September brought wildfire smoke to eastern Idaho and I voluntarily cancelled my ultra race plans in the early part of the month, focusing on rock climbing in the City of Rocks, the Black Cliffs of Boise, and seeing if BASE jumping was really something I wanted to pursue via the legal BASE jumping site at the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho. Perrine Bridge is one of two legal locations for BASE jumping in USA, the other being the New River bridge in West Virginia. The images below give an idea of the month. After I cut my ultra race plans, I decided to take the month off for training, something I hadn’t done in 96 weeks. Maintaining a regimen of 12-18 hours a week of cardiovascular training paired with muscular endurance workouts for the previous two years was what I had done and it was enjoyable to take a break. The purpose of my training is for large ski and alpinism projects in the Himalayas, pursuits that require a certain level of fitness to pursue. My goals remain of climbing large lines and skiing large lines in the Himalayas unsupported, in alpine style and without oxygen, away from the commercial fixed rope mountaineering peak bagging style of the fourteen 8000 meter peaks.
Wolf, my dog, at the base of the crag in City of Rocks, Idaho. Wolf loves to run and I give him 50-80 kilometers a week. He’s standing next to the Trango Climbing Crag Pack, which I use for day climbing at crags throughout the American West. It carries it all and has a built in rope tarp. That’s Greh shoeing up in the background for more pitches on immaculate granite.
Camping with Tess in the foothills above Boise, Idaho. I’ve been camping a lot this summer and getting to know Idaho. Tess has been great to me as I learn to be in one place and live in somewhat “normalcy”. 🙂
Sport clipping in City of Rocks with Greg Von Doersten. Greg has lived in Jackson Hole most of his life and had never been to the “City”, it was great to show him around.
The view from the exit at the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls. This is where you jump from, and I watched a few people have a go, deciding that it was way to close to the Earth, if I’m going to move into wingsuit flying, I will certainly begin from a plane.
Camping with Greg and Wolfie at City of Rocks, Idaho. Fine days. 🙂
The idyllic City of Rocks, Idaho. This place should be on every serious granite climbers list.
Wolfie and I cheesing for the camera after a trail run in Teton Valley, Idaho (home).
Flying Old Glory on a “summit” in City of Rocks.
Bouldering in Tetonia, Idaho about 30 minutes North of my home in Victor. This is the Teton valley, and the Wigwam mountains are directly East. The Tetons are just South of the Wigwams.
Climbing with Eric Boomer and his nephew in Teton Canyon. After climbing we made a rope swing that was certifiably “epic” for throwing big ski grabs. All ready for Winter.
My parents came to visit and met Tess. It was cold one afternoon and everyone grabbed one of my winter parkas.
My dad turned 76 (!). Bad*ss.
Have fun out there (!)
