60th Trip Around the Sun
Most people get at most 80 or 90 trips around the Sun in their lifetimes. I start my 60th journey on January 31st of this year. There are a few things I’d like to do before using up all my orbits. Many things like skiing, climbing, running, and cycling get harder as one gets older. So, I plan to try to accomplish some goals during my 60th year and I’d like you to join me. As a reward, on my 61st birthday we will have a party for all of those that helped me accomplish my goals. Here’s what I’d like to do:
Skiing
I plan to ski 100,000 meters (328,000 ft) this year—at least 10,000 meters in the backcountry. Here are some other goals:
- Hut trip to Carl’s Cabin at the Polar Star Inn. This trip is already planned. We will be skiing in on February 4th and skiing out on the 7th. There are still three spots available. Let my know if you are interested in joining us.
- Skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. I’ll be at the Afton house from about February 15 till the end of March. Afton is about 70 miles south of Jackson. Come stay with me in Afton for a while and go skiing.
- Backcountry skiing in the Tetons. While in Afton I hope to do some backcountry skiing in the Tetons, but I need a partner. Come and join me. There are plenty of great places to ski: Teton Pass, 25-Short…
- Backcountry skiing at Cameron Pass. My sister Tana lives in Fort Collins so I can’t pass up skiing Cameron Pass.
- Ski one of the North Pole Chutes at A-Basin. (Rick, I’m counting on you to do this with me.)
Climbing
Here are my climbing goals for the year. If there is something you’d like to do that you don’t see here, let me know.
- Mount Owen in the Tetons. This is the second highest peak in the Tetons and the only one of the Cathedral Group that I haven’t climbed. The East Ridge is the preferred route (5.6, III). This is my number one climbing priority this summer. I may hire a guide. I could be talked into doing the Cathedral Traverse (5.8, IV) if someone is interested, but in that case I’d almost certainly hire a guide.
- Symmetry Spire Durrance Ridge (5.6, II) or SW Ridge (5.7, II). This would be a good warmup for Mount Owen.
- Longs Peak Cable Route (5.4, II) and Kiener’s Route (5.4, III)
- Crestone Needle Ellingwood Arête (5.7, III)
Running
I plan to run a marathon (or maybe a half). I’d like to do the America Discovery Trail Marathon. It starts a Palmer Lake and ends at America the Beautiful Park. It’s on Labor Day. Registration isn’t open yet.
Cycling
I also plan to ride a century. I’m considering three options.
- Elephant Rock Cycling Festival. The ride is June 1 and starts in Castle Rock. Registration is now open.
- Buena Vista Bike Fest. This is on June 7 and starts in Buena Vista. Registration is open for this one too.
- White Rim Trail. This is a mountain bike ride that would take three days. I’d do it in September and we’d have a sag wagon with camping gear. I’d prefer this option, but it takes more planning.
Which one of these option I do depends on how much interest there is in each so let me know. We have to decide soon so we don’t miss the registrations.
Let me know if you want to join me in any of these adventures and we will start planning! I’ll post updates on the plans on this site so subscribe to the RSS feed or e-mail updates (at the top right of the home page) if you want to stay informed.
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Didn’t we plan to do the White Rim and it got cancelled because of washouts? I’d like to do at least this one and any other bike trips you consider. I didn’t know you were such a “whippersnapper”. No wonder you were always faster than me.
If you do Cameron pass late enough, I may be able to go as I am, only now, recuperating from shoulder surgery. How far are you planning to go? (Between getting back from Yellowstone on March 2nd and leaving for Croatia on April 29th.)
Happy Birthday!!
We did try White Rim! I’m willing to try again. I’ll keep you posted. I’ll also keep you posted about Cameron Pass. I’ll also update the blog with plans as they develop.
Yellowstone and Croatia! Wow!
I am all set to ski the chutes with you. I will let you know when that is doable. Don’t be surprised if I show up in Afton, I’ll let you know on that. Finally I will do either century with you but would prefer Elephant Rock since we did Buena Vista last yr and I think Elephant Rock is better.
Okay. Keep us posted about doing the chutes. I see Chuck wants to join us!
So far the votes are for White Rim and/or the BV ride. I’ll keep you posted on that too.
Hi Shane…
I’m in for the North Pole. Let’s do it on a really cold, windy, flat light day, with minimal coverage, just to be sure it’s memorable!!
Hope to see you soon,
Chuck
Oh boy. I can’t wait for a cold windy day!
Shane,
I have a dozen years on you! But, I might, just might, be able to keep up with you on the White Rim Trail and (possibly) some backcountry sking around the Tetons.
You have a GREAT plan for your sixty-uth.
Val
Lot’s of people interested in White Rim. I’ll look into it more seriously.
I’ll keep you posted about my Teton plans too.
I’d be up for the White Rim trip. I have lots of friends who have done it so let me know if you want any logistical help with the planning.
Lots of people interested in the White Rim. I’ll keep you posted.
Shane- I would love to do all the Wyo. stuff with you but scheduling and $ are difficult this year. However, I would love to do the Ellingwood Arete again, I have done it several times but not in a decade, or two. It is great! Greybeards on great rock!
Okay. Let’s do the Arete!
Hey,
Let’s see–
I’m good for any uphill skiing goals.
Climbing–I owe you for keeping me motivated and getting up Little Bear.
Running–I haven’t ever done a marathon but I just read and article in the WSJ that 70 is the new 35 for training and the AMDT is all downhill, I’m in on that one (bucket list).
Cycling: I’ll do the White Rim anytime! That could be the best event on your list–let’s just assume that we do it.
I’m already registered for Buena Vista. Ric’s confused about Elephant Rock being the better ride–for so many reasons. Whichever you choose, you are welcome to use my old road bike (see John at Old Town to get a comfy saddle).
There is plenty of interest in the White Rim so lets plan on it.
Uphill skiing plans include the Tetons and there is still room on the hut trip!
So excited for you. My daughter took me to Peru for my 60th. I love your list. Good luck and have fun on this “lap” 🙂
Chris and I might be in for a White Rim trip, too. Looks like you might get more than a permit worth of interest in that one. But depends on what I’m up to next, which will be determined later. You really could make a ski stop up here to Big Sky – skied some great morning powder before my afternoon of work.