Sunday, June 27, 2010
On the road again.
Josh and I head out today up to the Northwestern US and maybe a bit of Canadia. Hoping to swing through Seattle and Portland and maybe catch up with a few of my friends in that neck of the woods. Probably stop back through Index and have another go at the routes that shut me down last time.
And, I don't think I've ever actually been to Canadia.
The test run of our tower for Burning Man can be measured as nothing but a success. Went up without too much fuss and overall was a pretty awesome day. Video to come shortly.
And, I don't think I've ever actually been to Canadia.
The test run of our tower for Burning Man can be measured as nothing but a success. Went up without too much fuss and overall was a pretty awesome day. Video to come shortly.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Burning Man Tower
Josh and I have begin construction on our shade structure for Burning Man. The idea spawned from one of those tripod camp chairs.
We did a lot of scouting around for proper materials to make this out of. We ended up settling on the top rails for chainlink fence. They come in 10 foot lengths with a 1 5/16 inch outer diameter. We've filled each pole with concrete to add compression strength. They're currently laying in the front yard while the concrete sets.
The design is elegantly simple, yet provides a sturdy platform on the top and ample room under the upper platform and in the lower pyramid as well.
Using poles from an old tent, we've constructed a 1/6th scale model of our plans. You can see the upper and lower platforms here, though in our final product, both platforms will likely resemble the lower one in this picture. The upper will be a sort of crow's nest/observation deck type area with a solid wooden deck to stand on. We've thought about making the lower one a sort of cargo netting hammock type area.
Josh has put together a 3D drawing using Sketch-Up and you can see likely see the scale of the final product much more clearly. Current plans put the upper platform at about 25 feet off the ground which should provide an excellent view of the tent metropolis that will be surrounding us.
We did a lot of scouting around for proper materials to make this out of. We ended up settling on the top rails for chainlink fence. They come in 10 foot lengths with a 1 5/16 inch outer diameter. We've filled each pole with concrete to add compression strength. They're currently laying in the front yard while the concrete sets.
Plans at the time of this posting are to set it up in the field near our house this Saturday. Will definitely post pictures of that.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Back from Telluride
This weekend was quite an experience.
We drove out to Telluride for the bluegrass music festival on Thursday afternoon, arriving just in time for Allison Krauss. Josh and I didn't have tickets, but the valley projects the music a long ways and we could hear just fine camped out by the creek.
For anyone who knows me and my music taste, I don't have a lot of bluegrass in my repertoire. I've always enjoyed the genre when it happened to come on NPR or something similar but it was never the type of thing I took the time to download. Last week when I met Andrea and Cody, they tried to tempt me into going by pulling up the line-up to show me all the big name bluegrass groups that would be there only to find that I didn't recognize but maybe two of the twenty plus bands playing all weekend. That said, I just downloaded a TON of new music.
The weekend was a very altering experience. The town, the people, the group I was with, the music and just the overall atmosphere all combined into this magical thing that yanks you out of reality. And now that I'm back home, the decompression from all of that sensory overload is pretty extreme.
On the drive home yesterday we stopped to try and do Otto's Route at Colorado National Monument. I remember thinking that it felt the same as when I'd get home from summer camp as a kid. I'd just had this epic weekend that will stay in my mind for years. I yearned to hold onto it, and every mile we drove away from the festival I felt it slipping away. And in its wake was a pretty extreme sense of loss. My life is wonderful right now, but going back to wonderful from the fantasy world of Telluride proved a lot to handle.
Better after a nights sleep and the distraction of another week in Boulder. I've got some video of a really talented girl performing on the street one night I'm working on getting up. Hoping to pull together a good group for Happy Thursday this week. Josh and I are close to starting construction on our structure for Burning Man. Lots of great things to keep me occupied while the festival goodness settles in.
Awesome hammock city in Town Park
We drove out to Telluride for the bluegrass music festival on Thursday afternoon, arriving just in time for Allison Krauss. Josh and I didn't have tickets, but the valley projects the music a long ways and we could hear just fine camped out by the creek.
