The Approach

One of my favorite past times is backpacking (and long day hiking).  I love the journey on the way to a destination.  And sometimes the destination really isn't even the point of my outing.  I'm one of those ladies who stops to identify every wildflower and tree, I smell the roses...and the bark of the ponderosa pine... I throw rocks in the creek, and take pictures of the shadows of the aspen trees.  This can be a challenge for Brandon.  The trail that gets us to where we are going should be the shortest distance from the car to the end, diversions for Indian Paintbrush, and frogs is not always scheduled into the agenda.  Shortcuts are a part of many of our adventures, and sometimes rapidly deteriorate into long-cuts, which of course I love - more things to sniff.  Today, we had a bit of a shortcut, that ended in a slide.  I was ecstatic, Brandon annoyed.  

But Brandon doesn't see the journey, he sees The Approach.  These two words have changed my understanding and definition of journeys in the backcountry.  There was once a time in my life where walking 6 miles round-trip...at 10,000 feet...in tennis shoes...in the snow...with 25 lbs on my back...with a headwind going both ways!...somehow gaining elevation both ways!...would have been a hefty day adventure.  Since marrying Brandon, this is simply the approach.  The adventure BEGINS at the destination.  Getting there is only 1/4 of the battle, maybe 1/5.  

Today was a phenomenal compromise.  Brandon's approach was tempered by my lolligagging and slow pace as we marched our way through Rocky Mountain National Park's Glacier Gorge up to Loch Vale.  It was a spectacular day!  

Coming Around the Corner to Loch Vale

Once we completed the approach, we spent the day ice climbing a flow pleasantly known as Crystal Method. 

Crystal Method

The ice was brittle, and the temps were cold.  BIG ice fell often and freely, making negotiating the belay and safety at times a concern.  I have come away unscathed, Brandon has only suffered minor soft tissue injury.  

Brandon impressively negotiated the sketchy freestanding 70 foot pillar,

Brandon Saying "No" to Crystal Meth

and had some impressive moments on top rope on some delicate and challenging ice.

Getting Through Some of the Delicacies

 

Frankly, today was not my day to shine.  Fear gripped me, and when fear wasn't nipping at my crampons, fatigue nailed me in the form of sitting a lot on the rope.

Marissa Moving up the Ice

We all have our good days and bad....today I guess, I was much more into the approach and less the destination.

Free Soloing to Set up the Top-rope Anchor...don't know how he convinced me of that...