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As we all know, life can "get in the way" of true happiness. I invite you to follow my posts as I try to reconnect with nature as often as life allows. Then,
if so inspired, pick up a paddle or pack and join me on an adventure that makes everything else fade away. - scott@scottcoryell.me

Monday, April 13, 2015

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Climbing Trip

We headed down to the ranch late on Friday night.  Got the tents set up and got to bed around 12:30am.  Saturday morning we headed up to Doomsday Wall which I had been wanting to climb on for a while.  We knocked out 4 of the 5 moderates before heading down to Titanic.  We successfully climbed the 9+ on Titanic and then headed down to Gimp and Wheezer.  On the way we passed Bob who was wedged in an offwidth.  He soon came to join us as his partner was done for the day.  While Michael was leading Gimp and Wheezer, Bob put up Solid.  I had been wanting to get on Solid for a while, but heard how stiff it was.  Somehow I managed to get the route clean despite feeling like I was going to come off the wall several times.  The start is very balancy and the traverse to the other side of the aerte was quite interesting.  The girls finished playing on Gimp and Wheezer but needed someone to clean it.  I went up it "like it was a 5.8" according to them...which it sure felt like.  A little Top Rope Courage goes a long way.  Everyone headed back to camp and Bob and I went off to Mortar Fire (5.9 Trad).  He climbed it and I belayed.  We headed back to camp and made dinner over the fire before heading to bed.

I Heart Tsunamis (5.8) | The Giant Poison Ivy Monster from the Planet Scratch My Butt (5.8) | Z-Day (5.8) | New Doomsdays (5.9-) | The Lookout (5.9+) | Solid (5.10a) | Gimp and Wheezer (5.10a) - 1

Sunday we slept in before heading to the East side.  Michael and Jenna climbed Swamp Rat and then we all did a new 5.8 left of the Roman Wall.  We finished out the short day catching Michael on Manservant before leaving the ranch.  We stopped by Steel Creek to soak our feet in the Buffalo before heading home.

Warthog (5.8+)

[A = Attempted | L = Lead | # = Note]

Notes:
1. Started to lead it but psyched myself out between the second and third bolt.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Climbing Trip

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Jenna and Kevin and I headed down to the ranch after work on Friday.  The place was packed but we found a moderately sloppy spot for our tents.  The next morning Kevin and I moved our tent up the hill to a perfect spot as someone was packing up to leave.  This was Kevin's first time climbing outside so he was super stoked!  We headed to the Land Beyond because Jenna is obsessed!!

After an easy warm up and a route with a bit more of a challenge we went to try one of the new routes.  I climbed to what I thought was the top of the route and set my drays.  After they topped it I headed back up to clean.  At that point I realized that one of the two bolts was a bit loose and had been replaced with a glue-in.  Realizing I could not lower on this other bolt as there were no rap rings I rappelled down.  Apparently this was not the top of the route, though we never could see two bolts at the top.  I might have to get back on this one again next year.  We got Kevin on Paul's Redemption so he could lead one and then climbed some new routes on the Kindergarten Boulder.  I got in a quick free solo while they were finishing up.

Saturday night we cooked chili dogs over the fire and had a perfect evening of relaxing!  Bob joined us at our camp fire and we listened to part of the Royals World Series game.

Toys for Tots (5.7) - L | Yo Sista (5.9) - L | KatJac (5.7+) - L | Paul's Redemption (5.7) - L | E-Kat (5.7) - L | Class Clown (5.4) - 1 | Owens Best Buddy (5.8) | Jewell Always Smiles (5.8+) | Emma's Got a Mullet (5.6) - L | Cows in the Mist (5.7)

We didn't get a lot in on Sunday, but I did get to knock off the trad route Narwhal on top rope!  One more off my list :)  We headed out and grabbed some dinner in Springfield on the way home.  Turned out to be a great weekend!!

Pulp Fiction (5.8+) - 2 | The Bulb (5.9) | Narwhal (5.7) - 3 [A = Attempted | L = Lead | # = Note]

Notes:
1. Free soloed and down climbed.
2. Jenna led first two bolts and I finished the lead after that.
3. Top roped off of the Piratas Putas anchors.


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Kansas River Float


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This day float was a Sierra Club event organized by my friend Tim and led by Friends of the Kaw.  On Saturday, September 20th, 2014 we met just outside of Perry and shuttled people to the put-in in Topeka for a 14 mile float down the KAW (Kansas River).

After a brief safety talk we headed out for a beautiful day on the water despite the threat of oncoming storms.  A bit past the halfway point we stopped for a lunch of hot dogs over a campfire built from driftwood.  This was the hottest fire I've seen in a long time!

The water was a tad low, but generally good.  I got hung up a couple of times but did not have to exit my boat to get moving again.  Rather than bringing my normal boat I had brought my son's new one, the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125.  When I bought him this boat after his successful trip paddling down the Current River the previous month I knew I would be using it as much as him.  While I love my Wilderness Systems Commander 120, I wanted something that I could get a bit more speed out of.  I immediately noticed it was faster than my commander, but also much less stable.  I will have to get used to this fact, but really enjoyed paddling this boat and would highly recommend it!  I am really looking forward to taking it on an extended trip next year!  I hope Colin will let me ;)

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