Transitions

Fall is a time of transitions. Recently we found ourselves at a local crag in much colder conditions than we have had in months. We were a bit under prepared, and cut things a little short to retreat to the warmth of pizza and beer at a local establishment. On the drive back I started thinking about all the transitions this season marks.

Most of the summer is spent hiding from the sun, chasing shade in order to stay cool. Even on the high crags of Independence Pass, direct sun can be quite toasty at 10,000′. But this time of year, we start to migrate more towards the sun. There are cliffs we’ve been avoiding all summer that now are suddenly back on the roster. And over the course of a couple months, we come to fully embrace the sun, as eventually it’s all that will get us through the winter months, when we have no choice but to chase the warmth it provides.

The Western Slope of Colorado is wetter than the Front Range, and as such, we have more leafy vegetation. Scrub oak and aspens cover the hillsides, putting forth brilliant green all summer long. With fall, however, they undergo a transformation that sets the hillsides on fire with color. The aspens turn a brilliant yellow gold, and the scrub oaks hint at the splendor of eastern falls, with bright red’s and oranges. And much of the ground cover turns yellow as well, giving everything a golden glow for a stunning week or two.

Most of the summer, the living is easy. A pair of shorts and maybe a light top is all you need for most cragging days. Now, however, you’ve got to be prepared for a wider range of temperatures. You might start the day in pants and switch to shorts halfway through, only to throw on more layers as the day ends and you huddle around the fire.

As the days get shorter, after work climbing goes from carefree hours of sunshine at the local cliffs, to squeezing in a couple of pitches as fast as you can, to the final retreat indoors to pull on plastic for a couple months. Training goes up on the priority list, you might as well make the most of your time indoors.

The other day, we were greeted with crisp fall air as we hiked in to our favorite local spot, past leaves that were already bright yellow. We were back at the car by dark, which was only 8:15. It was a gentle reminder that summer doesn’t last all year, and the transition to fall, and then winter, is well underway. While it’s easy to lament the passing of summer, it’s also exciting to welcome the fall, and all the changes it brings.