Carpe Gnar

It’s been THE best summer of my life, pretty good for twenty five, especially when five years ago I figured I’d reached the plateau with a summer spent in the Cascade mountains. Alaska…..where does one begin, it’s in my blood, I now LIVE for A to the K. The last month has once again been filled with varied stories of craziness, heinous adventure, and good times abound. Ranging from saving a fisherman’s life to rafting on the local rivers, blind drunk and at midnight, this state still fails to disappoint. Valdez continues to amazing, extremely precipitous, yet wonderful. Having not much time to play, at least in the extended sense of the word, I’ve worked a total of thirty-one consecutive days without a day off since August. In total since having moved here, I’ve seen the sun a total of nine times, have taken my shirt off for more than thirty seconds once, and have yet to wear shorts. Come to think of it, this is the first summer in my life I’ve yet to wear shorts. Still with a few adventures up my sleeve, my remaining days in Alaska will be spent backpacking through Denali and on a multi-day Talkeetna river trip.  Going out with a bang, I’ll leave this semi-permanent Alaska post with a link to my on going photo album, letting that tell the story.   Click here to open a new window to view my Picasa public Alaska album. 

Many changes have ensued since my last posting.  The Tiekel, due to the diminishing economy, probably a bad idea in the first place, and the lack of customer traffic has shut down, thus forcing Trixie back to Anchorage, Dan to New York, and myself into Valdez. July 18th was the last official day for me as manager of the operation and now looking back, it’s been a good move for everyone involved. I’m now a sea-kayaking and climbing guide for Pangaea Adventures, an adventure guiding outfit out of Valdez. For the mere fact that I get well paid for playing in a the most beautiful environs I’ve ever seen is purely silly. I love my job, in which my days are spent showing people the mere passions that I so dearly love. From ice climbing instruction on the local glaciers to multi-day sea-kayaking trips in the Prince William Sound, the gig is absolutely brilliant. My fellow guides, both hard working and amazing individuals in their own respective ways, provide that needed aggressive “outdoor kick” to my proverbial pants. 

Valdez is my Shangri La, my dreams, and everything I’ve ever desired and more in a place to live. Aside from being the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, once again my heart is taken by the small town hospitality that I grew up with in Iowa. Now with a social life and a place of adventure that would literally take my entire life to fully explore, I’d be lying if I haven’t thought about a permanent move post travel. On Monday of this week, I ice climbed on a glacier, kayaked a beautiful local classic river, hiked into a rain-forest gorge, and sea-kayaked in the sound where harbor seals accompanied me back into the harbor. I awake every day and ask myself if I’m dreaming. Words cannot simply give one the perspective of the mere wonderous spirit and beauty of Valdez, Alaska. 

I met a girl. She’s amazing, beautiful, active, and intrigues the hell out of me. Hailing from Valdez originally, she’s now in Denver teaching again for the school year. I could go on and on, but I’ll save the rest just for me. 

One specific highlight of the past month and half was the arrival of my family in this wonderful state. Libby, Dad and Mom arrived mid-July for two weeks of travel in which we sea-kayaked, whitewater rafted, hiked, took a flight through Denali, indulged on the finer beauties of life and most importantly, enjoyed each other’s company. We travelled through Valdez, Anchorage, McCarthy/Kennicott, Denali National Park, and numerous locations in the Chugach Mountain Range. This was the longest time our family had been together since they came and visited me while I lived in Chile. A great time had by all, it was another clear affirmation that family is everything in this world. 

Unfortunately, my season and time in Alaska ends on September 19th, where I’ll be spending less than a month back in the lower 48, traveling around doing various outdoor trips. The only future plans of mine occurred ten minutes prior, where I bought a one way ticket to Kathmandu, flying out with my kayaking gear on October 21st. 

June in Alaska

Something new everyday, my first month in Alaska has been an interesting one, chalked full of randomness, exciting new experiences, and often times a bit strange. Such is the eb and flow in the last frontier. Listed below are some of the most significant points of interest or at least have made my personal journal. Enjoy.

