Late fall backcountry climbing at South Clear Creek in the Obed River Gorge. Morning fog veils the view of Lilly Bluffs, looking across Clear Creek. The Obed is immaculate and gorgeous wilderness.
Crag dog "Tipsy", met us at the trailhead and remained our constant companion and guide for the weekend.
The volume of high-quality routes on exquisite sandstone is overwhelming. Many of the moderates are 'over-graded', providing a welcome and pleasant contrast to the typically sandbagged Southeast.
The plan was to move methodically from the falls down the cliff face hitting all the 9's and 10's, but after three days of sport climbing at Foster Falls over Labor Day Weekend, we only saw half the crag. A return trip is planned to hit the rest of the moderates. Camping was first-rate with hot showers and firewood delivered to our site. Dean is pictured above moving up the Dihederal 9+. The highlight for the weekend was when Jon fired Fish-eyed Fool 10A, but only after taking a 30 footer at the shuts.
We skirted the rains of hurricane Faye by heading east to Sunset Rock. Anmol pulls a small buldge on Jug-O-Mania (5.6).
A rain-swollen McKinley River with heavy debris, Denali National Park. We aborted the crossing about halfway; the Alaska Range in the distance.
Roadside camp on the Parks Highway, Denali State Park. A Ranger doused our illegal fire an hour later.
South on the Sterling Highway entering the Kenai Peninsula.
Crowded conditions during the salmon run known as "combat fishing", Russian River.
Just after midnight at Wonder Lake, Denali National Park.
In-stream fish-cleaning stations, Russian River. Fishermen are encouraged to clean fish in the river. The river is littered with salmon carcases. It wasn't uncommon to hook one while fishing.
Breaking a soggy camp, Denali National Park. Wet , cool weather clung to The Mountain.
Clouds obscure 75% of Denali, the highest mountain in North America (20,300 ft.). Only 20% of park visitors see the entire mountain. This is as much as we saw. 
Alaska dog. She adopted us while we searched for trout and grayling, Peters Creek.
Arctic Graying taken on a wet fly, Troublesome Creek.
Bear canister and beer. Used to keep food "bear-proof", the food canister is a big part of why people can still see bears in the park. Food is strictly controlled so bears won't associate humans with food.
Rainbow and grayling fishing, Montana Creek.
The Chugatch range from the truck window, Seward Highway.
Russian river sockeye (red) salmon. We caught several over 25" - maybe 6-8 pounds each.
Another salmon bake...
Rode my 2002 Kawasaki EX 250-F (Nija) from Atlanta, GA to Front Royale, VA over a long weekend.
The Parkway exceeded my expecatations. I rode for hundreds of miles on perfectly twisting and immaculate pavement. The route sticks to the crest of the Blue Ridge.
Breaking trail and climbing from West Lake Trailhead to the Polar Star Inn on the first of four days skiing from Edwards to the Frying Pan.
Hut life has an addictive simplicity. Polar Star shown here, nicknamed "Ghetto Star" for the obvious but moderate decay.
Climbing again through the black timber, moving slowing southwest across Central Colorado.
Sneaking up on a blanketed Peter Estin Hut (11,040') after a steep climb from Yoeman Park via the Ironedge trail.
Finally crossing Lime Park as the weather deteriorates. Route finding and gear problems kept our attention most of the day.
The Harry Gates Hut is a welcome site and just reward for a difficult day of travel.
Day four descending into the Fryingpan drainage; a fast ski out via Montgomery Flats. Blue skies and warm weather cap an outstanding trip.
