Independence Training

Phil and I are leaving for the Bighorns in a couple of weeks, so we decided to have a "dress rehearsal" over the long Independence Day weekend. On Friday we decided to do an ascent of Turk's Head Ridge (5.6 variation) in the gear we planned on climbing in out west. It was fun, and we made pretty quick work of it.

Phil on the third-to-last pitch of Turk's Head Ridge

Dialing in the selfies with the new camera

On Saturday we decided it was time for a long walk to see if we would be ready for the heinous approach in the Bighorns. We opted for my favorite Sauk County training hike, which is the Parfrey's Glen to Devil's Lake trail combined with what I like to call the Full-Value Bluff Tour. I lugged my full eighty pound pack over more than twelve miles with better than 1,500 feet of gross elevation gain. It was a haul, but well worth it.

At Parfrey's Glen, the starting line.

A much needed pack off break along the way.

Phil, looking strong at Devil's Lake.

The beers taste best when you earn them...

On Sunday we were feeling pretty worked, but headed up to Necedah for some sandstone sport climbing. We managed to do a little to get the blood moving, but not as much as we had hoped for.