Photos: Lodge Truck (El Red Dangler), Mt. Tiekel, a typical Alaskan truck bed, and a morning sunrise in the Wrangell St.-Elias National Park.

Upon my arrival in late May, my second day in-state was spent driving to Anchorage only to spend three days in the emergency room and two nights in the intensive care unit. The first time admitted to the ER with a temperature of 104.5, I was only released hours later after testing negative for repeated examinations of strep throat and mono. Apparently the doctor, originally from Clarion, Iowa, a neighboring town of where I grew up, thought it would be prudent to discharge me despite the high fever and my plees to inform him that I still couldn’t swallow anything consumable or liquid. Alas, Dr. Clarion was wrong, and I was again admitted to the emergency room the next morning.

A new and apparently more intelligent Doctor discovered via x-rays and other devices I cannot pronounce that my throat was so blistered that it was swelling completely shut, in addition to being extremely dehydrated and still maintaining a high fever. A throat and mouth surgeon was then involved probing me in ways I care not to explain with such instrunments that also go beyond explanation. Alas, after three days, numerous instruments attached and inserted into my body, steroids, antibiotics, less than edible food, rest, and over fifteen saline bags, it was obvious that I would survive.

            I was semi-charged by a mother moose on a solo kayaking run of the Tiekel River. While this has been explained in my previous post, a few more notable moments of clarity should be mentioned. Moose kill more people annually in Alaska than bears. Of these attacks, a large majority are mother Moose (Cows) protecting their offspring (calves). While a bear might maul and eat a human, moose will just charge one, kicking the ever living bejesus out of the victim with their prehistoric and powerful hind legs. Whereas bear spray/deterrent is widely available and used by many, a market niche is still out there for Moose spray. Perhaps guns have already taken this role, but for those that wish to not carry a firearm into the wild, this could be the ticket. As I sat on the bank of the other side of the river with my puny spray canister, waiting for Momma to further her charge, I realized that I was nothing compared to mother nature, and that Alaskan wildlife, unlike any place I’ve been previous, can and will kill me if so desired. In the case of bears, can, will and EAT me is added to the equation. Compiled together, that’s a pretty mentality stout concept to comprehend when out in the backcountry.

 Momma moose coming at me on the Tiekel River.

            Piggybacking off the moose incident, a Columbian motorcyclist actually struck a Cow moose on the road a quarter mile down from the lodge. This great story is purely Alaskan in nature. The man, trapped in-front of a oncoming semi and also followed by one, had to make a choice of either hitting the gargantuan beast head-on, drive into woods at high speed, or risk being run over by the semis. Ultimately, he opted with option one, breaking both her legs, himself being ejected into the ditch with his bike, only to be shaken up without damage to his body whatsoever. His bike was literally destroyed, the moose’s head was blown off moments later by the excited gun-toting semi drivers, and he lay there in the ditch for a few hours chatting with Alaskan state troopers about the accident. Apparently, he’s the third man in Alaskan history to hit a moose (this one totaled over 2,000lbs) and live.

            Having paid exorborant airlines fees to bring up my boat, I’m proud to announce that I’ve whitewater kayaked on five rivers in the region, the Tiekel, Tosina, Tsaina, Klutina, and the Lowe. All have been remarkedly beautiful sections of river complete with ultra-scenic typical views of mountains, wildlife, glaciers and waterfalls. Boating up here has been a bit different in terms of volume of water, access, and technicalities, but has been a pleasant change of pace none-the-less. While none of the runs have been my personal preference of class V due to rivers of such nature and issues with finding any other kayakers, I’ve been fortunate enough to get with the local rafting company, Keystone Rafting. Great people, great water, good times.

 Photos: Landslide on the Tonsina River and my new kayaking partner.

