Photos by bluesky

I took this photo from the plane on our trip home. Our attempted route, the North Ridge, is partially obscured by clouds left of the summit plateau.

This is looking west from the ridge just above our high camp. The relief below us here was intense.

This is looking west our high camp around 10,500 feet. Due to nasty avalanche conditions we didn't ascend above around 11,500 feet on either the North Ridge or a NW spur of that ridge.

This is looking south at the North Ridge of Blackburn in late spring of '99. Due to nasty avalanche conditions we didn't ascend above around 11,500 feet on either the North Ridge or a NW spur of that ridge. Barely visible in this photo is our path around the right side of the first obstacle. Once on the slope above we retreated due to suspect slabs in the snowpack. Later on the NW spur we safely released a slide below us, retreating in fear of setting off a slide above us.

Here we have just past the dangerous section of the lower route, ascending below many large seracs on the west face of Blackburn. This is just after the one hour period of twilight during the early Alaskan summer.

The Nebesna is the huge glacier that we were deposited on days earlier. It runs many miles North into Canada.

Notice how it's warm enough down low for lakes to form on the Nebesna's surface.

Like the nose piece? Longest facial hair I've ever had - note how I can't call it a beard :)

This stellar routes stellar third pitch is nice and fat. I think I placed four pieces on it - yikes!

Photo sequence taken by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch Overhang. Here I'm coiled for the throw.

One of the coolest single moves on rock! 2nd Photo in sequence taken by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch Overhang.

Of course I'm not one to campus moves, so here I go pulling my feet back on. 3rd Photo in sequence taken by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch Overhang.

Now I've reached the next handhold and about to get another. Notice how I'm using one of the holds on Mental Standard with my left foot to make all of these moves between the dyno and the mantel easier for myself. 4th Photo in sequence taken by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch Overhang.

Looking for more feet. I pull the mantel by heel hooking out right and rolling over. So my left foot has to come underneath me next. 5th Photo in sequence taken by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch Overhang.

Finally rolling over into the mantel. I've seen lots of folks who do the mantel different, often straight on with a high step on the sloping shelf below the hand. 6th Photo in sequence taken by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch Overhang.

Another photo by Alan Nelson of myself on Pinch. Here, with Tony and Brian? I'm trying Pinch with both feet on the rock. Yet to stick it this way.

A nice view, and me being a good belayer but a bit antisocial. This is one pitch up on the 'Greatest Route'

A photo of me bouldering at the Tropics by brit Mark Savage. Sadly the Tropics - a chossy but fun area with seemingly endless traversing has been dynamited due to work on the Soldier Canyon Dam.

Among my top ten favorites anywhere is this classic Horsetooth arete. Through the crux, here I'm about to dial in the feet for the finishing mantel.

A great line on Cactus Cliff. This sweet line cranks through pocket and edges on the immaculate face. The route has a bouldery start and several very thin technical sections split by a decent shake out at a mammoth pocket at mid-height.

I ticked the Clear Creek classic, Sonic Youth, last fall. This view is from the first bolt looking out. I'm more of an onsight climber so the five days and eight efforts was a new experience for me.

Here's an old pic of me on a long road trip back in '95. I'm throwing for the finishing sloper on the classic buttermilks traverse problem. Ah... Bishop.

Just a picture of me in my academic cubicle taking a break from my graduate studies.

What sweet moves, what a scary topout - especially the first time. Here I've fired through the crux and am working on the mantel setup.

Here is the topout of Mental Standard. Not so bad with a pad and a couple of spots, but still enough to make you think twice.