2014 - Year in Review

What a year! Never would have thought I would be where I am now this time last year. With many climbing trips to the deserts in the winter, snowboarding in Tahoe, many weekend camping trips, an epic road trip to Colorado to move Robert, Idaho with Tom, backpacking in the Southern Sierra's, Switzerland, and then my own move out to Colorado, wow! But words only convey so much, so on to the pictures.

The year started with a bunch of climbing. It never rained and the temps were perfect for desert climbing. 

The first climbing trip of the year to Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca State Park with Ryan, Meaghan, and Jessica. 

I'm proud of my rack. 

We set up a top rope (on the wrong route), but had a blast anyways. 

The next trip was to Joshua Tree for my birthday weekend. We had a campsite in Indian Cove and it was perfect. Our campsite with Ryan, Meaghan and Jessica.

Kira had a little too much fun. 

My first trad lead, Trash Can Rock in Joshua Tree!

Jessica got me this awesome long bow for my birthday and it accompanied me on most trips for the rest of the year. 

We then headed out for a weekend trip to Dos Cabezas, Anza Borrego with Mark, Robert, Jeff and Jessica. 

Our first climb was an epic 5.8 hand crack that opened up to a chimney. Approximately 80 feet and spectacular!

This was Jeff's first time climbing outdoors and he grunted all the way to the top!

Exposure. 

I call this one Bouldering for beer. A V2 that I didn't solve until a later trip. 

Jeff, Robert, the dogs and I took a quick climbing trip out to the east county and climbed this crazy adventure climb that I don't think anyone had climbed in years. We had to do some crazy bushwacking just to get to it. 

Then I jumped on a plane to Lake Tahoe to meet up with the family and go snowboarding. The snow wasn't very good, but was great to see Tom and Tara and to take Kayden skiing for the first time. 

Back to Dos Cabezas with Robert, Ryan and Meaghan. This time the approach was crazy and the climbing stunning. 

And we went back and conquered that V2. 

Had an amazing experience seeing the blood moon with the besties, Rachel and Justin. 

I took this picture holding my phone up to Justin's telescope. 

We went on quick weekend trip up to Ventura and Lockwood Valley and went fishing with Lucca and Nicco. Lucca amazed me and caught this trout by himself!  

We then went on a camping trip with the besties and Nicolas and Dan to Cuyamaca. 

It was really cold one of the days, snuggling up with Cali. 

Love this picture of Rachel. 

A quick climbing trip to Mount Woodson with Robert. Loved this little crack trad lead. 

Then it was time to move Robert out to Denver, Colorado. This trip really warranted its own blog post, or perhaps several, but I started this blog after this trip. Anyways, here are the highlights.

We took a few days to get out to Colorado, and planned the trip around climbing and canyoneering stops along the way. The first was in Red Rocks, Nevada, just outside of Vegas. We did some amazing sport climbing. 

Robert, at the top of Killer Joe, a 5.10. 

Me at the top of one of the numerous 5.8's. 

We then headed to Zion, got the last campsite in the park and the last permits to do the Subway.

The Subway was transformative. 

It involves swims, rappells and a lot of hiking. 

But there were nice spots for a rest. 

The next day we did Angels Landing. 

And then pulled into Moab late that day. We then headed to Arches National Park to climb the Left Nut of the Testes, a 5.9 desert tower. Robert lead this crumbling, dusty, windy, amazing, beautiful and challenging tower. I will never forget sitting on the top of this. 

Robert on the top, now it's my turn. And you can see where it gets its name, the formation to the right is the phallus. 

Me on top. 

Robert got an amazing video of me rappelling down.

We then hiked to check out the delicate arch. 

Our last night we camped in a beautiful little campsite in Rifle Falls State Park. 

Then Jessica and I did a little weekend trip to Idlywild. We were going to backpack, but a recent fire shut down most of the backpacking areas. We found an awesome dispersed campground with views down to Morongo Valley and San Gorgonio. Also did some fun bouldering. 

Perfect little finger crack.

And then I climbed half dome! Well little half dome. 

My next trip was out to Idaho to visit my brother, Tom. He picked me up from the airport and after a quick lunch we were off to City of Rocks. What an amazing place. It's like Joshua Tree in the pines. Perfect granite, and camping right next to the climbing. 

Tom, Mono and me, City of Rocks sunset. 

Tom, a PhD student of Geology (the rock doc) had never rock climbed before. Here he is on a top rope I set up, first climb ever. 

We then found some awesome cracks that I could trad lead. So I gave Tom a quick lesson in lead belaying, climbed to the top, and had him clean and then rappel down. 

Me on lead. 

And me on top. 

Tom's first rappel. 

We then headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Teton National Park. 

Tom and I with the Tetons in the background. 

