Arta Lake, Uinta Forests

Nate Kearsley and I took a small voyage into the Uinta Mountains this week. We wanted to go to the Granddaddy Lake Region but were rejected by a road crew who were trying to spruce up the roads after the heavy snow melts and rains. We ended up making are way to what appeared to be a not so frequented location called Arta Lake. The road into the area was pretty rugged and I was worried at a few points that the van would not be able to make it. Fortunately, we made it to the trail head and to the lake without to many problems, despite the heavy rain fall that blinded are vision and left the roads a little tricky. We would later learn what was tricky at our camp, over looking Arta Lake, when we started to build a fire. Luckily, we both payed attention in Boy Scouts when it came to fire building and we were able to start a raging fire despite being able to find very few dry pieces of wood. And now a few facts to quickly sum up the remainder of the trip. 

1. Pellet sized hail falling from the sky while we huddled under a two dollar K-Mart poncho, laughing at ourselves.

2. Nate forgetting his ground pad and tarp equals freezing night. Myself bringing summer bag for 35 degree weather equals freezing.

3. Making an amazing hike of around 1500 feet in elevation to overlook the Granddaddy Area.

4. Results of freezing equals coming home a day early. 

Nate and I overlooking Granddaddy Lake

Arta Lake from our camp site

I'm a little behind on the posts. I haven't done any major climbing tips since my last post, but I've been able to make it out for some day trips to American Fork Canyon, Price Canyon, and a new area near Helper where Nate Brun and I developed some new boulder problems. Preston and I were able to make it once again the the annual Teva Mountain Games in Vail, CO. Travis Cook accompanied us this time and we had some really good times. The Bouldering World Cup was once again amazing. We also had a good time visiting the sponsor booths and eating great food at the local restaurants. I look forward to next year and hope we will be able to go once again.

A Few Days In The City

I've spent the last few days in and around Provo, Utah. It has been a pretty interesting experience and I've learned a lot about spending the night in the city. Other than learning the ropes of where to park for the night I've been climbing hard in the gym, watching the NHL and NBA Playoffs, Hiking, both up Rock Canyon with Jon Brun and up Provo Canyon with Jordan Jacobsen, and spending sometime at my cousin Preston's place. The most interesting night in the past week was the one in which I received a visit, at four in the morning, from The Provo City Police Department. I awoke to the painful sound of someone banging on glass, the van glowing from the headlights of a vehicle, and someone trying to shine a flashlight through my curtained windows. It turns out that the police officers had no problem with me parking behind the church and were just satisfying their curiosity. After a little bit of explanation, conversation, and allowing one of the officers to look in the back of the van, they were on their way. They were nice enough cops. One extremely suspicious and the other a little more friendly and easy going. I was able to ask a few questions of my own about parking and sleeping in my vehicle that made the late night visit not a complete waste. After spending the past week in the city I'm feeling a renewed desire to make my way back to Joe's and think that I will find myself there in the near future.

Joe's Valley, Utah

The last few weeks in Joe's Valley have been pretty good to me. It is hard to be back in Utah Valley preparing my things for another weekend with the Marines. The change in pace is pretty drastic. For now the van life seems to be fitting me well. I've been enjoying the lazy mornings and the opportunity to climb a ton during the day. It has also been a fun experience to meet new people at the climbing areas and spend a few days in their company. Over the last two weeks I have seen a good progression in my outdoor climbing. It makes me want to train and climb harder than ever. I'm not sure exactly what the future holds for further exploits with The Van, but with the number of month left in service to the country down to three, I feel like some good possibilities are ahead. 

Howard Scott on Iscosceles V4

Jordan "Ashlee" Jacobsen over looking the right fork of Joe's Valley

Howard, Jon, and I relax on the road near New Joe's

Alessandro Imbellone preparing for a great day of climbing. 

Gilberto Indio on G2-07 V7

The Brazilian camp in the Man Size Area and the resting spot of The Van a few nights.

Eric attempting Wills of Fire V6 while Eddie gives him a good spot. Two of the many crazy Canadians from British Colombia.

Jon Brun doing Stand Up V7

Brazilians, Canadians, and Rock!