For anyone who knows me and my music taste, I don't have a lot of bluegrass in my repertoire. I've always enjoyed the genre when it happened to come on NPR or something similar but it was never the type of thing I took the time to download. Last week when I met Andrea and Cody, they tried to tempt me into going by pulling up the line-up to show me all the big name bluegrass groups that would be there only to find that I didn't recognize but maybe two of the twenty plus bands playing all weekend. That said, I just downloaded a TON of new music.
The weekend was a very altering experience. The town, the people, the group I was with, the music and just the overall atmosphere all combined into this magical thing that yanks you out of reality. And now that I'm back home, the decompression from all of that sensory overload is pretty extreme.
On the drive home yesterday we stopped to try and do Otto's Route at Colorado National Monument. I remember thinking that it felt the same as when I'd get home from summer camp as a kid. I'd just had this epic weekend that will stay in my mind for years. I yearned to hold onto it, and every mile we drove away from the festival I felt it slipping away. And in its wake was a pretty extreme sense of loss. My life is wonderful right now, but going back to wonderful from the fantasy world of Telluride proved a lot to handle.
Better after a nights sleep and the distraction of another week in Boulder. I've got some video of a really talented girl performing on the street one night I'm working on getting up. Hoping to pull together a good group for Happy Thursday this week. Josh and I are close to starting construction on our structure for Burning Man. Lots of great things to keep me occupied while the festival goodness settles in.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Yellow Christ - my new project
Headed out to the hills above NCAR to do some climbing and ended up with a new project.
Cool boulder called Square Rock with a lot of problems on it. Ended up jumping on Yellow Christ without knowing what the grade was. Funny how not knowing something is "too hard" for you can make it totally within your range.
It starts with a bouldery start with some cool technical moves up to an awesome layback for about ten feet. Crux begins at the top of that where it moves right using a really sharp crimp, transitioning onto opposing side pulls with some cool footwork to make it work. Going to have to figure out the top-out holds, but all in all it felt totally doable. Looking forward to going back.
Here's the video from today. Enjoy.
Yellow Christ from Aaron Merriam on Vimeo.
I'm off to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival tomorrow. No tickets so just going to be bumming around town listening to the music from afar. Hopefully get to hang out with one of the many people I know who are going.
Cool boulder called Square Rock with a lot of problems on it. Ended up jumping on Yellow Christ without knowing what the grade was. Funny how not knowing something is "too hard" for you can make it totally within your range.
It starts with a bouldery start with some cool technical moves up to an awesome layback for about ten feet. Crux begins at the top of that where it moves right using a really sharp crimp, transitioning onto opposing side pulls with some cool footwork to make it work. Going to have to figure out the top-out holds, but all in all it felt totally doable. Looking forward to going back.
Here's the video from today. Enjoy.
Yellow Christ from Aaron Merriam on Vimeo.
I'm off to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival tomorrow. No tickets so just going to be bumming around town listening to the music from afar. Hopefully get to hang out with one of the many people I know who are going.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Flatiron Sunset
The bad weather finally broke yesterday!
Josh and I went and did $5 bouldering at the spot while the last of the clouds cleared and boulder dried off. Getting gym problems doesn't have anywhere near the same satisfaction level as outdoor climbing but it was nice to send some things that shut me down on my last visit.
Andrea met us after she got off work and we headed out and solo'd the first flatiron in time to catch a breathtaking sunset. Lots of awesome colors shining through the clouds that topped the mountain range in the distance. A really beautiful view.
Took a minute to snap this picture half way up. I love doing the flatirons because of the noticeable elevation change in such a short time. Within 30 minutes to an hour you go from being in the city you see here in the background to towering over it with an epic view of the town.
Josh and I went and did $5 bouldering at the spot while the last of the clouds cleared and boulder dried off. Getting gym problems doesn't have anywhere near the same satisfaction level as outdoor climbing but it was nice to send some things that shut me down on my last visit.
Andrea met us after she got off work and we headed out and solo'd the first flatiron in time to catch a breathtaking sunset. Lots of awesome colors shining through the clouds that topped the mountain range in the distance. A really beautiful view.
