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Western Roadtrip - June 2001


This is my words and photos about a trip I took after graduating in June of 2001. I tried to climb in as many areas as possible. The photos are below, and the Diary is here. I hope you enjoy it!

Black Canyon - Lover's Leap - Yosemite - Smith Rocks - Jackson Hole - Wind Rivers


Dirk Komarnitsky Dirk Komarnitsky's 3rd Birthday
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
This is just before leaving for my trip This is just before leaving for my trip
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
Look at that Wrapping Job Look at that Wrapping Job
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
I don I don't think Wendy (on the left) likes it...
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
Hotwheels (tm) Hyper Cycles Hotwheels (tm) Hyper Cycles
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
Who Who's more excited, Dirk or Myke?
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
Very complicated to set up. Very complicated to set up.
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
They go a lot further on the hardwood floors. They go a lot further on the hardwood floors.
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky
"Ready Dirk?!?" "Ready Dirk?!?"
Lafayette, Colorado
Alek Komarnitsky

Black Canyon

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My first stop on the trip.  I hope to meet Brian Boots in the park. My first stop on the trip. I hope to meet Brian Boots in the park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
View from the Southern Rim. View from the Southern Rim.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
View of the left wall of SOB gully as you go down.  looks REALLY hot. View of the left wall of SOB gully as you go down. looks REALLY hot.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Bryan Boots Preparing to climb. Bryan Boots Preparing to climb.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke getting ready.  Do I really look that goofy with my helmet on? Myke getting ready. Do I really look that goofy with my helmet on?
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Bryan Boots
Bryan Scrambling up a ramp system.  This is as far as we got. Bryan Scrambling up a ramp system. This is as far as we got.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke ready to rap down the Cruise Gully in the morning. Myke ready to rap down the Cruise Gully in the morning.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Bryan Boots
Myke almost down. Myke almost down.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Bryan Boots
The Start of Leisure Climb.  Goes up the Right-facing steepening dihedral. The Start of Leisure Climb. Goes up the Right-facing steepening dihedral.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Continues up and right of the central of the picture.  That sun Continues up and right of the central of the picture. That sun's gonna be hot!
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Bryan Boots at the start of the climb.  An extra #4 would be nice for this first pitch - runout 5.7-8. Bryan Boots at the start of the climb. An extra #4 would be nice for this first pitch - runout 5.7-8.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Boots on the crux pitch.  If you look carefully the blue rope is merely trailing and the pro rope is zig-zagging.  The roof 120 Boots on the crux pitch. If you look carefully the blue rope is merely trailing and the pro rope is zig-zagging. The roof 120' up was a bitch!
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Boots belaying at the nice ledge above the crux roof. It Boots belaying at the nice ledge above the crux roof. It's hot!
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke following after crux pitch.  This is P5. Myke following after crux pitch. This is P5.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Bryan Boots
Bryan at another choice belay. "I Bryan at another choice belay. "I'm glad you didn't fall on that pitch, Myke."
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Well off route at this point, Boots with backpack in front and extra rope on back. Well off route at this point, Boots with backpack in front and extra rope on back.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Our last pitch; the end is in sight; watch out for the prickly bushes and loose rock! Our last pitch; the end is in sight; watch out for the prickly bushes and loose rock!
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Wall on our right as we Wall on our right as we're finishing up. Looks stellar. Looks hot.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Hot, smelly, dehydrated.  I love this sport. Hot, smelly, dehydrated. I love this sport.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Picking out the next line for next time. Picking out the next line for next time.
Black Canyon of the Gunnisen, Colorado
Bryan Boots
A neat V0 at Turtle rocks. A neat V0 at Turtle rocks.
Durango, Colorado
Bryan Boots
Too many miles, too little showers. Too many miles, too little showers.
Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
My car Rocks. My car Rocks.
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
Nice 5.11c that was a redpoint for this guy this day. Nice 5.11c that was a redpoint for this guy this day.
American Fork, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
200 miles out of the way, and I 200 miles out of the way, and I'm at my destination.
Ibex, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
Those are my footsteps, from jumping off the rocks. Those are my footsteps, from jumping off the rocks.
Ibex, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
Well, I wasn Well, I wasn't entirely by myself.
Ibex, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
Can you spot the wildlife? Can you spot the wildlife?
Ibex, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
Ibex, from the sanddune jumping place. Ibex, from the sanddune jumping place.
Ibex, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
I took this like the bonneville salt flats.  Only not as fast. I took this like the bonneville salt flats. Only not as fast.
Ibex, Utah
Michael Komarnitsky
Rats!  Why are they doing roadwork out in BFE like this? Rats! Why are they doing roadwork out in BFE like this?
Western Utah
Michael Komarnitsky

