Because there is very little honor left in American life, there is a certain built-in tendency to destroy masculinity in American men.
~ Norman Mailer
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Tendency to destroy masculinity →
Weekend prep: Highland Park and ‘gar. →
Weekend prep: Highland Park and ‘gar.
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Eldorado Canyon →
We were in Eldorado Canyon on three separate days. These photos are from Wednesday the 20th, when we went in to climb the Wind Ridge route on the Wind Tower. As you approach Eldorado Canyon, you’re driving into the “front range”. You leave the Flatirons to your right, and wind your way into the canyon.
Once you get inside the Eldorado Canyon State Park, there’s world class climbing just jammed everywhere. Just inside the park is a foot bridge that leads to the south side climbing, and the Bastile is just a few paces up the road.
Climbers are always on the Bastile. At the bottom, they’re basically standing in the [dirt] road. But, you can see them from various other places in Eldo. Here, I took a pause climbing to get the camera out and snapped these photos across the canyon.
From the Wind Tower you get a better sense of the size and layout of the canyon. This first photo is taken while walking off after the climb. So we’re descending and heading back towards the creek and road. The second photo is from the very top of the Wind Tower, looking across the canyon (the road and creek, in the bottom of the canyon, are not visible.)
Finally, some views of the Wind Tower itself. As you enter the canyon, it is on the right — the lighter colored mass. The slightly darker rock, on the left, is another feature, with a trail snaking up between them into a high ravine. To get a sense of the scale, note the huge flake of stone that has slid off the tower.
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testing. one. two. three. →
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Dog’s life →
When taking a dog for a drive, there is no way for the dog to comprehend that you have control of the vehicle. There is no way he can realize that you turning the wheel or pushing a pedal makes the car move. He must think that both of you walk out to this adventure box, you have your seat, he has his, and you wisk off to a mystery location – sometimes parks, sometimes the vet; You just roll the dice and go on adventures together.
~ unknown
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Bookend →
I left this quote on my desk when I left for Colorado. …and what a challenge it was!
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The Edge of Time (Tue 26th) →
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.
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Definition of a Great Adventure →
When you’ve had a ton of fun, and it’s still fun to pack to go home!
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Most enviable of all titles →
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
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Left Hand rock, Dinosaur Rock (Tues 26th) →
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—).
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