Living Earl

Joe's Valley

2014-02-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

It always amazes me how easy it is to find somewhere you have never been. Exploration can be the easiest or hardest thing in the world. A few Saturday's back we took an easy adventure. Parker and I are both new to ice climbing and we have been looking at ice routes all over Utah. He threw out the idea to take a drive down to Joe's Valley to see how the ice was forming. We got down there and decided to follow a short ice flow up to a bigger waterfall we could barely see from the road. Conditions didn't permit us to climb up the waterfall, but we had a good time exploring the area.

An Evening On The River

2014-02-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

Soaking it all in while throwing around a fly. Catching fish is a perk, but being outside is the reason.

Dawn Patrol- Mountain Bike

2014-02-05T11:07:00.000-08:00

My long time cycling buddy Eric hit me up about shooting some photos for a project he has been working on. I love getting up and getting out whenever possible, so I made the most of my Saturday morning. We headed up the Alpine Loop and waited for golden hour. I had to be back to get some work done at 10 am so we squeezed all we could in while the light was good. Here are a few shots from the morning.

Sasquatch

2014-02-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

I had an itch to get out and shoot some photos while the colors were still good in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Thankfully I have some great friends and they were more than willing. We climbed Pentapitch and shot the awesome variation on the route named Sasquatch. This little crack is one of the most fun lines I have done in Little Cottonwood.

Bike Moab

2014-02-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

We packed five guys into a van with bikes and headed south for a weekend of mountain biking. The drive down is alway surprisingly short. After arriving we grabbed some lunch and then cruised over to our scheduled shuttle. We spent the rest of the day on the trail. We took plenty of breaks and chatted about every subject under the sun.

We woke up in the Archway Inn. Five guys packed into a room with the previous days mexican food brewing made for an interesting morning aroma. We took advantage of the continental breakfast and then headed for the next trailhead. We rode the Amasa Back trail. It is a fairly technical trail over some fun terrain. By the end of the ride we had our fill. My front shocks had blown and my hands were raw. A trip to Moab never disappoints.

Walking To Pink Pine

2014-02-02T11:29:00.002-08:00

I slept in. I woke up and laid on the couch. I stared at the ceiling trying to figure out what to do with my Saturday. I went through my contact list and decided to hit up my friend Brody Leven. I have had the opportunity to work with him a bit more recently because of my new job. I am the new Social Engagement Specialist for Goal Zero. A company that makes solar panels and power packs for outdoor use. Brody is an adventurer that I get to work with to develop content.

Brody and I parked at the White Pine Trailhead and then started our way toward Pink Pine. We chatted about my upcoming transition into fatherhood, travel plans, careers, and how awesome the mountains are. We finally reached where we planned on dropping in. I made my way down through some trees and found a good position to snap some photos of Brody coming down. He dunked hard and I snapped the above photo. Brody is definitely a good guy to have as a partner in the mountains. We made a couple laps and were all smiles as we rode our way out to the car.

Big Cottonwood

2014-02-02T10:47:00.001-08:00

Greg gave me a call mentioning that he had a project in Big Cottonwood canyon. I ended up hiking up the wrong trail and as I came around a corner I happened upon him working through some of the moves on this route. The light was perfect.

Ice

2014-01-07T23:02:00.003-08:00

I hit the ice with Matt Park not too long ago. Snapped this one as he made his way up.

Moses

2014-01-07T22:34:00.001-08:00

The silence was complete. I sat on a large boulder looking up at my friends through a lens as they made their way up the famed Moses. They were nearly a quarter mile away, but I could still hear them as if they were next to me. There were no bugs humming, no rush of wind, the silence wasn't even interrupted by planes passing by. My eardrums didn't quite know how to react to the stillness.

We were there on a three day weekend. Chase, Greg, and I snuck off for a day in Canyonlands. They were there to climb Moses, and I was there to shoot. Shifting to different locations every so often seemed to make the time go by. Sitting in the desert with a camera was a unique experience. This was the first time I have been out to shoot a day of climbing without climbing anything.

It was a fulfilling day, even more so as I got home and went through the images. It was a stunning landscape. I hope to make it back to climb the route in the future. It was amazing.

Weekender: Climbing and Camping

2013-11-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

We sat around the campfire laughing and catching up until after midnight. We took turns throwing knives, we cooked tin foil dinners, and ate candy. We enjoyed the last of summer before it made its annual migration south. The cool night was an indication that this would be the last trip like this for the year.

