New Mexico High Point: Wheeler Peak

These pictures are of our trip to Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. We traveled 600 miles round trip to climb New Mexico's highest peak: Wheeler Peak (13,161'). Here are the pictures: This is a picture of Luke entering the "half-gloo" (half igloo) that we built to sleep in. It took us 5 hours to get it this far, so we just put a tent fly over it and caught the warmest night winter camping I've ever had (including all the tent heaters we use on Scout Klondikes. The snow was exhaustingly deep.

Long's Peak...FINALLY!

Long's is a tough 14er at 14,259 feet (4,346 m). Brent attempted this peak last summer and was not able to summit. It's been haunting him ever since. On a clear day in Aurora, we can see the whole front range, and Long's used to stand out on the North end...laughing at him. Well, not anymore!!! Brent was able to go up this last month and conquer at last! And in the winter!!!

Brent Climbs Mt. Elbert!

Mt. Elbert is the highest point in Colorado and the second highest peak in the continental U.S. He was happy to finally bag this one!!! Jan. 2010 14,433'

When at home in Coeur d'Alene for Christmas, I was lucky enough to have Santa pay for my first hairdo EVER! I was soooo excited! We feel like it turned out well. Tawny, our up and coming photographer, is responsible for these pics. Oh, and that dark-haired guy next to me is pretty gorgeous too!

Brent climbs the highest peak in Wyoming!

Brent set out this weekend on a 44 mile journey to hike Mt. Gannett, the highest peak in Wyoming. It lies in the Wind River Range. He and a good buddy, Luke, set out on Friday immediately after a big med. school test mid morning, and really never slept until Saturday night for a few hours. They had to use crampons and ice axes and ropes and all that jazz that makes it a climb far beyond any other peak he's done. Hopefully Brent will eventually get over his fatigue and write more about the experience to go along with these pictures.

ROCKIES GAME!

So, we left the game at the top of the 12th inning since I had to be at school early the next morning. We listened for awhile on the radio in the car, but then the Giants were ahead by three and we gave up hope and turned it off. Only at 11:30 p.m. as we were just about in bed did we get a phone call letting us know that the Rockies had hit a GRAND SLAM and won the game. We couldn't BELIEVE that we didn't stick it out! GO ROCKIES!

Coeur d'Alene Triathlon

Brent preps for the swim.
The swim course was 0.9 miles...more than an Olympic length. Brent was pleased to find the usually chilly CDA waters to be rather pleasant, and he didn't get kicked in the face, so altogether it was a pleasant swim. If you look closely you can see Tawny on the left hand side. She's the first bright orange volunteer shirt you see.
The bike course was pretty hilly, but GORGEOUS! Most of it followed along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Have you ever seen such a smiley triathlete?
Brent on the last leg of the run with Lake Coeur d'Alene in the background.
A grand finish!

Happy to be done!
Transition area. It was a well-attended event at around 750 participants.
Ready to go home and SLEEP!