Well, work... sometimes you just can't get all the vacation you want. Combine that with a little car trouble and there goes your one month long climbing trip. However, I was very happy to return to Colorado where I had done some bolting and exploring in the late 90ies. Back then, the bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) hadn't been developed. Now, more than 15 years later, I was eager to check out this world class area with up in the Rockies.
But, as usual, pictures and a short VIDEO will tell you more than a thousand words:
[Heading from L.A. through Utah towards Colorado]
[A first view of the vast boulder fields below Hallett Peak in RMNP]
[Mel warming up on a perfect crimp traverse in Poudre Canyon]
[Fantastic moves: Flashing Diversion (Sit), V10 or 7c+]
[Trusting my new Geniuses was important while flashing Diversion (Sit), V10 or 7c+]
[Finally hiking up RMNP underneath golden Aspen leaves]
[Lake Hayaha in the middle of the Lower Chaos Boulders]
[Mel sending a V5 on the Warmup Boulder]
[Flashing Potato Chip, V7 on the Warmup Boulder]
[A beautiful stella j watches us climb]
[Flashing Cup Cake, a short but stout V8]
[Flashing the Left Pond Boulder, V7 a perfect crimp ladder - amazing!]
[Mel also making quick work of Left Pond Boulder, V7]
[Typical talus field bouldering near Lake Emerald]
[Flashing The Marble, V9 as the rain starts to set in]
[Enjoying the view towards Estes Park]
[Who doesn't want to spend time there?]
[Herm showing us around and providing some beta in Upper Chaos]
[Flashing Left el Jorge, V8]
[Flashing Right el Jorge, V8]
[Mel warming up at the Meadows]
[Flashing Skipper D, V8, an amazing long and steep problem]
[Wishing it was a bit cooler during a quick send if the famous Green 45, V10]
[Flashing the sharp but excellent Wyoming Chinese, V7]
[Sunset in the park]
[Another double digit flash: Running Scared, V11]
[Another double digit flash: Running Scared, V11]
[Mel enjoying a nameless V4]
[Mel flashing The Cube, V6]
[Flashing Tiger Stripes, a tall and demanding V7]
[Fall must be the nicest time to visit the park]
[Sammy and myself after a good day of bouldering]
[The colors just kept getting prettier and prettier...]
[Majestic Longs Peak during sunrise]
Guess what: It was damn hard to leave Colorado!
.jpg)