We awoke early the next morning and were in no hurry to get climbing. The throwing knives made another appearance and we might have actually gotten better. We ate a small breakfast and headed for the crag. It was probably the last warm night of summer and we took advantage of it before autumn could reach in and change everything.

Running Timpanogos

2013-09-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

I stared up at the Timpanogos ridge line not too long ago and realized there is so much of it that I have not explored. I called up a couple friends that I knew would be down to help me remedy my situation. Parker had been up to the summit earlier in the week and Josh had been trapped at home with a heavy homework load, so I figured we would make a good team.

I had been itching to shoot some trail running photos so we met at the trail head fairly early to try for some good light. I had borrowed a lens from Parker that I wasn't used to and messed up a bunch of photos. We made good time and it wasn't long before we were in the alpine. I made them stop periodically and run back and forth until I captured something I was happy with.

These shots are the few that turned out. I shot over 300 photos so I would say it was a bust, but all it takes is one photo to make shooting worth it for me. Not to mention that photography is now pushing me to get out and do something different and new. We hit the ridge after about three hours and started our traverse toward Bomber Peak. After shooting a few photos we hit our turn around time. Josh took off so he could make it to work as Parker and I trotted our way back to the car. All in all it was a fun and successful outing. I hope to get up high again before we get too much snow.

Caught

2013-09-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

A breeze came rippling up the river as I cast my line out over the water. The fishing had been poor and the water was really low. A few gusts had rolled through during my short time on the water, but I didn't pay it much mind. I watched as my flies drifted past and gave them a mighty heave ripping them from the surface of the water. I went back letting a little line slip through my fingers before pulling it forward again. As my line reached full backward extension a large gust of wind hit. My arm was already rhythmically thrusting forward at full speed.

The extended line blew up river with the wind and piled into the back of my head with great force. For some reason it felt as if someone had punched me in the head. I had put two flies on my line before entering the river. One to fish the surface and one to drag beneath. I looked down after the impact to see the top fly hanging from what i thought was my glasses. Upon removing my glasses I realized I had snagged something else. I put my hand to my face and came away with little bits of blood on my fingers. I laughed out loud to myself as I cut the line and made my way back to my car to call Neena. It took some figuring out but I eventually removed the fly from my nose. In the future I will probably think twice before fishing in gusting wind.

Scout Falls

2013-09-15T10:19:00.001-07:00

My plans to run up to the summit of Timpanogos where thwarted by my inability to pull myself out of bed. I finally forced myself up and out the door only to be met by dark rain clouds. I made the drive up to Timpanookee trail head and started my way slowly upward.

As my turn around time drew near I hit the Scout Falls turn off. I decided to snap a few photos before going back down the mountain. As I finished up the rain started to come down hard. I threw the camera in a dry bag and started running back down the trail in a down pour. My feet found their way through the slick rocks and over mud puddles back to the car. I tossed my wet camera bag into the passenger seat and headed for home smiling. A morning in the mountains is always the best way to start a day.

Caddis Hatch

2013-09-11T07:48:00.005-07:00

With the light all but gone I continue to throw my caddis imitating fly at the continually surfacing fish. I squint to see it before it is taken by a hungry brown trout. We fight for a moment before I pull him from his aquatic home. It is sad that we have to meet this way, but I admire him. He has outsmarted me many a time and it just so happened that this time I tricked him. I knew what he was hungry for. I carefully remove the hook from his mouth and hold him underwater letting him catch his breath. After a moment of rest he swims away.

This might be my favorite time of year to fish. There isn't anything like throwing a dry fly out on the water and watching a fish splash out of the water with an open mouth to take it. As darkness draws near, at this time of year, there is an amazing bug hatch nearly every night. The Caddisfly spends much of its life underwater. The cooling temperatures of the day usually trigger emergence where they break free of their underwater case and swim to the surface for their short 1-2 week adulthood. The last few time I have been out have been some of the best hatches I have been encountered. There are points in the evening where I am covered in caddis. They land on my glasses, tickle my ears, and get uncomfortably close to my closed mouth. Fishing while covered in bugs... I never thought I would enjoy it so much.

Main Crack

2013-09-03T11:10:00.001-07:00

The flick of my camera shutter on climbing outings is becoming a familiar sound to those whom I choose as climbing partners. A shoot with my friend Greg fell through this past Friday morning, luckily Parker had something in mind that he wanted to climb. We pulled together the plan for an early morning in Rock Canyon.

