Mixing Biscuits and getting some on the Green

It is the season for new things to be thought up and tweaked for their imminent release to the ravages of the consuming public. This season we have seen two notable prototypes showing up at the USNWC, the Dagger Axiom and several incarnations of the Liquid Logic Biscuit.



For the same reasons that the USNWC is a phenomenal training site it also make a superb testing site for new boats and equipment. Being able to dial in water flows and features allows the boats to be tested in a controlled situation and be compared very easily without anything except user error getting in the way of a truly subjective comparison. Even if some time has elapsed between tests the features can be brought back and like nothing ever changed.

Given the wide variety of features at the center, from small holes to large powerful features it gives the boat a full going over to see how it really performs.

One of our best features and favorite spots, Sketch Wave, has played host to the prototypes of Liquid Logic's new play boat, The Biscuit. While "Sketch" can be a touchy wave at times it is the most dynamic feature on the course with a good pile, nice shoulders and a deep trough if you end up throwing the bow a little to deep. Since the spot is fast enough to get some bounce you can see how well the boat will release and possibly more importantly, how it will land, since sticking it is the objective.



Not only is it the season for new things but it's also time to start talking smack about the Green Race. We started a little while back trying to goad the slalom paddlers to sack up and race. It finally worked, Butter has been getting a few runs in and our very own Chilean wonder, Pablo, broke out the long boat for some pre-race practice. While Zuzana may not be racing she did get over to the Green yesterday and ran everything for the first time, styling it in the way that only racers can. You can check out the video of her first run and several other great moments here.

Since there are way to many posts about the Green I am going to cut this one short. More after November 1st.
Cheers

Teen and Youth Kayak Programs Start Sept 23rd

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE!!! SIGN UP NOW!!!

TEEN KAYAK PROGRAM

This fall USNWC Instruction introduces the teen whitewater program for youth ages 12 to 16. Sign up for either the four or eight week course. Within the first four week program we will work on foundational skills in river running, safety and swift water rescue. Students can continue into the second four week program where we will focus on the different disciplines of kayaking including slalom, freestyle and creeking.

When? Session 1: September 23 – October 16^th Every Tuesday and Thursday

Session 2: October 21- Nov 13 Every Tuesday and Thursday

Who? Ages 12-16

Time? 5-7pm

Cost? $350 each session or $650 if they sign up for both.

Gear? Boat, paddle, skirt, helmet and PFD are provided. Please bring nose plugs.

YOUTH KAYAK PROGRAM

The after school program is the next step in taking your child’s paddling to a new level. Geared towards our campers from the summer of 2008, our 8-week program will be more skill intensive. We ensure the progress of our young students with a 1:3 instructor to student ratio, initially focusing on the kayak roll. From there we will discuss, practice and form your child into a capable, aware and self-sufficient paddler up to class III. Such skills covered will be water reading and scouting techniques, group management, basic rescue and stroke refinement.

When? September 25 - November 13 Every Thursday

Who? Ages 8-11

Time? 5-7pm

Cost? $350

Gear? Boat, paddle, skirt, helmet and PFD are provided. Please bring nose plugs.

The Man Behind The Curtain: The Official Jeff Wise Interview

You've been asking and we're here to deliver. The first official Kayak Blog Profile of USNWC Executive Director, Jeff Wise.

Jeff's fancy bio reads something like this: Born and raised in Charlotte. Graduated from University of Richmond and Emory University School of Law. Private practice in Atlanta for six years with focus in healthcare law. Returned to Charlotte in 1995 and worked with First Commerce Bank and later co-founded and became president of Consentsys, a healthcare information systems company. Avid boater, biker, backpacker, runner, and anything else that involves the outdoors.

His "real" bio would sound a bit more like this: Likes to ride his bike for freakish distances. Bizarre sense of humor including finding whimsy in all "Mother Harper" jokes from the antiquated television series, "The Carol Burnett Show". Has read more books than you. Believes shaving his legs makes him go faster. Likes shiny things.

Photo Courtesy of Glamour Shots

But I wanted to know more; to gain insight to the man, the myth, the legend. I emailed Jeff to consider an interview in person. Unwilling to sit in the legendary "comfy chair" in the Kayak Check-In office, he agreed to a well written, well thought out questionnaire regarding his deepest and darkest thoughts and insights into the US National Whitewater Center.
Here was my pitch to our Executive Taskmaster...
Jeff,
The idea is to have our readers, (this consists my mom, a few random relatives, my staff because I force them to, and some local paddlers who would never admit they read this,) have a better sense of who you are and what you do here. Thank you for your time.

