Spring Season at the Falls

As the summer thunderstorms rumble and tornado sirens shriek, it marks the end of yet another short, but spectacular spring climbing season. We took advantage of every sunny spring day this year and climbed as much as we could. With a one year old on our hands now, things have become challenging in a different way. Although I no longer have to struggle with trying to nurse a restless infant outdoors, my time is now spent chasing around a very unsteady, toddling child who seems to have an insatiable appetite for dirt, rocks, and twigs. With this being the second climbing season for us as new parents, we have this "cragging with a baby" gig down to a science. We spend the day rotating through a cycle of climbing and Micah duty, allowing us to get in 4-5 pitches on a good day, leaving us satisfied and surprisingly exhausted. Most days are good days as long as we are out together as a family, spending time laughing and climbing with friends...

                    

3/30/13 

In a slightly premature and ambitious effort to get outside, we chose this weekend as our first spring climbing trip. Forecast: High 50s, 30% rain, partly cloudy, didn't sound too bad. We decided to chance it and sadly, we lost. With Micah spending the day with my parents, we decided to take the long trek out to the "Promised Land", a sector of Jackson Falls with the longest approach. I think the sun attempted to make an appearance once throughout the day and failed. Bundled up in our down jackets with hand warmers in our pockets, we managed to get a few pitches in. CR was able to onsight a fun 11c called X-Factor, with a huge "X" marking a large, loose block that will probably make its way down one of these days. Having the draws up made it easier for me to get the flash...barely. CR and Calvin crushed X-Terminator, a 12a on the arete with a crazy hard, height dependent crux that I could not get through. CR spent some time working on Team Honda with Topher, a stout 12a that continues to challenge him more than any other route in its grade. As the weather became more and more ominous, we started packing up and hiking out. Not soon after getting our stuff together did the rain come pouring down. It was a cold, wet, and miserable trudge to our vehicles, but a memorable one.

Topher on Team Honda

Calvin on Balance of Power

4/6-4/7/13

We went on the inaugural camping trip for 2013, taking the little man with us for the adventure. Micah loved waking up in the outdoors, giggling with excitement as he played in the dirt while we made our morning cup o' joe. We spent the first day climbing with good friends, some of whom we had not seen in a long time. Meghan brought her daughter Mary Cate and her friend, who turned out to be great helpers and babysitters at the crag. We quickly realized the key to success when it comes to bringing children to crags...always bring a friend. Micah played so well with the girls and barely missed us while we were off climbing, which allowed us to have an extremely productive day! CR put away not one, but two 12a onsights - Industry and Iniquity, both of which are not highly rated, but fun and enjoyable, nonetheless. I had some unfinished business from last season to attend to. Detox Mountain is perhaps one of the most stellar 12a's at Jackson Falls. This classic line has always intimidated me in the past for a number of reasons, but after getting close on sending it last fall, I was psyched to get back on it this year. Detox is a sustained, pumpy route that is spectacular from start to finish, making you work for it all the way until the end. Everything just fell into place and I was able to send it on my third attempt, ticking off my first 12 of the year.

4/13 - 4/14/13 

We were blessed to have another weekend of perfect weather for climbing and camping at the Falls. There was one thing and one thing only on CR's mind for the weekend - Shorty the Pimp. Shorty is a 5.13a at Beaver Wall that CR started working on the last weekend we were at the Falls. I have never seen a more perfect route for him. I think we both knew that this would be the route for him to break into the 5.13 grade, a feat long overdue. Shorty starts out with some tough sequences right off the ground, then eases up slightly until the crux. In my last 10 years of climbing, I have never seen a more badass crux - super technical and sequential, requiring a combination of power and precise footwork. It was right up CR's alley. Having worked out the beta the weekend before, CR warmed up and hung the draws, then waited until it was the right time to attack. With perfect movement, flawless technique, and unwavering determination, he flowed through each section and clipped the chains. Bravo! A perfect send and goal of 2013...check.

A Perfect Mother's Day...

"Always" by Daddy

Sometimes I giggle and sometimes I cry,

Sometimes I throw tantrums and no one knows way,

Sometimes I eat well and I nicely ask "please",

Sometimes I throw broccoli and carrots and peas,

Sometimes I am happy and sometimes I fall,

But I ALWAYS love you Mama, the best Ma of all.

A perfect Mother's Day weekend camping and climbing at Jackson Falls. 

Dear Micah (12 Months)

We still can’t believe that we have a one year old on our hands! The last year has just flown by and now we have a little toddler to chase after. Ever since you turned one, you have discovered and accomplished so much. Two weeks after your first birthday, you finally took your first steps. It took a few weeks for you to gain confidence on two feet, but you stuck with it and now you are a pro! Now that you know how to walk, you are a busy, busy little man! You wear us out everyday and we can hardly keep up with you. We are so proud of the little person you are becoming. You are quite a character and have really developed a sense of humor. You laugh and giggle when we chase you and fall to the floor in heaps of laughter when the tickle monster makes an appearance. You are a total sweetheart and quite the little flirt, always blowing kisses to the ladies when we are out in public. You love to cuddle and “forehead kiss” everyone, especially animals and babies! You always get jealous and push Mommy and Daddy apart when we cuddle so you can snuggle up between us. You are always asking for “Dada”, holding out your hands in question when you can’t find him. You are such a chatterbox! You have learned so many new words this past month. You try to repeat everything we say. Some of your new favorite words are “shoes”, “light”, “bubble”, and “no more”. You use baby signs for words like “thank you”, “please”, “more”, and “milk”. Even though you have toys everywhere, your favorite place to be is playing in the kitchen. You love to play with cups and containers. You can stack two blocks now and are starting to work on puzzles. You love to play with your magnetic animals and letters and have even learned to find the letter “O”! One of your new favorite toys is your Cozy Coupe. You love to make car noises while we push you around the house. Now that it’s getting warmer, we have been spending a lot of time playing outside. You can’t seem to get enough of the outdoors and you never want to come back inside. You love to go on walks, play in your swing, and play with bubbles. We were even able to go on a few camping and climbing trips together as a family. You are such a well behaved “crag baby”, always so intrigued by everything in the vast outdoor playground. You are still a great eater, especially when it comes to fruit. You can eat an obscene amount of it! Sometimes you scare us with how much food you eat. We wonder where you are putting it all! You are definitely starting to test us and love to throw your food over the side of your high chair. It’s going to be challenge to figure out how your little mind works! You are an incredible little guy and amaze us everyday with all that you know and understand. Happy first birthday, Micah! We are looking forward to everyday of this next year with you!