Summer Session 2006

Photo of me on Tommy's Arete, RMNP, summer 2006, after returning to the states after a month in France.

Missing the Ski Weekend

We would normally be celebrating MLK weekend by heading up to Mt. Hood with our good friends to do some cross country skiing, tele skiing, and just generally gettin' busy with the snow. But family duty calls this weekend . . . We need to help Jordi's dad. Athletics can quickly get pre-empted by family; I surprise myself when I realize that there was a time in my life when I would have truly been bothered by this...

Silver Creek Falls

Yesterday, Jordi and I went on a much-needed 37-mile run around Silver Creek Falls multiple times. Nothing too special, but refreshing after a weekend full of driving (the purpose of which I won't rehash). The run was pretty atypical for me; while I was doing this, I know full well that a bunch of my cycling friends were getting in massive base miles. I was content to run around the above scenery. After the run, we drove back to P-town and I went to the Circuit for some endurance work: 30 easy problems and lots of pull-ups.

'Cross Season '08

This photo was taken at one of only two good 'cross races I had all season. My 'cross season didn't turn any heads for any good reasons, but you get what you pay for. I didn't really focus on 'cross at all, and more importantly could not muster any amount of motivation to go out there and be competitive. This was bad timing on my part, because most folks around me really focus on 'cross and were really firing this year. Nonetheless, it's always fun to take part in the Oregon 'Cross Crusade series. This year upwards of 1000 folks showed up each weekend to race, which is by far more than any other 'cross series in the country. Add to that the very competitive "A" field and the fun-loving nature of the events...I can find very, very little to criticize.

Active Recovery

I drive this desk when I'm not ridin' bikes or climbin' rocks. It is from here that I punish young minds with the pain and suffering of hard hittin' literary genius.
"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."-George Bernard Shaw

Top Ten 2008

(in no particular order . . . )

10. Stumbling upon a perfect, lonely granite boulder in Steamboat Springs, CO. in mid-June. A classic V4-5 and the eleventh hour send (see "Eureka" below). Who says there's no climbing in the 'Boat?

9. One of my clients getting her hair sucked into her rappel device, necessitating a rescue. There's nothing like putting theory into practice.

8. The so-called "Team S&M Epic Ride," August, 2008. 60 miles of glorious mountain bike adventure with the homies. Best ride of the year by far.

7. Wintertime sending spree with my old bike racing buddy from our junior days, Ted Lanzano (who now climbs 5.14), on Flagstaff Mountain, CO. "Damn Jeff, you should just climb full time . . ."

6. Coming close to death while putting out a roof fire on Jordi's mom's cabin in the Ochoco's during Spring "Break." Exhilerating workout.

5. October trip to Colorado to attempt "The Naked Edge," Eldorado Canyon. 900' of air between your legs & "5.11 Eldo" does strange things to your head.

4. My sister's wedding. The 100+ degree "dry heat" of Colorado taught us all a few things about the glory of shade.

3. Sending "The Right Side of Red Wall" on Christmas Day after years and years of effort. Praise Jesus.

2. Guiding for Chockstone Climbing Guides. Maybe one day they'll update my profile on their website.

1. Backcountry skiing Berthoud Pass with Matt "Ping Ping" Battaglia. That put a little more hair on the bear...

Circuit Sessions

You pull and pull and pull your hardest, but there's always a teenager there to pull even harder.

You convince yourself that V6 is passé, and proceed to get spanked.

You fall on your butt and look like a fool.

& yet you pull, and pull harder still.