Shooting for me right now is quickly becoming as important to me as climbing itself. Trying to capture the moment when an individual is pushing themselves to progress speaks to me in a way I hadn't anticipated.

Parker has been a long time friend who I actually introduced to climbing. He has come a long way since that first day. He isn't sending 5.12's yet, but climbing is a personal journey and he is still fairly new to it. There are so many things you have to learn and overcome as a climber. Sometimes it is easy to look around and see others who are sending hard routes and to start comparing yourself to them. Climbing grades are there to help you push your limits, not to put you above anyone else.

I am really happy with how these images turned out. Parker's climbing continues to progress and capturing part of his journey into traditional climbing made for a fun morning.

Direct Beckey

2013-08-25T08:27:00.001-07:00

We were 10 pitches into the Direct Beckey. We were out of water, exhausted, and ready to be done. As I started into the tenth pitch with my butt hanging out over the 1,000 feet of open air, I couldn't believe the layback finger crack was 5.8. Nothing about this route thus far had been easy for me and I will willingly admit that it was well above my fitness level. Greg had charged through the leads like a champ and I was just glad to be there.

We had both reached a point in our misery that only the summit could cure. It had been a spectacular route with some of the most amazing climbing I have ever had the opportunity to do. Elephants Perch is a massive wall made of a really unique pinkish orange granite. Its size is hard to capture in photos. I had hoped to document the climb with my GoPro, but when I had reached the top of the first pitch I looked down and saw it sitting peacefully at the base. That meant we only had Greg's iPhone to document the route.

As far a climbing trips go, the few I have been on with Greg have been some of the best. Last year we had a pretty interesting time on Castleton Tower. This time we went for the longest most difficult route we have ever tried. Both times Greg has dragged me up to some of the most amazing summit moments of my life. He is a solid climber and he always has a great attitude, even if the situation turns out less than ideal. This trip made me realize that I need to get my fitness level up if I want to keep getting invites from Greg and if I ever want to reach my bigger climbing goals. Just climbing here and there isn't cutting it.

As I pushed up the last pitch with everything I had left, I reached the summit ready to vomit. I don't think I have ever been so dehydrated. Greg and I were all smiles and high fives. We were happy to be off the wall but grateful for the good weather and the experience. I learned a lot on this trip about myself and the type of climber I want to be. Hopefully next time I am in the Sawtooths I will be able to swing leads on this route. I am lucky to have a friend like Greg that is patient enough to let me follow him up something like the Direct Becky.

The Sawtooth Range

2013-08-13T21:29:00.001-07:00

Leaving the interstate in Idaho is like a trip back in time. Small towns that look as if they have been frozen since the 1950's interrupt the monotonous drive. We eventually pass through Ketchum and Sun Valley, the final resting place of Ernest Hemingway and the last town before we catch our first glimpse of the Sawtooths. This rugged range sits smack dab in the middle of Idaho surrounded by an outdoorsman's dreamscape.

We parked next to Red Fish Lake, a tourist attraction surrounded by people from all walks of life, and pulled on our heavy packs. We caught a ferry across the lake and started the trek toward Elephants Perch. It's a monolithic piece of granite that juts abruptly out of the ground causing your head to roll back until it feels as if it will fall off. This will be the biggest climb in my life thus far.

After grunting our packs up the steeper part of the approach we finally hit Saddleback lake. The area is pristine. It is everything a climber could want. Perfect granite that goes for a thousand feet, cliff jumping, comfortable camping, and fishing. It is like living in Bob Ross's brain. There were happy trees everywhere.

Superior South Ridge

2013-08-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

The South Ridge of Mount Superior is a jagged exposed line that is a the most direct route to the summit. It has a good mix of class 4/5 scrambling, exposure, and beautiful views. The last time I was up on the east ridge I decided it would be fun to shoot some photos of my friends on the south ridge from the east ridge. I immediately thought of my friend Brody Leven. He recently got back from an amazing trip to climb North America's highest peak, Denali, with a huge historic expedition.

Parker and I had been talking about doing the ridge for a while so he made the list as well. We met up at the mouth of the canyon and spent the drive up prodding Brody for details on his trip. I dropped them off at the base of Superior and headed for the trail that would take me up the east ridge. I hurried up the route and got myself into position. It was nice to be up in the alpine with an excuse to sit for a decent amount of time.

I snapped photos until they were out of sight, then I ended up following a hear of mountain goats around for an hour or so. They were surprisingly fine with me getting close. All in all I thought the evening was a success.

