Once Upon a Time I Used to be a Climber

I’m sitting here in the lobby of our resort downloading the latest episode of CSI. My life may have been simplified but I still have a few vices. Anyway, while I wait for the file to transfer, I have been looking at photos on our Flickr photo web page. I stumbled across a bunch of photos from the spring and summer of last year. Apparently, I used to be a climber. I still am, I’ve just spent a little more time going across the horizontal than up the vertical in the last 14 months.
Viewing the photos made me realize that our journey started long before we touched down in Auckland, New Zealand. It actually started on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, Longs Peak, and the Grand Teton. Some summits were successful while others were not. Every adventure was the beginning of our new way of life and it was a chance to spend time with some of the most important people in our lives. Now looking back I realize it was also preparation for the voyage we are now close to finishing. What they say is true; it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

Here’s to the clank of a carabiner and the sound of snow under crampons,
LK

On Foot in the Tetons

We’ve been on a road trip now for nearly two weeks now. We spent last week hiking and climbing in the Tetons. Our main goal was an ascent of the Grand Teton. While we were not successful, we put a lot of miles on our shoes and were treated to some amazing views. We stayed at the Climbers' Ranch, a collection of bunkhouse cabins managed by the American Alpine Club. It was a real treat to have a place to cook, a hot shower and fantastic views.
Also, congrats to our friend Chris who stood on the summit of the Grand for his 40th birthday!

Grand Teton National Park can be described as spectacular and awesome. The mountain range rises dramatically from the valley floor. Geology buffs will appreciate the exciting events that shaped the landscape that visitors see today. About 13 to 17 million years ago, earthquakes along the Teton fault caused the mountains to rise and the valley floor to drop. The vertical displacement topped 29,000 feet at one time. The landscape was then sculpted by glacial erosion over the next several million years. As the mountains eroded, the debris was carried to valley floor by the movement of the glaciers. The true valley floor is buried 18,000 feet below what is seen today. Wildlife is also a huge draw in Grand Teton National Park. We were lucky enough to see a black bear and a bull moose during our hiking adventures. It was definitely exciting and we were very glad to see both animals from a distance. This area, along with Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding national forests is home to the 18 million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem - one of the largest temperate zone ecosystems left on Earth.