Araviapa Highlights

We spent the weekend in Araviapa canyon with Ryan, Meagan, Steve, Agnes, Conner, and Joe. It is a very cool place, and we had great companions. Below are a few of the highlights. If you would like to see more I will put more pictures on facebook. The gang getting ready to hit the trail.

Ryan doing a little bouldering in a side canyon we explored. There was so many great looking holds we all spent a little time pulling.

We found a pool that had to be at least twenty feet deep. Joe tried to touch the bottom, but he disappeared before he could touch the bottom. (No, I am not wearing a white T-shirt in the above photo.)

Amy even got in the water.

A little modern art compliments of Mother Nature.

Low Adventure

The last two weeks have been really busy. The end of the school year seems to get worse every year. Last week we had 5 dance performances, two days of track meets, and 8th grade awards. This week we had undergrad awards, an orchestra concert, Presidential awards, two nights of ballet rehearsal, and two nights of performances. So I have been thinking of some exciting things to post here. I guess two medals, five awards, and several performances is pretty exciting. Just not the type of adventure I normally post here. Mostly because I was just a chauffeur and spectator. I am very proud of the kids, and all their awards and accomplishments. I did get some tomatoes and peepers off of my plants this week. I figure they cost me about $7 a piece, and 40 hours of work. Not considered to bad in Tucson.

I also inadvertently ended up with a new sleeping bag. I wasn't in the market, and it wasn't really what I wanted, but the price was right. It is a reasonably good bag, and is definitely better than my 1993 Lite Loft bag. I wish Summit Hut would quit having sales. I'm never going to get that new mountain bike.

Hitchcock Pinnacle

Saturday Mike, Joe, and I went up to Windy Point to do some trad climbing. We ended up clipping bolts most of the day. Joe led Space Cowboys, and we all led Deranged of Late. It was a good time and a very chill day. Before we left Mike told me I needed to climb Hitchcock Pinnacle. It is in the parking area of Windy Point, and I had never done it. If you climb it you will attract attention. I guess that is why Ryan and I had never climbed it together. (Ryan is very humble and modest). That's me on top of the Pinnacle.........finally.

I did a little clothes shopping too. I got this like new TNF fleece anorak. Like all good climbers I spend all my money on gear and climbing trips, and then dress like a hobo. Fortunately if you are attentive you can find clothes laying around at the crag. This fleece was folded neatly at the base of the wall with no one else anywhere around, and had a bunch of grass and brush blown over the top of it. I picked off the grass and washed it. Good as new. I think it was new because it had a sticker stuck to one of the tags that looks like it would have come off in the wash. I love booty. Especially when it is my size, and a color I will wear.

Brett's New Hobby

Brett and I went to Prison Camp last weekend to do some climbing. The weather was still cool enough to be in the sun that low on the mountain. Brett decided it was his day to start leading. We went to the base of Cell Block Six, I lead it so he could rehearse it on top rope, and then he led it. I wasn't sure I was ever going to get that silly grin off of his face. You know the one. Either "that was so fun it is probably illegal", or "I can't believe I am still alive".

Here is making his way up his first lead.

Here he is cleaning the anchors of his 2nd or 3rd lead. I started to loose track. He did a great job, didn't seem scared, and didn't end up Broken, Beat & Scarred.