P.H.P.

That's right, another installment from the Post Hole Professionals. This time its the Great Chimney on Mount Olympus, directly above Salt Lake City. I know i shouldn't be amazed anymore, but i still am, at the fact that you can have such an 'alpine' adventure so close to home.

Aspen Extreme

Well not really, but it was fun anyways. Hooked up with a couple of boys from Aspen, fired up the sled, and checked out Independence Pass.

About Time

I've been driving by it for over 10 years now, and the other day I finally decided to shoot it. The dreaded 'dirtcicle' on the side of Highway 6.



Also checked out 'The Least Complicated' in the Red Narrows and tried the impossible handstand on the way...

Numbers

Some recent figures from last weekends long range tactical mission:

1 dog
10 or so pitches
18 different ways Dave Mensch said 'boobs' during his live performance of Motor Boatin My Sunshine in Cortez, CO
39 beers consumed
53 hours door to door
54 the high in Fahrenheit
486 our summit number
845 miles driven
1500 feet of climbing
1939 year of the first ascent

You've Been Warned...

...that's how one of my phone conversations ended this morning in regards to the latest cover photo of Climbing Magazine.



Is this Andrew Burr who takes photos in Maple Canyon? Ummm, well, I've taken photos in Maple Canyon in the past. Well, I'm so and so from the Forest Service office here in Ferron, UT and I was inquiring into why you didn't obtain a commercial photography permit for taking photos and profiting from our national forest?

Oh boy, enter 20 minutes of back and forth dialog...
...still photography permits are $50/day by the way.

Anyways, all the guidelines and rules are vague and open to many different interpetations. Here is the meat of it:

Document FSM 2725 part I.B.2 states;
"Commercial still photography may require a permit when: 1.[blah blah]; 2. photos of national forest users will be offered for sale; 3.[blah blah]"

and wikipedia defines 'commerical photography' as any photography for which the photographer is paid for images rather than works of art.

So, from now on when i'm shooting i'll be producing a work of art not an image - fine by me.

High Pressure Days

It seems like at least once or twice during every winter, a huge high pressure ridge will build, lock in, and hang over the Wasatch range for weeks on end. During such times, you can ski recrystallized powder in the morning and enjoy warm, sunny rock climbing in the afternoon.