And here is what became of it...

Harper: What makes you qualified to do what you do?
Wise: Awfully presumptuous to assume that I am qualified. However, I do consider my 10 years traveling with the Circus supporting the “World’s Hairiest Man” to be invaluable training in my current role as Executive Assistant to Jeff Shelton.

Harper: What is it exactly that you do?
Wise: I am assuming that this is a question my wife asked you to include and therefore I assert my 5th amendment rights and refuse to answer.

Harper: What in God’s green earth would motivate a man to shave his body?
Wise: Have you seen the “World’s Hairiest Man”?

Harper: What’s your resting pulse rate?
Wise: I generally am not concerned about what happens when I am resting. I do have extensive training logs that establish that my pulse rate when I am eating is 45 bpm. I have been called the most efficient eater ever recorded.

Harper: USNWC Paddling School…Great instruction program or Greatest instruction program?
Wise: Since I rarely attended any school of any kind, I would take my assessment with several grains of salt. Based on how smart and cool the director of the school is I would have to say, Greatest of All Time (now, can I have my car keys back).

Harper: Why are you scared of red-headed curly-haired women?
Wise: I had a real weird thing happen to me one year with the Circus when Bozo joined on for the West Coast Tour. Lets just say Bozo may not be who or what he claims in his promotional materials.

Harper: What are your future plans for the Center?
Wise: To dedicate all requested resources to the USNWC Paddling School and increase capital expenditures in that department by 100x (seriously, I need my cars keys back. I have a leg waxing appointment in an hour).

Harper: How do you see USNWC Kayak Operations being instrumental in the development of future Olympians as well as in the furtherance of the sport of kayaking?
Wise: Seeing how well we have done in the past in qualifying for the games (Exhibit A- Dave Hepp) and with qualifying folks for Beijing (Exhibit B- Crane and Cluck) maybe we should stick with developing messengers pigeons like Lil Ben. As far as kayaking in general I have noticed a vast leap forward in the development of the sport since I went into unofficial retirement. As soon as Sven Deal leaves the sport I think we will see another epochal moment in the development once again.

Harper: Which Olympic sport did you watch the most?
Wise: As if you needed to ask. Of course, men’s synchronized diving.

Harper: Other than hiring me, what has been your greatest moment in the process of starting and operating this company?
Wise: The $3 employee lunch today presenting the leftovers from the big event this weekend. Great BBQ.

So now you know. Take It Outside.

Favorite Summer Moments

The season is far from over for us but as I've been going over some pictures there are definite highlights that stand out.

The season started off by hiring a very dynamic group of new instructors. Each person came with unique backgrounds and paddling experiences. My favorite part of training was working on "ninja" moves where we paddled into precarious micro-eddies, popped our skirts, grabbed the wall, climbed up the wall and with a foot, lifted the boat to shore. Intimidating but fun moves. That, and they all picked up giving the thumbs up quickly. Such quick learners!


No, I didn't get to go to Beijing to experience the Olympics first hand. I got to do something even better: I got to paddle WITH Olympians. Here's Wayne Dickert and Horace Holdan, former C2 partners from the 1996 Olympic games. We had some Big Boomin' Fun one Friday afternoon ripping it up in some of our play features. These two are just so much fun to paddle that with we sometimes laugh more than we play.

Not only was I focused on spreading the thumbs up; I got my staff involved as well. Chris Wing has been traveling the country to different freestyle competitions and helped spread the good word of the thumbs up with all the pros.
This photo has been my screensaver for the majority of the summer. It cracks me up.


We expanded the flatwater programs this season with our Catawba MicroBrew Kayak Cruise. Each time we have had a different brewery come out to showcase their microbrews. After an early evening paddle, guests return to the River's Edge Restaurant for a tasting paired with foods our chef's have concocted. The food was AMAZING! Here's our Highland Brewing Co. reps getting ready for a feast. These trips have added a certain something to our list of products. It's been fun working with different departments of the Center to create a truly unique experience for our guests.



Kayak Check-In is a whirlwind of fun. The folks working the front desk are always into something new. One of the best things of having younger staff members is that they always keep me on my toes. The summer has been filled with lots of laughter and memories due to this fantastic group.






