ice

Spring In Ouray

I've been anxious to share these images since the day I returned from this trip, but unfortunately I just recently was able to get around to finishing the edits. Back in March some friends and I took an adult spring break of sorts to Ouray, Colorado. Ouray has become a very special place to me; I have never left that area without images that I'm proud of, and this trip was no different. We had planned on spending the entire trip ice climbing, but due to warm temperatures the ice was a bit limited. Despite the weather we managed to do a good amount of climbing, and had an incredible time soaking up that pure mountain air.

The first day started out with warm weather, and a forecast of rain in the afternoon, which had us all a bit disappointed. We first hopped on the Kids' Wall (which is a shorter, easier section of ice, out of the actual canyon where the rest of the climbs are), since most of our group had never ice climbed before. After climbing a while, allowing people to get the hang of the process, we decided to switch it up and head down to the canyon to get on some of the more difficult ice.  

As we were walking down, dark clouds started rolling in; we were expecting that the rain was on its way, and therefore the climbing would likely soon be over for the day. To our surprise, however, the temperature dropped just enough and we were quickly surrounded by big, fluffy snowflakes. It was one of the most amazing scenes I have experienced. 

Day two was warmer yet, with much more sun. We headed a bit higher into the mountains, with the hopes of finding cooler temperatures and better ice conditions. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, so we were limited on what we could climb and how long we could climb it. The guys decided to try their hand at some dry tooling (climbing with ice tools on rock) once the ice was no longer safe to climb because of the heat and sun, and I happily snapped away as they climbed. We ended that day back out our rental with some guitar playing on the deck while we enjoyed the views. 

And with that, I am finally finished with all winter images! I can now get on to slightly more recent images that are more applicable for the current season! As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by, and don't forget to subscribe on the left, and share via the links below! 

Christmas in Spearfish (Part 5)

I am finally nearing the end of these Christmas posts! Only one more after this, and then I will have to find something else to entertain you all with. 

Due to the forecasted bitter cold, we decided that Sunday would be our last chance to climb. After Sunday the temperature was supposed to (and did) drop significantly, with highs in the single digits; not exactly pleasant climbing conditions in my opinion.

Since it had been a bit colder than the previous days we decided to head back to Bridal Veil Falls, hoping that the ice conditions had improved. We were not let down either. There were certain sections that still had the brittle, crusted over ice, but most of it was perfectly sticky and a blast to climb. At one point all three of us climbed to the top of the waterfall and walked down the creek that feeds it for a short ways. We once again had near perfect weather, with snow slowly falling the entire time we were climbing. I was giddy hiking around with my camera in snow that at times was up to my waist. It was a great last day of climbing, needless to say.

As mentioned earlier, I only have one post to go from this trip. I've been trying to stick to one post a week, but with my thesis show and defense rapidly approaching (I install my show one week from today, *gulp*) those photographs, which focus on my precious nephews, may have to stay hidden on my computer for a little longer. So, if I go quiet for a few weeks, just know that big things are happening and will be shared here once it is all over. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and happy Monday!

Christmas in Spearfish (Part 4)

The day after Christmas was another day spent climbing. We tried a different area first (Bridal Veil Falls), but the ice was rather terrible, which made for not very enjoyable climbing, and not the safest of conditions either. After Kyle attempted it, we decided to head back to where we went the first day since we knew the ice was decent there. However, instead of climbing a bunch with the guys, this time around I hiked up the canyon to get on top of the ridge. I walked around photographing the canyon and forest for some time, including some shots of Scott and Kyle climbing below me.

It was slowly snowing while I was up there, and I watched some low clouds roll over the hills in front of me. At one point I just sat in the snow with my camera on my lap and took it all in with a big grin on my face. There isn't much that makes me as happy as a snowy forest. The incredible quiet and simple beauty never fails to leave me in awe, no matter how often I experience it. 

Christmas in Spearfish (Part 2)

Happy New Year everyone! I'm not one to do the standard year-in-review posts, but I will say that it was a year with lots of ups and downs, great adventures, and wonderful people. I already know big things are ahead in 2015, and am excited to see all that it holds. But for now, it is time for the second installment of photographs from our Spearfish adventure!

On Christmas Eve Scott and I went ice climbing with my brother, Kyle. I had been ice climbing with Kyle when I visited him two years ago, but Scott had never experienced it before, despite wanting to learn for some time. Needless to say, he was extremely excited to get out on some ice. We went to an area in Spearfish Canyon called 11th Hour Gulch, which is a very short walk up a narrow side canyon off of the road. It is an absolutely beautiful area, and is quite great for learning how to climb ice. 

We went back to this area after Christmas as well, since it is such an easy approach and the ice was pretty nice, so more pictures are to come. The next post will feature some adorable pictures of my nephews, and lots of snow, so be sure to check back in a few days. 

I hope everyone had a safe, and fun filled New Years! Happy 2015!