oklacolo

Monday, April 18, 2011

Rattlesnake Arch Walking II

While Jack and I climbed up under the last arch then walked back via the canyon rim and arches, Judy and Mark took the dogs back. From the trail below Judy was able to take a couple pictures of us from the trail looking up.

Rattlesnake Arch Walking

While hiking up the canyon there was a gentle breeze which felt good
and helped keep us cool. But when Jack and I climbed on top of the
canyon so we could explore the arches that breeze turned in a gale
force wind. We walked two of the arches which was my first arch
walking experience. It was a little scary but a real rush.

Rattlesanke Canyon Arches

Sunday I joined Jack, Judy, and Mark for a hike up Pollock and
Rattlesnake Canyons to the Rattlesnake arches south of Fruita. It's
usually 14 miles total out and back but Jack and Judy have an access
point from their rock house that saved us several miles. The arches
were amazing and maybe even better then those in Moab because there
are no crowds and you have full access.

Fruita / Grand Junction April Mountain Biking

I joined Frank, Angela and bunch of other cool people in Fruita this
last weekend for some camping and mountain biking. The weather was
perfect and everyone went home in one piece. On Saturday, 15 of us
biked the Tabaughe / Ribbon above Grand Junction which is a technical
rocky downhill and where I punctured my side last year.

http://oklacolo.blogspot.com/2010_10_31_archive.html

Sunday, April 3, 2011

April sledding on Rabbit Ears

The last week of March dumped four feet of snow in the mountains while
I sat at my desk and watched snow reports. So after some back and
forth we decided to make another sledding trip to Rabbit Ears.

The Saturday forecast was near 80 in Denver so we knew it would be
warm but had no idea how warm. When we started it was 45 degrees and
by mid day it was 55. The snow started hard but quickly turned to
slush and was a lot of fun.

We explored several new areas including the north side of Steamboat
ski area. We also had several good stucks. Ted almost lost his sled
in a 15' deep blowhole but luckily we got it out without it dropping
into the water below.

It's been a great year. I wonder if there will be any May sledding...

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Italy / Greece / Sweden Average Fall Weather

Rome, Italy
~~~~~~~~~
Sep. 81/57/3.0 (high/low/precip)F/in.
Oct. 72/50/4.20
Nov. 62/43/4.70
Dec. 55/37/3.60

Athens, Greece
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sep. 84/66/0.5
Oct. 73/58/1.9
Nov. 65/52/2.0
Dec. 58/46/2.0

Bastad, Sweden
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sep. 61/50/2.0
Oct. 53/44/2.1
Nov. 44/37/2.1
Dec. 39/32/2.1

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Snake Lights

While taking pictures of the Golden Fire I also took some pictures of cars in the canyon and city lights. The cars coming down the canyon look like a snake of lights.

--
M.B.

Golden Fire Day 2

The Golden Fire, now officially called the Indian Gulch Fire is still going and growing. As of Monday night it had burned nearly 800 acres and was moving northwest towards Golden Gate Canyon. Out of caution, 100 homes around Golden Gate Canyon were evacuated.

--
http://oklacolo.blogspot.com/
M.B.

Golden Fire Day 1

This last Sunday was a typical spring day with warm weather and wind.
Unfortunately a wildfire started just west of Golden up Clear Creek
Canyon. When I saw the fire Sunday afternoon it was just a few acres
on the steep canyon hillsides. However the strong winds gave the fire
strength and by that night it had grown to several hundred acres and
was still growing.

Last sled trip 2011?

We went sledding this last Sunday on 3/20. The mountains had a foot
of fresh but it was spring riding. On the north facing slopes some
nice soft snow was found but everywhere else is was getting hard.
Late in the afternoon we lost one rider for a couple hours down a
steep hill but we eventually got him out and we all made it out and
back home.

Well. Until it snows again or until next winter. Either way it's
been a great year of snow, friends, adventures and sleds. I can't say
enough good things about the 2011 Pro. See if I'm riding it next year.