apAdventures

I got a call from April at work today and she said, “I can’t get home because the fire department has blocked off the main road to our house. Please leave work and meet me, I’m not sure but it looks like our house is on fire.”

I hate the feeling inside when you hear something like that. It comes out of no where, obviously. It’s not like you can expect that kind of stuff. I hurried out of work telling my co-workers, “Uh, I gotta run, I think my house is on fire.” It was really weird. As soon as I got out of work I talked with April using our cell phones to get more details. My 35 minute commute was stressful as April described the thick black smoke, high winds and very hot summer temps over 100+ degrees that were all contributing to a brush fire that could potentially destroy our neighborhood.

By the time I was home and walking to our house from the back, through the wash, a plane flew over head and dumped some kind of red liquid/chemical. Then a helicopter came in and dumped something additional. I was really worried at that point because I’ve never seen a residential fire being fought by the air and ground together. I thought for sure our house was going to be destroyed. The wind was blowing in the wrong direction.

Our home and those surrounding it were technically evacuated, but the fire was still at a distance so we snuck to the house to grab Morgie.

Near 5:00PM the smoke started to decrease and we felt a little bit more comfortable. We spoke with the police and an officer let us know that the fire department managed to contain the blaze. It wasn’t until about 8:15PM until we were allowed to return home.

So, a big thanks to the fire department for controlling the fire quickly and for saving our home. We are very thankful.

Here is the story from the Arizona Daily Star.

April and I think the pictures we all took throughout the 10 day Maple Canyon trip, best summarize, the loads of fun we had. We’ve included descriptions of each photo so spend time, relax and enjoy the slideshow. Click on any of the photos shown below to access the photo collection.

Sport route highlights and summary:

“Unknown” = 5.11a:
In the area called the “Pipeline” Vince and Tammy pointed out a super cool .11a that they had both done on a previous trip to Maple. Both April and Marcus managed to quickly send the line that was short, steep and classic. Hopefully, when a new guide comes out for the area we’ll be able to figure out what it’s called.

“Unknown” = 5.12a:
Congratulations Tammy for completing the line several climbs over from the .11a in the Pipeline. Tammy had previously worked the line but had to leave it as unfinished business on a past trip. She quickly remembered her sequence and sent the line with style. April will do the same when we return to Maple, considering she quickly lead up to the crux before getting stumped.

“The Lost Letter” = 5.11b
Marcus and Tammy get a lot of credit for both sending this line. It is a beautiful .11b in an area called the Maple Corridor. In working the line Tammy took a nice whip and tore her pants. We got a great picture of her right butt cheek too. But, after a few tries Tammy and Marcus both climbed the line and got the send.

“Zoaster Toaster” = 5.12a
“49” = 5.12b
“Lunchables” = 5.12b
“Ground Work” = 5.12b
“The Put Down” = 5.12c
My screwed up middle finger was definately feeling better on the trip so I climbed harder routes than I originally planned on climbing. But…I didn’t plan on having any endurance. Somehow I pulled off the 5 climbs listed above, all on onsight. I guess I was psyched to see the Minimum wall and use my bouldering juice still left from Hueco.

“Captain Bullet” = 5.13a/b
Vince and I worked on this one for a couple days. Since we were both lacking the endurance to do it quickly we had to work out the precise footwork and technique in order to save energy and complete the bouldery crux. Unfortunately I can’t say that we sent as a team. I got the redpoint after figuring out some critical beta and Vince came soooooooooo close. He definately gets credit for trying really really really hard. ha ha. Wait until we post the video of his attempts. They are crazy! He’ll send next try.

“Min Meditation” = 5.10c
April and Marcus casually onsighted this climb near the end of our trip. In fact, they did this one last. The climb is very technical and has a tree close by which you think if you fall you’ll hit. That’s not the case but it messes with your mind. With this climb April proved that she is gaining the confidence in leading and is ready to really crank it up in the next few weekends and go for her goal of 5.12. For Marcus, this was his hardest onsight to date. Definately another stellar climb.

“49” = 5.12b
Every year on some guy’s birthday he bolts a new line. 49 is one of his lines which is a beautiful climb on the Minimum wall that basically stays at the same overhanging angle for almost 90 feet. Vince can now say that he sent the line with perfect style after just a few tries. Nice job man! And, he sent after working Captian Bullet with me for days, tired from all the effort and in front of an intimidating crowd of super strong girl climbers. Everyone was impressed!

