Craig Constantine

The Edge of Time (Tue 26th) →

Published September 2, 2014 · All posts on Sep 2

In Jurassic Park there’s a route called The Edge of Time (5.9R ***) which is on the cover of the guide book.

Simply an unbelievable piece of rock carved into a literal prow.

My attmept was sketchy. I spent a while projecting the 5.9 crux (which is way above my climbing grade.) Eventually, I punted and move left to East of Eden (5.9 *) and worked my way up, and then back over to finish the arete. (Sadly, no photos of me un the upper part of the Edge.)

Mike’s run up was a straight shot as he put up the top rope for the rest of us.

Definition of a Great Adventure →

Published September 2, 2014 · All posts on Sep 2

When you’ve had a ton of fun, and it’s still fun to pack to go home!

Most enviable of all titles →

Published September 2, 2014 · All posts on Sep 2 · Quotes

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.
~ George Washington

slip:3a19.

Left Hand rock, Dinosaur Rock (Tues 26th) →

Published September 1, 2014 · All posts on Sep 1

A short walk up from Lily Lake is a hidden ravene with sport climbing routes galore. (There are bolts drilled into the rock making it easy to clip in for protection.)

The first rock on the left is, well, “Left Hand Rock” and is home to Dark Days (5.8), which simply runs straight up a seamingly featureless curved slope. The next rock up is Dinosaur’s Foot, with the aptly named Index Toe (5.8) and Middle Toe (5.9—).

Sloggin’ up the approach at about 7,500′.

Mike untieing after making Dark Days look easy.

A better view of Dark Days showing the slope.

Looking up the ravene at Index Toe on Dinosaur’s Foot.

Index Toe in the foreground, with Left Hand Rock behind/downhill.

Index Toe (5.8 *) straight up this keel.

Middle Toe (5.9— **) is a nearly vertical, blank wall.

From the bottom of Middle Toe, looking at an easier line to the right.

Lily Lake →

Published September 1, 2014 · All posts on Sep 1

To get to the “Jurassic Park” climbing,area, we parked at Lily Lake. Spectacular walk around the lake to get to the climbing approach.

Aspen Glen Campground →

Published September 1, 2014 · All posts on Sep 1

It’s been many years since I was camping, but this campground was superlative.

Catchin up with Mike Allen →

Published August 31, 2014 · All posts on Aug 31

If we’d had any more fun, we’d have been arrested.

Mike drove up from Denver, and we headed up to Oskar Blues brew pub. We ordered two flights of their beer samples — ten delicious beers — and a kick *ss burger with arugula and a touch of honey. Da-YAM! …Mike knows how how to pick ’em.

Back story: Mike and I were in St. Martin back in 2001, and Mike introduced me to cigars — Cuban cigars to be exact. So I pulled up Yelp! and found Jonnie’s Cigars in downtown Boulder. We spent an hour or two working our way through two big, fat stogies, and several doubles (Glenmorangie and Stranahan’s) while people watching from the patio.

From there, we found our way to Pizzeria du Lupo. Mike ordered his favorite appetizer, and I suggested we send Summer a photo… “no! wait! dont tell her I ordered our favorite… ” <snap>

We rolled out of there, stuffed to the gills. And Mike says, “there’s one other place…”

What is this i dont even . . .

Sport Climbing at Mary’s Lake →

Published August 30, 2014 · All posts on Aug 30

The local gear shop in Estes Park suggested a couple spots to do some top-roping nearby before heading into Rocky Mountain National Park.

We spent several hours climbing 20 foot routes up this “little” rock next to Mary’s Lake. I think I did 7 or 8 routes practicing footwork and technique with Mike either lecturing on details, or scrambling up to show me examples.

…unfortunately, neither of us took pictures of the climbing. Good practice, but not very photogenic.

Pizzeria Locale →

Published August 30, 2014 · All posts on Aug 30

On Saturday (23rd) I found my way to Pizzeria Locale on Pearl St in Boulder.

Mike was working all day, so I took the opportunity to followup on a friend’s suggestion and tried Pizzeria Locale for dinner. After a whole week of doing the “dirt bag” climber thing, this meal was ambrosia.

Bruschetta (with green olive tapinade), Italian Chianti, Margherita pizza, Budino (butterscotch pudding with caramel and nuts), and cappuccino; What a delight it was to eat a nicely paced meal!

Drive to Estes Park →

Published August 30, 2014 · All posts on Aug 30

On Monday (25th) we left Boulder and drove to Estes Park, just outside of the Rocky Mountain National Park.

It’s a smooth cruise north along 36 out of Boulder. Construction on 36 near Lyons had us detour onto route 7. And what a spectacular detour! Route 7 winds up a narrow canyon, and then down into Estes Park.

In Estes Park, we found the local gear store, picked up a guide book for Lumpy Ridge and directions to some nearby sport climbing.