December Hike to Mount Mitchell Massif
A long 7.5 mile hike to Mount Mitchell Massif with Angie. We ran into the legendary rock climber Tony Mayse along the way. If you want to learn rock climbing from an expert go to guideforaday.com.
December Hike to Mount Mitchell Massif
A long 7.5 mile hike to Mount Mitchell Massif with Angie. We ran into the legendary rock climber Tony Mayse along the way. If you want to learn rock climbing from an expert go to guideforaday.com.
Rock Climber Tony Mayse
The Ultimate Crapshoot
I said it then and I’ll say it now, “Crapshoot is the funnest way down Elk Mountain.”
The Ultimate Crapshoot
After 2 years of planning and talking about it, we finally attempted The Triple Crown, and failed. But man did we fail gloriously. We discovered that if you do Crapshoot right, it’ll take you four plus hours. If you add the four plus hours it takes to finish The Chavez (which contains The Water Caves and The Rock Rooms), you have a very challenging course. I said it then and I’ll say it now, “Crapshoot is the funnest way down Elk Mountain.”
Crapshoot Scout Day 2
Day Two of De Cooper and I scouting Crapshoot.
Crapshoot Scout Day 2
Day Two of De Cooper and I scouting Crapshoot.
To see the shots from Day One, go to: http://www.toddeclark.com/blog/2017/11/20/crapshoot-scout-day-1
Crapshoot Scout Day 1
De Cooper and I started a long overdue scout of an area we call Crapshoot. For the last two years, De has had this idea of combining this tough hike with another tough hike we call The Chavez.
Crapshoot Scout Day 1
De Cooper and I started a long overdue scout of an area we call Crapshoot. For the last two years, De has had this idea of combining this tough hike with another tough hike we call The Chavez.
To fill you in, The Chavez is a hike named after our friend Josh Chavez, the originator of the route. It consists of parking at Post Oak and hiking up the south side of Elk Mountain to The Water Caves, then to The Rock Rooms, down The Slide and back to the car. The hike takes about 5-6 hours and can be physically draining. It’s my favorite hike in the refuge.
So De’s idea is to add Crapshoot to The Chavez making a hike that could last up to 7 hours plus through some of the most challenging parts of the Elk Mountain and the refuge.
Below are some shots of Day One. For shots of Day Two go to: http://www.toddeclark.com/blog/2017/11/20/crapshoot-scout-day-2
Getting Lost
I lead a hike to Spanish Canyon on Sunday. I turned right when I should have turned left. What a great mistake that turned out to be.
Getting Lost
in Spanish Canyon
I lead a hike to Spanish Canyon on Sunday. I turned right when I should have turned left. What a great mistake that turned out to be.
Theresa, Dot, & Hank
I took my friend, and fellow actor, Theresa on a hike to Crab Eyes. De brought Dot and Hank on their first hike since the pups were born. It was great day.
Theresa, Dot, & Hank
I took my friend, and fellow actor, Theresa on a hike to Crab Eyes. De brought Dot and Hank on their first hike since the pups were born. It was great day.
Women of Rock
I went on a great hike to Granite Mountain in my beloved Wichita Mountains with Angie LaPaglia, Paulina Ćwik, Britney Neubecker, and De Cooper. It’s a longer trek than some with a lot of small spaces to crawl through. At some point the term “Women of Rock” came to mind as I had this amazing adventure with three tough women.
Women of Rock
and De Cooper
I went on a great hike to Charon’s Garden Mountain in my beloved Wichita Mountains with Angie LaPaglia, Paulina Ćwik, Britney Neubecker, and De Cooper. It’s a longer trek than some with a lot of small spaces to crawl through. I was the largest so there were some spots I could not make it through but was there to document as much as I could. At some point the term “Women of Rock” came to mind as I had this amazing adventure with three tough women. They were crawling through rough places I couldn’t make it through. We were all banged up and some of us were bleeding, we faced fears, but we loved the adventure. These three strong women made me think of all the other tough women I hike with like Claire Bridges Springer, Lisa Middleton, Jessica Peterson, Shannon Trout, Amberlee Darold, Susanne Bogle, Rachel Hunter, Breeze Kelley, Sophy Hackney, Anna Paraskevopoulos, Betsy Hunter, Cat Cray, and more. I salute you all, you “Women of Rock.”