            Sea-kayaking in the Prince William Sound with local guiding friends was also an amazing June experience. The beauty of the experience and the sound cannot simply be described by words. Imagine fjords, porpoises, sea otters, sea lions, beautiful aqua blue water, and the icebergs from the calving Columbia glacier. The experience was second to none, and I think Dan described it best telling me, “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

 Photos: Columbia Glacier, Dan and I boating in the icebergs, and some sea-lions hogging the buoy. 

            Paul, our illustrious lodge chef was let go last week. Issues with ordering, organization, and attitude resulted in the termination. A demand of a raise to the owners and an shock on Paul’s behalf when the request was turned down and the termination processed leaves the lodge now without an “official” cook, which probably is for the better seeing that Paul’s menu was basic to say the least and that Dan, Trixie, and I have already impressed ourselves in addition to others with our revolutionized combined culinary skills.

            Last night, I was shocked to see an Alaska’s finest at the door. Asking for Trixie Hamilton, the officer apparently had a warrant for her arrest. Without incident and story, Trixie is now residing in the Glennallen jail for an unknown amount of time. Dan and I equally have our speculations but are still unsure of the real reason why she was put away. Thankfully, she was released a day later for not having attended a DWI class.

            Fishing in Alaska is probably about as serious as it gets. Daily reportings of King Salmon movements, Halibut tournaments in every city, and thousands of people living off the fishing tourism industry make this place absolutely nuts about casting. The term, “Combat Fishing,” where hundreds of fisherman line up shoulder to shoulder along a river bank in hopes of catching salmon, was coined here. Drive along most rivers near the coast and you’ll be sure to see signs of how nuts Alaska is on it’s fishing.

            Deciding to give the local craze a try, I partnered up with a few guiding friends up the valley where we floated fourteen miles of the class III Klutina river in search of scores of spawning King Salmon. It was a beautiful way to fish; bobbing down rapids, pulling out at eddies, and fishing from shore. After blue bird full day on the river we ended up having five King’s on, brought in three, and caught one red Sockeye salmon. All in all it was an experience I’ll never forget and one I hope to continue on a monthly basis while the salmon run. Also catching my interest where the salmon, never will one find a more intelligent fish. Inquire for yourself, they’re extremely interesting.

Photos: Yet to molt Red Sockeye, Brandon with a nice King, and the boys getting gnarly on the Klutina River. 

            Aside from being lost on “trails” numerous times and the typical Alaskan ho-hum, life is pretty laid back here in Tiekel Valley, the beauty of the Chugach is still ridiculously stunning, the neighbors are as kind as they are strange, and the wildlife still seems to let one know where human beings stand in the wild.

Photos: A busy Tiekel Lodge, DD in AK, Ben cleaning out the Tonsina River, a political statement, and an Alaskan cooler. (that’s Columbia glacier ice) 

Mt. Billy Mitchell says “Relax!”

