It's all about the balconies

Open Space By Derek Franz Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado A cringe jolts my gut as the words "love mini epics" spill over my climbing partner's lips. The worst part is that Brian says them with a smile, almost laughing with his head tilted back, glasses glinting in the morning sun as he sits in his chair sipping coffee, admiring Castleton Tower. Somewhat of a newbie to rock climbing in the remote desert, Brian has never been to Utah's Castle Valley before. Even as a sponsored gripper of stone, he had no idea what he was saying in this particular case. The technical grade of our objective was moderate, but I knew well that in this place the grade is only a small factor in the total sum of the day. With a shudder, I wondered what my naive friend had just wished upon us. But I also knew what he meant, and felt my own hunger to... [read full story]