Solo Hike to the Rock Rooms
My friend, the proliferant John Reenan, asked me the weekend before if I had ever explored or ascended the northwest part of Elk Mountain. I realized I never had. I was freed up this past Sunday morning so I decided to take a solo hike there so I could tell John that I had indeed explored that area.
Solo Hike to the Rock Rooms
My friend, the proliferant John Reenan, asked me the weekend before if I had ever explored or ascended the northwest part of Elk Mountain. I realized I never had. I was freed up this past Sunday morning so I decided to take a solo hike there so I could tell John that I had indeed explored that area. Aaron Manuel was in the Visitor Center that morning hanging out with Randy Hale. Aaron said it was the fastest way to The Rock Rooms. Randy showed me a photo of where I needed to turn and I was off.
The weather was perfect. The hike up was unfamiliar and since I was alone, I was more cautious than I usually am. I had never been in The Rock Room alone before. It was fantastic. I barely saw a soul. I spent some time with some bats and I poked a copperhead with a stick and watched it magically split into two (I didn’t initially see there were two). I got back to my car just before the rain started.
Conquering the Chavez
My girlfriend Angie had a friend in from London who had seen our pictures and wanted to check out the Wichita Mountains for herself. We decided to take her on one of the toughest hikes in the refuge. We call it “The Chavez.”
Conquering the Chavez
My girlfriend Angie had a friend in from London who had seen our pictures and wanted to check out the Wichita Mountains for herself. We decided to take her on one of the toughest hikes in the refuge. We call it “The Chavez.” Eight of us went up. Five of us went it through The Water Caves. It started raining and the rocks became slick. De and Blake took off to rescue four UCO students stuck on the west side of Elk Mountain. I had to lead the group off the mountain. The six remaining hikers went through The Rock Rooms. My rope was being used on the rescue and the popular route down the mountain requires a rope at one spot. It was starting to rain again and the rocks would get slick again. I know a way down The Side that doesn’t require a rope. It’s a little intimidating. I’m sure all five of them were cursing my name, but we all made it safely down. I’m pretty sure all of us were bleeding a little. Randy brought Blake and De back to Post Oak. The rescue was a success. After six hours our friend from London went home with some scratches, bruises, and a glorious adventure. Ah, the dirtbag life.
Mount Lincoln with JB
I hiked with my friend JB on September 9, 2017 to Mount Lincoln. I finally found the spot I have been looking for. JB alley-ooped his pack into 50 foot crevasse. That spawned a return hike a few hours later in a rescue attempt.
Mount Lincoln with JB
I hiked with my friend JB on September 9, 2017 to Mount Lincoln (a spot I have been exploring for several weeks now). It was an eventful day. I finally found the spot I have been looking for. I am calling it Claire’s Crack after my friend who told me about it. On the return hike, JB alley-ooped his pack into 50 foot crevasse. That spawned a return hike a few hours later in a rescue attempt. JB was too beat up to attend. The hike was pretty rough. Myself, De, Britney, and Kevin hiked out there with some parachord, a bike hook, and some tape. We successfully rescued his pack along with wallet. We made JB buy the celebratory pizza. I didn’t get many pictures of it all. I got too busy. However, videos of the rescue exist on Facebook.
Mount Lincoln on Memorial Day
I did a long solo hike to Mount Lincoln on Memorial Day. I was still searching for a way under the big boulder on the northern side of Mount Lincoln.
A hike to Mount Lincoln
and other things along the way
I did a long solo hike to Mount Lincoln on Memorial Day. I was still searching for a way under the big boulder on the northern side of Mount Lincoln. I was pretty sure I had figured it out, but I didn’t make an attempt since I was alone. I discovered a lot of new features that day.
Elk Mountain from the South
The Northern peak of Mount Lincoln. I was still trying to find a way under this big rock.
Spider Split in color
I went on a solo hike and ended up meeting my friend De Cooper at Spider Split cave. He had a couple of newbs with him. Here are the color photos from that hike.
