17th Annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous – Salida, CO

July 13th, 2013

Dancing to Zydeco at CO Brewer's Rendezvous
Rocking Out at the Colorado Brewer’s Rendezvous!

After a restless night in the truck, we headed to Patio Pancake Place to fill our bellies with good ole’ fashioned breakfast. The food there was very affordable and the serving sizes were generous. We were delighted with our food and service. Today, we would be attending the 17th Annual CO Brewers Rendezvous, so it was important to have a hearty meal.

The CBR is sponsored by the Colorado Brewers Guild. It is therefore, almost all local breweries who are in Colorado. This year, there were 74 brewers attending. During the event, the brewers take the time to tell you how they made the beer, critical ingredients, and their goals for the flavor.

Climbergirls Sampling DAM Beer
My Favorite was a Toasted Pecan Bourbon Barrel Aged Brown Ale, by DAM Brewery of Dillon, CO. Yum!

Three Barrel Brewery - Pemba Sherpa IPA
Erin Really Liked Three Barrel Brewery’s Pemba Sherpa Saison Ale.

For Erin, it was an opportunity to learn how she might improve her future home brews. For me, the details were a bit mind numbing – but then, so was the copious amounts of alcohol.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hiking – Mount Antero (14,275 ft) and Cronin Peak (13,870 ft)

July 12th, 2013

Erin Taking a Picture of Mount Antero

Erin and I had a fabulous plan for the upcoming weekend adventure. First, drive to the Sawatch Mountains and climb a 14’er. Second, attend the 17th Annual Colorado Brewer’s Rendezvous in Salida.

We wondered, how could we have a more perfect weekend?

We selected Mt. Antero as the target, with Cronin Peak, a Centennial 13’er as a bonus. These peaks are relatively close to Salida, we had not climbed them yet, and we *thought* we had a good chance of driving to the higher trailhead (Erin’s friend had recently driven up to the 4wd lot in her Subaru).

Unfortunately, my Subaru overheated on the way to Erin’s house. So, I left it somewhere in Lakewood, for Dennis to sort out later (thanks, hun!). Driving in her RWD truck, would we reach the 4wd lot? Would we be hiking up Baldwin Gulch in the dark and tacking on an extra 5 or 6 miles, round trip? Read the rest of this entry »

Mountaineering – Southwest Ridge of Mt.Sneffels

July 7th, 2013

Jeff and Clare Stand Victorious on Mount Sneffels
Victorious on Mt. Sneffels (14,157 ft)

Jeff Scrambling Up the Southwest Ridge of Sneffels
Jeff Scrambling up to the Summit of Mt. Sneffels

Cirque Mountain, Teakettle Mountain, and Potosi Peak
The Amazing View! Cirque Mountain, Teakettle Mountain, and Potosi Peak.

Jeff and I climbed the uber classic southwest ridge of Mt. Sneffels.

Jeff had mentioned, on my Pigeon/Turret trip last summer, how he was interested in climbing the ridge route on Sneffels. In the meantime, I had heard nothing but good things about it from other folks in the Colorado Mountain Club.

So, finally, after thinking and dreaming about the route for year, I got to climb it! The southwest ridge did not disappoint; it truly is a classic ridge scramble and, as such, is featured as one of the premier routes in the CO Scrambles book.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rock Climbing – Cracked Wall, Ophir Pass, Telluride, CO

July 5th, 2013

Cracked Wall at Ophir Pass
The Cracked Wall at Ophir Pass, Telluride, CO

At Summit of Entrance Exam
Clare at the top of Entrance Exam (5.3)

On 4th of July, Dennis and I drove to Telluride to stay with the J-man. He was one of the participants in my Pigeon/Turret trip last summer and at the end of the trip, he invited us to stay with him if we were ever in Telluride. It was a place we had been wanting to visit, so we arranged a multi-sport vacation and took him up on his offer.

Friday was the day for climbing. So, we headed to Ophir Pass and climbed at Cracked Wall.

Read the rest of this entry »

Social Event – Fireworks Party

July 3rd, 2013

Pick Your Poison
Pick Your Poison!

Fireworks from Rockies Game
BAM!!!

Joan and Dan Enjoy the Fireworks
Joan and Dan Enjoying the show!

Every year, around the 4th of July, there is a huge fireworks spectacular after the Rockies game. One of the exciting things about having a rooftop deck close to the ballpark is being able to see fireworks, up close and in your face!

Dennis and I host our first party so we can share the fireworks show with our friends. I am excited to see Jen and her fiancĂ© Brett. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them. Also there are: Jenny, Erin, Aga & Chris, Joan & Dan, Josh, Julie, and Eric. We figure it’s going to be amazing. It does not disappoint!