Yesterday (2/13/11) Ranger Mims cajoled me off my couch to bag the coveted third ascent of Shadowfax, a two pitch runnel in da' Black. Before we go any further here is a Mountain Project link to the route.

The last time I swung a tool must have been 23 years ago. The technology seems to have come a ways since then. Ahem. Another landmark for me was that this was to be my first climb since getting laid out by severe ulcerative colitis this summer. I spent four months lying in bed, running to the bathroom 15 times a day, and watching my weight plummet down to 100 pounds. That's another story though. For now it is more than enough just to be ALIVE!

Ranger Brent Mims has been a successful liaison between the NPS and Black Canyon climbers for many years now, as well as becoming one of my best friends.

Joining us was the Mighty Wass, Nick Wasser, another long-time memebr of the Black SAR and all-around good guy (even if he did stuff two steaks in my Moccasyms at a SAR training a few years ago).

The canyon is beautifully quiet in the winter. We post holed through the powder following some elk tracks.

Then dropped into the top of the gully.

A single rope rap, then a double takes you to the base of the frozen falls.

You slide through the twists and turns, down the delicate chandeliers, and suddenly the view opens up; there is the Gunnison river far below, twinkling in the morning sun.

After a spot of cinnamon tea, Brent chips and pings his way up the first pitch in good style.

Wasser takes the point, tip-toeing his way like Baryshnicov in the Nutcracker through the frozen drips.

It was at this point that my camera gave me the finger and flashed "Battery Exhausted" (or maybe frozen), so that is the end of the pics. :(

I flailed, thrutched, and scratched my way up somehow--thankfully not dropping one of the shmancy leashless tools (named after a dinosaur or snake) that Nick loaned me. 25 years in home building has given me a decent hammer swing, but my feet--not pretty.

Boy, it felt good to get out again.