“To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world.”-John Muir Expansive Wilderness, raging rivers, gigantic mountains, glaciers galore and wildlife to boot! This place as it all. Alaska, the last frontier and new obsession of Andy McMurray. Arrived to the 48th state on May 27th, after a few red eye flights and the airport floor for a bed, I took the most scenic plane ride of my life flying ERA aviation from Anchorage to Valdez. Ice fields, Prince William Sound, and the Chugach mountain range gave this Alaskan virgin his first taste of the adventure that lay ahead. My initial impressions where simply that of the size. Having been to numerous mountain ranges in North and South America, nothing even holds a candle to that of the Alaskan landscape.As far as the eye can see, it’s enormous. Through kayaking and knowing both owners, I’ve landed a job managing the Tiekel River Lodge for the summer. Situated a mile marker 56 outside of Valdez on the Richardson Highway, isolated is a fantastic word in beginning to describe the place. Erected in the 1950’s, the lodge serves as a pull off for tourist and local traffic alike, serving up mean cuisines of a full scale restaurant, a gas pump, numerous cabins, and a campground. The job is wonderful, the scenery doesn’t suck, and I’m getting paid live in a GIANT playground. Needless to say, I’m pretty damn happy. I’m currently managing three other employees who deserve entire postings in their own right. Interesting with stories aplenty, Trixie, Paul, and Dan are all uniquely different in their own intricit ways. Trixie, hails from Anchorage, had a baby girl named Emily at sixteen, has worked odd jobs here and here mostly in the service industry. She found the application on craigslist and within a day of applying was picked up in Anchorage by Paul the cook and myself. She literally left most behind her and just needed to “get away for the summer.” From what I’ve gathered she was tired of her old life, needed to get away for awhile, and sought somewhere isloated to perhaps find herself. I wouldn’t have given her five minutes of lasting on my initial introduction with her, but in the past few weeks she’s proved to be one hell of a worker, quick to learn the kitchen, till, and has even came into the shop to help me organize a few things. After a DWI, her child is in the custody of her child’s father. Once engaged, boy crazy to all hell, and a pleasant person in general, she’s a peach to have around.  Grey beared, Penslyvanian native, Paul is bull-headed, a master in all things consumed, can’t hear worth a damn, questions everything, but is deep down a kind soul.  Paul has 10 kids, was married when he was 47, fought, was wounded numerous times in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne, and has resided in Alaska for the past twenty years. He’s especially proud of his time spent on Kodiak island, which he nevers shuts up about and where his time spent ranged from owning numerous restaurants that flew in strippers for the Coast Guard to teaching Russian Orthodox history at the respective seminary. His views on life are as interesting as his tidbits of Alaskan history and I doubt I will witness Paul shy away from chatting up someone in the kitchen.  Aiming to fatten me up forty plus pounds in the next three months, Paul’s cuisine constints of three crucial ingredients: salt, meat, and cholesterol. However, I was shocked tonight at dinner when I saw a side salad included with the gravy soaked Salsbury steak and potato the size of a football. Later I learned that Trixie had prepared the salad.   Paul’s sent three letters in his life. The first was when he left his wife at the alter, it included why he left and where he was at. He said he was scared of commitment. In the second letter, he won her heart back and asked her to marry him again. The third, was on  June 4th, 2008, he told her he loved her, missed her, and that he probably doesn’t say that enough.Dan is the new guy. He’s, quiet, keeps to himself, and hails from Rochester, New York. Dan’s been quick to learn the kitchen and other areas, but feel as he’ll be the one that I’ll have to closely watch. We’ll see how Dan ends up. He’s 26, recently graduated from Ithaca University with a degree in film studies and wanted to work in Alaska before joining the “real world.” A wonderful guitarist, praticing magician, and avid Sudoku enthusiast, Dan brings a culturally diverse flavor to the Tiekel River Lodge.Back to Alaska and whole adventure thing: Thus far, I’ve kayaked on three rivers in which trip reports will added soon to my kayaking blog. Yesterday, I was on the Tiekel, which is literally in our backyard. Armed with a bear spray canister and running the river solo due to lack of partners, I came around a corner scaring up two calf moose, only then to reap the wrath of a very pissed off Momma moose who actually charged into the middle of the river at me. With her on one side of the bank and me on the other, the waiting began. After thirty mintues and her still just watching me mid-river, I was forced to hike out. She won.Adventure after adventure, I’m planning to pack it all in till October. Today I ran the Tonsina, a 26 mile (yes, that says 26) lower section of river near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. On Saturday, I’m going sea-kayaking to the Columbia glacier in Prince William Sound. You get the picture. 

Kiffy and I arrived back in the Midwest later April logging in many high water river runs with numerous fellow boaters. Only taking a few days off here and there, I’ve felt blessed with decent weather, good water levels, and challenging whitewater. A month of solid boating from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Minnesota’s North Shore has resulted in numerous stories, loads of broken gear, big drops, and great time spent some amazing people. More noteworthy, the past two weeks have been spent with the Herbeck family and Loren Moulton filming for each parties respective upcoming kayak films. Their projects and teasers can be viewed at the following links.