Lover's Leap

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Me at the top of Pitch 1 on Psychedelic Tree (5.9). Great climb, scary loose flakes. Me at the top of Pitch 1 on Psychedelic Tree (5.9). Great climb, scary loose flakes.
Lover's Leap, California
The Dude I was climbing with
Me leading P2 of The Line (5.8). Me leading P2 of The Line (5.8).
Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Beautiful campground. Beautiful campground.
Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Lover Lover's Leap from the highway.
Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
You can see the Line about 2/3 of the way to the right. You can see the Line about 2/3 of the way to the right.
Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
More rock. More rock.
Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Traveler Traveler's Buttress (on the 50 NA classic Climbs) is directly behind the dead tree.
Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Can you BELIEVE THIS??? Can you BELIEVE THIS???
Pass SW of Lover's Leap, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Gotta get the fresh beta. Gotta get the fresh beta.
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
More beta. More beta.
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Moooo Moooo
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Hisssss Hisssss
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
The construction of these are pretty amazing. The construction of these are pretty amazing.
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Different temparutures, different views. Different temparutures, different views.
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
"The Bathtub."  This is where I drank and bathed.  It rocked. "The Bathtub." This is where I drank and bathed. It rocked.
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Hot water spigot.  Adjustable Hot water spigot. Adjustable
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
View from the tub (1). View from the tub (1).
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky
View from the tub (2). View from the tub (2).
Owens River Hot Springs, California
Michael Komarnitsky

Yosemite

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Guys hiking the pacific crest getting their mail drops.  I Guys hiking the pacific crest getting their mail drops. I've never seen anyone so happy.
Tuolemne, California
Michael Komarnitsky
It seemed like every stopping place had a better view. You can faintly see Half-Dome in the distance. It seemed like every stopping place had a better view. You can faintly see Half-Dome in the distance.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Beautiful clear water. Beautiful clear water.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Here Here's camp4 for ya. Highest dirtbag concentration I saw all trip (myself included).
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
See what I mean?  That See what I mean? That's a gin&tonic on the left in the gatorade container ($6 gin, see bottle), and high quality Old Milwakee on the right.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Optional tree exit from boulder problem.  Andy Wellman Optional tree exit from boulder problem. Andy Wellman
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Andy, does your mother know you do that? Andy, does your mother know you do that?
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Andrew Wellman and other dirtbag preparing for Tangerine Dream(?) Andrew Wellman and other dirtbag preparing for Tangerine Dream(?)
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben Hoyt racking up for P3 on Nutcracker (5.8, 5 pitches) Ben Hoyt racking up for P3 on Nutcracker (5.8, 5 pitches)
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Just another day in the office.  My tan is looking better here. That Just another day in the office. My tan is looking better here. That's middle cathedral buttress on the other side of the valley.
Yosemite, California
Ben Hoyt
Myke following on the excellent 3rd pitch. Myke following on the excellent 3rd pitch.
Yosemite, California
Ben Hoyt
Looking the other way down the valley.  Arches in the background. Looking the other way down the valley. Arches in the background.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Ahhh.... Ahhh....
Yosemite, California
Ben Hoyt
Summit photo Summit photo
Yosemite, California
Some Yokels
Myke on 5.10d next to Jamcrack Myke on 5.10d next to Jamcrack
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
2 of 4. 2 of 4.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
3 of 4. 3 of 4.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
4 of 4.  Had to hang once at the crux.  dammit! 4 of 4. Had to hang once at the crux. dammit!
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke on a 5.8 layback again to the left. Myke on a 5.8 layback again to the left.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
2 of 3. 2 of 3.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
3 of 3. 3 of 3.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Midnight Lightening (v9-10).  I couldn Midnight Lightening (v9-10). I couldn't even stay on the starting holds.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
El Capitan from El Cap Meadow.  Damn. El Capitan from El Cap Meadow. Damn.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
El Capitan from the base of the Nose.  DAMMNN! El Capitan from the base of the Nose. DAMMNN!
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Oh, by the way, it Oh, by the way, it's dangerous, too.
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky

Smith Rocks

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A Nice Arete, like 5.10ish. A Nice Arete, like 5.10ish.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Jennifer Greeve
2 of 4. 2 of 4.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Jennifer Greeve
3 of 4. crux. 3 of 4. crux.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Jennifer Greeve
4 of 4.  yee-haw! 4 of 4. yee-haw!
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Jennifer Greeve
Jennifer Greeve having fun climbing up that Tufft. Jennifer Greeve having fun climbing up that Tufft.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Michael Komarnitsky
Jenny and Myke.  Fun time. Jenny and Myke. Fun time.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Michael Komarnitsky
More fun. More fun.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Michael Komarnitsky
I know I know, enough with the fun pictures... I know I know, enough with the fun pictures...
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke thinking about how to get up Monkey Myke thinking about how to get up Monkey's Face. Next time...
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Jennifer Greeve
This man should not have had his shirt off. This man should not have had his shirt off.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Michael Komarnitsky
Jennifer Greeve rapping off using a guide Jennifer Greeve rapping off using a guide's rope after the Guide snaked our line and felt bad about it.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke + Smith Rocks + Quickdraws = Fun. Myke + Smith Rocks + Quickdraws = Fun.
Smith Rocks, Oregon
Jennifer Greeve
I picked up a hitchhiker along the way.  It I picked up a hitchhiker along the way. It's COMING...
Yosemite, California
Michael Komarnitsky
Froggie gets delivered to my brother.  He finds it six weeks later.  Ribbit.... Froggie gets delivered to my brother. He finds it six weeks later. Ribbit....
Fall City, Washington
Michael Komarnitsky
Only a few people know why this picture is so important.  Thanks for nothing, Uncle Jim! Only a few people know why this picture is so important. Thanks for nothing, Uncle Jim!
Moxee, Washington
Michael Komarnitsky

