My adventure began with a mountaineering trip with my mom. Neither one of us had ever really climbed any mountains before, but with numerous 15,000+ foot mountains lying next to the equator, we decided Ecuador would be a good place to start.  So we signed up for a weeklong trip that involved four different summit attempts. I was very excited to get the experience of doing this with my mom. I am always proud of her for agreeing to join me on these kinds of trips especially considering she is afraid of heights.

First up was the Guagua Pichincha Volcano (15,696 ft). The hike up to this one was fairly simply, involving a road then a trail up most of the way, followed by a little rock scramble near the end. The point of this one was to get our acclimatization started so we walked slow and tried to get used to the lack of oxygen in the air.

The next morning we woke up at 5:00am to get started with our climb of Volcan Imbabura (15,190 ft). The climb to the summit took us around four a half hours, with the first part on relatively easy trail and progressively getting more difficult, requiring a decent rock scramble to get all the way to the summit. Starting off as the sun was rising and finishing on the summit just as the clouds were rolling in, combined with the amazing scenery, made this my favorite climb we did.

After a night of rest in Quito, we were off to our third peak, Iliniza North (16,818 ft). This one required that we hike up to the refuge one afternoon, and wake up early the following morning for our summit attempt. The hike up to the refuge took a few hours and provided on and off views of the summit. We spent that evening drinking hot tea and resting up for the next morning.

The following morning was an early start and unfortunately not with the greatest of weather conditions. It was cloudy and on and off snowing and hailing. The climb up to Ilinizas North is not a super technical climb, but it was the first for us that required wearing plastic boots, a harness and a helmet as well as roping up in a couple spots. From the refuge it started out scrambling up some rocks, then turned in to a bit more rock climbing, meandering along ledges where falling was not an option.

As the snow started falling harder, and I continued to visualize in my head watching my mom fall to her death doing something I may or may not have talked her into doing, I started to doubt whether going all the way to the summit was our best option. Both my mom and our guide seemed to be thinking the same thing, as we approached the final push which involved what they refer to as “the death step,” our guide mentioned that this was the last spot to bail out and with the weather as unpredictable as it was, recommended we turn back. We all agreed that making it over half way was accomplishment enough in those conditions so we began to head down.

Fortunately, instead of having to down climb the section we had climbed up, we were able to descend down a scree field, which while very steep, was not too bad once we got the hang of it. We made our way down safely and after a quick stop in the refuge to warm up with some tea, we continued back to the trailhead.

It was now time for our last big mountain attempt, and the highest yet, Cotopoxi (19,347 ft). Cotopoxi is considered one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and has the record of being the highest spot from the center of the earth (higher than Everest due to a bulge in the earth along the equator line). After our experience on Ilinizas and my mom’s apprehension about the height and potential “crevasse jump” required for Cotopoxi, I realized there was a good chance we may not make it to the summit, but that’s not what this trip was about for me. For me it was about getting out and experiencing something new with my mom, so I didn’t really care how high we got as long as we gave it a shot together.

Similar to Ilinizas, Cotopoxi required a short hike to the refuge the day before the summit attempt. After arriving at the refuge, we took a short break before heading out into the snow to practice some of the more technical mountaineering skills we hadn’t needed until now. We learned how to walk in crampons using an ice axe and how to self arrest should we happen to fall. It was a beautiful day and a fun afternoon practicing our new skills in the snow.

That night we  went to bed at 7pm in hopes of getting a little bit of sleep before our late night start for the summit. With the anxiety of what was to come, combined with being at 16,000 feet of elevation, it was not exactly the best night of sleep I’ve ever had.  At 11pm we woke up and got all geared up and ready to go. As I walked out to restrooms, I was blown away by the sight of the summit lit up beautifully by a full moon.

By midnight we were on our way up the volcano. The wind was blowing furiously, so much so that I had to be careful not to lose focus and allow it to blow me over. With the direction of our guide, my mom and I followed up the mountain, making sure that every step we took was a good one, as the fear of slipping and beginning a long slide down the mountain was always in the back of our minds.

Walking up the steep snowfield was not easy, and required a good bit of physical strength and endurance. The wind and the cold definitely did not help the situation. So after a couple hours of hiking and at the start of the more technical glacier part of the climb, my mom decided that that was as far as she needed to go. I was proud of her for getting as far as she did, and for even going with me in the first place.

Before starting back down, I took one last look at the volcano and then out into the valley, with Quito’s city lights twinkling from afar, and my mom and I headed back down together.

On the way back to Quito that next day, my mom looked over at me and said “you know, I think I want to come back and give Cotopoxi another shot at some point,” so you never know, we may make it to the summit together someday after all.

