2012

Photos of the Trout Creek Fire:

We were climbing on the cliffs around the base of the formation of Devil’s Head below the Fire Tower overlook in the Pike National Forest off of the South Rampart Range Road (approx location). Photos were taken south/southwest.

We first noticed smoke plumes just after 2:30 (it was officially reported at 2:23). By 2:40-2:45 you could tell it was a fire.

2:40pm:

2:55pm:

2:57:

at 3:00pm it was the biggest and worst phase:

Please click below to read about the rest of the Fire:

Wild West Saloon Party

Posted: June 21, 2012
By: andylibrande
In: Activity Categories, Events & Parties
1

Saloon 2133: Home of the Wild West Whiskey Birthday Party. We transformed our house into a 1800’s Saloon for Caitlin’s 25th Birthday party. The best decorations we have ever had plus some of the best costumes.

You can view the facebook album here (which will contain a lot more photos then what is below): http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.724993505243.2175214.20202675&type=3&l=5cde05d228

Below are a select few photos mostly concentrated on our Photo Booth that I set-up and some fun animations from the photo booths:

TO SEE ALL OF THE PHOTOS PLEASE EXPAND:

Moab Bouldering in February

Posted: May 30, 2012
By: andylibrande
In: Activity Categories, Camping, Location Categories, Rock, Utah
0

Who: Chris Storms, Hannah Storms, Caitlin, RAMBO, and Myself

When: February 24th-26th, 2012 (amazing winter climbing!)

Where: Big Bend Boulders, Moab, Utah

Weather: 70’s daytime highs, ~35 morning lows, mostly sunny, occasionally windy, always beautiful

Clear black sky with the stars beaming brightly, darkness feeds the soul. Crisp desert skies. Campfire smoke. Distant water sounds. —- Big Bend campground in February:

Chilly winter mornings fought off with the full stomachs. The sun shining bright the boulders beckoned. Time to climb. —- Caitlin on Flat Top Boulder:

RV’s, tourists, and noise was absent at the Big Bend Campground. Four sites taken of the 50+ sites in the area. Anxious climbers rotated through the many lines offered in the area. — Rambo just short (left) and Chris sending it (right):

– Chris Storms dyno Moab Utah

Late lunch back at camp. Slightly extended downtime. New objectives. Sunset comes quick in February. —- Rambo (left) and Andy (right) figuring out the move’s on Brown Power:

– Black Top Boulder at Night Big Bend Boulders

New day. Slow, cold start. Revisiting the prior evening’s objective. Finishing strong. —- Chris sending (left) and Rambo sending (right):

–

Snow.

Full Link: http://andylibrande.com/news/2012/05/moab-bouldering-in-february/

Ouray Ice Festival 2012

Posted: April 30, 2012
By: andylibrande
In: Activity Categories, Colorado, Location Categories, Rock, Snow, Southern Mountains
0

Who: Vinny E., Andrew M., and Myself meeting up with RAMBO

Where: Ouray Colorado

When: Jan 6th-8th, 2012

Last minute Vinny rounded me up and we headed down to Ouray to ice-climb and stay at Rambo’s house who has been living there for the past year doing AmeriCorps for the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. We left Denver after work and had a nice night drive all the way to Rambo’s awesome house.

The next morning we geared-up, checked out the Ice Festival and then headed to the New Funtier area. The Ice Festival was way cooler then we were expecting as they have a bunch of free gear demos and clinics; I demo’d a new harness since mine is getting old. Andrew leading the first route of the day:

Lots of people were out that day and with the Ice in the river not being very solid we saw a lot of people punch through. At one point Rambo had to pull some foreigner out of the river (nipples deep) and convince him that he needed to go back down the valley. Vinny leading another one:

The snow picked up quite a bit towards the end of the day. Here is just one of the many climbers in the area that day:

That night we cooked dinner, hit up the hot springs and were hanging out when a huge snowstorm blew through town dumping 6-8 inches in less then two hours. So naturally we decided to tie a rope to a car and pull each other through the side-roads of Ouray at midnight. Rambo’s shit-eating grin just gives an idea of how awesome this was:

Next morning was glorious!

We climbed right at the main competition area the next day right below the main (upper) bridge. Lots of people from all over the place.

Mt Sherman on the drive out:

Always a good time in Ouray!

Wrapping up 2011

Posted: March 14, 2012
By: andylibrande
In: Activity Categories, Location Categories, Random
0

Of course it is three months into 2012 before I start writing a post about finishing up 2011. That is just my normal production schedule!

2011 was a great year full of many adventures with a lot of different people. From a photography view I almost took twice as many photos in 2011 then any previous year. Also the time spent shooting was amazing and I spent more then 95 days taking photos. Additionally I have posted more on my blog than any other year as well (17 posts!). Needless to say I had a lot of fun in 2011 and hope to continue that streak into 2012.

First check out this Facebook Photo Gallery of all of the major events I did this year: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.653867921483.2158881.20202675&type=3&l=e994e1f691

Here is a summary of a few of the major adventures that I had in 2011 and some of the highlights: