September 2, 2011 GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado – The allure of the desert tower has long held sway over my climbing Psyche. When I first laid eyes on Devils Tower in Wyoming in 2004, I knew I had to climb it – and I didn’t even start climbing seriously until 2009. I’ve since climbed Devils Tower
September 1, 2011 MOAB, Utah – The original plan was to climb Red Rocks, just outside of Vegas. But with triple digit temperatures forecast, Patrick and I headed north and east in search of cooler climates to climb. We passed up Zion (too hot), and Mount Hayden along the Grand Canyon North Rim
[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaUfyQxnXk4']
August 31, 2011 LAS VEGAS, Nevada – My plane touched down at 9:26 PM in a desert still baking at near 100 degrees. I deplaned and was immediately greeted by the distinctive and constant barrage of bells and whistles emanating from the innumerable slot machines scattered throughout McCarran Airport. Patrick outside of Circus Circus
Saturday, August 13, 2011 ALCOVA, Wyoming – This spot was not on the original itinerary, but thanks to my friend Kendall Bassett, I sure am glad it was added. This spot is Fremont Canyon, a rock climbing gem about thirty miles outside of Casper, Wyoming. Bill atop the Low Voltage Wall at Fremont Canyon
Friday, August 12, 2011 SUNDANCE, Wyoming – The last time I climbed Devils Tower, which was also the first time I climbed Devils Tower, I was lucky to get down unscathed, and unscorched by the powerful lightning storm that at first hastened then later interrupted our rappel. The harrowing account of my first Devils Tower
By: Patrick Gensel [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef_xC-fstEg'] With the current popularity of bamboo these days, why wouldn't there be a drinking bottle made out of the stuff? Introducing the Bamboo Bottle, an environmentally friendly solution for carrying your water. The bottle is constructed of bamboo, glass, and recycled plastic which helps minimize the impact created by
Thursday, August 11, 2011 Editor’s Note: For the last thirteen days this blog has been the story of an adventure began by Patrick Gensel and Bill Urbanski, and then joined on August 7th by David Weaver and Maraya Morgan. Patrick, now traveling solo in Seattle, will soon take on the challenge of climbing Mt. Rainier.
By: Patrick Gensel High tech fabric manufacturer Cordura has teamed up with the non profit Gear to Grow to hold a gear drive at the Cordura booth at this years Summer Outdoor Retailer Expo. Donors contributed gear samples, second hand gear and extra gear to the drive located at Cordura booth. Some brands
CODY, Wyoming - Wednesday August 10, 2011: Our Teton adventure behind us, it was time to play tourist for a bit. We drove the hour or so north to Yellowstone National Park, our nation’s first National Park. Our schedule as usual was compressed. Seattle was calling Patrick. David, Maraya and I were being pulled in