Heat wave...

MN has been pretty cold lately. Cold and dry. This is the 3rd-least-snowy winter in recorded history, according to the local weather folks. And now we had a random warm spell, hitting the forties during the day, so the snow is not making it. Probably because I just acquired new snowshoes. But not to fear, there is much more to do outside. Alison and I decided to sleep out last night, seeing as the forecast low was 25 degrees F, and she doesn't have any winter camping experience yet. The actual low was 33 degrees F, and needless to say we were quite comfortable. We're plenty equipped for some winter backpacking when time allows. We haven't seen the Superior Hiking Trail in the winter yet, so hopefully that will happen before Spring is here to stay. And speaking of Spring, this heat wave also allowed for my first 2007 road ride here in MN. I donned my cold weather cycling garb and spun a nice 31 mile ride on fairly dry roads. I had all the usual Midwest cycling experiences- cool temps, wind, the smell of cow ass, and tubby dudes driving huge motor vehicles yelling at me in their belief that bicycles don't have a right to be on the road. But it was honestly really fun. It was no UT, but that's asking a whole lot. This will do for now. I'm just thankful that the really frigid days of the Northern winter might be over, and I got a good primer for the cycling season.

50 hours later...

My new job required me to go through a busy week of commuting to Bloomington (and hour drive each way due to traffic) for training. I don't know that I really learned anything, as I've already gained two years of bike mechanic experience, but I did get paid for fifty hours of easy work, and now I'm certified to fix your bike at Erik's and give your money to my boss. I'll be starting at the Coon Rapids store on Monday, and will be able to commute by bicycle and stop burning gas and money unnecessarily. I'm going to have to find some cyclocross tires for my fixed gear bike, because my mountain bike is up for sale (don't want to get it all sloppy), and I don't subject my touring bike to the salty winter MN roads. Anyhow, my schedule is somewhat slow for the next week at the shop, and the weather is supposed to warm up so that temps at night will be a balmy 18 degrees, so I may have to spend a night out winter camping. It would be nice to breath some fresh air. I don't own a four season tent just to fill my closet. As you were...

The Fool's Progress

Last night I finished Edward Abbey's The Fool's Progress. This was perhaps the best book I've read in quite a while. I say that not because I think everyone will like it, or that it contained a message that I think everybody needs to be exposed to, but because it hit a nerve within me. The best books you'll read are the ones in which you can tell the author has felt the same feelings that you are feeling, or have felt, so you relate, and it's not just a story. There were certain qualities, ideals, and opinions that the main character of the book had that I share (but certainly some that I did not). I guess sometimes it's comforting to know that others have the same delirium that you suffer from, and that there's more than one mindset in the world. The book is basically Abbey's autobiography morphed into fiction. Made me feel like writing my own. Maybe I will someday, for my own sake more than to try to sell a book. I'm definitely going to read more of Abbey's works. If you like to read, check out The Fool's Progress. It will hit you or it won't. Depends on what's already in your head, I suppose.

New place to spend my time...

I just accepted a new job at Erik's Bikes and Boards here in Coon Rapids. I'll be working as a full time bicycle mechanic again. In some of my spare time I'll be helping my father in law with some flight training, as he is going after an instrument rating. I may or may not be working at a small flight school in the area too, depending on scheduling. An escape from "full-time" flying should feel good, as there never was any stability or pay in that, but it would be nice to keep my foot in the door of that industry if I should ever decide that I can't live without an unstable, underpaid, under appreciated career that demands a high level of training and expertise. We'll see. I may just have too much fun in the outdoor industry. Biking to work, working on bikes, biking after work. Not bad. This of course puts me in the position of needing a winter worthy two wheeled human powered machine, as I sold my old 1x1 in SLC. My Trek 8000 is up for sale if anyone wants it. So for now, this is everyone's notice that I found work. You can call me for more details; I'll be working through calling everyone soon.

Yogaslackers...

