X Country Skiing 101

I took the kids out today for their first time and thankfully, they had a ball. I've heard horror stories of some parents having to endure introductory cross country ski sessions with their kids. I'm sure the weather helped out today but I think Ethan and Madi and just stoked to try ANYTHING new, which is really awesome.

Ethan tore it up. He was like a racing rabbit just going for it. That kid has the legs for it for sure. Madi fell down a lot but always did so with a laugh and got right back up again (except for when she whacked herself in the forehead with a ski pole). They were smiling the whole time so that was a good sign.

I've never been to the Mink Creek Nordic Center in Pocatello until today and I have say I'm quite impressed. In fact, I'm quite impressed with all of the outdoor recreation opportunities that Pokey has to offer and am rather dissappointed in Idaho Falls. Maybe a move is order...

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Ethan's 4th Grade projects

Ethan has been really enjoying 4th grade and all it's challenges. His latest endeavor has been creating a board game from his reading groups book Naya Nuki. Way to go big E!

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Climbing 101

I've been eagerly awaiting the time when our kids (mainly Madi) would ask me to take them climbing - and it looks like that time has arrived.

Ethan has tied in a few times over the past few years but recently he's shown quite an interest in climbing. He's learned to tie his own figure 8 knot and is eager to learn how to belay. I think he's getting hooked.

Tonight was Madi's first time ever and she showed much spirit and vigor. Like most little kids, she got a bit freaked out at times but stuck with it. As long as she was smiling, I knew she was good to keep going. She was even busting out the occassional rebel yell and a few grunts as she climbed - a true sign of a spirited 6 year old.

Like most parents, Britt and I introduce the kids to different activities and wait to see which ones they take to. I've always told myself that I'd wait until they ask me to take them climbing (although I admit, I have put the bug in their ears on occassion) as opposed to forcing it on them. Just because that's dad's activity doesn't mean it has to be theirs. I have to admit though, visions of family climbing trips to Wild Iris, Yosemite or Spain(!) have played in my mind from time to time!

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Madi's Big 6th B'day

Our big girl turned the whoping 6 years old last week and went through a rite of passage that all girls eventually must pass: pierced ears. As you can see from the collage, several moods were experienced and expressed but the final outcome was Madi being super stoked and happy. We love you big sis! (Thanks to Charish for the awesome photo collage!)

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Hangin' with JStar

This past Sunday and Monday, Mike and I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days at our favorite local crag hanging out with one of our favorite young pro climbers, Jonathan Siegrist.

Being a climbing junkie, I follow a few of the pro climbers' blogs and other social media outlets to stay up to date and whatnot on current climbing affairs. Plus, I like to try to get a bit more insight into what make some of these athletes tick. What I've admired about Jonathan is that, unlike some of the other pro climbing athletes I've read interviews on, he seems way down to earth, humble, honest and most of all STOKED! So it was great to actually hang with the guy and see that he really is all that.

 

Mike, Jonathan and myself.

Mike, JStar and I were all individually on a mission to bolt new routes – and holy shit, did we ever! Mike got a couple of short and hard lines in. I equipped a couple of long hard rigs on the Solstice Wall and Jonathan equipped a couple of stout lines as well – one that will change the Fins forever.

 

 Siegrist upper right working on the mega project.

 

Dr. B equipping a new line of his.

 Limestone "barnacles". You don't want to cheesegrate on those suckas!

Rick joined us on Sunday and had a good show (despite a cold) on the long endurance route, Wings for Mary. Next time for sure dude! I was able to lead through on my new project, High on Fire, that'll probably clock in around .13a or b. I bolted a variation off the 7th bolt that breaks left to a longer and harder finish that might be .13c'sh. Meanwhile, Jonathan brought the vision to the Solstice Wall (and cajones) and starting equipping and testing gear placements for a 120' crack line on the left side of the wall that has been a running topic between some us for years. Way too hard looking for me. We'll see though.

 

Ricardo on Wings for Mary, .12b.

 JStar bringing it to the Solstice Wall.

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Stanley Lake 2012

 McGown Peak

We've been wanting to check out the Stanley Basin area for quite some time now and with the current heat wave going on, we figured it was time.

Hiking to Lady Face Falls.

 Feeding frenzy at the fish hatchery in Stanley.