Jackson Hole

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Ben Mottinger flying into Jackson airport with his brother, Casey. Ben Mottinger flying into Jackson airport with his brother, Casey.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben with the Grand Teton in the back. Ben with the Grand Teton in the back.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
More beta collecction. More beta collecction.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben Pascal and Myke on the Chairlift for the alpine slides. Ben Pascal and Myke on the Chairlift for the alpine slides.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben Mottinger seriously beat me down the slides. Ben Mottinger seriously beat me down the slides.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Ben Pascal
These things are FUN! These things are FUN!
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Ben Pascal

Wind River Range

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Ben Mottinger hiking in to the Wind Rivers. Ben Mottinger hiking in to the Wind Rivers.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke at the lake at the end of the easy hiking.  This picture reminds me a photo of Todd Porterfield. Myke at the lake at the end of the easy hiking. This picture reminds me a photo of Todd Porterfield.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke resting before going up and over the pass into the Cirque. Myke resting before going up and over the pass into the Cirque.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Ben is ready to ROCK! Ben is ready to ROCK!
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben at the signpost signifying that it Ben at the signpost signifying that it's a steep pass.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben and Myke at the top of the pass.  Beyond this point we didn Ben and Myke at the top of the pass. Beyond this point we didn't see anyone for the next 4 days.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Zatairain Zatairain's is awesome for camping! Kitchen table is on left.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben Mottinger approaching the top of P1 of the S face of Pingora (II 5.8) Ben Mottinger approaching the top of P1 of the S face of Pingora (II 5.8)
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Now if I don Now if I don't look sexy, I don't know what does.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Wolf Wolf's Head(?) to the West of Pingora.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben cruising up the Class 4 stuff mid-climb to reach the final headwall. Ben cruising up the Class 4 stuff mid-climb to reach the final headwall.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
See why it See why it's a cirque? rocks everywhere.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke 30 feet below the summit. Myke 30 feet below the summit.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
View from the top. View from the top.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
There There's a whole lotta rock around there..
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
I love this stuff. I love this stuff.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Great Summit Photo. Great Summit Photo.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben Mottinger with Santa Socks. Ben Mottinger with Santa Socks.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke feeling good. Myke feeling good.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke rapping off the summit block.  Beautiful glacier-carved valley in background. Myke rapping off the summit block. Beautiful glacier-carved valley in background.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke soaking in the view.  Our campgound is barely visible in lower left greenery. Myke soaking in the view. Our campgound is barely visible in lower left greenery.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke, just hangin out. Myke, just hangin out.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
This ridge is like 5.4, but I hear it This ridge is like 5.4, but I hear it's scary as hell.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Myke rapping down the descent Myke rapping down the descent
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Almost back to camp. Almost back to camp.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
What a great place to hang the food!  Too bad my cord was too thin, broke, and dropped my bag 15 feet with a glass container of spaghetti sauce in it... What a great place to hang the food! Too bad my cord was too thin, broke, and dropped my bag 15 feet with a glass container of spaghetti sauce in it...
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Ben preparing to climb the SE face of Pingora (III 5.8, a 50 NA Classic Climb). Ben preparing to climb the SE face of Pingora (III 5.8, a 50 NA Classic Climb).
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Base of Pingora. Base of Pingora.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Looks like fun! Looks like fun!
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Start of the SE Face. You scramble left, aiming for the right-facing dihedral. Start of the SE Face. You scramble left, aiming for the right-facing dihedral.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke leading p2 of the SE face.  Very poorly. Myke leading p2 of the SE face. Very poorly.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke leading the grassy P4 ramp system. Myke leading the grassy P4 ramp system.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Myke at the top. Same peak, different way. Myke at the top. Same peak, different way.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Looking down at the lake. Looking down at the lake.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Ben loving where he Ben loving where he's at.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
This belongs on a motivational poster... This belongs on a motivational poster...
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
Let Let's go.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
The morning that we have to leave.  boohoo! The morning that we have to leave. boohoo!
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
I have never seen mosquitos be this nasty before. I have never seen mosquitos be this nasty before.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
There is a swarm around my head.  And I There is a swarm around my head. And I'm doused in bug spray. They didn't care.
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Ben Mottinger
Until we meet again... Until we meet again...
Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming
Michael Komarnitsky
One month of no shaving, and this was the result. One month of no shaving, and this was the result.
Boulder, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Let Let's go to the monster truck show!
Boulder, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
I done look sexy, shooeeeii! I done look sexy, shooeeeii!
Boulder, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky
Clean as a whistle. Clean as a whistle.
Boulder, Colorado
Michael Komarnitsky

Copyright 2002 Michael Komarnitsky [an error occurred while processing this directive]