Eldorado Canyon, Colorado

Heading into Eldorado Canyon, We drove slow...

 There was a forecast for rain so we met up with Maryia and Patrick again to climb Calypso and Reggae. I had looked at this two pitch link up when I was in college. It was awesome to finally get to climb them.

 Joseph and Krystina hanging out at the base.

 Patrick leading the first pitch, Calypso 5.6.

 Joseph climbing Calypso. 

 Joseph climbed the first pitch then we lowered him back to the ground and he sketched the view while we climbed the second pitch.

 Topping out on Reggae 5.8. Maybe the most fun pitch of 5.8 I've climbed in a while.

 Patrick and Maryia on the summit of the Wind Tower.

Shortly after we got to the base it started raining. It poured for the next few hours while we hid in a tea shop then a coffee shop. We finally left for the campsite and decided to call Steve and Karen to see if we could stay there again. Thankfully they love us and said yes. So instead of spending a miserable night in the rain we got to spend another night dry with friends. We spent the last three nights with Steve and Karen. It was so amazing to see them again. I wish we lived closer so it wasn't just every 6 months or a year. Anyway, They're Great.

Karen made peach crisp for us and a special glutard version for me. 

Colorado and the First Flatiron

Welcome to Colorado

 

We met up with Patrick and Maryia in Boulder and Climbed the First Flatiron. The Route is 5.6R and a perfect climb after 30 hours of driving and a late start.

 Patrick on the first 5.6R pitch.

 Maryia and Krystina at the first pitch Belay

 Joseph hadn't climbed since high school and only did a couple routes back then. It was awesome to climb with him. He cruised up the entire route. this is looking down the first pitch from the belay. 

 Joseph dropped his cigarettes and lighter from the first pitch. There was a party of Marines at the base and on the lighters third bounce it exploded. They told Joseph they felt like they were back in the war. By the way they all yelled I'de believe it. 

 Looking down from the 3rd pitch. 

 Starting the ridge traverse.

 Patrick on the Summit. 

 Joseph on top after 1000ft of climbing. What a view. 360 degrees from the rockies on one side to denver and the plaines on the other.  

Rapping off. 1,000ft of climbing and one rappel off the back side. 

Pheasant Feathers

Joseph loves feathers and things like that so when we saw this dead pheasant on the highway we had to stop. They are so beautiful. The coloring was spectacular and thankfully it had just been hit so it didn't stink. While he was pulling some feathers he mashed the body and forced air out of its lungs causing a cooing sound that made us both jump. I was glad we were not the ones that hit it.

Bouldering in Kansas

 Kansas, the great flat wide open.

We drove straight through from NC to Rock City in Kansas. We were exhausted but it was great to take a break and play. 

The Boulders of Rock City. Just a handful of boulders tossed in the middle of wheat fields.

Ancient compressed sandstone. 

   

 Ol Bessy in Rock City

 This is the view from top of the boulders. Wheat as far as you can see.

 Giant Dandelions