Took a minute to snap this picture half way up. I love doing the flatirons because of the noticeable elevation change in such a short time. Within 30 minutes to an hour you go from being in the city you see here in the background to towering over it with an epic view of the town.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Good use of a rainy day
Headed to the BRC today with my new friends Andrea and Cody to do some gym climbing due to the ongoing in-climate weather. Had a good day and got an awesome work out in. Can't complain about the company either.
The weather finally began to clear around sundown and I'm hoping it holds through tomorrow. Weather permitting could be doing some evening flat irons.
In other news, I found this on the internet.
The weather finally began to clear around sundown and I'm hoping it holds through tomorrow. Weather permitting could be doing some evening flat irons.
In other news, I found this on the internet.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Crawfish Boil!!
Of all things, I didn't really expect to be going to a crawfish boil in Boulder of all places.
The food was delicious. Totally stuffed myself on crawfish and crazy tasty potatoes.
Had an all around awesome time. Met a bunch of new people who were all really cool. Actually going climbing at the BRC tomorrow with a few of them.
Good food and excellent company. Can't complain about that.
The food was delicious. Totally stuffed myself on crawfish and crazy tasty potatoes.
Had an all around awesome time. Met a bunch of new people who were all really cool. Actually going climbing at the BRC tomorrow with a few of them.
Good food and excellent company. Can't complain about that.
Friday, June 11, 2010
On Cars and Driving
So we've got some "Beaumont" weather up here in Boulder. At least the rain part feels very Beaumont. I've been using Josh's car today to run a few errands around town and it really started standing out to me how stressful driving has become.
Since I moved here, my car driving has been restricted to one or two outings here and there and for the most part I've just been a passenger. Other than going climbing, I do just about everything on my bike. It's honestly easier in this town. There are bike paths that cut more direct lines to many places. Parking for bikes is easy and free no matter where you go. Other than the occasional stoplight I rarely have to stop at intersections. And maybe biggest is just the nice feeling of wind in your face and the smells of the outdoors and the unrestricted view of the amazing scenery.
In contrast, I find my car rides stressful. I'm less comfortable driving a car than I used to be (lack of practice) and so I honestly am not as proficient a driver as I used to be. Parking is kinda easy when it comes to running your average errand, but going downtown to hang out with friends makes parking an issue at the least. I find myself feeling inconvenienced by all the stringent traffic restrictions placed on cars that either don't apply to bikes or that bikes simply get to ignore with relative impunity.
Maybe the biggest one is a horrible fear of actually getting in a wreck. I almost got nailed by a truck yesterday (truck's fault, not mine) on my bike and ignoring possible medical expenses, I was really only looking at a dinged up, or bent up bike. It still could easily be a $100 inconvenience but that is the extent of the equipment damage I'm up against. Maybe $300 when my road bike arrives. In a car I'm looking at way more. Deductibles and increased insurance payments and all that stuff, not to mention the possible price of speeding tickets etc.
Everyone already knows I'm a huge proponent for cycling, but more than ever I find this town makes cycling more practical than driving. And that is evident in the sheer number of cyclists you see everywhere. Unlike, Beaumont, a person on a bike bringing groceries back from the store is just as likely to have a doctorate and be a professor at the university as they are to be a poor guy with no car. I love it.
Since I moved here, my car driving has been restricted to one or two outings here and there and for the most part I've just been a passenger. Other than going climbing, I do just about everything on my bike. It's honestly easier in this town. There are bike paths that cut more direct lines to many places. Parking for bikes is easy and free no matter where you go. Other than the occasional stoplight I rarely have to stop at intersections. And maybe biggest is just the nice feeling of wind in your face and the smells of the outdoors and the unrestricted view of the amazing scenery.
In contrast, I find my car rides stressful. I'm less comfortable driving a car than I used to be (lack of practice) and so I honestly am not as proficient a driver as I used to be. Parking is kinda easy when it comes to running your average errand, but going downtown to hang out with friends makes parking an issue at the least. I find myself feeling inconvenienced by all the stringent traffic restrictions placed on cars that either don't apply to bikes or that bikes simply get to ignore with relative impunity.
