14,000 ft. x Three

This weekend I will be heading to Kite Campground at 12,000 ft (the highest campground in America) for two days.  Here I will be staying for a base camp to climb three 14,000 footers in a day.  The climbs shouldn't be too hard as long as the weather stays clear and it doesn't snow.  There is also Kite Lake at 12,000 ft, which I've heard holds some rainbows for the taking.  I'll post some pictures and my report of the climbs on Sunday after I get back. 

Before I head down to the campground I'm going to be fishing some 25+ miles of Gold Medal Trout Waters on the South Plate River in Cheeseman Canyon with Bob and Gwen, both good company. 

Goodluck to my boys playing in the Carolina Nike Classic this weekend, and for all those back in Happy Valley this weekend, have fun.

That's all from the mountains - Dave

11,600+ ft fishing

Today I went fishing with Bob on James Peak which is located in the Indian Peaks National Forest. There were several lakes located above treeline which we fished with great success.  King Lake was the largest of the ones we fished today, and gave us our fill of wild cutthroat.  After bushwacking approximately 2 miles we found what we thought was going to be a dead lake.  To our amazement I mangaged to land a 16 inch cutthroat, probably the only fish in the small lake (one that I could cast across if I really tried). The hiking was beautiful, but as the end of the day neared the clouds were moving in and a storm was approaching.  On our way back to snow mountain ranch, we picked up some essentials for a bbq to cook the fish and ended the day the only appropriate way we knew, full and satisfied on another great colorado day.
 

The vacation is over.

After working 64 hours in the past week, I was finally given a 2 day break to relax and enjoy the Colorado mountains.  My first day of vacation consisted of heading into Denver where we enjoyed several conveinences of the big city.  Bowling, shopping, visiting the airport, getting in traffic jams, eating chineese food, and generally wasting time in a mall.  After spending several hours in the city, I was soon ready to drive back into the mountains and the fresh air.

Today I went fly fishing on the Colorado River in several different places, but got skunked.  Happily skunked though to say the least.  The river has a great background of mountains and ranches going as far as you wish to look. 

It snowed on top of the mountains today as well.  From what I can feel and have been told, there is pretty much no Fall here at the ranch.  It goes Summer, Winter, Mud Season, and then repeat.  400 inches of snow fell last season, and with free season passes to the local ski resorts, I can't wait for the ski season to begin.

Climbing? Climb on.

Sorry I haven't been able to post lately, I've been busy learning alot here at Snow Mountain Ranch.  I have been working mostly in the adventure programming, that includes high ropes course, zip line, and climbing wall.  Most of the time I'm belaying someone so if they fall they don't die.  So far the work is fun, and I'm learning alot about climbing gear and that sorta thing.


I did mangae to make it out fly fishing for the first time yesterday evening.  I headed to the Colorado River which is right down the road past Granby and Hot Sulphur Springs.  The river was much bigger and windier then I am used to back east, but I managed to nab two browns and had a few more hits.

I also played some pick up soccer with the staff which includes the jamacian team, south american team, some koreans, and myself with two other americans.  It's quite the game, with small goals, walls to keep the ball in, and spectators hanging out relaxing after a day of work.  The games get interesting, as it seems everyone take their futbol somewhat seriously.  I like the fact that their are no coaches.  Pure soccer. 

Rocky Mountain High

I would have driven another 31 hours to get to a place so beautiful.  I love Colorado so far and feel
like there are so many things to do so little time in the day.  I didn't work today, just moved into my new room (which I have to myself), but has no windows and the footsteps of people playing in the gym directly above my head...perfect for me!  I found time to head into Winter Park and Fraser the nearest towns to get my fishing liscence then head back to Snow Mountain Ranch to take some pictures.  While
taking pictures I found someone with the same idea from Illinois, Bob a semi-pro photographer landscapes and  wildlife. of We talked for a while, and as I walked back to the car realized this is the place for me.  Did I mention I saw two longboarders in Winter Park already?  The people out here are great and I can't wait to start work tomorrow and meet more of them. 

Preseason

Although I may have to spend the next 14 hours in a car to get to Granby, CO, there is one thing I will not have to do this year...PRESEASON.  Yes, it will be hard not being able to attend and participate in preseason 2006, but don't worry about me.  Just take each and every wonderful moment as it comes, whether it be that first bite at Cici's Pizza, a juicy steak from Ponderosa, or a brisk 3 mile run.  Cheerish all the time you have left, for it goes too fast. 

Jeff...Dave...are you listening? ...

Don't worry, I'll be fine.  Enjoy the season and goodluck, I'll be following you guys!

Sorry I didn't put a picture up of you guys, I couldn't find any on gopsusports.com:(

It's Hot!

Been in St. Louis for a few days now, and it hasn't been below 94 degrees during the day since I got here.  This city is too hot.  I'll be moving on towards Colorado tomorrow morning through MO and KS, splitting the 13 hour drive into two days.  While here in St. Louis I took a step back in time to visit the Meramec Caves (Jesse James' hideout and Lassi movie set) which is a tourist trap right out of the  70's.  I didn't think the tour of these caves could get any better, until the grand finally where all my expectations were topped with the Govenor's Light.  Following the tour my brother and I went for some good sushi and down to the Live on the levi concert series at the St. Louis arch which was pretty good.  But I can't type anymore it's just too hot, 110 F outside as I type this. 

900 miles of highway

I left Penn State yesterday morning at around 9:30 am and thirteen hours later 9:30 pm central time I was in St. Louis.  The ride was uneventful except for the gas stations, taco bell drive through, and thunderstorms that forced me to pull over several times.  Once getting on I-70 west you lose any feature in the landscape that might even resemble a mountain let alone a hill.   The landscape may have been boring but the sunset was worth it, and it was all made possible to 2 redbulls and a liter of mountain dew (as Farva would say).