Hut Trippin' in the Elk Mountains of Colorado

Spring skiing in Colorado is in full swing!

Here is a video from a recent trip to the Tagert Hut near Aspen Colorado.

Colorado from the air!

Our good friend Ralph Tingy just had his 70th birthday celebration out in Indian Creek, Utah.

To join the fun we flew to the party with our friend George Lowe.  It only takes about 1hour
30min to go from Boulder area to Monticello, Utah. (Indian Creek)
Along the way out, and back I captured some video footage of our beautiful state from the air.

The flight out was in some weather, and on the way back was clear skies.  It is always bumpy
in a small airplane, so I apologize for the choppy/bumpy nature. . .

In this short video you will find no climbing!  What you will find is some cool fly by footage of
Grays/Toreys peaks, and the Maroon Bells, which are some of Colorado's 14er peaks.
I was also able to get some good fly over footage of Gothic Mountain outside of Crested Butte, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

REI / AAC Patagonia presentation

Just a quick shout out to all the folks who showed up at Boulder Colorado's REI store for
the presentation we did on climbing in the Fitz Roy Massif of Patagonia.

It was a great turnout, and the room seemed to be completely full.   I think there was over 70 people!

Also a big thanks to the American Alpine Club!   I was pleased to have such interest in our show.

If you missed out, stay tuned.  We had such positive feedback, that we may do it again at a new location in the Boulder/Denver area.

You can also get information on other AAC Member Adventure Series show at the link below.

Cheers,
Cor

http://facebook.com/americanalpineclub

Patagonia 2013

   Patagonia trip report:                             February 2013,                           El Chalten, Argentina

Cerro Torre & Condors.

A solo ascent of Martha, Rocky Mountain Natl. Park

Up in Rocky Mountain National Park, right beside the mighty Long's Peak is Mt. Lady Washington.
This is the home of Martha 5.4 WI2 M2. ?    It's an 800ft. mixed climb of steep snow,
with five constrictions of rock & ice steps.  These constrictions are the cruxes of the climb.  During our ascent we found the first, and the last of steps to be the main cruxes.  The first step was dry, and required dry tooling up a chimney type feature.  The hard part about this was wearing a pack.
The last step provided the best ice of the climb, and was a nice steep bit of fun.

Chasm Lake / Long's Peak

First Ascents - Eldorado Canyon

Some people may think the Boulder Colorado area might be climbed out..  But they have no idea!

First Ascent of Genuine Risk Takers 5.11.      Genuine Risk is the dihedral to the right of me...

Christmas 2012 - A Ski Yurt Trip Video

Every season sometime around Christmas we head north to Cameron Pass, Colorado.
This area west of Fort Collins seems to hold some good early season snow every year.

A video posting.

Chris Miller Photography.

In this post is two short videos.  The first one is from this past winter/spring time.  It was a failed attempt on a
remote north face here in Colorado with my good friend Thom Engelbach.  You can't have them all... 
We came home alive after setting off a few avalanches.  Me almost taking the ride over a cliff band.  Shattered rock, powder coated in snow, with no good protection, and many more variables that make climbing in the mountains fun!

The Penthaus, Boulder Canyon

Welcome to the Penthaus (Otherwise known as The Friends & Family Crag) -  Boulder Canyon.

The Penthaus gate keeper.  (Black Nasty)

Thanksgiving, and being thankful!

On the road again...

            As all of the Boulder Colorado folk make the mass exodus to Indian Creek in Utah...

The art of Burr

My shot of Burr.

During the AAC International Climbers Meet in Yosemite Valley California I was able to meet many folk.

2012 AAC International Climbers Meet

Here is a trip report (mostly photos) from the 2012 American Alpine Club's
International Climbers Meet in beautiful Yosemite Valley California.

Wind River Trip Report - August 2012

Thom Engelbach drives us down the 50mile dirt road to the trailhead.

Ah, another August trip to the Wind River Mountain Range, Wyoming!  It was nice to be back in
one of my favorite, somewhat close, alpine climbing areas.   Only 6 to 8 hours drive from the
Front Range of Colorado, it is a cheap adventure, with big views, and big climbs.

Terry, Jim, and Angela with route to Deep Lake.

This time we did something different for our usual trip.  Usually we head in by ourselves.  I carry a 70+ pound pack, and Liz carries a 60+ pounder on a 10+ day trip.
On this journey we were invited to join 9 other friends, and 6 lamas. 

The Lone Ranger!

For the love of Long's (Peak)

For the love of Long's... I have spent four days over the last two weeks on this fine mountain.

It has been good weather, La Nina in full effect with little to no precip. 
(Although it may be over as we shift in to an El Nino pattern.)