I headed up to Cairns to help run and participate in Monsoon Madness, the inaugural national boater cross event with the national freestyle championships tied in with it. I was fortunate enough to win the 2011 National Champion at this event and really enjoyed boating with the crew up there.

As with every year that I have paddled, I headed off to the USA to another fantastic summer. I do believe that I am up to over 20 summers in a row, sweet. While I was there I instructed a bunch, paddled a bunch and had only one day off the water in three months. We estimated that we instructed over 200 kids with our program, thats a whole lot of instruction for sure, but it was again so fantastic to be a part of. One great side effect of heading to this part of the world is that I get to paddle the Green throughout the summer. Warm summer green runs, life is good!

As part of Falling Creek Camp’s kayak adventure program called Huck, we headed up to Canada with a group of very eager kids. With Nick Troutman helping out on the program, we really pushed a few limits with some big water fun dropping into Phill’s Hole and taking on Garb. The Ottawa is something that all boaters should experience and heading back there made me understand why I need to continue to get back up there.

I released Kayaking 4 Kidz instructional video this year showing all the basics for those just getting onto paddling. Jackson Kayak has been throwing in a copy of Kayaking 4 Kidz with every kids kayak sold, thanks JK. In fact the video has gone so well that I am at the moment making a sequel to this vid which is based around an intro to whitewater. I will post more info about this over when I get closer to a release. Videos are available through Jackson Kayak and Rapid Transit Media. www.jacksonkayak.com www.rapidtransitvideo.com

Just recently I headed down to the Snowy River in Australia and was one of a crew that paddled the mighty Snowy River which has not flowed in over 30 years. I just wish this section of river flowed more often, it’s the sweetest run in the Snowy region.

Now the great part about my year is that it’s just heating up down here in Australia so I am out on the water in fantastically warm water once again.

If you haven’t already check out some of my videos that I made from this year.

Green River http://vimeo.com/29253836

Huck Canada http://vimeo.com/28180501

Snowy River http://vimeo.com/31060346

So 2011 was another fantastic year with more time on the water every year.

I am very thankful to all those that help me along the way including Jackson Kayak, Kokatat, Snapdragon, Mountain Khakis.

Attached is a pic from ski touring. Photo taken on the Icefields Parkway in Banff park. Nice shot of the MK Cuff Logo Beanie in action!

Today I found myself in the pool, settling into my planned 500m warm up that seamlessly transformed first to 750m, then 1000m, and finally resting at 1500m.  It was one of those days when everything else just melts away and all that is left are the meters ticking away.  Recently someone asked me why I raced.  At the time I came up with a reasonable answer about challenges, sanity and balance.  But today I remembered what keeps me coming back, it’s that moment when all that is left inside your head is you and you let go of everything else.

Every year, when the calendar year winds down I feel like most begin to reflect on the last year.  For me, this year has been filled with a menagerie of beautiful and at times tragic contradictions.  The highs were punctuated by qualifying for ITU Worlds at my first half-iron, making the podium in Hawaii, and several wins at the local level.  Held against the lows of pulling my achilles 10 days prior to my first ironman, bike troubles that shattered my double digit advantage in a center-stage local race, and losing my two best training buddies; it was a year for growth, discovery, reconnecting with the basics and perhaps most importantly pushing past inner demons.

As athletes, it seems it is always the hardest to admit to weakness.  We push ourselves.  We climb, at times crazed, toward the goals we set.  And along the way our demons raise their sinister heads.  Ironically, at least for me, they seem to tug and pull at me when I’m feeling lonely, broken, weak or incapable of reaching my goals.  Several of these demons had gotten a grip in my mind during these low moments and then took advantage of the accumulation of life stresses to take hold.

But it’s days like today, when that all melts away, all the voices of doubt or of those telling you what you ‘should’ do, falls away to the rhythmic sound of your own breathing.  It’s these moments that I love so dearly and keep me coming back.  The moment you finally crest a hill to see the valley enfold below you.  The glorious burning pain and accomplishment after a hard run.  The lift when you catch the perfect wave and ride it all the way in.  And you find yourself, perhaps for the first time in a while, truly as you are.

So as the year winds down and I map out the game plan for next year’s adventures, I finally look back.  Pausing not to dwell on the mistakes of the past, but to grant them the opportunity to teach me who I am, and then, quietly let them go.  I look back, not as one conquered by the lows, but one who has learned to overcome.

Here’s to next year.  To another year of firsts.  To conquering inner demons.  To chasing dreams and catching them.  To embracing each of our own inner crazy.  To learning to let go.  And when we lose ourselves in the process, to coming back to that quiet place only we truly know.

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.–Charles Du Bos

I finally got a good pic of me with my MK’s…I absolutly love the Flannel-Lined Original Mountain Pants, they are so warm and comfortable, just what I needed for the winter fishin’ here in KY…thanks so much…MK Rocks!

