Chris came bouncing into the kitchen yesterday, like Tigger from Winnie The Pooh. He’d just spent a morning skiing thigh deep powder in the Wasatch backcountry and was busy riding a powder high… one I’ve learned that lasts much longer than a runner’s high…
I was replacing our 2014 Runner’s World Calendar with a new 2015 Wanderlust calendar on our kitchen wall, when suddenly he grasped the calendar to his chest and said, “I am not ready to let this go yet. Quite simply, 2014 was the best year of my life.”
I’d agree. 2014 brought very little for this family to complain about. And there is something empowering about looking back on 2014 for me. It was full of family and smiles and new explorations, new milestones, close friends, many summits, and goals fought for and achieved…
Here is 2014, Through My Lens:
(Click photo for more detailed info)
Our youngest, age 4, ended last ski season by skiing completely independent from us top to bottom! Huge milestone!
We road tripped to California to cheer Chris and his friend Chuck on in the Big Sur Marathon.
We spent a week in Yosemite and learned that even “laid-back and moderate” climbers like ourselves can enjoy this epic playground!
In early summer we launched our family into hiking season and took the kids to their first summet: Grandeur Peak. Roughly 7 miles and 2,300 vertical feet.
My son further explored his love of mountain biking at Snowbasin Resort, with dad right behind him.
Chris and I took a solo trip and summited King’s Peak, the highest peak in UT. Chris is jumping for joy because we packed in a cherry pie.
I complete two Olympic Triathlons with summer…surviving the heat and all sorts of head games.
Not every adventure included our kids. This backpacking trip to summit two 14ers, Redcloud and Sunshine, was a trip for my mom and I. One I will treasure forever!
We came home and I hit the trail with my family in the High Uintas. My kids proving we can go further next summer!
In August I headed into the most rugged and beautiful backcountry I’ve ever seen: Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, UT
We ascended the ladder at the first water fall, after a hot but fun triathlon at Sand Hollow State Park / Kanarra Creek Canyon, UT
We ran Chris through the finish of his first 50 mile trail race.
Campfire reflections at our campsite on BLM land near Goblin Valley, UT
We hiked up Little Wild Horse Canyon and descended down Bell Canyon, playing some more “pass the kids”.
We took advantage of a crazy warm and long fall in Utah by hiking and hiking and hiking! Lake Blanche, UT
Hiking to Desolation Lake, Wasatch Range, UT
We headed to Moab, UT for some climbing and hiked to Black Angel and Delicate Arch with the kids, Arches National Park
We ended 2014 doing what we love best in the winter, skiing and playing in the snow. Here is to another amazing year!
What a year! Love to see families getting out and enjoying the wilderness together. Hope next year brings you as much fun! 🙂