What I love about the Gunks

 
I love many things about the Gunks.  It was the first big (world known) area I had ever climbed at.
That being said, it sticks with my heart!  I spent many weekends from 1991 through 1998 on those cliffs.

ClimbTalk Show 4/16/12 (Video Broadcast)

The ClimbTalk show at The Boulder Outlook was a fun filled evening.
Click on a link below to watch the show if you missed it!

Climb Talk Radio Show 3/16/2012

Here in Boulder Colorado, the local AM1190 (KVCU)
hosts Mike Brooks Climb Talk Radio Show once per month.

I was back on the program this past friday with a few friends.

Black Diamond I-Tent Review

About a month ago I got a hook up from Black Diamond.  They helped me out with a few
pieces of gear for an up coming adventure in the high country.  One of the items I received
was the I-Tent.  I had always wanted to try one of these units out.  They are in pictures all
over, perched high on some crazy little spot in the mountains.

It's been rough & rocky travel. . .

...But I am finally standing upright on the ground...
(Verse  from a Willie Nelson song)

So many things to talk about

Here we are, another week rushing by.  So many things have been happening!

hOuray Ice

 

                           Just back from a extended holiday trip to the beautiful Ouray Colorado!

Liz and me had a wonderful time visiting friends & family.  The weather was great, sunny and 40's
almost every day.  The ice (that was formed) was in good shape, and we had much fun climbing.
The sun had made the ice stay in a nice "plastic" shape, and the cold evenings kept things from
getting too wet.  New Years was a hoot at Thom Engelbach's place.

After the holidays, Liz returned home, and I stuck around to volunteer some time at the
American Alpine Club tent at the Ouray Ice Fest.  Thanks for stopping by, and either
renewing your membership, or signing up as a new member!

Vail Ice = FUN

With perfect temperatures, and no wind, it was a beautiful weekend in Vail !
The annual holiday party was a blast.  Thank you Malmgren family!

Liz sending Spiral Staircase (WI4)

Why no posting for so long...

Just been busy with the work game.

October Powder Turns!

Yep it is true.

2011 International Climbers Meet, Yosemite Valley

Just back from a lovely week in Yosemite Valley, California.  This trip to the big ditch was for the
American Alpine Club's International Climbers Meet.  I was lucky enough to be invited as a host climber.
What an awesome experience!  I felt like the little fish amongst the big fish,  with other famous host climbers
such as Jim Donini, John Bragg, George Lowe, Jay Anderson...  It was sure to be great times!
We had three catered meals per-day, breakfast, a packed lunch, and dinner with desert!  Thanks for the good grub BB's Catering.  And while I am at it with BIG THANKS...  I would like to give a special shout out to Graham Williams of CILOGEAR, and Carolyn at STERLING ROPES.
As a host climber my rope got totally trashed at this event, and they helped me out with some new cord.        You folks,  are the BEST!

Things to do & see in Telluride, Colorado

The skiing is not ready, nor is the famous ice climbing...
What do you do or see in Telluride?

Labor Day Weekend @ Home

Usually we are out of town for a holiday weekend.  In fact, I think this may be the first time at home
in about the past 10 years!  Feeling like I have been so busy with things going on in this thing called life,
it was actually nice to not pack up / head out.  I did get three days of climbing in though.
Here is a few pictures of what I was up to around there parts.

Bugaboos, Canada 2011 Trip Report

Liz & me had finally made it up to the famed Bugaboos of Canada.  I have heard many stories about bad weather, and sitting in a tent for an entire trip.  Needless to say, that doesn't happen to everyone.  As usual on our big adventures, we some how got lucky again.  Perfect weather!  The only time we experienced any moisture was when we were in our tent, either done climbing, or on a rest day.

3 miles, and 3000 vertical brings you to base camp.

During our stay in the mountains (one week) we were able to grab three summits. 
Two of the routes we climbed are some of the "50 Classics of  North America."

Vewauwoo, Tacowoo, Burning Mon(t), and FA's

Flatirons

Well I am more of a photographer, than a writer.  So I will usually post more photos, less text..
Photos tell the best story anyway!  I hope you enjoy these, they are from the Flatirons.
Some friends and me have been heading out once per week to get our aerobic exercise
on the slabs.  We were all breathing hard, moving along pretty fast, but remembering to stop
and enjoy things, like a beer on a beautiful summit!  On this day we summited the 2nd Flatiron,
the Flatironette, the Spy, the ridge on the 1st Flatiron, and the Sunset Flatironette in just over
three hours car to car.  This should get us ready for the Fabulous Five (1-5)
when the bird closures are lifted this fall.
I can't wait to go do that adventure again, hopefully more people join us this year!

The Spy (next to the 1st Flatiron)