Our old friends Sam and Jason from NHRG in Grand Forks, ND have started somewhat of a revolution in outdoor sports world. They've combined slacklining with yoga, and produced a DVD and website: yogaslackers. It's pretty wild, and looks like fun. I can't imagine how much it would build core strength and concentration abilities for climbing and any other sport requiring balance and focus. Check it out.

Scruff...

I've got job interviews coming up this week, so I decided to shave off the beard I've been wearing for the past month. Somebody out there decided that beards are unprofessional, causing men everywhere the agony of having to shave everyday in order to look how we're supposed to. Uggh. At least my wife is cool and likes my beard. Anyhow, when you shave a beard off, it's always a good idea to take some nasty pictures of how terrible some variations of facial scruff can look on a young white dude. Particularly the mustache. A mustache can look quite good on some men; my father for example. Airline captains fit the bill as well (hairy knuckles are also require for this venue- so I'm told). But a twenty five year old Scandinavian super white guy with blondish facial hair is not the individual to rock the 'stache. It must be a full beard. Pictures to follow:

Pre shave:














Hip and relaxed with beard and shades. Everyone knows I'm hip. Wait, I guess I already gave away that I'm a super white Scandinavian...















Mid shave, and descent into facial nastiness.














Further into shave and entry into full facial nastiness. Prime example of the dangers of underage mustache'ing:

We've arrived...

Well, we’re settled into our new residence in Coon Rapids, MN, which brings us to the third state we’ve lived in during our first 11 months of marriage. I think some marital counselor types tell people that you’re not supposed to uproot yourself and move during the first year. Whoops. Anyhow, the trip up went relatively smoothly, but not without incident. Friday, we finally left after the weather and roadways cleared in the mountain west, and reached Bozeman, MT. When we woke up there on Saturday it was a crisp -19 degrees below, F. I spent 25 years in ND and 4 months in UT, so you’d think I’d be used to the abusive cold, but it sure hurt to feel it again. Yuk. And just so I got to really get back into the hostile weather of the north, I blew a tire on the Uhaul trailer I was towing, and got to sit on the side of I-90 for four hours awaiting a designated Uhaul-approved mechanic to perform the rocket science of changing a tire within company policy boundaries. Nice. But we did make it to Bismarck, ND that night (although not quite in time for dinner as we expected), and got to spend some time with my parents, who dropped down from their home in Minot. Sunday, we reached the Twin Cities, in time for more snow. The snow here is rather pitiful compared to the mountains, so it was no big deal to drive through. Now we are unpacking, and once again on the job search. More from the Jensens later…

Snowed in, sort of...

Well it's come time for Alison and I to leave UT, even though we only arrived here a few months ago. We are moving to the Twin Cities area in search of better job oppertunities, and to be closer to family. UT was fun in some ways while it lasted. Anyhow, we we're planning on leaving Tuesday morning, however, we weren't done loading up our stuff. Our departure was pushed to Wednesday, however, Old Man Winter thought we should stay another couple days. MT and ID got spanked yesterday, and UT saw the snow today. Not as much as can be seen here, but enough for us to weather our little loaded trek to be safe. I am equipped with a full set of winter backpacking gear located in my pickup cab, however, camping in the ditch is not as fun as hanging out in Salt Lake for a bit longer. MN will see us soon I'm sure.

Zion New Year!

For our first married New Years, Alison and I decided to head down to Zion National Park in southwest UT. It’s a place I’ve wanted to see for quite some time, and we couldn’t leave UT without going first. I’ve always heard it described as the desert version of Yosemite, and that description is dead on. Zion Canyon and the Yosemite Valley have the exact same feel in that you just can’t stop gawking at the enormous rock walls that completely surround the tranquil valley meadows you are traveling through. If you haven’t visited these Parks, go!

