Wish I Had Said That

"I learned long ago not to be intimidated by an absence of difficulty"
- John Gill

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."-Frederick Douglass

"If my thought dreams could be seen, they'd probably put my head in a guillotine"-Bob Dylan

Friday, November 26, 2010

Fascinating week for me. Got the axe at work, over 36 dinner rolls (out of 1000).

Its been cold here, but snowy. Got some frostbite on one of my big toes while touring in the Northern Madisons on Wednesday. I guess it was negative 15 F that day.

Moving to the countryside this week. We got 6 cords of wood in and the place is just about ready. Just in time to get outta this urban mayhem.

Lets go SKI!

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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Pulling out of the age

Besides email this is my last vestige on the web. Cannot foresee how long it will last. Perhaps this ski season will convince me that there is something worth talking about, otherwise its just words in place of action. So many blogs, so many people living off the past, not in the here and now.

Went over to Missoula last week and climbed with my friend Levi at the Koot. That place is cool as hell. Totally kicks my butt, and I like that in my climbing. There's good food over there as well. Vietnam Noodle Restaurant is the shit. I always stop at that one. If only Missoula had powder like Bozeman!

That is all! Resume slacking on the internet somewhere else.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I want ACTION.

The last two weeks I have been actively trying to be a little more sober. Why? Its obvious. I don't want to waste every free-minute in some kind of stupor. I had a nightmare of waking up someday as a 41 year-old stoner, dirtbag, single, alone, and wishing things had been done differently. I want to remember these days and the words and actions of my friends. Act like a Warrior.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Its Blowing In from the Northland

I'm not really a blogger you see. That is why there is so little action here.

What has been happening? I sent the 2nd pitch of "I am a Wicked Child" a few weeks back. Thank fucking god. Solid 5.12. Nobody is going to climb it...except redhead Pat...but he seems to climb just for the love of climbing. Planning on getting up to the same zone to suss freeing the large roof just to the right of the 2nd pitch of IaaWC. It'll go with a little scrubbing and probably a bolt or two. Not to worried about it getting snagged from me.

Truth
The Word

Bouldering has been going off the last month. We had the bash out at the Northern Bourbons earlier in August. By all accounts it went off pretty well. Tking deserves many, many props for putting that shit together. As for the guide, sorry about all the mis-edits....we're working on it.

Haven't gotten to the Humbugs like I was supposed to. Fuck. Partly my fault and a lot of my job's fault.

America is
Exactly

Got down to 10Sleep again the other weekend. Sick as usual. I was able to crush 3-4 12s three days in a row (even onsighted one). Pretty much flayed off part of my middle finger on a pocket as well. Really noticing the increasing popularity and its effects on the landscape. The masters of Ten Sleep are gonna have take responsibility for the erosion that has started due to their constant spraying to anyone who will listen. By the way: I thought Colorado was full of good climbing, but when 8 out of 10 cars is from 'rado I have to believe otherwise. Oh yeah, that's why I don't live there anymore!

El Az, circa 1999. Damn.
El Azteco Days, cicra 1999

I need to crush. The snow is flying already and filling the deep crevices of our beautiful mountains. Ski, ski. I'm trying to commit to a little more ice-climbing this year...but its so fucking expensive. That there is an activity designed specifically for the modern mountain yuppie. We'll see. I do like patagonia clothing though.

peace.

Monday, July 12, 2010

July Maintaining

Life is Climbing and Climbing is Life....I guess.

I've re-taken up the art of hand-drilling...again. So fun. Over the course of the past month I've gotten 6 new pitches in the Beartooths done and several projects in the Gallatin going. The beartooths crags are amazing and out there. Fully. I love getting away from the masses and their circumstances. Walking is good for us, we are bi-pedal instruments. If I have to listen to another climber moan about a 1/2 hour approach to something I think I might have to grab all their gear and burn it. Seriously, do we have to drive up to everything?

The bouldering hasn't been happenning as of late. Thats okay too. Its high summer and there are things to be done on bigger stones. Of course the intimate feeling of death always draws me closer. There is so much to be done. Nobody seems to be getting into the Humbugs to continue the evolution there. I have my .12+(?) sport project (Ionized Reality) in there to finish. I'll get in and take the path forward.

The second pitch of "I am a Wicked Child" in the Gallatin is ready to go. I've been shut-down by partner's fubars twice and rain once in the past week. I need to finish this bitch. I think its going to go at a solid 5.12 (GallyStyle) and any onsight will be a mind-blower. I will buy the first onsight a large pitcher of beer to celebrate. I got back on the "The Pagan" above the Watercolor Wall and am now thinking that it is not .11c.....12a? So fun and in the face.

Hasta

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

 



Need to suss.
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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Hitting the Desaturate Button......

....doesn't make you fucking Ansel Adams.

I'm finally getting around to a blog post. Life is damn busy here in Bozeman. Between working my job and dealing with the idiotic dramas of my employees, trying to get into some kind of decent climbing shape, putting a guidebook out, having a girlfriend, and just plain maintaining, life moves pretty fast sometimes (thanks Ferris). Oh, and then it fucking snows 70"+ in the Bridgers over the course of 8 days. Damn, son.

Z absolutely killing 2000' of pureness
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That was a tough 10 days. Crushed a bunch of skiing, over 50,000' of touring put in along with a full 40 hour work week. I'm just doing my best mom.

Anyhow, lurking through other photographers photos lately has led me to a new question.


Is photography as art officially dead?

I'm no professional. For christ's sake I'm running a pirated version of Photoshop circa the mid 2000s. But just cause you've got a $2,500 Nikon, Canon, whatever, Photoshop Lightroom, a sweet CPU, and lots of slack time doesn't mean you are an artist either. Lets be real. With so many people out there and the technology so readily available there are countless photos being taken that will blow you away, but the art is gone.....its becoming gadgetry supplanting imagination. I applaud any of my friends who are willing and able to sell their work. Getting out there and being in the right location still takes effort and dedication, and then milking a original/creative shot to its fullest takes patience and a good eye.

Westside Bridger Mountains May 07, 2010
Westside of Bridger Mtns.


Catch a Wave and In Your Face, North Boundary Bridger Bowl
Catch a Wave and In Your Face

Looking out into the Gallatin Valley
Truman Gulch into Bostwick

I'm pretty sure back in the day it took a little more work to produce shots such as these, not just a few mouse clicks. That's all I'm saying. Just trying to challenge everyone to strive for better and better work.

Good rant for me. Got to release some energy.

Formulating some plans for the weekend. Looking to get into the Beartooths to slay some ski lines and look at some potentially sweet rock.

edit: Looks like we're going to 10 Sleep for 3 days!!!

Ciao




Friday, April 16, 2010

Deconstructing Everyday Reality

Like most things in life this blog is under-construction, and if you know me you know its going to take a little while.

but here are some photos from the past few years:


Myself at the Aspens
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Casey Ambrose in the Boulder Batholith 2010
Casey finishing of Iso Arete V4


My Best friend, #1 Climbing and Ski partner, the one the only: ZUZANA
Tobacco Roots 11.14.09


Phil Higuera on his birthday. Phil is one of the smoothest and the best Telemark Skiers I have ever seen in person. Its always a pleasure to watch him ski....always smilin' too!Photobucket

Eli the Husky Dog doin' her thing.
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See Ya' Later
Solo of Nate's Route (5.9)

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