2020 / 2021 — Brian Goes On Adventures

Dec 31

Dec 31 2020 / 2021

The pandemic shut down lots of travel throughout 2020 and 2021, but that didn’t stop us from getting lots of great climbs and trips in. Here are some highlights:

New England High Points

When a CA trip got cancelled at the last minute because of wildfires, Anna and I drove north and got to the top of every state in New England in a two week hike and climb trip in the fall of 2020. We also ate lots of great food!

Fun hike, especially the knife edge traverse up top

Lobster Paella, with the correct lobster to rice ratio

Yosemite

Viktor came up with the idea of going to Yosemite for the election, in case a civil war broke out or anything. Had a great week of cragging, and felt awesome on a Dolt run. Now we have to come back for the full NIAD!

Viktor after a redpoint of Lunatic Fringe

Montana Ice

Went to Bozeman for the first time, got on lots of fun ice, with the highlight being the Hydromonster in Yellowstone.

Had to put a crampon back on mid pitch, but was all smiles after that

Yosemite (again!)

For some reason I keep coming back to this place. Anna and Melody joined for their first experience in the Valley, hiking Half Dome, and climbing dozens of pitches in the valley and Tuolumne. Afterwards I linked up with Jeff for the north face of Fairview and the Third Pillar of Dana, as well as some other Tuolumne classics.

Half Dome! We set off from the Pines at around 3am, had the entire hike including the cables to ourselves.

Gunks

Lots of trips to the local crag. Anna figuring out the move on High Exposure was a highlight for sure!

Chamonix

Spent two months in the Alps, climbing some fun big routes including the East Ridge of Monviso, the Cordier Pillar, and Les Fleurs du Mal. Anna got her first alpine experience, ticking off the Pointe Lachenal Traverse and the Arête des Cosmiques.

La Fiamma in the Albigna Valley in Switzerland. About 10 pitches of moderate fun climbing get you to this incredible summit.

Italy! The 1,200m east ridge of Monviso was a really fun climb, with lots of easy to moderate terrain.

Lucas taking a breather on a route at the Envers

The top of Les Fleurs du Mal, about 15 pitches of beautiful granite

Climbing with John on the Red Pillar , our warmup for the Cordier the next day

Who is that funny lookin guy in the guidebook for the Cordier Pillar?!

Zion

Joined Luke for a desert trip, climbing Touchstone in a day, and lots of other great multipitch and adventure climbing in the park and around St. George.