Loren’s Site

Nate and Heather’s Site

All of the river descriptions and trip reports will be updated later this week seeing that I will be done kayaking on Wednesday the 14th. Finally, I’ll have a little time before heading out to Alaska to completely update my blogs with multimedia, trip reports, and some video.

Stay tuned….

Photo: I’m dropping the final slide on the Onion River, Minnesota. Also, John Kiffmeyer on the business end with the Terminator.

Three and a half weeks, two oil changes, a change of tires, thousands of miles, nineteen states, and a maximum of maybe five showers, Kiffy and I finally arrived back in Minneapolis last night around 1am. Both of us commented numerous times on how flat Minnesota seemed and how eager we were to escape up to the north and south shores of Lake Superior to further extend the kayaking season. Having had continual snowfall and cold weather well into Spring, this whitewater kayaking season for the Midwest will not only be of epic proportion, but possibly one of the best in history. What better way to begun such a season in this region than to have had the time of your life, road tripping and kayaking all over the continental United States! Needless to say both of us feel great and are ready to tackle whatever the shores have in store.

That being said, the trip was amazing, probably one of the best, if not thee best I’ve ever been on. I’m going to break down the specific regions with some major points of interest, people met, etc.

Southeast

Basing ourselves out of Asheville, NC at Kiffy’s good friends, Zach and Tracy Bannow, we shook off the kayaking rust with runs on the Russel Fork in Kentucky/Virginia, the infamous classic Green Narrows in North Carolina, and Bear Creek in Northern Georgia. Highlights of the southeast included great technical whitewater, the atypical southern personalities, and every so pleasant warm weather that both John and I so desperately needed.

Having been to the Southeast numerous times in my childhood, I was presently surprised with the gorgeous Appalachian mountains, especially with how the semi-rugged landscape created a mother-lode of quality steep kayaking. Also impressive was the generous and infamous southern hospitality. Ranging from basing ourselves out of Zach and Tracy’s home to cruising down the river with people we’d never met prior, the rumors pertaining to the generousness of those south are definitely those of truth.

Moments to Remember:

1) Running the Green Narrows numerous times, including the big three rapids: Go Left and Die, Gorilla, and Sunshine. While often scared of out mind, it was an amazing feeling to look back on the beautiful stretch of river and smile. Photo: Running Gorilla

2) Sleeping in the bathroom of the Russel Fork takeout, which was only sweetened by the morning janitor witnessing Kiffy and I sleeping on the relatively warm floor with our sleeping bags and mats. When the weather gets foul, we hit the john.

3) Meeting John’s good friends in Asheville, namely: Travis, Alexis, Zach, Tracy, Jen Cribs, Jeb, Mefford, the Pyranha crew, Mandie, only to name a few. I know I’m missing some and apologize. These people definitely brought humor, fun, and generosity to this region of the trip. Also, it shows that just because you are bit older, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun….

4) Compressing my spine on Bear Creek our last day of kayaking in the South. While kayaking off a twenty foot waterfall name Big Bang, I was deceived by the landing site and landed flat on a rock compressing my spine. Unable to move and scared out of my mind, I was pulled into the eddy by John who helped me pull it together and ultimately finish the run. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless, I’ve never been so scared of injuring myself permanently until then. Photo: Right before compressing my spine.

Utah and the Rockies

Nursing a spinal injury and leaving a relatively dry south, John and I conceived that it would be prudent to travel across country to Oregon in hopes to kayak with numerous friends that have transplanted out there long ago. Deciding to take a week to make the long journey, we opted to stop in Denver and spend a couple of days with Korinne Krieger, an old college friend of mine. While in Denver we multi-pitched rock climbed in Boulder Canyon, toured/sampled the Coors and Golden City breweries and camped at relatively shotty campsite on the outskirts of Denver.

Skipping an Chiropractor appointment in order to further continue, John and I then continued to Moab, Utah where we found ample information and beta on the local canyoneering in the area. Having a wild night just outside of town, we awoke the next morning venturing to the San Rafael Swell where we spent five hours hiking, squeezing and rappelling through numerous slot canyons called Baptist Draw.

