Obama's Rail Initiative (and Boulder's too)

Listening to President Obama's press conference thismorning to announce funding for high speed rail lines across that Country reminded me of the pending project in Boulder - the Northwest Corridor lightrail extending from Denver to Broomfield, Boulder, and Longmont. What's the latest on this project? While living in the Steelyards development (30th/Pearl) last year, there was much talk of the pending project and an exciting new transit center at the corner of that same location. RTD's website (www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_3) shows no new updates and there doesn't appear to be any new updates online. The Daily Camera has the following article that describes the lack of funding, poor money management and the likely pushing out of the project - http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_13546555?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com

That brings me to the newly announced rail initiative for the Country.  I believe the Administration's goals are nobel and headed in the right direction, but I'm apprehensive of the project, as it will be spread out to 30 different regions.  Can the Federal Government implement a successful project on such a diverse scale - only time will tell.  I do know firsthand that traffic congestion is skyrocketing not only in our coastal cities, but also in the midwest.  For our Country's sake, I hope that project gains momentum and realizes some short term successes!  Read more about the US High Speed rail plans here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/04/16/working-on-the-railroad-o_ws_187916.html

New Year's tax chores

Well, I guess the second weekend past New Year's isn't too bad for getting moving about 2009 taxes. At the beginning of each year, I make a final tally of the income/expenses generated from the cabin in Idaho and label a folder for all of the incoming tax statements (don't want to lose those little guys!).

Last week I met with Katie Stoll, a local Boulder CPA. It was refreshing to speak with someone who had strong knowledge of both vacation rentals and the 2009 home tax credit. Basic concepts, but I can tell she has a great working knowledge of both. Due to a bit of serendipity with my 2009 job and buying at the Peloton in Boulder, it looks as though I will benefit from the housing credit. Very excited about that!!

For friends thinking about buying here or elsewhere, keep in mind the key dates of April 30 (must have contract in place) and June 30th (sale must be closed).

Acon videos

Back in Boulder! Some final thoughts...

Well, this December was a month to remember. The climb was truly challenging and the remainder of the trip was relaxing, exhilarating, and eye opening. Thanks to everyone for all of the encouragement! And thanks to Mom for watching Levi, Gaby for all the couch-surfing and more, Chuckie for helping with some paperwork while I was MIA, and Jason and Romi for being chaufeurs for Levi on his trip back to Boulder from Albuquerque.

As for the climb, I think I basically shared most of the details. The 'summit day' was definitely a sad one, but I'm still glad I turned back. My take-away was that I made one mistake in planning and may have cost me the summit. I was copying the climbing itinerary of many guide services in doing the traverse of the Polish Glacier, with all gear, and continuing down the Normal Route. In hindsight, I highly recommend Camp #2, at the base of the Polish Glacier as your high camp, go for the summit in a day hike and return to sleep at Camp #2 and descend via Vacas Valley, the same way all the way home. The time involved in packing up all the gear for the traverse exposed me to too much cold while not moving and I just didn't have the energy to do an upwards traverse of a couple hours with 82lbs.

Climbing solo was mentally and physically challenging - I'm glad to have done it - but I will be looking ever HARDER for partners on the next one!!

Charles



Trying to upload a few videos...

Time for some wine!

Hey All - thanks for all of the cool emails and comments! Boy today was a beast. I left basecamp at 7:30am in a light snow and began my descent out to civilization. Descending 5,000ft today (after the 6,000 yesterday) over 15 miles with that coño backpack (yes...the 80lb one) over 9hrs was ridiculously painful. I was thinking of Chuckie G. training in Boulder when I only had like 2miles to go and didn´t think I could make it. Thought of all of our 5k sprints and how EASY they are! Well...not today. uggghhhhh is about all i can say.

I was extremely annoyed by the fact that the muleteers wanted $200 to carry out my pack, so i just send to heck with it. I´m not spending the $$ and will use if for food, travel, and the Mendoza homeless!"! After crossing incredibly arduous terrain and following an Andean river through valleys, with towering peaks everywhere - literally rising 10,000ft above me, i eventually arrived at the Ranger Station at the highway. I was able to hitch a ride (thereby not paying a Guide service $15 to shuttle me there) with a local back to my basecamp town, Penitentes, where I ate and then caught the bus to Mendoza. I just took an hour long shower.... kinda nice after 10 days without.... ha.

