In summer 2001, Jim Voss and I climbed about 20 alpine rock routes above Chamonix over 6 weeks.  We spent 1 week in the Envers des Aiguilles Hut, 3 nights in the Argentiere Hut, 3 nights in the Cosmiques Hut, 2 nights camped on the Nantillons Glacier, and the rest camped in the valley. 

 

Cordier Pillar, Grand Charmoz, TD 5+ A1, 600m (bailed 1-2 pitches from top)

 

Bienvenue au Georges V, First Pointe des Nantillons, TD+ 6a+, 350m

 

Le Marchand de Sable, Tour Rouge, TD+ 6a A1, 280m (skipped last pitch of snowy 3)

 

Voie Marilene on Pointe Lachenal (TD 5+ A1, 250m)

 

Southeast Spur, Le Minaret, TD 5+ A1, 250 m (bailed 1 pitch from top)

 

Vaucher Route, Gendarme 3068, TD, 6a, 400m

 

South Ridge, Chapelle de la Gliere, D 5b, 400m

 

Voie de Galbert, Southwest Face, Tour des Crochues, D- 5b, 200m

 

Le Piege, Tour Verte, TD+ 6a A1, 200m

 

UCPA, First Pointe des Nantillons, TD- 5, 320m (bailed 1 pitch from top)

 

Eperon Nord, North side of Papillon Ridge, D+ 5, 300m

 

Genepi Ridge, Aiguille de Genepi, 5, 250m

 

Couzy Route, Aiguille L'M, TD 5, 200m

 

East Ridge, Pyramide du Tacul, D 4, 250m

I lived in Mammoth Lakes in 1994, and in Riverside from 1999-2004.  During that time I climbed all over California.  

 

 

In spring 2000, 2001, and 2002, I made about a dozen weekend climbing trips to Red Rocks.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cat in the Hat (5.6, 5 pitches) with Ian Gillespie (spring 2001?) and Jim Voss (spring 2000).

During the entire month of July 1999, Jim Voss and I endured two days of rain and snow for every day of sun, and managed to get in a few good alpine climbs.

 

 

I spent all of summer 1996 in the Tetons, climbing about 25 alpine routes to significant summits.  

 

In spring 1995, I went on a 45-day self-guided trek in the Khumbu Himal of Nepal, much of it with Dan Morris and David Pettner.  We stayed in "tea shops" every night, with the exception of two nights in a tent.  We started at road's end in Jiri and trekked three weeks to Everest Base Camp.  We then retreated to Pheriche and summitted two 19,000 foot peaks in the vicinity.  Dan and I then crossed the Cho La Pass and spent over a week exploring the Gokyo valley.  I then descended to Lukla and helicoptered back to Kathmandu.    

In late winter 1995, I went on an 11-day guided trek to Goecha La Pass in Sikkim, India.  I decided to take this trek only after viewing the amazing Kanchenjunga Massif from Darjeeling, India.  In order to trek in the restricted state of Sikkim, I had to by law (1) acquire a special 14-day maximum stay visa, (2) find at least three other trekkers to accompany me, and (3) hire an entourage of guides, cooks, and porters.  I talked two Kiwis into joining me, and they recruited their American acquaintance Dan Morris.  Though we were slowed by waist-deep snow, giardia, an unusual chicken theft scandal, bitter cold, incredibly strong winds, and a lazy and discouraging Sherpa guide, Dan Morris and I finally set off on our own and attained our destination: the 16,500 foot Goecha La Pass. 

In early fall 1994, Mark Shelp and I hiked the northernmost 260 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 26 days from Snoqualmie Pass in central Washington to Manning Provincial Park in Canada.  Overcompensating for my lack of food on the John Muir Trail (see below), I arranged for two massive food drops along the way and probably gained weight.

In late summer 1994, I hiked the entirety of the John Muir Trail through the heart of the California Sierras.  I began solo at Whitney Portal and hooked up with Mark Shelp and Bethany Elson along the way.  After 17 days and 225 miles, my spectacular hike ended in Yosemite Valley.  Though I prided myself on using no food drops, and thus carrying two weeks of food (heavy!), I did not bring nearly enough.  I thereby fantasized about food for most of the trip and devoured several food caches abandoned by other hikers.       

 

This is where it all began for me.  On annual trips, my dad would drag me, sometimes my mom, and sometimes a stray cousin or two up several 4,000 foot peaks.  By the age of sixteen, I had become a member of the White Mountain Four Thousand Footer Club.