Tuolumne: Part II

Again? Yes! Jared, friends, and I went back to Yosemite to conquer more mountains. I can officially say I completed my first crack climb on West Crack and it was the hardest thing I've ever done...maybe having wisdom teeth pulled is equivalent. I cried, but when I reached the top I was in high spirits ('cause I was done - ha!). We're having a great end of summer climb fest with new friends from Oakland and couldn't be happier.

The top.

The (spectacular) view

My fearless leader.

Climbing crew - these guys are my climbing idols...especially Susie!

Tuolumne: Part I

We ventured into the depths of Tuolumne to go climbing with some friends and what an adventure we had. I attempted my first 5.11a and Jared and I both were able to visit new climbing routes. The weather was wonderful - hello low 80's!

Year One: Here's looking at you, kid.

September 10, 2011 - September 10, 2012

We made it through: mono, major holidays, a thesis, a re-write, death, job change, unemployment, three apartments, u-haul driving and packing boxes and re-packing boxes, lots of mountain climbs, hikes, furniture buying, petitions, interviews, movie nights, ice cream dates, vege inspiration, and so much more.

I love you and I love you.

California

I love this place:



P.S. I recommend watching King of California...you'll most likely love it.

Butano to Big Basin and back.

On our anniversary weekend we decided to go camping before it gets too cold around the Bay. We drove to Butano State Park late Friday night and set up our Big Agnes tent and slept with the cool redwood air surrounding our campsite. The next morning we drove to Big Basin to start our ten miler from Sunset Trail to Berry Creek Falls to Skyline to Sea Trail and back. I love hiking so much and I'm so happy Jared and I got to spend the weekend doing something we love in such a beautiful redwood forest. The olallieberry pie at Duartes Tavern in Pescadero wasn't too bad either - hooray for sweet treats to end a great day of wilderness hiking!

We seriously love our tent!



Fact: 160 acres of redwood forest were sold for $7.50 in 1882 to a man and his son who built a home from a single redwood tree.

Fact: Big Basin was the first State Park in California.



Above: Cascade Falls. Below: Berry Creek Falls.



We'll be back again!

Lovers Leap

'Cause we're lovers!

Jared and I ventured to Strawberry to go climbing to celebrate the Labor Day weekend and we couldn't ask for better weather. The day was beautiful, my muscles were pumping and Jared was leading us up to the top of a 500 foot rock face. We climbed up Corrugation Corner and Bears Reach an made it to Placerville in time for a veggie feast! A day well spent.



After a large crack, chimney, and shaky traverse, I was finally making some progress on the mountain!



Climbing is for lovers. Leaping is for dummies.