Still starving. Heading out now to eat wine and eat steak. Miss you all and talk to you soon!

CM

p.s. sorry for all the typos!

4 little piggies went to market...

...and they all came back!! as in, i almost ended up with 4 less toes thismorning. After moving to camp #2 yesterday at 19,250ft, i was poised for a great summit attempt today. they weather was supposed to be improving, with lessening winds, but they was not the case. Camped at the base the stunning Polish Glacier, I hunked down for a night of 100mph winds. It was ridiculous. Tent flat on my face in the middle of the night!! I give props to the ole girl thought ' she has held up great!}
After letting the sun warm things up a bit, I starting my final packing job -that of consolidating all into one pack for the polish glacier traverse. After about 20-30 min of fighting the wind, de-tenting, etc, I noticed my toes on my right foot were killing me, then I couldn´t feel them ' then i started to moderately panic. With everything packed, I was totally exposed to the elements. I still yanked off my double plastic boot to assess and the 4 were perfectly white, down to the foot. and all well frozen. losing my toes was not a part of this!!
I tried to start the start, but i wouldn{t help me out. then i decided to try to put the tent up again (in 60mph wind-by myself=good times). Finally got it, jumped inside, ripped out my sleeped bag and shoved the feet in. I was alse ripping open every single packet (10) on hand warmers i brought (thanks Josh!). eventually (2hrs) things seemed ok. }
I began the traverse with the thought of a possible summit, but the 80lb pack was just too much. So instead of traversing up, I traversed down and figured i{d cut the ridge.... well i´m lucky to not still be lost. I crossed unending scree fields for 4 hrs until eventually finding Nido de Condores camp on the Normal Route. The rangers let me in and could tell i was in bad shape. Toes hurt, lack of food and water, and blistering cold and wind.... Again == good times!}
They warmed me up next to their stove and told how a 39 yr old American had died on the summit yesterday. Very sad. Due to the horrible winds, there are still no plans to remove the body.
From here i hiked down as fast as possible to the Normal Route basecamp and I{m here now resting. unfortunately the little hotel is not open for the season yet ' i was going to splurge!! So the tent is back up again. And i{m hungry.}

....no summit of Acon for me. Oh well, i gave it my best shot. The camp medic has said no cold temps for the toes for 3 wks. Guess I{ll go drink wine and eat steaks! :)

CM

Moving to Camp 1

Hi All - sorry no pics today because it takes forever to upload! But trust me, I have some incredible shots. Yesterday, I did my carry to camp1 at 16,340ft (my highest ever). I was a very tough hike through some scree, but mostly traversing glaciers, moraines, and snow fields. As usual, I was the only one making a carry, the French and the big american expeditions were taking a rest day in basecamp.}
At Camp 1, there was 5 tents (new people i havent met), but they will likely be gone today when I go up, as they may go to camp 2.
Sadly, thismorning, one of my French friends told me he his trip was over and the helicopter was evac{ing him to mendoza. Within 10 min the heli touched down and they wisked him away. He was suffering from pulmenary edema and hadn{t even been to camp 1 yet. last night at dinner he looked purple!, but it was cold in the mess tent and I figured that was that. but over night he got worse. }
as for my health, the camp medic has taken 3 measurements (well the french team did one for me) and my first day at camp was 84, last night after the carry to camp 2 it was 90, and thismorning it is 89. 84 is considered VERY good and in general you want it to go up so that you oxygen saturation levels are higher. so all signs are good.}
Drinking 5 nalgene bottles of water is tough, but it{s going to get tougher today considering i have to melt all water from now on.}
Well, i think that is it. I am heading up in an hour and will hope the winds stay down. so far so good. p.s. Everyone remains completely shocked that there is an [American] doing a solo ascent of Aconcagua. Pretty cool! It{s also rewarding to carry all my food, camping gear, etc. All the other teams get cooked for, guided, so on and so on. Some of the people up here don{t even know what they are doing for the day or where their destination is., Crazy!!
Off to break down the tent and do my 4 hr hike up. I already dug up a place for the tent amongst the snow and ice, so hopefully it{s an easy setup.}
You won{t hear from me for a while. no internet up there!! Camp 1 tonight, Camp 2 carry tomorrow and back to camp 1. Rest day at camp 1. Then up to Camp 2. Then SSSUUMMMIITTT. All pending the weather. I could easily have to wait out storms up there, so don{t expect to hear from me too soon. Love to All. CM