Alison and I enjoyed three hikes during our stay. New Years Eve, we arrived in Zion in the early afternoon, so we did a couple easy day hikes to stretch our legs and get some scenery. We did the Emerald Pools loop, followed by the Riverside Walk. Emerald Pools is a little nook in the huge sandstone faces along Zion Canyon that contains a serious of little green watered ponds. Very scenic, but then again, everything in Zion is. Riverside Walk is pretty much a freeway of people. It’s a paved sidewalk hike that strolls along the famed Virgin River back to the end of the Narrows. The Narrows are the reason we hiked this trail. It’s an extremely famous slot canyon that is apparently one of the best overnight backpacking trips one can take. The Riverside Walk takes you to the place you exit the Narrows after backpacking it, and we wanted to take a peak. Sadly, you really can’t see any of the real narrow sections from this little hike. You’ve got to get wet and hike up the river, which we couldn’t do without dry suits in this season. We’re putting the Narrows on our life list of outdoor goals. We’ll be back. New Years Day brought us to Hidden Canyon, a strenuous day hike up a trail I’ll just describe as “adventurous”. It was pretty nuts in some spots, as it is in part of Zion Canyon that doesn’t get much direct sun this time of year, so the trail was covered in packed snow. Slippery. Next time I hike Zion in the winter I’m packing crampons for sure. Anyhow, the Hidden Canyon Trail follows many many switchbacks up the Zion Canyon’s East Rim until it reaches the hanging canyon it is named for. A hanging canyon is a smaller canyon that is located high up on the side of a bigger canyon that it drains into. It’s cool. Many parts of the hike involved traversing snowy ledges high above the canyon floor. The Park Service has added chains to hold onto for protection, or I would not have led us up without crampons in the winter conditions. (I get out there, but I’m no fool.) Anyhow, the Hidden Canyon was well worth the trip up. We traveled a ways up it (the official trail ends upon reaching the canyon, and then becomes an unmaintained backcountry route), and then had to return due to time restraints. Pesky night time. I didn’t feel like coming down icy switchbacks via headlamp and no crampons or rope. Anyhow, it was a good adventure. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend Zion National Park. And no, you don’t have to hang off of any cliffs to enjoy it. Just sit in the main canyon and be amazed. You could do it all day. Anyhow, Happy New Year from Ben and Alison!

Small waterfall in the Emerald Pools area...

At the end of the Narrows, along the Virgin River...

Alison hiking up Hidden Canyon Trail...

The icy ledges that make up the higher sections of Hidden Canyon Trail...

Alison nestled in the narrow Hidden Canyon...

Alison carefully making her way down from Hidden Canyon (I think I see a Backpacker Magazine cover shot)...

Winter Feet!

I snagged a set of MSR Denali snowshoes online with some Christmas money. I’ve been slowly building my winter arsenal of equipment so that the seasons won’t see me indoors as much. I’ve been riding all year long for several years now, but hiking/camping hasn’t been happening much in the snow. I’ve pretty much got what I need now for that to happen, and with a move back to the north coming very quickly, I decided to be ready with some winter kicks. Plus I’m having fun with them while during my last few days in UT too. I went up to Mueller Park again the other day, and left the trail for a climb up one of the many scenic ridges. I ended up on top one of the minor peaks in the area, and had a blast. I’m sure gonna miss having Mueller as a back yard all year. I am however, anticipating having the Superior Hiking Trail relatively close by. I still have a goal to finish that trail off at some point. I have a ways to go yet. Anyhow, enjoy some more pics of fun in Mueller Park:

Ridgeline I climbed up is in the lower left of this shot (it's not a maintained trail, but the gap in the brush makes it appear that way):














Shadow and prints of a happy climber:

My trekking pole basking near a rainball (like a rainbow, but in ball form- it just barely shows up in the right side of the picture). I hiked through some freezing mist at the base of a cloud layer high on the ridge, and the sun made the rainball.

The bottom of the Denali's: toothy!

My toasty Soloman boots go well with these shoes, being rated down to -40F...Bring it on Winter!

The Denali's have optional flotation tails which can be mounted and removed as neccesary as snow conditions change. Packed snow calls for the standard shoe itself, and deep snow with a heavy pack is conquered by attaching the tails for more surface area. Sweet.