Sometimes in your life you must read the writing on the wall and understand what needs to happen, this past week was one of those times.

I took off early Wednesday morning and bolted up to Denver to meet up with UTM, I kind of got a later start than I was planning due to a battle with some cold beers Tuesday night but it ended up being just right as UTM was still sipping coffee on his couch when I pulled up. So since none of us were very motivated we enjoyed a few cups and talked about our future trip to Canyonlands as well as UTM’s planned 30+ miler this summer.

After a while we got motivated enough to head to a great little diner where the biscuits and gravy did there job. Eventually we got on the road and made our way to the top of Loveland Pass to check out some of the gully chutes. Although I had never ridden the pass before UTM had spent plenty of time and new the lines well. After a few runs we decided to mix it up some and hit another chute that was slightly steeper, but still nothing to worry about…and that’s where it gets a bit fuzzy.

I remember dropping in and cutting left as I approached the tree line. Then everything was quiet and there was a thunderous boom as my head slammed into the slope. (thank you helmet!!) I know I recovered quickly, popping back up on my teles and making it a few feet before everything came unglued. I have had quite a few concussions in the past and this was a bonafide WHAMMY. I couldn’t see straight, I was nauseous, lightheaded, had no balance and oddly enough had know idea what I was doing. Fortunately I gathered my self and made my way down slope for a few more feet before I started to dry-heave.

Now I have been in enough traumatic events and had a strong enough medical background to know
I was in a bit of a pickle. So I called down to UTM who was waiting patiently and told him he needed to keep an eye on me and if I went out he would probably have to bring me off of the mountain. To which he scoffed. But I knew he would have helped me if I needed it. Right??

Well needless to say I made it slowly down although it seemed like I couldn’t keep my balance for anything. I think that is what really worried me is that as soon as I would get going I would eat it again and again. Finally as I was pulling myself up from my 5th or 6th fall I decided to take the skis off and hike out, as I was about to pull my left ski off I noticed that my climbing block was locked in the up position!! What a relief! I felt much better once I realized I could blame my equipment for some of the issues I was having, I dropped the block and skied out the rest of the run. I ended up taking a few minutes to get my wits about me and actually left for the day on a good note by riding a few more runs!

Thursday UTM and I got an earlier start and headed to Keystone. Although I was not completely “with it” I felt alright. We rode a few runs but eventually bailed because there was no escape from the ice. Even the backside was crowded and crusty.

I guess enough is enough, and as I got home Thursday evening I knew it was time. Time to toss the teles back in the attic and get the bike out, spring is officially here!!!

Yes, it’s true.  New Belgium Brewery is working on canning it’s flagship beer- Fat Tire. 

The wife and I took a trip to Ft. Collins, CO for our anniversary this weekend.  We wasted no time getting down to business.  First stop when we hit town was the New Belgium Brewery Tour.  More on that later.  What’s important here is what we learned at the end.

The tour ended with a view into a vast concrete room.  A space soon to be devoted to the new canning line.  Not a bottling line- a canning line.  Your beloved Amber Ale will soon be hitting a cooler near you with a new squat but sportier look.  (more…)

For those of you along the Front Range I just wanted to introduce you all to a great band Creating a Newsense, their music is self described as “Hard Rockin’ Barn Stompin’ Psychedelic Porn Funk”. Influences for this band run the spectrum so check out their site for more info. Upcoming shows include 3 shows at my local pub Pine Gables. Newsense will be appearing March 28, April 25 and 26! Pine Gables is a small tavern in downtown Green Mountain Falls, CO. If you are in the area and looking for a great show come up and join us.

Oh yeah I have never heard of a cover being charged at the Gables if that helps persuade some of the tightwads…Juice Box.

Today I did it. I finally got back out there and got some bouldering in. It has been a few years and today was rough, I was blowing off of problems I would send with no problem a few years back.

I guess one of the main issues was that I was lazy, however in all reality the past few years have been time consuming. I have had my shoulder rebuilt (it is time for the other one!), having a son and settling into civilian life, as well as finding like minded folks. Now after just an hour or so on the rock I feel incredible!

Brownie and I met up at Garden of the Gods and worked on some problems. Although my climbing was not quite as impressive as I would have liked I did feel a good energy about just being there. Hopefully I can get out there more as summer approaches and get my climbing strength back.

In all actuality I am putting off the inevitable of having to have at least one more surgery on my shoulders but I cannot seem to find the time. I am on the bike, or in the back country or climbing all summer, and I ski or snowshoe all winter. Such is life. Well thats all, I just wanted to share the good vibes I was feeling.

Cheers and Beers,

Yeti

Heard about this from a fellow drinker and figured I would spread the word. It meets all of the qualifications of my demanding prerequisites: beer and free kick ass bands! Check out the site here. Apparently Brownie has his finger on the pulse of great local shows so if you want the dirt check out his site for info it is listed on the side of this page under Like Minded Folks. For this Sunsation deal you can expect to see George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic as well as Matisyahu among others. Rarely are there FREE shows so get off your ass and hit it up.

A good friend of mine asked me to write about the steps I take when preparing for a trip. He was thinking that there are things I do subconsciously, that I might not ever mention because it has become routine.

Great Idea! It might also aid me in remembering things I have long over looked, here is my routine.

Really I start about a week prior to the trip by looking at the map and weather report to see where I will end up and what the conditions will be. Then I gather all of my gear and lay it out neatly on the floor, this includes clothing and food. Then I look over each item and determine if it will serve a purpose for the trip. Once I have whittled down my gear I do it all over and usually can ditch more stuff. As I do this I check all of my gear to make sure it is in working order and no repairs/replacement is necessary. All the while making a list of things I need to get. (more…)