A good way to christen a new climbing rope

Above the second rappel decending Grand Teton


It occurs to me that the title to my prior post about being out of the hills is perhaps the least accurate post title I have ever written. I have been no where if not in the hills these last few weeks. Well, perhaps the truck...


I spent a week in the Sandhills of western Nebraska visiting the family on the ranch. Then I drove to Montana for the aformentioned conference of diabetic mountaineers, where I learned alot. But I drove through North Dakota to get there, so it took awhile. Highpoint number 20 was White Butte, out in a cow pasture in southwestern North Dakota. If you can even make such a distinction with a straight face.


I got to examine new technology on the market for insulin delevery and blood glucose monitoring, and associate with other mountain sport enthusiasts from 6 differant countries and hear stories and see pictures and go hiking and climbing.


Then it was off to Utah, via north western Montana and Idaho, first to visit a friend from the Ice, and then to climb Borah Peak, the high point in Idaho, number 21.


In Ogden met Risa and we went off and spent a few days in the Wind River Range in Wyoming fly fishing. Then it was up to Grand Teton National Park to have a go at climbing the Grand. Proud to say we summitted in good style, and then drove like mad fools to get back home in time for her to get to work and me to register for classes this fall. Yep, in addition to working for NAU I'm planning on taking a couple of classes to keep the ol' noggin in working condition until I figure out where next to point it.



The highest point in North Dakota, about 3,600 feet above sea level.

Borah Peak, high point of Idaho, about 12,000 feet above sea level.

The redneck-diabetic cyborg. Me hooked up to an insulin pump and continous readout blood glucose meter. And lots of duct tape to get it to stick to my hairy body.

High above Middle Teton Glacier, while climbing the Grand.

Out of the hills

Am out of the mountains, another successful NOLS course on the books. Lost one student to an unstable knee injury, the other eleven had great outcomes. We climbed and hiked and fished and hiked some more, summiting big mountains and catching big fish. A bear rampaged through our kitchen and I had to chase him away from our food bags. I caught a monster 16 inch brook trout on fly tackle. The kids had a 5 day, 4 night independant expedition.

And now I'm out of the field and home on the range. In Nebraska that is, back on the ranch for a week. Then I'll head to Bozeman for an international conference of diabetic mountaineers (betcha didn't even know we existed), and then I'll meet up with a certain lady friend and go wander around the Grand Teton for awhile and then head back to Flagstaff. And do my best to stay put for a little while.