Thursday nights are the best nights to be at the Center. The Thursday Night Concert Series began in May and is running all the way through October. The music has been really good and there are food and drink specials each week. Best of all, the crowd turnout has been phenomenal. Great times are always created by groups of great people and Thursday nights have been a blast for getting friends together and relaxing.

Last summer I took up surfing and now I feel it in my blood. Although I'm not all that good, I have loved spending days off at the beach. One of the coolest things about Charlotte is how close it is to everything; the beach, the mountains, everything.



I do love all things random and one Saturday in particular presented a truly random moment. An instruction guest wanted to barter his songs for water time. Instead of trying to convince me that this was a good idea he plopped himself in my office and started playing. He sat there and played five songs, all originals. How can you not respect creativity and tenacity. I had a huge crowd gathered at my office door throughout the serenade. It was a really cool summer moment.



Having my picture in Today's Charlotte Woman magazine was very flattering. Not only was it a very well written article but it reached a lot of folks who didn't already know a lot about the Center. I had women from my yoga class and in random shops recognize me from the article saying they were now more interested in trying whitewater kayaking. Yes!

As the season continues I know there will be many more moments to enjoy and cherish. Be sure to stop by the Center to create your own lasting memories. Take It Outside.

Whitewater Olympic Coverage

I'm not going to lie. I watch a lot of television. I will never be that person who pretends to not like tv and take that holier-than-thou approach when speaking about the non-sense of reality television and prime-time dramas and seem to be above it. I love it, I love it all. I'm into anything VH1 or FOX can dream up. And in all of my recent television watching, I've witnessed plenty of propaganda for the upcoming Olympic games. Within the depths of this propaganda not one add has featured whitewater.

You'd think I'd be outraged but I understand it. Michael Phelps is ridiculously hot. There's that chick who has rock hard abs and is in her early 40's. Those gymnasts do some AMAZING things. I get it.

It is important to point out, however, that all of these sports have enormous followings regardless of the individuals. Swimming, soccer, gymnastics and others all have large kids programs throughout the US. They're popular in elementary schools all the way through college. And these are the programs that are truly supporting the sports as a whole and the elite athletes alike. Kids programs are the reason why we see these particular sports on tv.

I do realize that neither hand ball nor field hockey have received that much coverage either but my career goal isn't to make field hockey a household name, it's to help make whitewater a nationally recognized sport. So I'm calling on each of you to help make whitewater stand out and get some needed television coverage. Step one: watch your television. Below is the tv listings of when NBC is covering whitewater slalom. Step two: support your local kids program. Each major instruction school has kids clinics each season. Check them out, get your kids involved, get the neighbor kids involved, talk kayaking up with your local schools. Step three: get involved. The paddling community is fanatic about paddling but seems to only share their enthusiasm with other paddlers. Boatertalk is an extreme example of this. Getting involved is sharing the sport with those that probably wouldn't have been exposed to it on their own volition. Involvement is also about seeing what you can do to help boost your local paddling club or community to ensure greater outreach.

Let's make sure, starting today, that the 2012 Olympic advertisements have plenty of whitewater highlights. I know I'll be watching.


Click here for the official NBC write ups on all Whitewater Olympic beta.
HERE'S WHEN TO WATCH
FRIDAY, AUG. 8
NBC and NBC HD
8:00 p.m. – Midnight
Opening Ceremony — Parade of Nations, Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron

MONDAY, AUG. 11 – DAY 3
NBC and NBC HD
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Beach Volleyball (LIVE)
Swimming
Rowing
Canoeing – Whitewater Slalom

TUESDAY, AUG. 12 – DAY 4
NBC and NBC HD
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Beach Volleyball (LIVE)
Swimming
Men's Water Polo – USA vs. Italy
Canoeing – Whitewater Slalom Gold Medal Finals

NBCOlympics.com — LIVE STREAMING BROADBAND COVERAGE:
Canoeing – Whitewater Slalom Gold Medal Finals

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13 – DAY 5
NBC and NBC HD
2:00 a.m. — Noon
Men's Soccer – USA vs. Nigeria (LIVE)
China vs. Brazil (LIVE)
Women's Basketball – USA vs. Mali (LIVE)
Women's Water Polo – Hungary vs. Australia
Rowing – Semifinals (LIVE)
Badminton – Competition, Semifinals
Table Tennis – Team Competition
Canoeing – Whitewater Slalom Competition

THURSDAY, AUG. 14 – DAY 6
NBC and NBC HD
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Swimming
Beach Volleyball
Rowing – Semifinals
Canoeing – Whitewater Slalom Gold Medal Final

1:35 a.m. — 2:30 a.m.
Swimming – Women's 200 Back Semifinal
Canoeing – Whitewater Slalom Gold Medal Final

If you want to take a look at the whitewater course, Scott Mann put up some video coverage of the course from last fall. Click here to see it.

