Over the years I've obviously preferred skiing on the mountains over mountain climbing. Way back when I held them in equal view, but with the kids and family responsibilities taking more and more of my time, when faced with a choice I choose skiing. But as the summer months come along I find myself longing for long alpine ridges, sweeping mountain faces, and heinous scree approaches and descents. I have been managing to get out and do just about one good climb per year, like always I prefer the mountains to the crags. Really mountain climbing and rock climbing was a way for me to get off the standard routes and get some more solitude.
Longs remains my favorite mountain to climb, still haven't done the diamond but have done the keyhole, cables route, keiner's, alexander's chimney, stettner's ledges, and keplinger couloir (with ski). The diamond remains the last piece of that puzzle. Some of the other climbs from the past: Wham Ridge (Cab), Lone Eagle North Face (Cab), Ellingwood Ledges (Mike, cab, tenzig), Notchtop Spiral Route (Mike), Spearhead North Ridge (Mike, Gabe), Sharkstooth - Northeast gully (Mike, Gabe).
What can I say, I love climbing in the Park. I'd like to summit all the Peaks in the park that have good routes up them and fortunately most do: Pagoda, Mt. Alice, Otis, Hallet. I'd even like to do the spire routes (petit, saber, etc.) but honestly I just prefer climbing mountains not spires and in the interest of time that's where my focus lies for now.
What a wonderful life.
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