Last week I had the chance to spend an afternoon climbing up on the Pass with fellow Aspen Alpine Guides employees Josh Gross and Lynn Sanson. We finished up a day of guiding early and got a few pitches in on the Lower Grotto Wall, including checking out Josh’s new route, the Engagement. It starts with 50 or so feet up 5.10 climbing and then get’s into the business with a couple hard cruxes, finishing on a striking arete. Props to Josh for scoring an FA of such a prominent line on the most visited cliff on the Pass. Some pics from the afternoon and a video of Josh on the route, put together by Tobin Sanson.

Don’t forget the big cleanup and party at Rifle is this weekend. There will be lots of great food, beer and usually a ton of free stuff. One year we had so much I think everyone went home with something, literally! Head on out on Saturday, should be a great time.

We wont be there, as right now we’re kicking it Maui style. Not much rock in these parts, but you have to admit, a sunset slackline session on the shore of the Pacific ain’t so bad:

We were in the market for a new car camping tent, and earlier this year we had the opportunity to grab the Big Agnes Big House 4. Big Agnes’ slogan is the “Mother of Comfort” and this tent surely lives up to that. It’s incredibly spacious, I can almost stand up inside without hitting my head (I’m 6′1″).

We’ve taken this thing to Penitente, Maple and Yosemite, as well as some local trips, and so far we absolutely love it. Why? Well, for one, it’s huge! There’s enough space inside to sleep four comfortably, or two people and all their crap spread out all over the tent. Add on the optional vestibule, and this thing is a downright traveling motel. It definitely feels luxurious to have so much room to work with, even though we’re still talking about sleeping on the ground. The tent itself is pretty easy to setup, with color coded buckles and such that make it a breeze after your first time. The materials seems pretty bomber, we haven’t yet weathered a storm in it, but we did manage to accidentally set it up in a wind tunnel this past weekend, and despite fears that it was going to get blown into the void, with us in it, it held up well, especially when we staked down the four guy lines.

Other fun features include a skylight, so you can drift off to sleep staring at the stars, and a welcome mat at the front of the tent. We especially like the mat, as you can leave your shoes outside but not get your feet dirty putting them back on.

Overall this is a fantastic car camping tent. Talking with Bill from Big Agnes at the Outdoor Retailer show, he said people have been using them as basecamp tents as well, so they are coming out with a four season version in the near future. If you are looking for the ultimate in lazy camping luxury, look no further!

Here’s some news while I get my feet back under me after two days of guiding up on Independence Pass. Looks like a cool program.

Big City Mountaineers & Mammut Launch Pitches with Pros

Ever wondered what it would be like to rope up with Steph Davis on Moab’s desert sandstone or climb ice with Will Mayo? Mammut presents Pitches with Pros, an unparalleled sweepstakes to benefit Big City Mountaineers. Visit www.pitcheswithpros.com to buy a raffle ticket for your once-in-a-lifetime chance to rope up with a Mammut-sponsored professional climber.

Raffle tickets are for sale for $5 or 5/$20. Each ticket is a chance to win a day of climbing one-on-one with a legend of rock. Tickets are available until January 2009, where the winners will be drawn at the Ouray Ice Fest, January 9-11, 2009.

“Pitches with Pros is another exciting fundraising program that has been put together thanks to the seemingly endless generosity of our outdoor industry partners,” says Mark Godley, Executive Director of Big City Mountaineers. “Mammut’s willingness to leverage its brand and athletes as a benefit to our organization is extraordinary.”

The top five winners get to climb with: Dean Lords, Will Mayo, Steph Davis, Dean Potter or Sean Jones. The next winners will receive a Mammut gear package.

“Climbing has provided me with adventure, life long friends, and experiences which have changed my life for the better,” says Dean Lords. “All of these would be meaningless if I could not pass it on to others through programs like Pitches with Pros.”

Anyone can enter and decisions on climb locations will be made between each winner and the pro with which he/she is climbing.

Thanks to sponsors Mammut, Rock and Ice, and Podclimber for making this event possible.

About Big City Mountaineers
The mission of Big City Mountaineers is to enhance the lives of under-resourced urban teens through transformative outdoor experiences. Big City Mountaineers is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit corporation.

Seems like it’s that time of year, when you can’t open your email inbox without finding out about another end of summer sale. This one really stood out though as Cloudveil is offering up to 60% off some of their climbing and ski clothing. I picked up a few things, these prices are better than pro deal! Supplies probably wont last long though, so I’d head over there soon if you want to get in on the fun. Enjoy!