oldclimbingdad.com

    To start, I’m a sinner saved by grace. Jesus Christ is my Savior, and I exist for His glory! Beyond that, I’m just a washed-up Old Climbing Dad who is seeking to have “A Last Hurrah” as I’m blessed to go with Maddie on her Senior Trip. If you are reading this, I hope you are encouraged by the pictures, videos, my musings, and most importantly, the love of Christ.

    From the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s, Chris and I climbed. We climbed a lot! In fact, I would say at times, rock climbing consumed me. With children came lifestyle changes, and the rope and rack found a new home on the shelf. With our oldest’s (Maddie) interest in the outdoors and more specifically, rock climbing, somewhat of a Senior Trip was planned. Maddie and I plan to rock climb in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, alpine climb in Grand Teton National Park, and summit a few of Colorado’s 14ers. This website is a way of sharing the last bit of my training and what I am calling “The Last Hurrah” trip of 2023.

    Musings of an Old Climbing Dad

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    • Rest and Relaxation

      Sometimes you have to concede. After three weeks of schedule shuffling, Maddie and I decided to get some rest and relaxation during the last week of the trip. Chris and Sophie were down at the beach with Matt and Donna and the girls, so we decided to push through and drive from Estes Park, CO…

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    • Roads, We Need Good Roads

      I haven’t spoken about this on the blog, but I wanted to take a minute to thank Powdersville First Baptist Church for allowing me to take this trip. Many of you who are following our journey aren’t members at PFBC, and I would like for you to know that we serve alongside a wonderful church…

      Read more: Roads, We Need Good Roads

    • Cool Night, Entertainment, and Hard Work

      Having car trouble away from home makes you feel helpless. Getting the car back after the repairs is a helpless feeling as well. Everything seemed to be working properly, so we headed to the next thing on our five-time modified schedule. There is some good news and some bad news about our campsite for last…

      Read more: Cool Night, Entertainment, and Hard Work

    • Downtime is a Drag

      If you know me, you know that I don’t care for sitting still. If anything, I typically put more into a day than I should. A close friend has called me a “Martha” many times. She can do that because it takes one to know one. Right, Dot? We have been in a motel for…

      Read more: Downtime is a Drag

    Memories…

    Maddie Sinks Canyon 2003

    RMNP 1999

    Chris in Joe’s Canyon 1999

    Maddie’s first race 2008

    Maddie at Sand Rock testing out some prototype climbing sandals 2003

    Sophie watching Old Faithful 2018

    Near Dinosaur NM 2018

    Chris with her tree at the Overlook 2018

    Maddie after a storm 2006

    Sophie in the Narrrows Zion NP 2016

    Owl Rock in Arches NP 2003

    Sinks Canyon 2003

    Maddie Rumbling Bald 2003

    Gunks bouldering 2002

    Perry pulling a sketchy toe hook in Estes Park 2018

    Maddie at the New River Gorge 2005

    Four Corners 2016

    Maddie in Maple Canyon 2003

    Middle Teton summit day 2003

    Chris on Mississippi Moon Red River Gorge 2000

    Maddie in Acadia NP 2002

    High Camp near the Sulphide Glacier 1999

    Sophie Wild Iris 2018

    Sophie Utah 2016

    Maddie on the Slick Rock Trial 2016

    Maddie on the ice 2006

    Maddie and Sophie in Utah 2016

    Grand Canyon South Rim 2016