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Sunday, July 16, 2006
A Visit to the Cathouse
The backyard just keeps getting more interesting. Yesterday, I was downclimbing a narrow
slot in the summit formation and had a close encounter with a family of bobcats. The mamma cat stood her ground
and glared at me while the three kittens scrambled away. It is a perfect location for a den, as the only way in is through
a narrow cave opening, unless someone happens to be climbing down the wall from the summit pinnacle. This morning i
decided to grab a camera and see if I could do it again. The kittens were hidden, but I caught the mother
sleeping:
The sound of the camera woke her up, but she stayed put long enough for the kittens to run
away, and for me to get a second pic. The photographic quality could be better, but what the heck. How often does
the opportunity come up to get personal contacts with wildcats?
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Smokestack Lightnin'
Flux and I spent a few hours up on Smoke Blanchard's old rock course in the Buttermilk
Country this afternoon. Smoke was the Eastside's first documented Bhudist as well as a prolific explorer
of the local terrain. His convoluted route thru the Buttermilk topography is legendary, and no one remembers exactly
just where it went, although sections of it are easy enough to spot. We enjoyed a little thunder and lightning as we
explored some of the terrain.
Check out the deep canyon-like watergroovesbehind the Skindiver formation:
Smoke was an American original. His cryptic route thru the Granite reminds me that there is
a hidden American legacy that is not about war and profit. It is incredible how there is always a way when the path
seems least probable. Flux got tricked into this downclimb as the water groove in the last picture just kept getting
steeper as we descended:
We enjoyed a nice rainstorm as we climbed out of the formations, which felt nice in the heat. Please, remember
to play careful with fire on this holliday.
Sunday, July 2, 2006
Still There....
Milo and I started off our high-country season a little late this year, only to discover that
there is still plenty of snow in the mountains. We had a good time "soloing" the Southeast Face of Mount Emmerson [13,204'],
even though we found some running water at the crux and a big snowpatch about mid-way. This is an excellent route that
I have done three times now, finally someone came with me. It is a long climb with over 3,000' of rockclimbing, with
an approach of only a mile or two. It appears to be gaining in popularity recently.
Here is the snowpatch at the midpoint notch. We were able to climb up the moat between
the rock and the snow, with a few crazy overhanging mixed moves done in approach shoes:
Above 12,000' or so is still frozen. Here is a cool view of some high lakes
around Paiute Pass taken from the summit arete of the climb:
Milo's space suit is prettier than mine. He enjoyed the exellent stone on the upper
pitches. The climbing goes on forever, but we still made it down in time for lunch and this update. Thanx for
visitin' wormspew.....
Saturday, July 1, 2006
Nightflower
Early this morning I received a phonecall from the cactus ranch, informing me that I
had about ten minutes before the morning sun would wither a nocturnally-blooming ephemeral blossom of a rare Trichocerus
hybrid. I got my shoes on and arrived in time to take a few photos. Tommorrow morning we will climb the Southeast
face of Mt. Emmerson. What a sweet omen.....
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Disclaimer The opinions offered here
are mine. I believe that sucsess on the peaks depends on trusting yourself. If you do not have a trusting relationship
with your body and mind, or if you are not sure, or if you are unwilling to provide the commitment, then you should probably
stick with sport climbing and such. To the mountain ecosystem, you are only a rich supply of nutrients, so step carefully!
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