What's Next? Where Do We Go From Here?

Does anyone remember when we looked like this?
I do.
Having just celebrated my two year anniversary with the US National Whitewater Center I remember having my interview at a pizza place downtown and then driving to the construction site to get a visual of what was yet to come. I have to admit, when I was being walked around having the vision of raft and kayak operations explained to me I had no idea how it was all supposed to work. I couldn't really picture how we were to get so many people in and out of trip talks, getting the rafts down the main channels and having a process for private kayakers at the same time.

Now, just about every day looks like this. Hundreds, and on the weekends thousands, of folks are getting on the course each day enjoying the rapids and the challenges of the world's largest artificial whitewater river.


Now, our greatest focus is on how do we continue to develop top notch programs that keep people in the sport, learning, growing and having fun. With hundreds of kids having gone through our kayak program, and a ga-zillion adults having learned to paddle here, we will soon be offering more kids programs, a paddling club and intermediate packages to keep folks coming back, continuing their paddling education and creating positive social environments centered around whitewater. Stay tuned to what's around the corner and remember to take it outside.

Another Successful Women's Weekend

Another 23 women were introduced to the sport of whitewater kayaking this last weekend and 4 others honed in their playboating skills. Everyone had a blast and there were numerous personal accomplishments made. I've put up some of our group photos as well as a few action shots of the freestyle clinic throwing down.

Fifth of July Celebrations

Who isn't grateful for all of this rain? Rivers are up, flowers are back in bloom and the grass is green again. The rain did, however, delay our 4th of July celebration to the next night. And what a night it was. The placed was packed. Everyone brought their lawn chairs, the outside bar was hopping and the fireworks were absolutely remarkable.


Ray Gora was able to capture this shot from the front of the River Center. I think the picture is amazing. Thanks Ray.

There are plenty of other days and events to celebrate this month. Next weekend is our second women's weekend. Women's specific rock climbing, mountain biking and whitewater clinics are all available. Our third Jeep Adventure Race is happening next Saturday and we continue our Thursday night concert series with more live bands. Come check out how we celebrate.

US Olympic Team Chosen - USNWC Represented

The US Olympic Whitwater Slalom team has been selected and the results are as follows:
Men's K1 - Scott Parsons

Men's C1 - Benn Fraker

Women's K1 - Heather Corrie

C2 Team - Casey Eichfeld and Ricky Powell

Benn, Casey and Ricky have all moved to Charlotte in the past year to train for these elite spots. We've had the fortune of having Casey work throughout the 2008 season at Kayak Front Desk.

Needless to say we are really proud of Casey and are thrilled to say that we have an Olympian working for us.

Casey has been paddling since he was two and was the youngest person in the history of USA Canoe/ Kayak to make the US junior team. After beginning international competition at the age of 14, Casey and Ricky just placed 7th in the world this last week in Ausberg. And, what we think is super cool; At the age of 10 Casey was highlighted in Sports Illustrated as the next Olympic hopeful.

All of us in Kayak Operations send out a huge congratulations to these fine athletes and can't wait to watch the five of them represent the United States this August.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

...and no, we are not talking about a big jolly man in a red suit. We kicked off the peak of our summer season with the first of five
Kid's Summer Camps. The response from campers and parents was extremely positive and we are psyched to announce that we will be expanding the programming for the 2009 season. Below are just a few of the comments that parents of campers shared with us.

"My son had an absolute ball at the camp and I am very pleased with what he learned. It seems he has some natural skill at this and I appreciate you bringing that out in him!"

"I found out that this was the first summer camp that you have had and I think it was fabulous! From my perspective, things went smoothly and, like I said earlier, he had a blast!"

I have been doing summer camps and kayak camps for several years and I feel that the format, quality of instructors, and overall positive attitude of our center staff contributes to a phenom program. I am excited to see what the coming weeks will present to us and oh yes kiddies, I still have more up my sleeve. Enjoy just a few of the images from our past kids camp.