Maybe the biggest one is a horrible fear of actually getting in a wreck. I almost got nailed by a truck yesterday (truck's fault, not mine) on my bike and ignoring possible medical expenses, I was really only looking at a dinged up, or bent up bike. It still could easily be a $100 inconvenience but that is the extent of the equipment damage I'm up against. Maybe $300 when my road bike arrives. In a car I'm looking at way more. Deductibles and increased insurance payments and all that stuff, not to mention the possible price of speeding tickets etc.
Everyone already knows I'm a huge proponent for cycling, but more than ever I find this town makes cycling more practical than driving. And that is evident in the sheer number of cyclists you see everywhere. Unlike, Beaumont, a person on a bike bringing groceries back from the store is just as likely to have a doctorate and be a professor at the university as they are to be a poor guy with no car. I love it.
Morning Climbing and Evening Activities with Friends
Josh and I got up early this morning and headed to Eldo to get some climbing in before it got hot. Here's the tally for the day.
- The Bastille Crack - Super fun. Good trad leading and simul-climbing.
- Sunset Boulevard - Not my first time on it but lead it clean. It's mostly a sport route so it's very familiar territory. Mostly an exhausting jug haul but still a great route.
- Blind Faith - This was by far my favorite and I didn't even get the send. I've been waiting to take a bit lead fall in the wild and it finally happened today. I blew the mantle out of the crux 3 times and took 3 pretty decent falls. Have the blood to prove it.
Not the most impressive wound by any means. All in all a great morning climbing. Prepping for a game session tonight and then heading to Nora's with Josh to relax for the remainder of the evening.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Laziness and a Scavenger Hunt
So I've been remiss in my picture taking. I've missed 2 so far and came close to missing another tonight. I'm gonna have to buckle down and do a better job. I've been using my laptop to snap the photos and due to its lack of battery that makes it difficult to relocated to the same location each time. Gonna try some other options.
Onto other things...
I really would like to plan a photo scavenger hunt. I'm not sure I know enough people here yet but I think that even just two teams of 4 or 5 would make for a really fun evening. It might even be cool to do it as a Craigslist event of some sort and let anyone join in who wants in teams of 5 or something. Could be pretty epic.
Climbing early tomorrow. Maybe first time on The Bastille Crack
Onto other things...
I really would like to plan a photo scavenger hunt. I'm not sure I know enough people here yet but I think that even just two teams of 4 or 5 would make for a really fun evening. It might even be cool to do it as a Craigslist event of some sort and let anyone join in who wants in teams of 5 or something. Could be pretty epic.
Climbing early tomorrow. Maybe first time on The Bastille Crack
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Yellow Spur 2.0 and other news
Did an evening summit with two teams of 2 last night of The Yellow Spur. Helen teamed up with her friend Lisa from Denver to re-send the route in better style than the previous time the two of them went up. Josh and I acted as a kind of roaming video crew scrambling ahead of them to get good shots of the best portions of the climb. Should be piecing together a good 2-3 minute video of it in the next day or two.
I definitely went up the route in better style this time. Still pulled on some gear during the 5th pitch where it's just tiny crimps and bad feet. I still kinda suck on lead.
In other news... I've found the wonders of the Craigslist Activity Partner section. I've found a guy I'm going to climb with this Saturday in boulder canyon who looks to be almost exactly at my climbing level, along with a group to play Ultimate with and a group to play some D&D with this weekend. Makes me kinda wish I hadn't sold all those books.
In the meantime, today is house cleaning day since Josh is showcasing his El Cap movie tonight. I'll try to get a link to it posted as soon as I can.
I definitely went up the route in better style this time. Still pulled on some gear during the 5th pitch where it's just tiny crimps and bad feet. I still kinda suck on lead.
In other news... I've found the wonders of the Craigslist Activity Partner section. I've found a guy I'm going to climb with this Saturday in boulder canyon who looks to be almost exactly at my climbing level, along with a group to play Ultimate with and a group to play some D&D with this weekend. Makes me kinda wish I hadn't sold all those books.
