Greece- Climbing

Here are just a few of the many climbing pics we have.

The rock is all limestone, which can vary from vertical, with very sharp edges to overhanging with large formations, called tufas.

Chris came up with the idea to do a climbing contest. Points were earned with each climb, more points for harder climbs and leads. The stage (daily) winner had to wear the yellow 'Leader' shirt the following day. Rich and Chris were the only two that ever earned the shirt.

This was a big leading trip for Miranda. She lead many 6b's (about 5.10c) and two 6c's (but had to rest on these). 6c is about 5.11


Brie and Rich.


Holly enjoying a warm, sunny day.


We had a couple cold, windy days; Miranda's leading in her ski touring jacket here.


Rich taking a well earned rest on a tufa.


Rich ready to lead!




Hoss working hard.


Jenny.


Chris taking a rest.


Chris- Leader!


Miranda.


Rich- Leader!


The gang having a great time.




Reaching for a partly pulled rope. Adam's got one strong back.


Hoss lowering off.


At the end of a very full day. Island Telendos in background, where we went by boat one night (see above).


Mara leading.


And Kyler. Who says you can't climb with a baby?

Maggie's Ancestry.

Rich had a birthday this month. I surprised him with a genetic test I had done on Maggie to find out what breeds she is. We always supposed some type of shepherd mix, but we were both way off. Turns out she's mostly Yorkshire terrier, with traces of Rhodesian Ridgeback and lab retriever. So, Yorkie's are small yappy dogs! Not Maggie at all, though the coloring is right. Maggie's body type seems Ridgeback, and her personality does too. Do a google search for some pics of those breeds, it's really interesting.

Twin Lakes Hike

July: Hike to Twin Lakes with Mara and Maggie

In late July Miranda, Mara, Maggie and Mara's friend Ivanna did a hike to alpine lakes. This is in a wilderness area near Snoqualmie Pass. Round trip was about 10 miles. Usually that's nothing for Maggie, but she started seriously limping at about mile 6, so we carried here off and on back to the car. The scenery was gorgeous, and it was still cold.

August: Squamish, BC

With our friends Mara and Adam, we headed to Squamish for a week of climbing on world class granite, and biking on the Sunshine Coast of BC. Squamish is an hour north of Vancouver, right on the water. You can see it in the background of some of the pics. The biking was a little crazy at times. Up in BC, they like to build up trails and do lots of tricks with their bikes. Rich and Adam braved some of the obstacles, but Mara and I were too smart.




























It was really hot the week we were there, so usually we started climbing early and hid in the shade. Most of the rock there is west facing, so it was hard to find much to climb in the afternoons. Some days we climbed in the morning and evenings, and napped during the afternoon.
















































Biking around Squamish was very fun. We've climbed here for several years, but never brought our bikes. It turns out the biking is fantastic, and there is an incredibly extensive trail system. Mara had only been on a mountain bike a few times, and she was a trooper, since we inadvertently ended up on some super technical and steep trail each time we went out. Thimble berries were in season, they grow wild all through the woods there. We stuffed ourselves while riding, and saw some giant bear berry poops. We also biked on the Sunshine Coast, which is a ferry's trip away. Who's pretty bike is this?!

Just an example of some of the jumps we saw. There were teeter totters, jumps, balance beams and obstacles. Rich had a blast playing on them.


Riding on elevated boards made me a little nervous. Yes, the trail went through the tree stump.

July: Miranda's Mom

Miranda's mom visited for a week. We went to wine country in the Okanogan Valley of Canada, a few hours north of us.










Then I showed her the mountains around where we live.

4th of July in British Columbia