“Lunchables” = 5.12b
Right next to 49 was a climb called Lunchables which Tammy picked, worked and sent. Nice! I didn’t think she was going to do it at first. I thought she got sucked in because it looked so stellar. I climbed the line myself and thought it was tricky and exposed. I never thought I’d hear the sending scream come from Tammy’s mouth. But I did. And I heard it from a crag far far away. This was a new level for Tammy and a great trip highlight to talk about.

“Zoaster Toaster” = 5.12a
Even though April and Marcus didn’t send this one they both lead it and made it to the anchors. If you see this route you’d know why it was a trip highlight to just get to the top. It is an ultimate classic, steep climb which goes about 80 feet up the Minimum wall. As you climb and place your feet you get quick glimpses of the insane amount of air below. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. Way to keep the lead head together guys!

I could probably keep writing until my fingers tweak out but I’m not. I can’t possibly convey how much fun we had over the 10 day trip. Enjoy our photos and go to Maple Canyon. It is AWESOME!!!! I know we’ll be going back.

posted by pjv

We’re back.

We spent like 16 hrs. traveling today. It was totally worth it! The climbing at Maple Canyon was…uh…STELLARRRRRRRR!!! I really feel like we just went on a true vacation because I can’t remember when we started out. It seems soooo long ago. Over the next few days we’ll have pictures, video and the full trip report with highlights up. For now, April and I are going to sleep and recover and try to get back into the routine of…work. 🙁

posted by pjv

Everyday we (April, I, Vince, Tammy, Marcus, Morgan, and Senga) rush. We are always in a hurry and have a million things to do. Now, it’s time to put things in slow motion because we are on vacation! On Thursday night we left Tucson, well after loading up on coffee and driving back across town to get our iPod, which we forgot. Eventually we were off, heading through Phoenix, loading up on more coffee and reaching our first nights destination of Priest’s Draw (near Flagstaff). We set up camp around 1:30AM. I was way too wired on coffee so I stayed up trying to take some pictures of the star filled sky. It was incredible. I think I captured some good pictures for just having our little digital with us. We’ll post them all when we return.

Friday was spent driving all day. We stopped at the Sunset Crater National Monument outside of Flagstaff and walked through a pretty unique lava flow. After about an hour we got back on the road. We made stops all along the Arizona, Utah border. The scenery along the entire drive (89) was beautiful. The sky was mostly hazy due to fires in AZ and Utah but made for interesting photos. Our estimate of getting to Maple by about 5PM was way off. Our actual arrival time was like 11PM. All the sites were filled so we set up in a clearing knowing that we’d probably get yelled at in the morning. “Who cares, it’s 4th of July weekend,” we justified.

On Saturday when we woke a couple of park hosts yelled at us and mentioned we couldn’t camp where we were camping. No big deal because we found a free camping site up the road and let them know our plan. ha ha. The whole ordeal only cost us about 6 bucks. Oh well, we didn’t care. After a few hours we were off to the climbs…

We’ll have to compose a huge summary of the climbing but in short Maple Canyon is super fun and very different than any other place in the country. We spent two days so far getting used to the climbing but we are already on fire, sending and ticking off tons of climbs. My finger is feeling good (knock on wood) after ticking 22 routes in two days. Ha ha. I can’t resist. Everyone else has huge numbers of climbs beneath their belts too. Of the 5 of us (humans) we have a nice rotation between who belays and who climbs.

Notable sends to date are Marcus ticking off his second 5.11 at the Pipeline and Paul’s send of this 5.12c also at the Pipeline (sorry, no names on these yet…I guess they’ve been recently bolted). Notable whips to date is Tammy’s air on the Lost Letter (5.11b) at the Maple Corridor….during which she ripped a gaping hole in the ass of her pants….ha!