Moments to Remember:

1) Kansas really sucks to drive across.

2) Climbing, partying, and enjoying the company of Korinne Krieger and her friend Mike. In one day we,  multipitched rock climbed, toured two breweries, had a ranging bonfire and party, danced until we feel asleep, and went to a museum. Good people, good times. Mike is one of more hysterical people I’ve ever met.

3) Utah- Aside from only having one liquor store per town and selling 3.2% beer everywhere, this state has some of the most beautiful mountains, desert, and wildlife both John and I have ever seen. From massive elk herds crossing the road to rappelling into a seventy foot slot canyon, Utah was a blast and nice break from kayaking.

Pacific Northwest

Hands down, the best part of the trip, the Pacific Northwest! Oregon was finally on the radar and after a night of listening to a cook inform us about all the technicalities with growing medicinal marijuana while keeping within Oregon state laws, we finally arrived at our almost final destination, Hood River, Oregon. Staying at Nate and Heather Herbeck’s house across the Columbia river in BZ, Washington, we hit river after river, shocked by the beauty and intensive nature of the Pacific Northwest. Coupled with the best day of my life, a river race, and hucking a gigantic thirty five foot waterfall, we forced ourselves to finally leave the region yesterday, already having postponed our original plans by five days.

Moments to Remember:

1) The Pacific Northwest, namely southern Washington, the Columbia river gorge, and northern Oregon are all amazingly beautiful. Lush rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, and deep gorges all make up this awe inspiring landscape.

2) People: The Oregon/g boating community is wonderful. Hard boaters, fun people, and the aim to always have a good time still make me kick myself for leaving. Namely:

Jason Schroder: The funniest man ever. I could barely stay right side up in my kayak because he had me laughing so hard. “BALLER DUDE!!!” was heard all the time.

Allen: Happy, enjoyable, and a great paddler. Allen has a wrap around couch in the back of his truck. How sweet is that!

Eli: Tony’s roommate, great steepcreeker, and a fun guy from Colorado. Fun to party with, booming laugh, well-travelled, and a former rugby player.

Joanna: Beautiful, red-haired, travelling nurse originally from Ohio that now works in the Portland area. I met Joanna at pint night, found that she was new to paddling, and ended up dancing the night away at the Canyon Creek Race after party. A wonderful woman.

Mike: Ran canyon creek with twice in one day Really rad, long-haired dude, and seemed to be everywhere, from partying to creeking. Just a great guy to be around.

Monica and Kate: Friends, great kayakers, and wonderful people to hang out with. Monica accompanied Kiffy and I on our hike and huck to Punchbowl Falls on Eagle Creek, taking some stunning photos. Having come off kayaking in South America months prior, Monica fired up hard waterfalls and rapids with us on Copper Creek. Kate, formerly from South Dakota was simply a peach and let us stay the night in her place.

3) The Rivers: Strap ‘em up! The Pacific Northwest is intense and extremely powerful water. Kiffy and I kayaked every day we where there but one. The quality whitewater is as abundant as the beauty. Our memorable runs included: Green Truss, Little White Salmon, Farmlands and Middle Sections of the White Salmon, Canyon Creek, Copper Creek, and Punchbowl Falls on Eagle Creek.

More pictures available on my Picasa gallery, movie coming soon, and further kayak specific genre on my kayakboatriding blog.

Twas a fabulous trip! Here’s to a better one coming up!

Got into Asheville, North Carolina a few days ago for some boating. Ran the Gorge Section of the Russel Fork in Virginia/Kentucky yesterday, going to running the Green Narrows tomorrow.

 Pictures and more information coming soon.

Full late season ice climbing report on Vertical Hallucination blog. Check it out!!!! Includes the last two days of ice climbing up on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.

I awoke last Saturday morning to my cell phone blasting, shaking off the cobwebs from the “last day of work” party with co-workers, the first words out of my father’s mouth are, “You and I have two things in common now son, we’re both retired.”

