Black Lake Route on O'Malley

I had never been out to the O'Malley climbs before.....

Jon, Sue and I headed out for the standard AK climbing day....

long approach and one pitch of climbing!

There is Jon with Anchorage in the distance.

After about an hour approach up and down and back up again

we made it to our destination.....

The Black Route

Jon leading up the mixed route!On the way out all we could talk about was eating burgers!!

And that was motivation to pick up the pace and make it to the Bear's Tooth!

The Story of Giving and a Some Salt.....

I won't tell the story nearly as well as it was told to me.....In Nepal there is a story that goes like this.....when someone comes into your life that you need to help, take care of, be there for, nourish, etc. it is because in a past life this person was the one who gave and fed you salt.....as at one point in time, salt was difficult to obtain, and so it was a highly valued trade item....But now it is your turn to return the favors of the past....yeah, my words are not nearly as cleaver as those Nepali folks! But hopefully you get the point. Suresh continues to touch my life daily.....so glad he has come into my life.....

Ice Pixies Take Three!

The Ice Pixies Alaska (IPA) has become a weekend that just about everyone looks forward to....a time to see girls rally and push themselves, a time to invite new folks into the circle of ice climbing, showing and teaching them the thrills of the sport. This year an unbelievable amount of 30 girls showed up to climb up the Valdez ice falls and dance the night away! Once again a special thank you to Kirsten for being the sparking force behind all of this! And a course thank you to BT, for the great food, RC for all the photos and Raphael for keeping all of us laughing and giggling!

Girls do Bridalveil Falls!

It is not often that I have the opportunity to run up

Bridalveil Falls with THREE other girls!

Sue all smiles making her way into the cave.

Sherrie cruising up the Killer Pillar!

And the top out shot! Four girls getting it done on a warm, beautiful, sunny day!

"One more cup of coffee for the road

One more cup of coffee before I go

To the valley below"

Whitestripes

Perhaps one of the Best Days of My life....

When people ask me why I moved to Alaska, my reply is for the snow....at that time in life all I could think about was heli-skiing....little did i know that climbing would fall in my lap and change my life for the years to come....now six years later, my dream of the heli ride materialized......

Folks holding down the gear preparing to load the bird.....What a rush!

This shot was actually taken the day before when heading out to the Promised Land....
little did I know I would be flying to the top of these coulairs the next day....!!

And the world continues to change....
as Skine (climber guy) takes magical turns on dreamy powder down the face.....

Everyone awaits and ponders where to go next....


Jared and Neal putting the boot pack in.....

Phil hiking up with his board on his back.....

How my life has changed over the years....

the doors that I never knew existed have some how magically opened....

it is always a tough choice....do I climb or do I ski....

especially when in Valdez when both are such wonderful options.....

The Promised Land of Valdez.....

Its been awhile since i have boarded in Valdez...

ok, its been awhile since I have been on my board period....

but we could not have asked for a better day.......

There goes Sherrie making her way out to the amazing

coulairs of the Promised Land on a perfect blue bird day!

RC, Sherrie and me all smiles thinking about the

crock pot that awaits us at home!

Working for the Goods!

Yes, that would be the Hurdy Gurdy climbs outside of Eagle River....

Clearly, no one had headed out that way, as Sherrie and I wallowed, military crawled, and body
punched through nipple high snow....So, if anyone is interested theres a trail -Make use of it!! An exhausted Sherrie, pondering are we ever going to get there?!?

Sherrie getting it done!

We did make it to the climbs and not only did we get one pitch in, but two!

Yea for the long Alaska days.

Once again thank you Sherrie for encouraging me to step up to the plate and lead something!

First Mountain Trip House Party and Sherrie's New Crock Pot!

Nothing like good food, friends, beer and a great bonfire!

Eklutna Weekend with the Girls!!

Nothing like a day of climbing with the girls!

Especially when my EXTREME skier friend said she would come....well, it made my day!

Sherrie, Kellie (aka Extreme Skier) and I all smiles!

Sue taking the steep line and feeling comfortable on Annie Greensprings!!

And a few others in the canyon!!

Time for a new Car!!

It was time for a new one.......Back in AK where the days are getting longer and warming up.....recovering from a six month adventure and getting settled.....here is my new/used car and my new apartment!

Farmers Route On Pioneer

This route has been on the list for awhile and when Dani and Harry said come along I did!!

Harry and Dani putting the boot pack in!!

Almost to the top!

View across the way! Beautiful blue bird day!