Today is a rest day. We’re in Salt Lake right now – getting our coffee fix at Starbucks. We’re planning on heading up to see the ski slopes and checking out some of the surrounding canyons. Then tomorrow – back to business. Awwwe yeah.

posted by pjv

This year’s 4th of July adventure takes us to Maple Canyon, Utah. We leave tonight…actually, in about 5 minutes. We’re waiting for our friend Marcus to finish his thesis and hand it in so we can drive by the University of Arizona with our hatchback open and he can jump in. We plan on driving to Flagstaff tonight and finding a place to camp. Then tomorrow is “tourist day” before the climbing madness begins. We’re hoping to swing by Zion without melting like popsicles for a quick peek. I’ve never been to Utah. Neither has Morgie. Wooo!

Myself, Paul, Marcus, Tammy, Vince and the two pups: We’re psyched!

See you at Maple…..

posted by arr

Yep, we finally made it to Jack’s Canyon, finally! Miles, Matt, April and I loaded up the car after work on Friday and headed out.

We made a quick stop in Phoenix to pick up a new (nice and thick) thread. I decided to go with a more expensive than usual 10.5mm, 60m, non-dry rope. We picked it up from REI on our way, with our GIFT CERTIFICATE.

After picking up the rope we met up with some of Mile’s friends at a Thai place near Scottsdale, AZ. It was really awesome. April and I have been in search of a place that serves some Pad Thai that gives Spice Island Tea House (our favorite Pittsburgh Thai resturant) some competition. This definately does. It was very good. Of course I forgot the name…someone post it in a comment.

After the Thai place we were back on the road. Wait, after a quick coffee break at Starbucks we were back on the road. The road to Jack’s from Phoenix was very uninteresting at night except for THE ELK! Geeze. Every couple of miles I had to slam on my breaks to avoid scaring huge elk that were right on the side of the road. Around 1:30AM we managed to find the dirt road that leads in to Jack’s Canyon. We set up camp and quickly went to bed.

Saturday and Sunday were spent enjoying the cool temps in the shade and the super fun climbs. We all had a really fun time. I sat out both days due to a tweaked middle finger. No biggie. Talking with Matt, April and Miles was great. Plus, little Morgie and I played all kinds of games. Check out our pictures. Notice how green everything is in the Canyon. This is yet another place that I can’t believe is in Arizona.

posted by pjv

After a brutal morning of trying to remove an old tree stump in our courtyard April, her Father and I left the USA. We traveled to Nogales Mexico in search of a Talavera sink. When we arrived we saw an awesome set of dishes, bowls, cups and a few other things. We entered Mexico with a set amount of cash and found out we didn’t have nearly enough when it came to check out. We wheeled and dealed and managed to get everything we wanted except for the sink for all the money we took with us, plus all the change in our pockets. We promised the guy in the store that we would return to buy the sink therefore he let us have everything plus a few shots of tequila. Wow, that was awesome! Check out the set of dishes we got. Also, check out the new blinds April put up in our kitchen.

Yesterday April’s Dad and I rented a chainsaw and cut down the dead tree that was in our front courtyard. We got a nice late start in the day here in Tucson. It was about 3:00PM when we made our first cut. I’d say the temps. were in the high 90s? We managed to keep well hydrated with plenty of beer. April stayed inside but was probably more hot than us. She was battling a clog in our bathroom drain with a snake and never managed to get it out. Yuck. She fought the monster for a couple hours. After we cut the tree down April and I headed to 4th street to chill with some new friends that we met through work. We chilled at the Epic Cafe and watched all the “normal” people walk by on a Friday night. Today we are leaving the USA! But only for a few hours.

Man…I’m so tired right now. I’m going to be quick and say that we had another awesome weekend. April’s father is in town visiting with us while doing business and we managed to squeeze in some time to head up to Mt. Lemmon today. We got in some awesome sport climbing and a little bouldering. Temperatures were perfect at 6500 feet! Vince and I got on a route called “Air Monsters 5.12a.” YIKES! I realized what many months of bouldering does to you…it makes you WIGGED out! Check out our photos but they don’t do the justice. Get on the route for yourself and see why it gets the name. It was sooooo much fun.

posted by pjv

On Sunday we decided to stay local and hit up Mt. Lemmon. Courtney, Marcus, April and I headed up to Windy Point and spent the day mixing it up. We managed to do some trad, sport and bouldering all in the same day! Overall it was just a super fun day and we’ve decided to mix it up a lot more on future climbing trips. Perhaps we’ll set our sights on something like “ Levitation 29.” ha ha. Stay tuned.

posted by pjv