Devil's Tower

In July of 2007 we took an Epic adventure out to Wyoming to climb Devil's Tower. It all started back when Jeremy and I did Epinephrine in Red Rocks. Epi had haunted my dreams it was a climb I just had to do. Jeremy and I went and did it and had a fantastic time. At the top I asked him so now that we've done the climb that has possesed me what is the epic at the top of your list. His answer, Devil's Tower. And thus begun the planning for this road trip. It was a long drive from Denver through Fort Collins where we picked up a few supplies at REI. Then on into Wyoming.

Here's a shot from the camp ground. Trust me it's a pretty intimidating tower of rock. From here it doesn't look like there is no easy way up. But WOW 

what a place to climb. Of course by now we are all getting pretty excited about the challenges ahead

On day one we had set our sites on a route called the Durrance Route. It is one of the easier routes to the top. It's the

 most popular climb as well with some classic pitches like, "the leaning column", "the cussing crack", and the "jump traverse". 

In this pic Grant is belaying Mike as he heads up to the base of the leaning column.

Here's the Leaning Column. The climb starts out relatively moderate.

Up next the Cussin Crack. Leggit crack climbing here.

Jeremy just after making the Jump traverse

Now it's my turn. The jump is definitely a bit scary. See that rope behind me, that's my protection. It has an 

awful lot of slack in it. 

 

Not long and we had made it to the top! Yeah

And then I had to attend to some business. You see I had originally planned to propose to Denise on this trip at the top of the Tower in a special place where very few people every get to. As it turned out though things moved quicker than I had planned. I had already proposed to Denise a few weeks before and she accepted. However, we did feel that a proposal re-enactment was appropriate. 

Ahhh, what a nice spot. On top of the world. From L - R Paul, Mike and Denise taking it all in.

On our final day we had finally gotten up the courag

e for something a little harder. Actually it's more accurate to say we had finally pumped Jeremy up enough that he was ready to take on a giant. That giant was 

El Matador. Just look at that thing!

Here's Jeremy aka Tricamus leading the real business of the climb. Those calfs are burnin. I can see smoke coming off. Jeremy went a little light I think placing 19 peices on this pitch

A well earned cold beer after a day of amazing climbing!

Grant, Paul, Jeremy, Denise, and Mike the crew

And to Wyoming I bid you Adieu

3rd Annual J-Tree Gathering

My great friend Tricamus Pinkamus Seldomus On-Routicus (Jeremy) organized a gathering of friends out in Joshua Tree NP over the weekend of March 7-8th 2009. Here are some of the shots from the weekend.

I love the surreal landscape at Joshua Tree. And after a few weeks of rain and cold back home in the Bay Area that blue sky and sun on your skin was very welcome.








This is the area near Hemingway Buttress where we were climbing on Friday.














A view from the top of the climb Beck's Bear. I ticked of 2 more of the climbs from the book of 60 best trad climbs, only 9 to go.











Here comes Sparky following Beck's Bear.

A few more shots in the area

Look at my Prana girl working her way up Anthrax

Our campsite at Indian Cove

D pulling the roof move at Morbid Mounds Top Rope Area

The Swan (mike) on the 5.11 face climb

A Gathering of Friends

The bees were also happy with the weather, getting pollen from a Yucca. The desert is surprisingly full of life when you get a chance to look closer.

J-Tree granite is sharp! Rachel showing off her battle scars from a day on the rocks. It's just a flesh wounds she'll be ok.
Carlos here providing First Aid?

















The IBEX and Cracker up on top.





Thank You Tricamus!