Aaaawwwwwwwww! Marriage Proposals and More

Jonathan and Jacquelyn got married two weeks ago. Jonathan proposed to Jacquelyn here at the Center, where they met, last summer. With a little help from the kayak staff, the proposal went off without a hitch and Jonathan played this video at their rehearsal dinner. Take a look. If that doesn't make you saw aawwwww!, I'm not sure what will. I'm also not sure what the "more" is in this post but Marriage Proposals and More just sounded like a better title. Lets remember, this blog is about all the happenings here at the Center; the random, the lovely, the bizarre, the great and the everyday moments that take place at this unique facility just a few miles from downtown Charlotte. Take It Outside! Jonathan and Jacquelyn did.

Who's Your Daddy!

Happy Father's Day to all, especially to those who are actual daddies. Hope everyone is treating a father figure in their life to something special today. We've been treated to a few special things ourselves this weekend.
First, we experienced the largest days of instructional programs in the history of USNWC Instruction. Our instruction staff has been hard at it since March working through instructional philosophies, rethinking their approach to kayaking, boating on their own and teaching a ton. After such a busy day, the staff spent the evening with Fergus in a continuing education class on swift water rescue. Everyone is looking forward to our biggest season yet.
If you haven't heard or read the posts below, our instructor trainer and head instructor, Fergus, was recently out in Colorado. He competed in the Teva Mountain Games Homesteak Race sponsored by Dagger. Having placed 8th after his first run and 12th overall, Fergus made a good showing for the US National Whitewater Center.
Chris Wing has been officially representing World Kayak throughout his time in Colorado but unofficially he has been representing the Center in proud form. His coverage of the Teva Games and participation in the 8-Ball race and freestyle rodeo have been spectacular. This weekend Wing-hole has been at FibArk in Salida. Just this morning, he placed 3rd in the Expert class.
Our own Daniel Stewart placed 1st in the same competition today. Daniel waited until the last minute to make plans to go out west and now he is kicking some behind and taking names.
Jon Angermeier has been picked up by Riot kayaks. Soon you'll see him firing up the Green Narrows in his big Magnum and throwing down at the center in a shiny new Astro.
Our flatwater programs, both guided trips and rentals, have been taking off at astronomical rates. Next weekend is another Microbrew Catawba River Tour which will be sponsored by Highlands Brewing Company. Tickets sold out this weekend. We'll open up more trips as soon as we line up more sponsors.
All of this activity with staff and programs makes me think the summer season is off to a great start. I'll even go so far to say as we are killing it. And in a finer moment I may puff up a little and ask, Who's Your Daddy?

Big Fat 22oz Homesteak!

A little blurry around the edges we motivated fairly early to Moe’s Bagel and Vic’s Coffee to start the day off right. Remembering full well that this was to be a vacation first and week of paddling second, although the lines of definition are not always that clear. Few things are as satisfying as sitting out in the sun reading a book, drinking coffee, devouring enormous breakfast burritos and watching the life of Boulder pass you by.

Tino had been telling us of the Eldarado section of South Boulder Creek and a large and technical sequence of drops that they had run a couple of day previously. We did manage to drive up the wrong drainage first but when we did make it to the run and head into the park all of us realized that this was not a “feeling blurry” run. Homesteak ho!


I have a checkered history with Homesteak Creek and it always makes me think twice before racing. In 2006 I missed a boof and swam after a little pocket beat down in a warm up on the day of the race, this was my first swim in 7 years although I managed to pull it together and place 16th. Last year I was racing hard during the practices and getting smooth lines. In the race I turned it on and tried to cut one line too hard resulting in a double pin and taking myself out of the race. There was a small silver lining to that enormous cloud that Mather got me on the rescue squad for the rest of the day and I was able to assist in Valarie’s backboard and evac. It was something to do and the more elaborate rescue that I have been involved in to date. Maybe 2008 will be different?

What we get when we make it to Homesteak is a run on roids. It’s pumping with the high snow pack and the upper section is solid white. After a little time checking out the line Mike and I put on, Tino is still napping in the car even after we asked him to hang out with a rope just in case. From the moment I put on the run it had a very different feel and I was moguling my way between holes and flakes. I had time to look up to Mike twice but the third time I was greeted the hull of his kayak and the thought he might be a little messed up. He surface up just in time to grab my boat and get his grip two feet above the next drop. Unable to hold his boat it ran the next two drop and Jason was on hand to stop it short. Clipping in and pendulums it to shore one more drop down it was clear the boat was feeling the swim as much as Mike’s thumb.