With no campsite reservations, we were pretty much winging it. Sure, there are plenty of roadside campsites off the highway but of course, that wouldn't work for us. Our first stop was at the over populated Redfish Lake area. Like we figured, no luck. That was fine by me because that place is like Vegas in the mountains – it kind of sucked (for camping, at least). So, going on a tip from my Sawtooth-stompin' friend Marc, we headed to Stanley Lake and scored big time (thanks bro!).

Britt and Madi on the lake at sunset.

Hiking the south shore trail around Alturus Lake.

 Chillin' like villains at the "da beach".

Stanley Lake has to be THE most beautiful car camping area I've ever been to. It's unreal. McGown Peak sits above the lake and the water, land, and skies are filled with wildlife. From catching frogs to watching osprey dive bomb the water for a meal to watching the glassy lake come alive at dusk with hungry fish are just a few things the kids loved.

Starting the Lady Face Falls hike.

Post dinner dip in the lake, complete with brain freeze.

The sign says it all.

"Bonzai"!

We spent 4 days at the lake and each day was pretty much: Get up, go hiking and exploring while it was cool, then in the heat of the afternoon, head down to the lake and soak up the alpine sunshine while taking turns dipping in the cool lake. Let me tell you, it was hard to leave. I even think Izzy-dog was reluctant to do so.

The reluctant Sand Dog.

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Madi's 2 Wheel-Deal

On a hunch, we took Madi over to the school after dinner yesterday to see if she was ready to ditch her training wheels. As you can see from the footage, the results were spectacular! Within 10-15 minutes she was riding completely on her own and she didn't want to stop.

We are so proud of your Madi! You are going to have a rockin' good time this summer on that bike for sure.

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Happy Birthday Big "E"!

 

We love you kiddo!

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North Menan Butte April 2012

On the rim, with the Big Hole Mtns. and Tetons in the background.

 
The Westside Tengaio's took advantage of the mild temps and hiked the North Menan Butte for the first. It's kind of funny that we've never hiked this before, seeing how we've done other family hikes that are farther away from home and this gem is right in our backyard.

The kids did awesome and had a lot of fun. Ethan is almost 9, so this grade of hiking is something that he should be comfortable on, which it turned out to be a good workout for him. He's got tree trunks for legs so it was all good for him.

Madeline is 5 and I had my reservations on how well she would handle the steep initial ascent from the parking lot. Not to worry though, she's a trooper and did the whole hike on her own. It probably helps that she is quite a spaz and has more energy than most girls her age. I can usually gauge someone's fitness on a steep hike depending on how much of a conversation they're able to carry on while climbing. The hike up didn't even phase her. She talked THE WHOLE WAY. Amazing.

Brittany told me that we have a goal to take Ethan and hike to the top of Table Mtn. this summer. I'm thinking Madi will be a serious contender as well. Sounds like the Westside TeNgaio's will be doing a lot more hiking in the coming weeks. Sweet!

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Moab, post II

Friday we headed out to the San Rafel Swell and hiked Crack Canyon. Once you leave the pavement the drive becomes more interesting. Navigating the "Behind the Reef" road is kick ass (I'd love to do a road rally race on it) and the two-track road leading to the mouth of the canyon is even cooler (i.e. technical). The Nazi-Lesbian-Tree-Hugger-Subaru did awesome.

The hike in Crack Canyon is really mellow (flat). The kids were stoked to scramble on the all slabs of sandstone. About a mile in you come to a few technical spots that require some downclimbing skills. It was classic getting the kids down but even better getting ol' Izzy-dog down through the small pitches. Good hike for kids and even dogs who are willing to be man-handled up and down short steep sections of stone.

After the hike we made to 2 hour drive back to Moab and the kids HAD to play on the big sand dune across from Arches Nat. Park entrance. It was pretty classic watching the kids climbing a 100' sand dune. All went well on the descent until Madi took a huge header followed by unexpected head-over-heels cartwheels thanks to her menacing big brother. I swear we are going to rent a big brother for him so he can beat up on (or get beaten upon by, lol!)

The day was closed by fine Mexican food, a table-side magician show and Mom and Dad enjoying a fine Margarita.

We'll be back to Moab for sure.

Here's a Facebook link to pictures from the trip.

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