I just took my first spring stroll around Golden. As I opened the door, as if on cue with the calendar, I smelled the sweet scent of blooming flowers in the air. Ahhhhhhh what a feeling! As our preparation for the climbing season continues, we took our first trip of 2015 down to Shelf Road for a bit of real rock, camping, and campfires under the stars.
The group site at The Bank Campground – Shelf Road, CO
Pitched the tent on the snow insead of the muddy alternative. A bit chilly the first night but the climbing temps were perfect! – Shelf Road, CO
We have just finished the power phase of our workout and are starting to transition into the power endurance phase. This will have been the longest stretch that we’ve dedicated to just power and bouldering and man it showed. Seems like we could hold onto small holds but lacked endurance and felt a bit awkward on the rock. Looking forward to getting back into the flow and regaining endurance – this time hopefully with added strength!
Nate on My Generation 5.12d – Shelf Road, CO
Nate on My Generation 5.12d – Shelf Road, CO
Cool cross move to a rest. My Generation 5.12d – Shelf Road, CO
Oh so close. Next weekend for sure. Nate on My Generation 5.12d – Shelf Road, CO
Kari and Dani enjoying the view up the Shelf Road drainage.
We got to spend a great weekend with Nate and Kari who we met during our very first visit to Shelf. Along with their dog Dani we had a pleasant weekend under the stars and nearly full moon. The days were warm in the sun and manageable in the shade. Most of the snow was gone but hung-in on shaded slopes. Hopefully we will be headed back this way again next weekend.
Turns out this dyno was completely unnecessary, but hey, when all you’ve been doing is bouldering indoors for a while this is what you get. Ejection Seat 5.12b – Shelf Road, CO
Just about to enter the crux (and get ejected). Ejection Seat 5.12b – Shelf Road, CO
Ejection Seat 5.12b – Shelf Road, CO
Did manage hop back on after my onsight attempt the day before and snagged the send. Complete lack of endurance but the crux felt solid. Ejection Seat 5.12b – Shelf Road, CO
The “real” Shelf Road is a windy dirt path that climbs a few thousand feet over 10 miles to Cripple Creek. Certainly worth exploring. I don’t know if there are routes on that arch but there should be…
Aside from the climbing, it just felt really good to be back out and camping again. To save money in the summers with a reduced income we don’t travel as much and find ourselves sticking closer to home in Clear Creek. It may have been November since our last camping/climbing trip! The feeling we get in these remote and beautiful places serves to recharge us mentally and spiritually. It’s impossible to visit a place like Shelf, drive its dirt roads, soak in the sun, feel the fresh breeze and silence without feeling immediately relaxed. A world away from work. A world away from traffic and all the hubbub – but exactly where we want to be.