Spider Split
in color
I went on a solo hike and ended up meeting my friend De Cooper at Spider Split cave. He had a couple of newbs with him. Here are the color photos from that hike.
Spider Split in black & white
I went on a solo hike and ended up meeting my friend De Cooper at Spider Split cave. Here are the black & white photos from that hike.
Spider Split
in black & white
I went on a solo hike and ended up meeting my friend De Cooper at Spider Split cave. Here are the black & white photos from that hike.
Mount Lincoln from South to North
Claire Springer and I hiked Mount Lincoln from edge to edge looking for this elusive spot she crawled through five years before. It was our second attempt. We failed to find it, but we found a whole lot more.
Mount Lincoln from South to North
Claire Springer and I hiked Mount Lincoln from edge to edge looking for this elusive spot she crawled through five years before. It was our second attempt. We failed to find it, but we found a whole lot more.
Click any photo to begin a slide show.
Mount Sheridan
I took the day off work to watch the eclipse in my beloved Wichita Mountains with some friends. The eclipse was lackluster. The view was not.
Mount Sheridan during the eclipse
I took the day off work to watch the eclipse in my beloved Wichita Mountains with some friends. The eclipse was lackluster. The view was not. We were able to hike to the top of Mount Sheridan, a mountain that is not part of the refuge but is on private property. We got permission with the help of a local. I’ve also developed this new style of retouching. I hope you like it.
Click any image to begin a slide show.
A nine-mile solo hike
I hiked solo for nine miles on Sunday. I did an afternoon hike to Mount Mitchell Massif in my beloved Wichita Mountains. I didn’t see another human being the whole time. It’s probably because the humidity was brutal.
A nine-mile solo hike
I hiked solo for nine miles on Sunday. I did an afternoon hike to Mount Mitchell Massif in my beloved Wichita Mountains. I didn’t see another human being the whole time. It’s probably because the humidity was brutal.
Click any photo to start a slide show.
Glass Mountain Peak to Apple & Pear
Four of us climbed up Glass Mountain Peak before running into John Reenan and most of his brood. We all went up the south side of Elk Mountain to Apple and Pear. We made it off before we all ran out of water.
Glass Mountain Peak to Apple & Pear
Four of us climbed up Glass Mountain Peak before running into John Reenan and most of his brood. We all went up the south side of Elk Mountain to Apple and Pear. We made it off before we all ran out of water.
Click any image to begin a slide show
Right Between the Crab Eyes
JB Workman and I took my daughter, Riley Clark, and our good friend Emily Etherton to Crab Eyes for the first time and we made some friends along the way.
RIGHT BETWEEN THE CRAB EYES
JB Workman and I took my daughter, Riley Clark, and our good friend Emily Etherton to Crab Eyes for the first time and we made some friends along the way.
click any image to begin a slide show
Humid as Hell
On the most humid day of the summer so far, four of us struck hiked anyway. The day had an average humidity of 87% with temperatures reaching the low nineties. Luckily, we all enjoy each others company.
Humid as Hell
On the most humid day of the summer so far, four of us struck hiked anyway. The day had an average humidity of 87% with temperatures reaching the low nineties. Luckily, we all enjoy each others company. We hiked up Elk Mountain and made our way down to The Slit and back. Everyone but myself went through the Straight-Up Squeeze. I’ve been stuck there before. I have some anxiety about the spot. I backtracked and explore other way to meet up with the group and almost got stuck in between rocks anyway.
It was a great day for adventure. I slept a lot that afternoon and evening. We pushed it that day, and man was it worth it.
Click on any image to start a slide show.
Exploring Mount Lincoln
Myself, Claire Springer, and Angie LaPaglia explored the north side of Mount Lincoln in our beloved Wichita Mountains on June 25, 2017. Angie came close to an angry rattlesnake but I think all of us would agree the risk was worth the reward that day.
Mount Lincoln
Myself, Claire Springer, and Angie LaPaglia explored the north side of Mount Lincoln in our beloved Wichita Mountains on June 25, 2017. Angie came close to an angry rattlesnake but I think all of us would agree the risk was worth the reward that day.
Click any picture to begin a slide show.
