When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.
— Bill Clinton
With a hand probably months from full function, and a shin requiring ice and rest, my season is undeniably over. For unimportant reasons, it has been neither the season I expected nor one I wanted — call it regression toward the mean, toward life’s natural mediocrity.
I doubt I will spend as much time in familiar places next year. Hiking around the Sierra and Tetons this summer, I have been surrounded by the ghosts of better climbs and better years. If I return to either place next season, it will be on short trips aimed at specific objectives. I have ideas for both places, but they depend on developing sufficient fitness, skill, and motivation over the winter.
If I do anything interesting, I will write about it here, but as usual, winter posting will be sporadic. If you have enjoyed following along this year, I encourage you to subscribe in some manner, so you will know when the quiet period ends.
Sean you’ll mend. Going to miss your trip reports this Fall as I not only admire what you accomplish in the mountains but enjoy your writing style as well.
Thanks, man! I hope you’re out there getting after it while I’m dealing with the Real World with my leg up on a chair.
Maybe you should start exploring the Wind Rivers and the Absarokas next year instead of the Tetons. The Uintas were also pretty cool, not so technical, but very remote and eye catching.
Do you know if there are any plans for another Ouray trip this winter?
Kings and Granite have been on my to-do list for awhile, so the Uintas and Absarokas are potentially on the list. Maybe later in the summer, after the mosquito and slush-bog seasons.
Paradoxically, the vagaries of life are the only constant. I like your spartan prose and the high bar that you set for yourself. You’ll shake it off wild man. Until then…
Thanks — next season should be simpler. Until then, I should drop a bit of Monty Python on my iPod.
thanks for writing. I enjoy your blog immensely. Wishing you a speedy recovery
Thanks! From what I have read, I have 3-12 weeks of lap-swimming and ice packs to look forward to. We’ll see how things look then…
Hey Sean, Joe ‘Sicily’ the violin player from AAC Tetons ranch. Just saying Hi! I’m speaking for a lot of folk in saying we hope you can come to work week.
Sorry to hear that you got stuck with some down time, but it sounds like you are doing all of the right things.
All the best!
Joe
Wow, I hardly recognize you in the photo on your site! The transformation from backcountry fisherman to classical musician is amazing.
I’ve pretty much recovered by now, so hopefully I will be able to do a few interesting things this winter, and will almost certainly make it back to the ranch. I look forward to seeing you there.