Revisiting God’s Crag, Lake City

This summer I’ve mostly been bouldering. For the last month and a half I’ve been getting my climbing fix by getting on my bike and heading up to our local bouldering area called Skyland. Crested Butte is my favorite place in Colorado to spend the summer, and the Skyland Boulders are my all time favorite. Plus, there’s no driving required since the boulders are only a mile and a half of single track away from town. Perfection.

Part of the reason I’ve mostly been bouldering is that I spent a lot of time roping up this winter and spring; and the other part is that several people I know have been involved in climbing accidents. I won’t go into much detail about that, but it always makes me pause and contemplate when such things happen. Is climbing worth the risk? If I died climbing would it be worth it?

I could go in many philosophical directions here, but I simply just want to write about how much I love climbing, and when that feeling is confirmed it’s a revelation.

My good friend Scott is in town, visiting from Yosemite, and he is one motivated dude. He suggested we climb at God’s Crag, down in Lake City. God’s Crag is my favorite sport climbing area, and it’s just about two hours from Crested Butte.

Our session was glorious as we pulled on pockets, encouraging each other, and trying as hard as we could. It didn’t take long to recall that fine feeling that comes after such an effort, in an inspiring environment. It’s that feeling that is better than any drug.

Near the end of our session we moved over to an area where we could cool down. Above us was a trio of climbers near the top of a multipitch line. As I started up the pitch a shower of rocks came down from above, with no warning. The climbers either didn’t call rock, or we didn’t hear them. Either way the incident brought a sobering tone to the evening, and we were grateful that we didn’t get hit by the rocks.

It turns out they dislodged the rocks while pulling their ropes on the first rappel. The rocks ended up giving their rope a mean core shot, and luckily they weren’t hurt either.

Damn. All I wanted was a day without any incident to get me inspired on rope climbing again. Regardless I am inspired. That day left me with that oh-so familiar high that comes after a day at the crag, God’s Crag to be specific.

I’m continuing to contemplate. I want to live a long, happy existence and experience what I was meant to experience. I want to live and love and grow old, while continuing to climb. None of that is guaranteed, and my risks aren’t simply limited to climbing. We don’t get to control our deaths. We’re all simply living out lives on a big chunk of rock floating through space, and risk is inherent to living.

That said, I’ve got the bug back, and I’m psyched to be back on the sharp end.

Another Climbing Zine Thing

We're going to be doing "Another Climbing Zine Thing" this coming Friday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Rumors Coffee and Tea House in Crested Butte.

We'll once again be celebrating the release of The Climbing Zine Volume 3, with a similar format to what we delivered at The Firebrand in Gunnison. There will be slide shows, poetry and a giveaway.

It will be a free presentation, and there will be copies of The Climbing Zine Volume 3 for sale.

Check it out yo!

Satisfied climbers (Ryan Rees and Lindsey Schauer) at last week's "Climbing Zine Thing". It was so fun we're doing another fresh presentation next Friday, July 15th at Rumors Coffee and Tea House in Crested Butte.

Freedom Mobile in the Fourth of July Parade, Crested Butte, Colorado

Well, this post doesn't have much to do with climbing, but we entered the Freedom Mobile in the Fourth of July parade in Crested Butte. It was a good time, and here's some photos of the fun. Hope ya'll had a great fourth! FREEDOM...

Summer Rambling, Amping Up for the Zine Thing

I've been a bit silent with inner ramblings on this blog; getting into a summer writing routine has taken some time. But, I feel like I'm getting it back, settling into a pattern of writing something every morning, the key to the art for me.

This week I've been soaking in the Gunnison Valley summer, and it's hit me, this is it. This is what I live for: good friends, beautiful weather, and re-creation in the outdoors.

I've also been preparing for tomorrow’s “Climbing Zine Thing”, which will take place at the Firebrand in Gunnison at 6:30 p.m. It’s a release party for The Climbing Zine Volume Three. I’ve been frequenting the Firebrand for over a decade and it will be an honor to present there.

Looking through my photos as I’ve put them together for the slideshow, an overwhelming emotion comes over me; I am grateful that I’ve lived this climbing life for so long, and that I am still here to tell the stories of living such an existence.

I am also grateful for my friends that I share these adventures with. The last few years I’ve been trying to let go of my ego more and more, and simply enjoy what happens on a climbing excursion, with an emphasis on safety and friendship with my climbing partners. “If you’re still friends with your climbing partner when you come down, it was a success,” is a quote that has been running through my head a lot lately.

Another prevailing thought that I’ve had while preparing the slideshow is how much I love the climbing lifestyle, and sharing that with my various partners. It’s what I live for, and the climbing life is the greatest thing I’ve found on my 32 years rambling on this planet.

Here are some of the photos from the slideshow I’ll be giving tomorrow. We’d be honored to have you there if you’re in the neighborhood.

Peace, Luke

A Climbing Zine Thing at The Firebrand

Official Release Party for The Climbing Zine Volume 3

The Firebrand Delicatessen will host “A Climbing Zine Thing” on Thursday June 30 at 6:30 p.m. The event will celebrate the official release of the third volume of The Climbing Zine, written by Colorado author Luke Mehall.

The Climbing Zine is an independent publication that aims to offer a unique view on the world of climbing, and its culture. The zine focuses primarily on the essence of climbing, and the journey that takes place during these adventures.

The featured story from volume three is called “Go West Young Man in The Freedom Mobile”, a tale about two men heading from Colorado to California, in late autumn, a vehicle well over 200,000 miles that seemed destined to break down at any moment; all for the hope to climb another day as the climbing season is winding down.

Mehall and Al Smith III (co-founders of The Climbing Zine) will present slideshows of recent adventures and misadventures, and the Firebrand will be selling wine and beer. The event is free, and copies of The Climbing Zine will be for sale. Attendees are asked to show up on time so the Firebrand crew can get their beauty sleep, in order to wake up and serve the people Friday morning.

The Firebrand is located at 108 N. Main St. in Gunnison. Any further questions about the event can be directed to Mehall at lmehall@yahoo.com.

And the Summer Begins...Skyland Boulders, Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte Magazine Summer Issue

The summer Crested Butte Magazine was also released recently. I've got three articles in this issue, and my good friends Ben Johnson and Greg Pettys also have articles published. Read it for free online here, or pick up a copy if you're around Crested Butte. It's one of the finest free publications out there anywhere.

Andrew McKean climbing Right El Skyland at the Skyland Boulders in Crested Butte.