Shrine Mtn With Moss & Gordon 08Aug18

We hiked to Shrine Mtn out of Vail Pass today with Mark & Tina Moss, who are visiting from NYC and are childhood friends of Steve & Anne. It was very crowded so good we left somewhat early, but it was a very good 5 mi & 1K ft vert simple hike with great views and strange rock formations. Shrine is so named as it is the perfect viewpoint for the cross on Mount of the Holy Cross (see background of team selfie). Kala and I have packed that wilderness before and Matt & I summited on a two day pack & peak trip there. I included a shot of a ship rock with Uneva Pk and the Gore Range in the background (we hiked it earlier this week). We finished at Park Hyatt @ a fun happy hour followed by a bad free concert in BC, and then decent beer and food at Dillon Dam. Worth noting too is the entire hike was captured on Kala's Apple Watch with her ghetto duct tape fix ~ this accompanied by boot blowouts on the trail needing ghetto fixes. Very nice day with old friends.

Another GR8 Day In The Backcountry 07Aug18

Steve & Anne Gordon and Kala & I climbed out of Vail Pass north to Uneva Pass and Uneva Peak. It was a great 6 mile & 1800 ft vert hike to 12.5Kft elevation - recommended. The team headed down at Uneva Pass with glorious views absorbed - I climbed on up Uneva Pk for even more splendor. We descended on alternative routes and then dined casual, sweat & all, at the Canteen in Breck - decent. Noting Dancing Pines Distillery's tasting room was nearby, we pursued. Awesome day in the outback and frontbreck.

Gordons & Wilkes @ The Nest 03Aug18-06Aug18

It's been a whirlwind since Rob & fam left CO. The Gordons joined for the fine meal with the Haines clam Thu eve and then Fri we played golf, hung out and hit the Pho Bay II new location in Silverthorne. Tasty but the image is of their version of a martini - whaaaat? - it had ice and a brandy glass.

Saturday was about the fine Keystone Beer & Bluegrass Fest. Such a good time - good friends (including bumping into Janice and BK at Kickapoo before the beers were flowing), good music and good beers.

Sunday came with a hike/climb up the continental divide from the Argentine Pass TH. The team made it out till the trail gave out where Wilks and I carried on up to a saddle above Shlef Lk (on the Clear Crk Co side). Just as we acquired the ridge and CDT by bushwhacking up a steep grassy slope, it began to rain and hail. We therefore did not descend to Shelf Lk to fish.

Cool flowers are still out on the alpine tundra. Too there was aluminum phosphate (?) on all the rocks in the stream draining the area - eerie white hue.

That night we had a great meal from the ladies. Monday brought some golf again, cornhole championships and pickleball lessons. 

GR8 visit from old friends.

Party With The HainesZ 02Aug18

Yeah, Rob left... but like a boomerang in a bonus move he and his fam returned to Summit, CO for some R&R. We stole a morning fishing while Angie & Audrey were hiking and stuff. Rob slayed 'em on Gore Ck with a dry dropper config. I did fine landing (sketchy at times as Rob got the net) some great fish on a big parachute hopper and Dave's WD40s, including a nice 17" rainbow. Water was too low really (40cfs - check the gauge house) and fish were hiding and spooky - when we did fool them - we released quickly. We got 2 for $5 tacos and a fine hazy IPA at VBC for lunch. Good to hit the keen waters of Eagle Co, share tacos and a beer with my bud. We we fortunate to host Rob and the Haine lady clan at the Nest that evening too - no pics but fine dining and conversation was had. No - really - I met Angie & Audrey, they exist - cool yet as bright as the sun.