The cost of Homesteak

After a short convo’ with Jason we put on and ran several more clean runs figuring out the last drop. No more left tight lines, but right over the submerged flake and a late boof.

Joe’s Apartment and the singing cockroaches provided some light relief from Mike’s event and we finish up the night sleeping out east of Vail.

Homesteak was not about to let up and with the water on the rise this morning pushed through a few clean runs. The issue at this point is not longer the creek but the freaking altitude. It’s kicking my arse. Fortunately Pat Keller was there to chat to about the lines and it was good to watch someone else running the top section of the course. During my last run in the final drop I managed to boof out keeping right on the exit but as the bow of my boat kicked up I caught my head on the rock wall. It’s moments like this that even when you are upright and you can catch your head that the race really is going to be fun this year.

Thunder Bolts and Lightning! Very Very Frightning!!!!!

OK, I'll admit that maybe that statement is maybe a little over the top. But some times a little artistic embellishment is just what you need. It's either that or to put some title about naked girls and free beer to get you to read my blatherings.

With another successful round of new instructor training completed by 3:57pm Sarah and I are sitting at the bar drinking a beer by 4:10pm going over the finer points of making fun of people. Discussing how you can incorporate advanced skills of personal ridicule into a training program can only really take place over a pint. At least in civilized company.

Armed with coffee, a desire to eat but no real time and the need to finish packing I downed the rest of the beer, was told to get a move on by Mr Burke and scurried off. So what really goes into a packing list for a week of kayaking in Colorado and of course in order of importance.

• Leak-proof insulated travel mug
• Camera
• Wallet
• Chuck Klosterman IV
• One Jefe Grande
  
• Possibly more underwear than what I have on, I can't remember if I packed them
• Paddle+Spare Paddle
• Smelly ass polypro
• One sleeping bag, sans pad
• Drytop with rotting gasket that hopefully will last the week
• The rest of my somewhat damp river gear

There is other stuff in there too but I am not sure why I packed it. As usual there is a myriad of stuff that I could use but either do not own or feel that within a week you can travel light as long as you enough stomach for copious amounts of pizza and beer as well as the patience to sleep in the back of a rented Minivan at least twice.
Typically the most stressful part of flying with the a kayak is making sure it gets allowed on the flight. $100 later my creek boat is on the baggage cart being drug around and thrown on the plane.

The big black mass of my boat on the baggage cart.

The flight was a flight, nothing special there, but the thunderstorms we flew next to and were watching crack and fester in the night sky was truly amazing. Due to the small child sleeping, thank god, in her dad's lap next to the window I was not able to get any photos of this.

Successfully assuming the persona of a soccer mom in my bright white Mini-van I headed to Boulder to catch up on sleep and get some more coffee. After a decent cuppa at Vic's just down the street I picked up Mike, who is taking on a Charlie Manson persona with a vengance, and headed to Lyons to meet Tino. More than anything the excitement of this trip was knowing that we were going to have a full week of boating together and making Tino feel as uncomfortable as possible.
We showed up just in time to see him get hit in the face by Hobie's boat during a po-dunk head to head /push up race. Oh! how pro kayaking has advanced.

After faffing about we loaded up the van and heading up to the South Saint Vrain before they turned the water off.

Mini vans rule!

The run was fairly typical Colorado mank and provided some spectacular scenery in addition to a short but quality run. Despite the water the best part of the day was being back on the water with Tino and Mike. The last time we all paddled together was in October, although I had managed to sneak an early morning run with Tino in Chile down the Middle Fuy in January.
A couple of run later we loaded some more coffee into the systems and headed back to Boulder.
This led to Jr getting a little tipsy and being very red faced.

Classic CO mank on the Saint Vrain

Walls are fun.

A fair amount of landing on rock was involved

Wall boof

Surveying the scene in Boulder proved to entertainment enough for the early evening and a few brews on the roof on a friends house and we headed downtown for a couple more. Tino's virgin liver was finally getting the work out it had been waiting for.

Colorado 08 seems to be on the right track; so here's to meeting up with old friends in new places, paddling with said friends, mercilessly making fun of them, IPA's on hot days on the patio and fresh strawberries on plane rides.