2015 Mid-Year Update

Haven't posted in awhile, but not because I haven't been busy. Tons of snowboarding early this year and then camping nearly every weekend once it stopped snowing, well actually while it was still snowing. 

Jessica and I started off the new year snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here we are standing on frozen Bear Lake. 

This was our first sunset of the new year, looking out over Rocky Mountain National park to the sun setting over the Continental Divide. 

There are so many amazing hikes right near home, this was a little snow hike in Chautauqua Park. 

While the sunsets are beautiful here, the sunrises are out of this world. This was shot from the car on our way to Vail one morning, looking out over a frozen Dillon Reservoir. 

A fresh pow day at Vail. 

The sunset over Wonderland Lake on a after work walk. This is only a 10 minute walk from home. 

We see deer in our walks from home almost every time. 

Robert and I went to Breckenridge on my birthday, January 19th. I used to always go surfing on my birthday back in California. 

A few days later on the drive to back to Breckenridge to go snowboarding. Pretty sure this is the coldest I've ever seen. 

Robert and I at the top of Peak 6 at Breckenridge. Hiking up is a good way to warm up. 

Jessica and Kira on a hike just above Boulder. 

Cali and I on the same hike. 

Believe it or not, this hike was 6 days after the one above. Hiking in Eldorado State Park on Feb 7. 

The next day climbing in Boulder Canyon. First time out climbing in Boulder. Fun trad lead here. 

Jessica and I headed down to Colorado Springs for Valentines Day. We stopped at Garden of the Gods, which has some amazing sandstone formations. 

We then headed up to the wolf and wildlife sanctuary. Here are a couple of Swift Foxes, native to Colorado. 

And the ambassador wolf, who we got to pet. 

One of the better dumps of the year in our backyard. 

Kira, Muddy Waters, and California. 

I won a snowboard from the liquor store down the street. 

A snowshoe hike with Jessica, Robert, and Jennalee. 

Rappelling after a climb in Boulder Canyon with Robert.

Carter Lake, our first camping trip of the year on March 21, 2015. 

Another shot at Carter Lake. In hindsight, this was the best weather we have had camping thus far this year. 

A crew of friends came out from California for Robert's birthday. We had a house in Keystone and rode the mountain.

Jessica and I went on an epic snowshoeing hike in the James Peak Wilderness. That's the continental divide in the background. 

I flew down to St. Petersburg, Florida to speak at a conference for work. The warm and humid weather was a welcome break from winter in Colorado. 

Closing weekend at Breck, April 19th. Ended up being the best snow of the year. 

View of the Flatirons from Chautauqua Park on a hike. Wild flowers were starting to bloom. 

California is a happy dog. 

The first weekend in May we headed up to Vedauwoo, Wyoming to camp. Pretty crazy weather, hail, rain and wind, but it was beautiful and great to get out. 

The view from a hike in Vedauwoo. 

Kira approved. 

We then headed to Red Canyon, Utah to meet up with my whole family. We stopped in Rifle Falls the first night. Jessica and the dogs in front of Rifle Falls. 

Then we made it to Red Canyon and met with the family. Us at Bryce Canyon National Park, only a few miles down the road from where we camped. 

My dad, brother and brother-in-law did an epic mountain bike ride, Thunder Mountain. 

And the whole family did this fun hike. Really was great to get to spend time with family, especially my nephew Kayden and niece Madelyn. 

Kayden and me on top of this epic (for Kayden) boulder problem. 

Oh yeah, almost forgot, we woke to snow one morning. 

For Memorial Day weekend we headed out to Moab, Utah with my friends Correne and Will. This was their first time camping together and we almost couldn't find a spot to camp. Moab was a total zoo with no campsites anywhere. So, we headed up into the La Sal National Forest and found a place to disperse camp. 

Not a bad campsite and a double rainbow for show. Actually found solitude on Memorial Day Weekend, bet very few others could say the same. 

The four of us on a hike. 

Correne grating cheese for the first time ever. 

On our way out of Moab, we did the Negro Bills hike which follows a beautiful crystal clear stream the whole way to the Morning Glory Bridge. 

Here is why the stream, which runs year round, is clear. It comes straight out of the sandstone. The start of the whole creek is a perfect little finger crack. 

If you haven't noticed many climbing pics lately you're observent. It basically rained the entire month of May. While we were still able to get out and do some camping, the weather has not been conducive to climbing. However, here's a little boulder problem I found on the hike. 

Rappelling in Boulder Canyon after climbing with Robert. 

Quite a few people at my work climb (not a surprise living in Boulder), so I've been able to get out after work when the weather holds. Here's a boulder problem off Flagstaff Road. 

Working my way up a really fun sport climb in Boulder Canyon. 

And then the tyrolean traverse across a raging Boulder Creek to climb. 

This crag was my favorite yet. Cascade Crag, across Boulder Creek and north facing with really fun climbing. 

My friend Keenan on lead. 

And my friend Ryan going back on the tyrol after a super fun after work session. 

This brings me to today. Jessica and I wanted to go backpacking, but the weather... We went on a cool day hike instead to Gross Reservoir via the Fortsythe Canyon trail. This is an unbelievable 15 miles from home. 

And did some fly fishing on the lake. 

So my goal is to do these more often as it takes forever to go through six months of pictures. I think it's worth it though as I was just looking at the Switzerland blogs this morning and it really brought me back there. Also, if you want to see my pictures more up-to-date, go to my Instagram at http://instagram.com/mjamescolby