This is a video in response to feedback about the inability of a Swiss Army Knife to be opened with a single hand. The Swiss Army Knife is a classic tool and one I recommend for every day carry.

What a trip to one of Georgia’s hidden treasures.

This was my third hunting trip to Ossabaw Island over the past 15 years with my Grand Father and Father. This years trip was extra special because it was my oldest son Knox’s first big hunting trip. What an awesome ability to have four generations sharing the same passion. A very wise man told me that the memories that last a lifetime are the ones that are the most aggravating to create. A four day hunting trip to a barrier island is just that but worth every minute of the planning, travel and setup. If you think you might need it you better take it with you because it is a long boat ride.

Ossabaw Island is located on the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Georgia approximately twenty miles by water South from Savannah. One of the largest of Georgia’s barrier islands, Ossabaw contains 9,000 acres of wooded uplands with freshwater ponds and 16,000 acres of marshlands.

As always my MK’s did the trick. Four days in the marsh and they were ready for more.

This winter I’ll be skiing with the Sun Valley Adaptive Sports program. I’ll be behind the scenes capturing all the action. Enjoy this edit from the Adaptive team getting their skills dialed for a busy season.

Sun Valley Adaptive Sports enriches the lives of people with disabilities through sports and recreation. As a positive and visible fixture in the community, SVAS programs give children, teens, adults, and veterans with disabilities the opportunity to experience competition and the outdoors without limitations. www.svasp.org

http://mountainniceness.com/

A few months back I was able to take part in an trip led by J. Rickwald and Lucas Melendez, these two guys backpacked through 6 national parks over the course of 8 weeks. Utah, Montana, California, Oregon… All stops on an amazing journey these two guys had this past summer. Although a back injury ultimately kept me from being able to join them, I was able to report and promote the trip and watch and read about their journey as it progressed. Here’s a link to the site Jon created for the trip, it’s a great adventure I know you’ll enjoy reading about. http://thenext40days.wordpress.com/

After many adventures in my life; from driving a 6000 pound Land Rover full laden on the edge of sheer cliffs in Colorado to running 100 miles and beyond non-stop, I had never been ice skating. For some reason, this sport just terrified me. Maybe it was the stories of people falling and getting their fingers run over and chopped off, or the person who broke their ankle. Whatever it was, I just was never interested and always figured ways to get out of going. Well, this year, I wasn’t getting out of it!

It all began innocently last night when my family along with two other families went to see the lights at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. The whole downtown area is transformed into a sort of Winter Wonderland with everything you could want including Gingerbread men, the world’s best hot cocoa, Santa, Reindeer, and, you guessed it, outdoor ice skating. My 8 year old boys really wanted to go and I used the excuse that the line would be way too long. Their friends were going, but we had not eaten dinner yet, so we used that to split up from the group. As we were searching for food, we came to the rink and guess who was at the front of the line? Our friends. Now what?!? I quickly went into, “it will cost too much and you guys will only skate for a few minutes and be done.” That wasn’t working and now my wife had traded sides and was saying, “come on, it will be fun!” I tried the old “I’ll just watch and take pictures” line, but now our friends became traders too. I was standing by myself with no back up. I caved and went for it.

Our session began at 8pm and it was now 7:30pm. I now had the chance to watch the previous session participants fall, slam into the wall, come off the ice looking terrified, and some being helped off by the “ice refs”. I was more nervous than at the start of a race. When I got my skates, I inspected them and realized that they really were not like strapping mini-swords to your feet. This made me feel a little better. I spent the next several minutes busying myself with putting my kids’ skates on and mine as well. Before I knew it our session had begun. My boys took off along the wall before I could even get a foot on the ice. I was hoping to go with them so I had an excuse to hang on to the wall. I finally stepped up to the ice, grabbed the wall, and put one foot on then quickly the second foot and simultaneously let go of the wall. I was now “gliding” forward and not sure what to do. I bent my knees and started moving my feet to propel myself forward. How I hadn’t fallen yet, I do not know. Maybe it was just survival. I spotted my boys and aimed for them hoping I wouldn’t take them out once I got to them. When I caught up with them, I slowly did several laps with them. To my amazement, I was not hanging on to the wall like I had envisioned myself doing! Once my kids decided they needed a break, I kept going. I started going faster and faster. Before I knew it, I was cruising around the ice dodging fallen skaters and weaving in and out of people.

I ended up staying out there for nearly an hour and a half without falling. My boys did awesome and picked it up fairly quick. As for my wife, well she grew up skating. Now I look back and wonder why I had evaded this fun pastime. I will definitely be out there again and no longer will avoid it.

So, what else have I avoided that I need to conquer next? Sky diving?