With the impending closure of a substantial amount of Flatiron climbing looming; I’ve been making time to explore the some of the gems the Flatirons offer.

Today I reinstalled Google Maps to make quick understanding of exactly how to get to Velvet Elvis and the East Ironing Boards.

Not that I don’t know where it is or even how to get there;

it’s just that every time I head up Bluebell Canyon West of the Royal Arch Trail I get distracted by a side adventure or two.  Having made it to the entrance of the boulder jammed gully (after one side adventure and before another) that provides access to the East Ironing Boards, I needed some reassurance of my presumed position.

Even though reaching my goal of discovering Velvet Elvis and the East Ironing Boards wasn’t realized, this trip in was spectacular.  I explored the gullies that rise up North to the Third Flatiron.  The Easterly most of the gullies, called the 1911 Gully, allowed me to achieve the West Bench of the Third Flatiron by climbing a moderate 70 yards out of the top of the gully and onto the Southeast spread of the West Bench.

It wasn’t until I reached the next gully west that I noticed the beginning of the trek into the Ironing Boards.  I was traveling on the North Slope, where the snow was most manageable, which put the entry to the Ironing Boards off to my left.

From this position, the entry would require scrambling the lip of a snow covered house sized boulder.  The snow looked fresh, ready to supply good footing that would add to my confidence.  Having evaluated the entry to the Ironing Boards I was back to thinking about the slope North of me.  The gully looked like it was worth exploring, and so Velvet Elvis and the Ironing Boards would have to wait.

When I got into the car today I was set on discovering Velvet Elvis.  When the exploring began, the sense of adventure took over and discovering everything on the way to Velvet Elvis took precedence.  To me, The Sense of Adventure is enjoying everything you see getting to where you are going.  The best part is, the thrill of discovering a new crag is still alive and I’ll be back to explore the wonders of Bluebell Canyon yet another day.



Mary initailizes the middle crux (.10d) of Drugs (.11b)

Making time to do things important to you.

The day before leaving town to spend Christmas with our families, Mary and I hiked into the Flatirons to enjoy the views and unique climbing.

I’ve always been advised to carry a small traditional leader rack when exploring new crags. I had discovered the exact location of Der Freischutz hiking a week earlier and hadn’t spent much time analyzing the exact nature of the routes, noting the number of bolted lead routs. Upon return with a cord and my stickies, I was stoked to get on such exciting stone.  Clipping bolts happily on my way up the warm-up, Bidoigt also known as Sex.

Before I knew it, I was a powerful move and a body length above my last protection; working into another powerful position in order to reach a vertical crack.  Moving my feet into position on small crystals and less-than dime edges to make the reach ahead, I notice the distance between my waist and the last bolt.  It quickly becomes apparent that I needed a stopper to plug into the crack above in order to do this climb safely.

Upon this realization I tense up a little thinking about my options.  Being a man of reason, I first think about moving back-down and the reachy, crimpy move I found myself gassing through to gain the ledge I’m now perched upon.  The next thought I had was to work it out.  This would involve cautiously moving into and out-of the entry of the final crux.  The idea being that, before-you-know-it, you’re cruising through the crux having familiarized yourself with the entry into it.

After a couple of attempts, I feel helpless as I fail to relax and give myself a fair try at the finish.  Adding to my trepidation, is the dwindling strength of my grip from dragging out this lead.  I know it’s time to commit and end this metal struggle.

I reach down into the the crimps that got me onto this ledge.  They feel as good as I could expect.  Way over-gripping, and well aware of it, I manipulate my feet into the basic vicinity of the smears I used to gain the ledge and started working down.  Once below the one challenging move, I cruised down to the last protection and had my partner lower me.

Scrambling around the back side (5.4) with the cord I pulled from the failed lead climb, I wonder if my climbing mentors ever followed the advise of their mentors.  Perhaps they had to learn the hard way too, and if so, what are their stories?

Fresh tracks hiking in Eldorado Canyon State Park

It’s winter time in Boulder.

The colder months have a profound effect me; and it’s in a great way!  Here is what winter in Boulder means to me:

• Getting fresh tracks on long trials through the Flatirons
• Climbing when that’s the last thing anyone else would think of doing
• Finding time to drive up 70 and enjoy one of our world class ski resorts

Just as the temperatures begin to change so does the mindset of the outdoor athlete.  Suddenly instead of wondering into the Flatirons for exciting views and challenging hikes, we find ourselves deep in the Foothills, past Jamestown after the roads turn to dirt finding frozen creeks, hillsides, and deep fluffy power.

Once the temperatures have settled in and we can really say it’s winter, our minds drift back to the rock behind our little “25 square-miles surrounded by reality.“  Any winter-time visitor to Boulder can become ecstatic about the dank visual aroma of the Flatirons; like they’ve found their new favorite roast to start the day.  However, just like during the summer, the real beauty requires a ticket on the shoe-rubber-express.

Be-warned: these things go the other-way too.  After the fresh tracks are all gone, what’s left is a slip-n-slide that will crush your every last hope for an unscathed adventure.  For the young this is a tempting spectacle as near misses can excite the soul and provide a good laugh.