From Estes Park to El Paso to Estes Park back to El Paso
and eventually back to Estes Park but here in El Paso for a bit but without my
love, Adam. So far that has been my
Hueco season with climbing in-between, Hueco Rock Rodeo work, Wagon Wheel
Co-opt, WWC, work and since I went back to Estes I worked at the Dunraven while
I was home over the New Year (and of course some Tree Service book work too). My work is normal throughout the Hueco season (WWC and the HRR) but
the back and forth and being without Adam is not.
Our standard has been to work hard for 7-9 months and
take the rest of the year off (off is relative when it comes to WWC and the
Rodeo). But this year after we survived
the flood, we were awarded the tree contract for the town of Estes Park for the
next five years. Adam is definitely
taking one for our team and sacrificing some Hueco time getting the
operation rolling. Normally I would be at home with him
but the Hueco Rock Rodeo and some land improvements—septic and electric!--has kept
me in Hueco. Adam was only supposed to
be in Colorado for a few weeks after I left with the dog and cat to Hueco but
sadly he has been detained. It has been
beyond strange being in Hueco without him—I miss him tons--and I have
definitely felt a bit lost but I have had plenty of Hueco Rock Rodeo work to
keep me busy and friends at Wagon Wheel to climb with, keep me company, help
with the Rodeo, help me dig ditches, run wires and erect our electrical pole
and install a gate.
For many reasons I decided this year would be my last
year organizing the Hueco Rock Rodeo. It is the 21st Hueco Rock
Rodeo this upcoming weekend and I have been fortunate enough to be involved with the
event for the past three years. In 2012,
I helped Emilia Brown with the ground operations and then organized the event
in 2013 and this Rodeo Feb 14-16, 2014. It has
been a great couple of years and we are gearing up for another kickass
event. It has been a wonderful
learning experience but also a lot of work and I already wear plenty of
hats. So it is time to take this one
off, share anything I can and pass it along to whoever is up for the job. A lot
of time and effort go into planning the Rodeo but in the end it is the
community of Hueco that really makes this event come together. I would be lost without the long list of
volunteers, guides and athletes who make it all happen.
It has been a strange year and this Hueco season just
seemed to follow suite hopefully the changes and sacrifices will lead to a long
peaceful season in Hueco next year for me and Adam followed by a trip to
Switzerland! But for my immediate future…the 21st Hueco Rock Rodeo—It
is looking like it will be a full event and that is with 10 extra spots added this
year and plenty of amazing athletes, climbing and fun ahead! Thankfully Adam is flying back down to Hueco to help me with the event and to finish off the season!
David sending Try Harder
Mike Wickwire sending Leeann
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| So psyched to try this again (Retour stand) but due to my built in climbing partner not being here I have only had a few days on it before we left for Colorado. Going there today though before I rest during the Rodeo weekend! |
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| Getting a septic system |
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| Kate and Dustin are back :) |
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| Back home to Estes Park, CO |
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| Not great campusing weather |
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| Our Life in a Garage -- Actually super thankful we expanded our climbing wall last year it has saved us physicall and mentally! |
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| Wagon Wheel shirts for sale $15 |
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| Veevers, Wickwire, Mr. Conner and myself trenching for electricity! |
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| Facetiming with Adam. This is how we (Adam, Rothner, Wickwire, Andy Klier, Ben Conner and myself) put together this year's Hueco Rock Rodeo's problem list. |
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| The copilot likes to be touching at all times if possible :) |
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| WWC security |
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| Liberty Herring looking so strong in Hueco this trip! |
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| The crushing team of Brits! And Layla!!!! |
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David Mason sending Full Service
I've been psyched to climb with David Mason and Mina Leslie-Wujastyk! These Brits are incredibly strong! There has been a lot of inspiring climbing going down and great beta suggestions :) Thanks Mina! Over the course of last spring, summer and fall David sent me training programs. I am happy that we got to climb with each other for many reasons but selfishly so he can see my weaknesses and put together my next training program for 2014! |
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| Dustin and Kate :) |
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| Mina work the beta on Le Chninkel |
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| Mina working out the beta on Le Chninkel |
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| Mina sending Le Chninkel |
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| Mina sending Mojo |
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| Mina topping out Mojo |
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| Mina and David |
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| Mina working out the beta on Full Service before returning for the send. |
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| Fiona |
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| Liberty, Mina, Me and Layla |
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| Me working Le Chninkel! It has been consuming--organizing the Hueco Rock Rodeo and not having Adam here. When I am out climbing I am constantly distracted by what I need to do for the Rodeo. Also without Adam, I go along with the group a lot which is fun (and I am thankful) but you are not always going where you "should" go that day. I have had a handful of days where we kept going to East--it has been good to work out beta and whittle it down but this is a physical problem and crushes your skin. Taking a break from it for a bit over the Rodeo week and then hoping to not leave it behind for next year. |
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| How many dudes does it take to raise a pole? Thanks to the Brits, Irish, Wickwire and Conner for the help! |
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| Just one Irish guy need to hold it up--thanks James and Tom, Adam and David! |
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| At least the Rodeo will give me time to heal my skin... |
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