My dilemma

Well I went climbing today with a friend and took Ares with me. While climbing I realized I have a small dilemma, I really want to start photographing climbing. I have ideas in my head for so many awesome shots but I never have the chance to take them. Obviously I could go out and take pictures of random climbers climbing, but the problem with that is that is time I could spend climbing myself. I think the only solution is to start climbing in groups of three or maybe four. That way when I'm not belaying or climbing I could be taking pictures.

Of course part of the problem with that is most of the people I go with I am bringing all the gear, which doesn't leave me with my own gear to rig me up to take pictures from different angles. I could just take all of my photos from the ground or from places where I can hike up, but that's kind of lame. I'll figure something out, one of my friends just bought some gear and another is about to so maybe I will start having the chance to take more photos, if only I can get more friends to go out climbing at the same time.

On a side note Ares was stoked to use his new camelbak (water backpack as he calls it). He thought it was very cool and had a lot of fun hanging out with us. He was very good and waited somewhat patiently for the sucker my friend Phil promised him if he was good.

Camping in Big Cottonwood Canyon (Cont.)

Climbing while camping was fun. There was plenty of climbing to do but I couldn't find much that was Ares safe. We still had fun though.

Looking up the climb after I just finished leading it. Matt's getting ready to go up.

Matt at the top of the climb in the previous picture.

Ares chilling, watching us climb.

I got into an argument with the rock on my way back down. Mr. Rock didn't like what I had to say and I lost the confrontation.

Camping in Big Cottonwood Canyon

I wanted to take Ares camping before he went back to see his mom so we went camping up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was a nice short trip, just two nights, but I think it was about perfect for Ares. We took Matt with us and some of my friends met up with us on Tuesday to hang for a little bit.

Ares trying out his sleeping bag before we leave.

Ares cooking a hot dog.

I put Ares on Squrriel watch while we were camping. So every time a squrriel came out and he saw it he would run up to it and scream at it.

I love this picture just because he looks like he's deep in thought. Keeping warm in the morning.

Rock Climbing AF Canyon 2JUL2011

So the day after we went up Rock Canyon I decided I wanted to try out American Fork Canyon. I've never climbed up there before so I got on Mountain Project and looked up some routes. We headed up and bushwacked up this scree slope until I was finally willing to admit we weren't in the right place. We hiked back down and looked around for some other climbing.

I finally figured out the correct way to get where I was trying to go, but then I realized I didn't bring a lunch and neither did anyone else. We decided to run into town and grab a sub and then head back up. We hiked up the correct approach and found the climb we were looking for. I lead it, I believe it is only a 5.6 after which Monica and Matt both sent the route on top rope. It was fun, really easy, and a good route for me to practice leading on.

Getting ready to go up

Yes a bolt to clip into

Almost to the top, that's Monica on belay

Setting up the top rope

Getting ready to belay, Monica is getting ready to go up

Climbing Rock Canyon 1Jul2011

I went rock climbing on the 1st with my brothers, my son, and some friends. We tried some routes on a crag called the kitchen up Rock Canyon in Provo. We top roped it and I'm embarrassed to say none of us did so good.

Ares loves to play with my stuff, I gave him this rope because he said he needed some so he could go climbing.....guess I won't be using it anymore.

This is where I kept getting stuck. I don't know what my deal was, I just could not get a good grip on the rock. I know I know, I'm really just weak.

Me rappelling after setting up the route.

Vincent watching while I belay, I have no idea what is up with the face I am making.

Ares pretending to climb.

Climbing in the California High Desert

Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything. I went down to California for my brother's wedding this last weekend and had the chance to do some climbing outside of victorville. The crag was next to the Horsemen's center in Apple Valley. It was alright, the rock was just like Joshua Tree, but the climbs weren't that great. Sketchy bolts and anchors and the easier climbs all seem to have a crux that makes them a lot harder then they are actually rated in my opinion. Still it was a lot of fun. Hope to go camping soon, I'll post again if I do.

Snow shoeing in February

We went snow shoeing up the alpine loop this last weekend. Here are a few pictures of the fun.....