In the meantime, today is house cleaning day since Josh is showcasing his El Cap movie tonight. I'll try to get a link to it posted as soon as I can.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Water and Rocks
We headed out late morning to climb at Eldo today, but the climbing quickly turned into a lesser priority. I don't know how well you know me but one of my greatest joys is playing with rocks and water. Making dams in streams and diverting water flows and similar feats of engineering. I get great enjoyment and self satisfaction out of the activity and I am likely to continue said activity until I am pestered to do otherwise.
When we set down our packs at the base of the crag it was clear something needed to be done. A small stream of water trickling from the base of a boulder up-hill had swamped the majority of the area. My excellent rock/water engineering skills to the rescue. I quickly had the flow diverted and the area drying up nicely, but what kind of stream engineer would I be if I stopped there.
I totally made an aqueduct. A handful of large leaves and some rock sand sticks for support and the masterpiece below came to life.
When we set down our packs at the base of the crag it was clear something needed to be done. A small stream of water trickling from the base of a boulder up-hill had swamped the majority of the area. My excellent rock/water engineering skills to the rescue. I quickly had the flow diverted and the area drying up nicely, but what kind of stream engineer would I be if I stopped there.
I totally made an aqueduct. A handful of large leaves and some rock sand sticks for support and the masterpiece below came to life.
And some more up close shots
Friday, June 4, 2010
Guidos and Guidettes
Last night's Happy Thursday was guidos and guidettes themed. Really young crowd this week and for a lot of the ride, I couldn't tell if people were dressed up in costume or if that's just how they dressed. Really brought the douch-baggery out in everyone.
Those complaints aside, it was another kickin ride. Frustrated that I missed a text to come chill back at the Co-Op until I was almost all the way home. Sa la vi
Those complaints aside, it was another kickin ride. Frustrated that I missed a text to come chill back at the Co-Op until I was almost all the way home. Sa la vi
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Evening Climbing in Boulder Canyon
Headed out to Boulder Canyon yesterday evening to do some climbing. Very cool slab of rock with an awesome 5.8 crack that went offwidth towards the top and a 5.10ish finger crack to its right.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Naked Edge
Last week, Josh, Helen and I went out to Eldorado Canyon and climbed The Naked Edge. Here is the video that Josh pieced together of our day.
The Naked Edge from Aaron Merriam on Vimeo.
The Naked Edge from Aaron Merriam on Vimeo.
Evening Hike
Took a great hike up the Kohler Mesa trail last night near dusk with Tim and Nora.
You can see the fields of wildflowers and the awesome night sky as the sun is dropping behind the flat irons.
Sorry to Nora for making her sound old in my poorly worded video commentary. Here is a shot of the lookout point during daylight. Still quite beautiful.
You can see the fields of wildflowers and the awesome night sky as the sun is dropping behind the flat irons.
Sorry to Nora for making her sound old in my poorly worded video commentary. Here is a shot of the lookout point during daylight. Still quite beautiful.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Quick morning update
Spent the weekend up in Wyoming climbing at Vedauwoo. For those who've been to Enchanted Rock in Texas, the rock and type of climbing is very similar. It's just much more dense with climbing and the climbing seems to be a lot better. Tim and I partnered up all day and after using up all of our try-hard on an off-width 10a called Mainstreet. Major kudos to Tim for the lead because the crux was burley. We spent the rest of the day around the Coke Bottle climbing easy stuff and having fun.
The TM Chimney was pretty awesome. Climbed up deep into the rock and let you look out the off width crack that Mainstreet climbs from the inside.
And despite being a 5.7, Edward's Crack was by far the best route of the day for me. Bomber hand jam after bomber hand jam for a full 60 meters. Wish I'd gone up a second time solo like Tim.
We might have climbed a bit harder if not for the excessive and excellent partying the night before for Lenor's going away party. Got to meet a lot of interesting people and all in all have an excellent weekend.
The TM Chimney was pretty awesome. Climbed up deep into the rock and let you look out the off width crack that Mainstreet climbs from the inside.
And despite being a 5.7, Edward's Crack was by far the best route of the day for me. Bomber hand jam after bomber hand jam for a full 60 meters. Wish I'd gone up a second time solo like Tim.
We might have climbed a bit harder if not for the excessive and excellent partying the night before for Lenor's going away party. Got to meet a lot of interesting people and all in all have an excellent weekend.
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