Climbing on Independence Pass this time of year is truly incredible. We got out to Lincoln Creek on Saturday and enjoyed a full day basking in the warm sun, climbing some excellent routes, and taking in the awesome scenery all around us. We marveled at the stunning line of Dean’s Day Off and struggled to comprehend how Henry Barber lead the first ascent barefoot! Most folks are plenty content to take a top rope up this incredible and demanding route.

Many of the aspens were already turning, and once you climbed above the trees, you looked down onto a glowing sea of gold. We had a large group and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company, and the challenge of the routes at hand. Days like that are a blessing for which I am genuinely thankful.

Steve Smith takes a trip up Honest Abe, Lincoln Creek Cliff.