Magic Bus

No, I wasn't on drugs. Yes, I took a ride on the magic bus. The bus is an old school bus converted to a magic bus with the removal of the seats and lined with old couches and speakers. We rocked out to 80s classic as we drove up to Antelope Island for a ward hike. Oh and yes the party was in the back of the bus.

My bus buddies rocking out to the 80s.

Back of the bus peeps.

The hike was beautiful. We started about an hour before the sunset to watch the sunset from the top of the mountain. Of course when my friend Dan and I saw rocks off in the distance we had to climb them. And jump them. And injure ourselves (this was just Dan).
The sunset was beautiful. Antelope Island is the best. I think this trip should be a yearly tradition, except any injuries.

Party on Antelope Island

Rocks must be climbed

And jumped

I have always wanted to do this

New Adventures

I must be reading too many mountaineering books because I am craving a new adventure. I have to admit sometimes I get ideas that I run with for only a few weeks, but this is not one of those ideas. Putting my money where my mouth is I have started to acquire the gear and sign up for classes to start my new adventures, alpine mountaineering & ice climbing.
Thanks to my super awesome roommate, I have a shinny new pair of Black Diamond Sabretooth crampons. I am so excited to try them out. They look awesome and scary at the same time (sounds like awesomely scary to me).

As of yesterday I will be taking an ice climbing class from the U of U. The class is a basic skills class with a weekend field trip to Ouray, CO in February.
I am also super lucky to have cool friends that are willing to help teach me. My buddy Levi has a few summer trips planned that I hope to jump on and with some weekend adventures I will learn important mountaineering skills. He has already helped me with my orienteering skills (which proved very useful in the corn mazes).
I know that there is a lot to learn and I will have to prepare my body and mind for the demands of this type of adventure, but I also know that the rewards will be worth the pain and cold. I love the mountains and have a healthy respect for them. I am excited and nervous for this new challenge. Life is an adventure.
So if you ever want to go hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, climbing, winter camping or anything else that will help me prepare you know my number (at least you should if you are reading this because really who wants to read some crazy red head ramble on about her adventures unless we were friends.)