After a great George Family Easter Party and a night indoors, the crew of the so dubbed "Mystery Mobile", Seth Jaramillo and Austin George, set out once more for the enchanted lands of Joe's Valley, Utah. The next several days would be filled with amazing rock climbing, new friends, and a little bit of bad weather. The international melting pot began at the Chip and Dale Boulder in New Joe's, were the crew met groups of cool Brazilians and crazy Canadians. Over the next few days we were able to climb with both groups and have a great time, including a night spent with the crazy Canucks around the fire and sleeping by the freezing river.   

Seth Shows Off A War Wound

New Problem Put Up In The Closet Area

Seth Worships The Sun Just Before The Storm Hits

Jon, Seth, And Jordan Hiding From The Storm At Big Joe's

Seth 

Gilberto Indio: Scary Monsters

View From The Riverside Area

The Maiden Voyage

The Van's first trip on the open road was a huge success. Joined by Seth Jaramillo, we made our way down to the climbing mecca of Joe's Valley, Utah. Although we were plagued by rain, snow, and hail for much of the trip, great times were had. We spent the first few days climbing and then hiding from the unexpected storms that would blow in and then the last night rejuvenating in the Meadow Hot Springs. 

Austin and The Van, dubbed "The Mystery Mobile" by his Father, near the end of the voyage on the outskirts of Meadow, UT.

Seth Jaramillo Entertaining.

Austin tends the bacon wrapped pork chops.

Brawny Dyno

Seth relaxes in The Van during a snow storm that lasts into the night. 

Seth enjoying breakfast on the morning of his twenty fifth birthday.

Austin on top of Kind of Brawny V8. His first climb in the grade. 

Distance Traveled: 366 miles

Trip Length: 3 nights

A Day In Rock Canyon

It was a day of a lot of excessive hiking. First, I couldn't find my way to the Eliminator Cave, were everyone was hanging. I ended up walking around until I found Nate Kearsley and we soon found the cave together. While heading out of the canyon, after a few hours climbing, I realized that I had left my sunglasses at the Eliminator Cave and had to make the long hike back to get them. It was nice to get outside though and climb with some friends.

Jon Brun At The Eliminator Cave

Jordan Ashlee On The River Boulder

Nate Brun: River Boulder

Nate Kearsley Resting Before Another Attempt

Canyonlands National Park

A trip into the heart of the back country of Canyonlands National Park, UT, down steep canyon walls, through tangled walls of riverside trees, and scrambling over rocky terrain. A photographic introduction of the brave crew follows. 

Seth "Reconnoiter" Jaramillo. Known for his ability to walk great distances and find routes through impenetrable passes. 

Austin "The General" George. "A Gap Filler", who's duties include doing what the others don't.   

Travis "The Lucky Doc" Cook. Armed with his lucky horseshoe and skills honed in university science labs, He was quickly given the duties of Head Doctor and Leading Scientist. 

Preston "The Inventor" George. Possessor of great ingenuity, strength, and natural building genius.

 

Just outside Canyonlands National Park, the view form our first campsite after an afternoon of traveling,

The twenty miles of inhospitable land we would cover over the next two days.

The Crew over looking the drop into Gooseberry Canyon and the only known photo in existence were The Crew is featured in its entirety. 

The beauties of the wild, both foreground and background. 

Descent into Dog Leg Canyon. Preston uses his advanced skills in reasoning to devise a system of pack insertion. 

Doc perched near the Colorado River.

Seth emerging after a dip in the mighty Colorado River.

The Crew's Camp a few hundred yards from the river.

Seth and Travis finding inner balance on the lookout over our camp. 

Preston shows off his strength, making an impossible jump while in search of a way to reach the heavily guarded shores of The Great Colorado.

Preston cleaning his beard after a long day on the trail.

Austin overlooking the Colorado River just moments before the storm hits...

The Crew seeks refuge beneath a small ridge while the rain and winds rage over their camp. 

Preston, tired of hiding from the claws of nature, convinces the storm beaten travelers to begin the dangerous and exerting task of finding a way out of the canyon. Seth, using his abilities as a skilled adventurer, points out a weakness in the mighty walls of the enemies stronghold. 

A picture of pure bouldering beauty. Seth makes the First Ascent of "Cupped Hands" V0 while Preston spots and Travis gives encouragement.

Travis blesses the working party with his luck.

A daunting view. The last wall between victory and triumph. 

After a success trip, the Crew dined in near by Moab, UT at the Moab Brewery, Where near misses with death and laughs from the trail were recounted.