Welcome to the third installment of the Choss Files. Last time we checked out a scrappy crag an hour from Boise, which turned out to be less than inspiring. This time, I turned my focus to some rock that is pretty close to town, only about a ten minute drive or so at the Perham Creek trailhead. From hiking in the area I knew there were some small limestone outcrops down by the trail, and some promising looking cliffs up high on a ridge. Yesterday afternoon I took a break from work, grabbed the dog and headed out to see what could be found.

We hiked up the trail until I found a good spot to cut up the steep slope towards the top of the ridge. It was slow going, as the ground was soft and the way was steep. After plodding up hill for fifteen minutes or so, I got the first close up view of the cliffs, and it looked somewhat promising. They were fins, similar to Thompson Creek, and if the rock was good, looked like they would yield some fun routes in a cool setting.

Alas, it was not to be. This stuff makes the Fisher Towers look like granite. It was some sort of crumbling mud/stone matrix. Oh well, can’t win them all I suppose. After so many successful explorations around town, it was a bit strange to be let down. We chilled at the cliff for a bit, and then checked out the top of the ridge before descending back to the car. Another cliff sat at the top, some sort of funky, bad limestone. Really interesting geology, not so good for climbing. On the way down, we passed by some other limestone outcrops that were pretty small. The stone was really good, the same as the hard grey stuff on the right side of the Puoux, but there just wasn’t anything worth climbing on really, unless you want to do some low ball boulder problems and short top ropes.

Until next time…

I just came across a really cool event that I wish I had heard about earlier. It’s called Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up, and the focus of the organization is to”bring awareness to the pediatric AIDS pandemic and to raise funds so the American Foundation for Children with AIDS can continue to send life saving anti-retroviral (ARV) medication to children affected by HIV/AIDS.” I’d say that’s a pretty worthy cause.

On September 22nd and 23rd and they are encouraging people to “climb, ride, hike or walk up the mountain, hill, rock, wall, boulder or any challenge of your choice to help in the fight to save the next generation.” Like many events of this sort, you can sign up to be a part of it with a target goal of how much you want to raise. You then hit up all the people you know who want to support a good cause, and then on the weekend of the 22nd, go out and climb something to bring awareness to this cause.

Climbing is an inherently selfish activity, so it’s always refreshing to see people using it to help others. You can sign up or send in a donation on their website.

After two months in Boise where we mostly studied and worked the whole time, we’ve been trying hard to take advantage of what is left of summer here in Colorado and get up high before winter settles in. Tracy had never been up a 14er, and we thought La Plata would be the perfect introduction. I had never been up the peak either, so I was psyched to get another under my belt and in the process get a good look at the Ellingwood Ridge, which I have been told is one of the better technical ridge challenges in the state.

The forecast was great, with no rain predicted, so we didn’t get up too early but apparently no one else got the memo, as the lot was packed by the time we got there around 7:30. The day started off chilly with a hint of autumn in the air. As we climbed higher our bodies warmed and soon we were above tree line, staring at the rest of route up the Northwest ridge of the mountain. From this vantage point, the Ellingwood Ridge loomed in the distance and certainly looked impressive. It was studded with too many towers to count and looked like it would be a tedious undertaking. I’d like to go back and try it, but definitely on a good weather day!

From this point onward we had incredible views of the surrounding peaks that only got better the higher we climbed. We passed many folks already on their way down, and shared the summit with only two other parties. We lounged for a long time on top, contemplating the view of endless mountains that stretched off to the horizon. I didn’t want to leave, as perfect weather on a 14er isn’t all that common, and it felt great not to be worried about getting down fast. Taking one last look around, we finally left the summit and headed back down the mountain as the sun began to sink lower in the western sky. The afternoon light was beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the descent back the car.

You get a great view of the peak heading back over Independence Pass, and from that view you realize the fourteeners really are big mountains!

We’ve been getting up high the last couple of weeks, and are hoping for a nice, long fall so we can continue to do so, winter is long enough!

Things have been busy recently. We just spent a week up in Jackson Hole, visiting the family. No climbing, but good hang time with some fishing and hiking. Having not spent much time up there in the summer, I couldn’t believe how bad traffic is from people visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks. I can see how living in town you could come to hate all the tourons who stop the car every time they see any kind of animal.

Catching up on work here this week, but look for posts coming about La Plata Peak, Challenge Aspen and a guide for new boulders on Independence Pass, just in time for some good fall temps before the snow comes…