Western Pilgrimage Pt. VII: CO

Steady as she goes, an inch at a time (Castilleja occidentalis). Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8

Partytime Stega, a native of Routt County, does his yoga in the Mica basin morning sunlight. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8

The sunny alpine meadows of Mica Basin are filled with fun rocks. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8

Pico obviously had concerns about Captain McIntosh's alpine lake polar bear dip. Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8

State flower, Colorado columbine (Aquilegia coerulea). Mica basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Dropping down out of South Central Wyoming lead us into the seamingly boundless high country of Northern Colorado. Family hospitality, natural hot springs and a backpacking trip to the alpine with Captain McIntosh were a welcome reprieve from the long stretches of asphalt that had brought us West. This post is about summertime Colorado lifestyle.
Western Pilgrimage Pt. 3: WI
Part 3 in a series about our move out West. Blissful Wisconsin summertime is the theme.
Western Pilgrimage Pt. 2: IL
Part 2 in a series chronicling our western move. From Missouri we headed north into the grand flats of Illinois. Some Chicagoans may insist that Chicago is in fact its own state and these images probably do little in term of debunking that ideal. However, most of our quality time in Illinois was spent in their great city – hence the concentration.
Remembering June in February

Pico knows how to relax on our nation's first national river. Buffalo River, Newton County, AR. 2010.6
A week of snowy days found me recalling the balmy summer months of the past year. This post is the result.
A Rainy Springbreak at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch 2009

Kyle, happy after a quick pre-supper lead of Squirrel Deck (5.8+). Photo credit: Seth McIntosh. HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3

Seth had to get a peek from the top of Titanic after literally running up The Lookout (5.9). HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3

Kyle playing around on some unknown 5.7 jugfest on the Roman Wall. Grant belays. Photo credit: Seth McIntosh. HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3

Seth conquers the venerable Man Servant (5.9+) on Magoo Rock. Photo credit: Grant Meredith. HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3

The overhanging view from atop Man Servant is great. Below, we find Grant happy with a fireman's belay and Seth happy with the LNT-shovel at hand... HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3

Morningtime circus in the Betamid Bigtop. Photo credit: Seth McIntosh. HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3

Hiding from the rain. Seth has a talent for finding perches like this one. HCR, Newton County, AR. 2009.3
Some city boys from the NWA headed out to the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch for a few days of rock craft in the Spring of 2009. They found some fun and Grant found “the worst poison ivy ever”, which he promptly decided to use as toilet paper*.
*Slight exaggeration.
Dinos do Pyramid

We awoke to find we had set up our hammocks in paradise. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

A Holga's-eye view of the classic Bells portrait. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

First summit day. Feeling the burn in the amphitheater. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Seth not thrilled about getting shut down. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Back in the amphitheater, defeat is settling in. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

We did make a friend... American Pika (Ochotona princeps), AKA Alpine Hamster. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Defeated... but wise dinos in the sunny amphitheater. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Just some of the crud the thunderstorms served up after our retreat. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

The waterhole for the visit, complete with water-filterer's seat. Holga. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

What time is it? Look outside! It's awesome time! Summit day. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

An exposed and well documented moment on the Northeast Ridge proper, Pyramid Peak. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Friendship at 4273 m (14018 ft), Pyramid Peak summit. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

The view we came for. Maroon Bells from the Pyramid Peak summit. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

A shot for the Moms. Seth relaxing on the Pyramid Peak summit diving board. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Stega breathing hard on top of Pyramid Peak. Where's Bronti? Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Seth and a particularly sobering pitch on the descent of the Northeast ridge. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Crispy alpine hardpack at ~3960 m. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak from ~3960 m on Pyramid Peak. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

American Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) at ~3960 m on Pyramid Peak. Skilled but dangerous climbers. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Seth looking safe and solid back in the camp kitchen after the summit. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Kyle with camp kitchen delirium after the summit. Photo credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Bronti and Stega say goodbye to a memorable camp kitchen in the Maroon Valley. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Stega and Bronti ponder their next alpine adventure from the safety of camp. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Holga-life near Maroon Lake. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

More Holga-life near Maroon Lake on the descent. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Cliché postcard shot at Maroon Lake. Yes, it really is that beautiful. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Dinos know clean water when they see it. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

One last dip before leaving the valley. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8

Kyle, battletorn but steady, back on the Continental Divide. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Independence Pass, CO-82 E. 2009.8

Seth balances his vessel between the Eastern and Western slopes of the Continental Divide. Independence Pass, CO-82 E. 2009.8
August 2009 found our favorite climbing dinosaurs, Bronti and Stega, feeling the need to scale something nasty. The Elk Mountains of Colorado kept their promise of “nasty”, providing our adventurers with more than a few good beers and loose rocks during their pursuit of Pyramid Peak’s lofty summit.

























































































