David - I can't say what the exact peaks were. I just headed back there and started scrambling up whatever looked good. However, I do believe one was Unicorn. I think that is where I acquired that amazing view of Cathedral Peak. I saw those same storm clouds you refer to off in the distance. It looked like the Valley was getting rained upon, but not us!

Dave - I haven't been to Courtright Reservoir itself, but I have spent a lot of time backpacking and camping in the surrounding area. Again, that is the only place where my friend and I determined that the bugs must have evolved into thinking beings! And yes, the bugs are a hit or miss thing. The other day at Lover's Leap, I climbed The Line while being surrounded by bumble bees and at Hammer Dome I was nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes while belaying...that's part of being outdoors and doesn't stop me one bit! And did I mention how many rattlesnakes I saw?

Bring Yardguard and a Mossberg 500........

Ouch! You folks are making me feel like a wimp when it comes to bugs and warm weather. Not so. I was just suggesting that Courtright is especially fine as fall approaches. Nothing like a cool crisp day for ticking off those thin hard face climbs with which the place abounds.

How about Malathion and handgun shotshells.

Enough bugs and I'll shoot cans of yardguard and malathion with handgun shot shells..................

After having had lunch and some baths with friends in the natural pools of Las Presillas, near Rascafría (Madrid), the past sunday. A friend and me drove up to Puerto de Cotos and did a short hike to the tops of Dos Hermanas Menor and Mayor (only me, running) because we hadn't daylight enough and my friend didn't want to use lights. We choose the highest mountains in the area wich could be climbed in less time in my opinion. They're near Peñalara, see that page / Dos Hermanas Normal if you want further information about the route. There were nobody on the trail and the weather was very nice, that night would be warm. I could take some photos and saw that the snow cornice between Peñalara and Dos Hermanas Mayor and Peñalara still remained there. I'll add the summit log soon though I didn't reach the top. I never tried to gain the final 200 meters to the top, it would delay us and would have to use our lights. The "piornos" (similar to brooms) were all in flower so some slopes where all yellow.

My weekend is already pretty exciting. Climb an aid pitch in Yosemite that forced me to place a #1 copperhead ( crap, it's holding - got to use it now ) followed by a bathook move. Tons of fun. Going to the El Dorado County Fair tommorrow ( and maybe the gun show )!!!

Just got back from the SP members rendezvous in Colorado and we had a GREAT TIME. A trip report s pending, and watch the Mt. Elbert page for pics from this very successful event in coming weeks.

Spent Friday the 13th in the pouring rain. Hiked Mt. Marcy decended the back side to lake Colden in hail and monsoon conditions. Then Climbed Algonquin on a trail like a river. Then decended down to ADJ lodge. 9 and 1/2 hours total. While miserable at times there is a certain beauty about hiking in the rain. Everything is lush and green. The rivers were spectacular. It poured the entire day. Was a great day just the same. Cheers William

Oh man William, you take me back. I spent a lot of the 70's hiking and cragging in the Adirondack's, a fair amount in the rain. I recall some pretty amazing bushwacks, too. Spent this weekend rock climbing in shady alcoves at Church Dome, in the Domelands Wilderness, here in SoCal. It was super good fun.

No climbing for me this weekend; got promoted Friday and flew off the VA on Saturday, rained on Sunday. I'm spending my evenings peeling my finger prints off from all the abuse ksolem put me through at Owen's River Gorge 2 weeks ago! Looking forward to Needles Kris!

Just got back from taking 4students on their first back pack trip. A colleague and I have been doing this for 6 years now. We took them to Sword Lake in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. I bushwhacked my way down to Spicer Reservior and caught 5 nice trout. Had a little rain, hail, thunder and lightning. Overall a good trip.

Enjoyed a nice day of cragging with Jackie (shown) and the kids.

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Went too a heavy-metal fest. great weather lovely people (12.000 strong) and i got to see Iron Maiden (again) and let me tell you they still rock. discoverd some of the most brutal urban boulders yet. and got myself some great pully's when i tried them.