Exit 38 - 05/31/09

After a mellow morning, it was off for another half day of climbing at Exit 38. Katie and I again headed to the Far Side, but this time up to Interstate Park. More great times were had except when I watched my new camera tumble down a gully. That was not fun and it took me a while to get my head on straight. No pictures were taken.

Led:
Impartial Eclipse 5.8
Tunnel Of Love 5.8
Eating Rocks 5.6
Insomniac 5.8

Top Roped:
Space Face 5.10d
Lip Service 5.10c

South Lake WA & Mercer Island Loop - 05/30/09

I went on my first extended bike ride since hyperextending my knee back in April. It felt great to ride 50 miles and I had no discomfort at all. The only problem was keeping up with Yaniv, Matt, and Emily. Margaritas and a bbq cured all after the ride. No pictures were taken.

Exit 38 - 05/27/09

Katie and I decided to return to Gritscone after work to finish all of the routes there. Another great day in the shade free from the crowds. No pictures were taken.

Led:
Pete's Possum Palace 5.7
So Funny I Forgot To Rope Up 5.7

Top Roped:
Chica Rapida 5.10a
Booty Squirrel 5.10c
A Girl's Best Friend 5.11a

Exit 38 - 05/25/09

Climbed at Exit 38 for the first time this year. Deception Crags was way to crowded, so Katie and I headed to the Far Side. Gritscone was empty and good enough for us. It was nice to be in the shade and away from the crowds. No pictures were taken.

Led:
Needle Magnet 5.7
Magnetic Anomaly 5.9
Lucky Arms 5.6
Snaffle Baffler 5.7
99 Grit 5.9

Lookout Mountain Bivy - 05/22-24/09

Jon, Katie, and I wanted to get away for the 3 day weekend and Lookout Mountain in the North Cascades was the perfect choice. LO Mountain had it all: A mellow hike to test my knee, excellent mountain stoke, dog friendly, and plenty of time to sit, spin, nap, reflect and take lots of photographs. 3 days and 2 nights in a lookout was just what the doctor ordered. Pictures can be found at http://alpinenapping.com/main.php/v/mountains/2009/lookoutmountain-05_22_09/

Leavenworth - 05/17/09

After hiking in Black Canyon I drove to Leavenworth. Katie met me at 8am and we headed down the Icicle. We warmed up at X-Y Cracks. After that, we hiked up to 8-Mile Buttress to do the Tree Route. After a hour relaxing on top and some scrambling back to the road, we went over to Barney's Rubble for one more climb. Pictures can be found at http://alpinenapping.com/main.php/v/mountains/2009/leavenworth-05_17_09/

Led:
Middle X-Y Crack 5.5
Left X-Y Crack 5.7
Tree Route 5.6 3p
Right Crack 5.6

Black Canyon / Umtanum Ridge Loop - 05/16/09

My knee was feeling much better and the wildflowers were still good, so back to Ellensburg I go to hike the Black Canyon Umtanum Ridge Loop. The balsamroot was in full bloom and was everywhere you looked. Getting there at 3pm, I had the entire hike to myself and had no rattler sightings. Pictures can be found at http://alpinenapping.com/main.php/v/mountains/2009/blackcanyon-05_16_09/

Conor Byrne Gallery Showing - 05/09/09

I had my Gallery Showing at Conor Byrne. Everything went really well and I will have my prints on display as well as for sale from May 9th - June 12th.

More information as well as all of my available images can be found on my website, http://joshuasternphotography.com/conorbyrne.php

Summer Search Spring Event - 05/06/09

I teamed up with Jessica to shoot Summer Search's 2009 Spring Event. It was a wonderful experience and I learned so much from the kids.

Umtanum Creek - 05/03/09

Jim, Katie, Kathleen, Amy, and I headed out on a wildflower hike. This would be my first hike since hurting my knee and was only able to stay by the creek. Therefore, I walked alone while the others gained Umtanum Ridge. It was a great time and definitely needed after weeks of being in the city. Pictures can be found at http://alpinenapping.com/main.php/v/mountains/2009/umtanumcreek-05_03_09/

Katie's Q Cafe Gallery Showing - 05/02/09

Katie had her gallery showing at the Q Cafe. It was a complete success and her pictures look amazing. Pictures can be found at http://alpinenapping.com/main.php/v/seattle/2009/katie-05_02_09/