Sixth Water

2013-07-21T14:53:00.001-07:00

One of the things I have enjoyed most about getting into Fly Fishing is the places it has taken me. Last week we headed up to Sixth Water. A portion of skinny water up at the top of Diamond Fork Canyon. Had I not picked up fishing, I don't know what else would have taken me up that way. I reeled in my first Cut Throat. It was a beautiful little fish, emphasis on little, that I didn't take the time to snap a photo of. If you don't fish and are in need of a nice drive add Diamond Fork to your list.

City of Rocks

2013-07-21T14:36:00.001-07:00

It doesn't get much better than a weekend away with good climbing, good people, and good food. We piled into the car with Jann, Steve, and a whole lot of climbing gear to meet up with Greg and Kate in the City of Rocks. So far The City has yielded some of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen and this trip did not disappoint.

We spent a cool night under the stars which eventually changed to a light rain. Eventually we pulled ourselves from our beds and headed out climbing. We hit a few of the City classics, but with the warming of the day climbing soon became difficult. Sweaty hands on rock don't mix very well. Greg pulled off some amazing routes and I had a good time hanging out behind the lens.

Eventually the heat of the day got the better of us. We escaped to Almo for some pizza, air conditioning, and cold beverages. Afterwards we tried to nap, hiding out under a makeshift shelter, through the hottest part of the day. The evening brought more climbing and ended under a sky full of stars. The City of Rocks is always a good trip. Hopefully I can get up there a few more times this year.

Mount Superior

2013-07-21T13:37:00.001-07:00

There is a long list of places in the mountains I have been in the winter, but have never thought to go in the summer. After work the other night I grabbed my camera, a water bottle, and some running shoes to go tag a familiar summit in an unfamiliar way.

It felt strange to hit the trail head with the hum of insects and an overgrowth of greenery. I made my way uphill passing memories of frigid winter mornings and deep powder days. The ridge to the summit isn't any less beautiful in the summer and I hope to tag more summits this way before the snow flies. I sat on the summit and thought back to the last time I was there. It doesn't take long for the world to change completely. I hope to make this a habit.

Teardrop

2013-07-01T12:11:00.001-07:00

I was able to make it up American Fork Canyon with Greg and Kate Osborne last week. Greg has been projecting "Teardrop", a 5.13a on Cannabis Wall. It rained for a minute or two and got everything a little damp but we still had a good time.

Pine Creek

2013-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Pine Creek never disappoints. The physical barriers that keep people from being able to get up mountains are mostly removed when canyoneering. You can have an awesome day of adventure without training for months. I have been wanting to take Neena to Zion ever since we started dating. I'm not sure why it took 3 years...

We woke up in a field behind a trailer park. The long night of searching for a place to sleep ended with us pulling to the side of the road and sleeping out under the stars. We went out for a quality breakfast before heading back in to the park. After grabbing our permit and checking the weather we made our way to the trail head.

There were a few other groups ahead of us so we took our time getting through the canyon. Everyone was mildly hypothermic by the time we made it out, but the sun and the hike out eventually had us warmed back up. We had a fun group and Zion National Park, as always, delivered the goods.

Yellowstone

2013-06-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

It has been close to 20 years since I was in Yellowstone National Park. After going on this recent trip with Neena's family I realized that I have been blowing it. The five hour drive is definitely not enough to have kept me away for this long.

The only word that can adequately describe Yellowstone is wild. We watched the earth bubble and erupt. We saw waterfalls, lakes, and winding streams. We encountered 16+ different species during our short three days in the park. It was good for the soul to see the open expanses filled with wildlife roaming uninhibited. It made me wonder what Utah county would have looked like back before the we took control of God's unfinished sculpture. What would the Provo River look like? Would herds of elk be roaming freely? I am grateful for the men who had the vision to preserve Yellowstone.

We spent a lot of time in the park going from place to place, it seemed as if every bend brought some new amazing vista. My favorite time we spent in the park had to have been the last day. We entered the park to fish, picnic, and do one short hike. I am glad we spent the time to explore the park, but I think future trips will be more focused on specific areas. I hope to make this more of a routine trip.

Shooting the Membrane

2013-06-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

An early morning meet up allowed me to get a little bit of shooting done before work on Friday. I have been messing around a lot more lately with photography, thankfully Greg and Joe were willing to be the subjects of this morning's shoot. We hit two off the classic American Fork Canyon climbs. Hopefully this was a warm up for a few more ideas I hope to pull together in the coming months.