictures
We headed out to an area about 15 miles north of Jackson called Blacktail Butte on Friday to do some climbing. Most of the routes out there are pretty difficult, so we were definitely challenged. We struggled our way up 3 routes, a 5.9+, 5.10c/d, and a 5.11b (difficulty ratings) and called it a day. I'm going to have to return to climb the 5.11b, called 'Wild at Heart,' without falls- pretty fun climb. Below is a pic from the base of that climb, and Mark, a bit tired after we both got off the climb. 
On Saturday we took of on Highway 26 north from Jackson on bikes (wide shoulder, and yes, dad, I always wear my helmet). Evidently training for quite a few years to most efficiently run about 90 feet doesn't prepare you well for a 65 mile bike ride. Go figure. Plus, I'm riding a steel framed single speed, trying to keep up with a triathlete on a carbon-fiber with more gears than he knows what to do with. Consequently, I got dropped within a few miles. But, it was still a great ride. I rode out and back in 4 hours, with a few water/calorie breaks. I had minor mechanical problems at the start, MAJOR butt soreness by the end, and a funny sunburnt strip under my right arm. The conclusions at the end of the day: 1) I won't do this again without a better saddle and padded bike shorts 2) I still can't handle this altitude and 3) I'm not a distance athlete. By 9:30 that night I was fast asleep!
I drove through the park yesterday up to Jackson Lodge, and stopped to take some pictures along the way. It's just a bunch of mountain pictures, but I'm starting to get to know the details and characteristics of the individual peaks. (As always, click to enlarge)
The tip of the Grand, center, is covered by the clouds above.
Mt. St. John, above.
Jackson Lake
On Saturday we took of on Highway 26 north from Jackson on bikes (wide shoulder, and yes, dad, I always wear my helmet). Evidently training for quite a few years to most efficiently run about 90 feet doesn't prepare you well for a 65 mile bike ride. Go figure. Plus, I'm riding a steel framed single speed, trying to keep up with a triathlete on a carbon-fiber with more gears than he knows what to do with. Consequently, I got dropped within a few miles. But, it was still a great ride. I rode out and back in 4 hours, with a few water/calorie breaks. I had minor mechanical problems at the start, MAJOR butt soreness by the end, and a funny sunburnt strip under my right arm. The conclusions at the end of the day: 1) I won't do this again without a better saddle and padded bike shorts 2) I still can't handle this altitude and 3) I'm not a distance athlete. By 9:30 that night I was fast asleep!
I drove through the park yesterday up to Jackson Lodge, and stopped to take some pictures along the way. It's just a bunch of mountain pictures, but I'm starting to get to know the details and characteristics of the individual peaks. (As always, click to enlarge)
The tip of the Grand, center, is covered by the clouds above.
Mt. St. John, above.
Jackson Lake
May 28, 2009
Jackson Life
Jackson is an interesting place. People mistakenly call it Jackson Hole, which I've learned refers to the valley or ski resort itself, and not the town of Jackson. To add more confusion, most people speak of Teton Village as Jackson Hole, yet many local Jackson businesses advertise that they are located in Jackson Hole.
It only consists of about 8500 people, but Memorial day brought the beginning of the onslaught of tourists. Millions visit every summer while checking out Yellowston, Grand Teton National Park, or the National Elk Refuge that is just north of Jackson. I had great intentions of snapping some pictures of downtown Jackson, but I was too intimidated by the many tourists doing the same, and I decided to steal their pictures instead. Jackson reminds me a bit of Keystone in the manner in which it appeals to tourists, but less gaudy and more western. You see the ski hill in the background.
The central portion of downtown is marked by its Town Square, where each of the four corners are decorated with an arch of antlers (these people are crazy over antlers!). The town disassembles the arch every year and auctions the antlers- each arch sold for over $10,000 this year! Crazy. Jackson's Stage Coach is in the foreground here.
While sitting in the square contemplating the arches, I asked Mark where all the antlers come from. His response: "Uh, the elk lose them each year, ya know?" Um, yeah, I think I knew that. Duh. Seriously though, it seems like such a waste of effort to have to grow new antlers each year! I think the elk should rethink this.
It only consists of about 8500 people, but Memorial day brought the beginning of the onslaught of tourists. Millions visit every summer while checking out Yellowston, Grand Teton National Park, or the National Elk Refuge that is just north of Jackson. I had great intentions of snapping some pictures of downtown Jackson, but I was too intimidated by the many tourists doing the same, and I decided to steal their pictures instead. Jackson reminds me a bit of Keystone in the manner in which it appeals to tourists, but less gaudy and more western. You see the ski hill in the background.
The central portion of downtown is marked by its Town Square, where each of the four corners are decorated with an arch of antlers (these people are crazy over antlers!). The town disassembles the arch every year and auctions the antlers- each arch sold for over $10,000 this year! Crazy. Jackson's Stage Coach is in the foreground here.
While sitting in the square contemplating the arches, I asked Mark where all the antlers come from. His response: "Uh, the elk lose them each year, ya know?" Um, yeah, I think I knew that. Duh. Seriously though, it seems like such a waste of effort to have to grow new antlers each year! I think the elk should rethink this.
May 23, 2009
Teton Lodge
Mark and I went into Teton National Park on Friday (about 30 miles north of Jackson) to enjoy the mountains and eat at the Lodge there. We saw a lot of elk and one moose calf through binoculars, but no bears. The pictures below show the view from the deck of the lodge, taken about 30 minutes apart. This is the main part of the Teton range- they’re pretty amazing. I can’t wait to get into the middle of all this, but since I can’t ski well enough (yet), I’ll wait for most of the snow to melt. The lodge makes for a pretty cool place to hang out though. Click on the pictures to see the bigger version.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)