 Early retirement. Three days in and waiting to head south, all the realism is finally creeping into my thoughts. Finances, goals, and what lies ahead have all been hitting me hard this last couple of days. It’s going to be very strange coming from a great job and financially/socially comfortable to scraping by and probably not knowing too many people. These of course are the associations with the path I’m choosing to head down, however, already I feel myself slowly changing, being more reflective, cautious, and somewhat sad in knowing that I won’t be able to see those I care about for quite some time. The goodbyes are bittersweet, not the dramatics that I envisioned, simply a “I’m not sure when I’ll see you again.”

Already in the first week my plans have been altered. As planned, today would have been the day to head south to kayak, however due to illness and squeezing in one more machinist’s paycheck, Kiffy, a paddling friend and travel companion, opted that we depart on Friday, the 18th.

John Kiffmeyer is an interesting man. One with a laugh as contagious as his modesty, I first met Kiffy last spring at the Lower St. Louis River put-in, as his 6′ 3″ skinny frame limping out of a cramped Subaru, cigarette dangling from his lip, beer spilling in right hand. Missing the party side of the kayaking scene I knew that Kiffy and I would probably get along well. One of the more positive and supportive men I’ve ever met, he’s a paddler that’s travelled the world, in rivers ranging from the Zambezi in Africa to the jungle streams of Costa Rica. His paddling skills are as extensive as his travels as he holds many first descents in the Lake Superior region, can be viewed on numerous films pertaining to the whitewater industry, and seemingly enough has shared an eddy with who’s who’s of the sport. Looking up to Kiffy since I’ve met him last spring as a paddling resource and a friend, I couldn’t think of a better partner nor person to explore the rivers of this continent. A photo of John can be viewed on the “Yee WhO Rock” page, he will probably always be the guy with the crazy chops.

Until Friday the plans are to ascend a ice climb that I’ve been trying to climb for the last two years but due to poor ice conditions and timing, have been unsuccessful. “Nightfall”, on the Devil Track River near Grand Marais, Minnesota, is a 185 foot, two pitch ice climb that generates it’s name because parties often find themselves battling darkness while still on the somewhat committing route. Coupled with a mile hike up the beautiful and intimidating Devil Track Canyon, the climb goes WI 3-4 in difficulty, meaning almost completely vertical. It’s a true gem for the Midwest and I’m anxious to get back on it with good climbing partner and friend Kendra. We depart tomorrow at 7am, photos will be posted here soon. Click the thumbnail below to view “Nightfall”.

 Closing out, sans the fear, departing emotions, and an extended departure date, early retirement is going ROCK!

When I was a boy my wonderful grandmother sat me down one day and told me something that I’ll never forget, “Save your money and travel. Always go where and when you are able to. The lessons learned in different places are those that will remain with you forever and experiences that will be remembered for the rest of your life. These are the two things I found to be most important over the last ninety three years.”

Inspired by her words and figuring that a ninety three year old women probably has more insight that most, I’ve maintained a common goal through my years, one of constant curiosity, adventure, and exploration. It’s differed and become increasingly more intricate over the years but as a whole, my desire to see what’s lies beyond has now evolved to quitting my comfortable corporate job and completely committing myself to my dear grandmother’s words.

Carpe Gnar is a compilation of differing past, present and future adventures. Rather than combine all adventures into one specific source, I’ve intergrated two of my personal blogs which directly related to my two favorite passions, climbing and paddling. In addition, another general blog has been constructed to serve as the basic resource for Carpe Gnar. The site name itself is somewhat of a spoof off of Carpe Diem, translating to the infamous Seize the Day. Instead, Seizing the Gnarly, or in kayaking slang, all that is fun, exciting, and often extreme, seemed to be a better fit for not only this web page but my new lifestyle.

Thanks for visiting the site, please explore and enjoy. And remember, not all those who wander are lost.

- Andy