Climbs

(1) I'm all set to head out to the Grand Canyon on Oct 1 for the Second Annual Curtis-and-Bridger Death March. As I recall, we came in around 23:41 last time. Possessing a greater assurance in the frequent availability of water, we should be able to cut our pack weight down a bit; combined with some fine-tuning of the foot-taping process, we have high hopes for a sub-20 hour round trip time.

(2) I've settled on the Collegiate Peaks in the Rockies for my next trip. Probably around Oct 12. There are eight of them in and around the range; seven of the eight are conveniently clumped together. If I take it easy, I'm thinking it'll take four days. And maybe an extra day to acclimate/rest if I can find a nice place to camp. I'm hoping the place will be covered in snow. I ordered a fancy topo map, which is supposed to arrive in the next 2 to 18 days. That's worse than the cable company time estimates for technician visits.

(3) After some consideration, I decided the duration and cost of Cho Oyu was too prohibitive for a 2010 climb; not to mention the difficulty of coordinating a forty-five+ day trip with half a dozen people. Alternatively, I have the option of doing the West Buttress for a third time, joining my two friends from last year (who swear they'll go all the way up this time...ha), or, I've more recently started planning a West Rib climb with another friend. I'll have to spend a few weeks in Ouray this Winter, plus some more time in the Rockies to be adequately prepared. And maybe another trip to the White Mountains. Should be fun.

Anyone interested in coming along? Fat chance, I know ... but in a fit of desperate optimism, I ask anyway. Specifically, I need people to go ice climbing with. I can do the other stuff on my own if necessary but I can't (reasonably) belay myself. If you have your own crampons and harness, that'd be nice ... but not strictly necessary if I become desperate enough.