Quick Canyon Climbing

Now that I live in Eagle River, Eklutna canyon is only 10 minutes away, its hard not to take the quick and easy approach....if you climb all the lines it adds up.

Caitlin Rappelling Annie Greensprings

Caitlin wanted to try leading, and Boonesfarm is about the best first lead out there.  She cruised it.

 

And a quick session on TJ Swann ended the afternoon.

 

The Soltis Family Visits Maui

My Dad is retired and loves the sun, he was the impetus for this quick week trip to Maui.  It was awesome.  We took drives, hung out on the beach, went exploring and hung out more together than we had in years.  

Me, Mike, Joseph and Dad



Driving Around Maui

Me and the Brothers

The Brothers

The coast of Maui alternates between mostly steep rock and beaches.  We entertained ourselves for hours watching the waves crash through the rocks and geyser up.

Getting Splashed

The sign is clearly there for a reason...

Can't find an easy way to add photo albums to the blog...damn google +!

https://plus.google.com/photos/114975608658559268951/albums/5862690976781042545?banner=pwa&authkey=CKDzvPnwrqfRfA

Another Foray into Caribou Creek

Caribou Creek has been amazing this season, and with temps still above zero out there it was an easy decision to go back.   None of us have climbed STD and were all game, Bill won the rosh.

Ryan with The Double Take Area Behind Him 

 

It was a long, beautiful pitch.  The climbing was steep and fun.

Ryan Following STD 

 The Double Take area was just a short walk away, I was in rotation for the next pitch, and from far way the old Double Take looked steep and unrelenting.  I was feeling happy to pass the lead on, until I stood underneath it, and it looked doable.   It was as steep as it looked from far away, but the ice was reasonable and I made it up with only a little internal whining.

Me, Bill and Ryan at the Top of The Old Double Take 

 

Bill Rappelling The Old Double Take 

Caribou Creek Ice Climbing

I've never done this route and have always wanted to, but it hasn't been in stellar shape like this for years.  Bill and I did our customary rosh at the bottom and I won.  I made a belay before the steep pitch, I figured it would be challenging enough for me without rope drag, and it was.

Thag-O-Mizer

 The second pitch felt steep, I definitely earned it.

Bill Coming up

In retrospect I probably should have continued up another 75 feet to the top of the next step, but at the time with only a couple screws left and pumped arms I just didn't want to do it.  Bill is a considerate leader and set an additional belay so as not to kill me with ice fall, but we climbed it in 4 and rappelled it in 2, just saying.

Start of the Last Pitch

Super fun route and always fun to climb something new, I'm definitely feeling like a crusty old ice climber.

On our way out we saw our friends Jonya climbing STD.  Another route for another day, and also an infrequently formed flow.

Tonya at the top of the pitch and Jon below

 

We still had some daylight left and Rhythm and blues was looking fat and juicy.  My gumption wasn't up to even rosh for the second pitch, and I guess Bill could tell because he gave me the first pitch without a word.  Plus the first pitch is my favorite on this route.

 Rhythm and Blues

 

Bill Leading the Top Pitch 

It was dark by the time we got back to the river, and cold enough at the car that the beer froze.

My Frozen Beer Volcano