The beauty of this part of the country is unsurpassed in my opinion. 

We saw a wolf!

And tons of elk and deer.

Jackson Hole elk antler arch. 

Mono swimming in Jackson Lake.

Me reflecting at Jackson Lake.

We then headed up into Yellowstone and straight into the heart of winter, in June. 

Drove over the Continental Divide for the first time. I'll call this foreshadowing (as I'm now writing this less than 20 miles as the crow flies from the divide). 

One of the beautiful hot springs in Yellowstone.

From Yellowstone, we headed back to Idaho, to the Sawtooth National Forest.  It reminded me of a mini Jackson Hole/Tetons, but without the people.

We took off for an overnight backpack trip into the Sawtooths.  We had a loop route planned, but had to change to an out and back as we encountered a ton of snow (with no gaiters or waterproof boots on).

It was beautiful nonetheless.

Bros.

We camped near this lake.  Still nearly froze over in June.

One of my favorite pictures I've ever taken.

Mono, showing off on our last night.

Back to San Diego, and a weekend camping trip to Palomar Mountain with the besties and Dan.

Then a relaxing weekend with Jessica's family wine tasting in Paso Robles for Dave and Kathy's 60th birthdays.

It was around this time that I was in the interview process for a new job in Boulder, Co.  In order to calm my mind, I found myself painting a bunch.  Here is a collage of four of my opposite-color paintings.  Clockwise from upper left they are Weird Josh, Cup is Half Dome, Lumaha'i Beach, and Boulder Dreams.

We then headed up to the Kern River in the Southern Sierra's for a backpacking trip.  This was my nephew, Lucca's first backpacking trip, as well as Jeff's.  My brother-in-law, Joe, and Jessica also went, and my dad met us the next day.  This is one of my favorite areas, fishing, rafting, and hiking, in a beautiful area with hardly any people.

Lucca and I rafting with Kira and Cali swimming along.

Lucca caught a (actually two) Sacramento Sucker that almost pulled him in (insert jokes about sac suckers here).

But my dad had the catch of the trip, a beautiful rainbow.

Jeff got in on the fishing action.

Kira posing along the Kern.

Joe and Lucca.

Kira and Cali, ready to go, or done?

Then Jessica and I did the jungle ropes at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Hung out at the beach with Rachel and Justin.

And then took off for Switzerland.  Since I covered Switzerland in great detail in previous blog posts, here are just a couple pictures from there.

The Matterhorn

Jessica and I with the Matterhorn in the background.

Eiger and Monch at sunrise.

Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau from the Schilthorn.

Our lunch spot looking up at the Eiger.

After we got back from Switzerland, I had about 4 days to pack up and move out to Boulder.  Yeah, I got the job.  Senior Analyst, Demand-Side Management at E Source.

Jeff rode out with me and we stopped in Zion.  We hiked the narrows, which was pretty special.

Jeff in the narrows.

Me hiking in the narrows.

And relaxing in the Virgin river after.

We made it out to Boulder, and met up with Rod and Drea, my kinfolk, who I would stay with for the next couple of months before Jessica would move out in late November.

Rod "Brother Thelonious"

And Drea, who is an amazing harmonica player.

My friends from San Diego, Giovanna and Adrian came out for a conference my company puts on the second week I was here.  I took them to Boulder and we went on a ride along the creek.



Then a quick trip back out to Zion (3rd time this year) to meet Jessica and swap cars.

Rod and Drea got a puppy, Muddy Waters!  It was great to have a puppy in the house while I was there.  Rod and I took him flyfishing on Boulder Creek the second day they had him.

Me flyfishing Boulder Creek.  This is about a 20 minute drive from home.

Then it was time to move Jessica out here.

Our new place (the door on the left).

I got a season pass to the Vail Resorts (A-Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek), and have been snowboarding every chance I get.  I've hit all five mountains and have nearly 100,000 vertical feet thus far.

At Vail.

Breckenridge with my brother-in-law Kellen.

Beaver Creek with Rod, Robert, and Jennalee, Christmas Eve.

And then snowshoeing on Christmas Day with Jessica, yes we got a white Christmas!

The Christmas storm brought nearly ten inches to Boulder.

I thought it was a good idea to hike from my house, to the mountains across the street and snowboard down.  I brought my old board just in case the coverage wasn't great.  Well, that was a terrible idea.  The run I picked was super rocky, and I was constantly hitting rocks and falling.  Took one good fall, bruised my leg something fierce, and am now resting up.  Missed a weekend snowboarding and the next opportunity to go will be New Years Day, if my leg recovers in time.  So, I guess that's where this year ends.

Overall, what a year!  Looking back now, I can't believe I did all this in one year.  Thanks to everyone who was a part of it.  I can't wait to see what 2015 brings!

Cheers.