DUDE, REIN-O!

Well I have done it. I voted. It was all over when I breathed a sigh of relief after dropping the lid on the U. S. Mail box in front of Aspen Mountain. These past weeks have been the most mind-boggling times that I’ve ever experienced. I was truly one of the “undecided” that the candidates have been fighting so hard for my vote. I waited until the final minute to make my vote. I have consulted many friends, family members, and all sorts of workers on the jobsite with many different opinions. Each time I would think I had my mind made up, I’d start to look at things in a different way, and spinning my brain and getting more confused and worried each time.

But now I am done worrying. It is all out of my hands now. Whoever becomes our next President will have to live up to the promises that he has made all of us.

I am leaving for Elk Camp this morning. In a few hours, I will be completely cut off from the outside world. No cell phone, no television, no radio. To appreciate this country to its fullest, one must not just be in the woods, but in a United States National Forest, one of the most free and public lands available to citizens, where we live by the law of the land. Although I am tempted to bring the Sirius radio in the truck, I’d rather not hear any information for the rest of the election. There may be riots and outrage and mayhem, but I won’t know until November 5th when I emerge from the wilderness. When I emerge on November 5, the election will be over, and I will reassimilate back to society, to start the new chapter in American History with everyone else.

Until then…good luck and try not to go too crazy if your candidate loses.

-Adam

Sunday morning started out like a simple, lazy autumn day.  Ironically, both the Bears and the Broncos had a bye week, Vanessa and I got up relatively early and took a walk down the street to Cafe Europa.  We ordered coffee and some breakfast, and I went back out to the street to get a copy of the Sunday edition of the Rocky Mountain news.

For the next hour or so we sat and read, comparing articles and discussing the events.  First there was a lot of print about the many amendments and referendums on the Colorado state ballot.  The sources had done a good job explaining what each of them meant, and how they would affect things.  We also browsed through the ski industry forecast, discovering new things we did not know (like that Snowmass and Beaver Creek are the only two ski areas in Colorado with over 4,000 feet of vertical gain).

It was a relaxing morning, and we had just about finished up when Vanessa found a small bulliten posted near the bottom corner of an inside page.  “Barack Obama is holding a rally today at 11:30 in Civic Center Park.”

“Huh?”  I asked after she read it aloud.  “He’s here in Denver?”

“I guess so,” she said.  I don’t know why it is hidden here in this tiny section of the paper.

We turned to a cafe patron with a computer and asked him for the time.

“11:30,” he said, then followed up with, “what time is Obama speaking?”

“Right now!”

Quickly, Vanessa and I made the decision to hop on our bikes and head down to Civic Center Park, only a few miles from where we were.

When we emerged from the riverfront bike path and onto the streets, I heard loud sirens and saw an ambulance.  My heart skipped a beat for a second.  “Oh no…someone shot him!” I thought, but then calmed myself back down, realizing I was jumping to a conclusion.

I always enjoy the “bike-friendliness” of Denver, and today was no different.  Together we rode under the sunny sky past the Art Museum and Denver Public Library, and turned onto Broadway.  The police had completely blockaded every street within blocks of the park, so it was great to ride a bike right down the middle of a four-lane street with no cars!

When we approached the park, I saw a large crowd ammassed.  The city had set up a row of portable toilets.  Suddenly this didn’t seem like such an “impromptu rally’.  We dismounted our bikes and mingled through the lightley sparsed crowd in a tree filled area that forms the “center” of the park.  (This is the area directly across from the Capitol Building, which is usually occupied by vagabonds and transient people.  It is a known area to buy some cheap weed if your desperate and feeling risky!)

Across Lincoln Street, to the east, I saw that the crowd had spread its way all the way up the steps of the State Capitol.  Everyone was looking to the east, toward the City & County of Denver Building.  My view was obstructed by the trees.

“There’s a lot of people here,”  I said to Vanessa.  “I bet there’s at least 10,000.”  (Later I heard that there were 100,000 people there.  I had no frame of reference while secluded under the trees!)

Eventually, Obama took the stage (about 1/2 hour late).  He was greeted by a patriotic soundtrack and loud cheering.  We couldn’t see him.  I snaked through the crowd, trying to get a view, but it was useless because I didn’t even know which direction to look.  On top of the C & C building, I saw a team of Police snipers on the roof, monitoring the scene for any sign of disorder.  I got a kick out of that.

Finally, after failing to get a visual on the candidate, we retreated to a set of loudspeakers where we could hear his speech.  It was a typical speech where he promised to cut taxes for 95% of Americans.  He asked those of us who made less than $250,000 a year to raise our hands.  Everyone in the crowd raised their hands.  The demographic makeup of the crowd was a great representation of Denver.  Black, White, Hispanic, Asian…everyone middle class.  Everyone was so excited, happy, and optimistic.  I have never seen so many smiling faces, faces that yearn and hope for a change.

When Obama said “95% of Americans make less than $250,000, and that includes 99.9% of plumbers!” the whole crowd erupted in laughter.  I thought back to two pipefitters on my jobsite in Aspen. At first glance, one might categorize them as some overall-wearing western slope rural white boy hillbillies. You would never think that they would be in support of Barack Obama. My, how looks can be deceiving. These two have been the strongest proponents of Obama since the day they stepped foot on the job. They’ll even pass out a “Building Trades for Obama” sticker to put on your hard hat if you want one. While I am not one to “choose sides” in the workplace, I still enjoy talking politics with them and many other workers throughout the day.

My friend had said to me later, “I was watching McCain on TV talking about how he was going to help Joe the Plumber, and I said, Hey! I’m Joe the damn plumber…er, pipefitter!”

I finally understood Obama’s appeal this day.  I understand why so many hard working people have so much hope in him: because they are sick and tired of the way they have been treated by the ‘elite’.  The working class has seen nothing but rising debt and inflation for the last thirty years, a result of “Reaganomics” that has not worked.  Our nation has erupted into a class war, one where the poor masses are overpowered by the rich few.  Now Obama is proposing drastic liberal economics and wealth distribution.  Who can say that it will work or not?  But in this poor mass are faces of all colors and creeds, coming together in one huge rally to send a message that they are willing to take the chance on him.

I also understood the importance of his late-campaign rally.  The race has got to be much closer than the polls show.  I knew that Colorado is a swing state, but always assumed that the C & C of Denver would be a ‘lock’ for the Democrats.  Apparently I was wrong, because Obama said he has not assumed victory in the liberal city.  He made the case for everyone to campaign for the next 9 more days, to win Denver and win Colorado.

After his speech, the crowd quickly dispersed.  Everyone was all smiles.  I felt blessed to have witnessed such an event, for such short time.  Seeing the happiness on the faces of so many regular “Joes and Janes” made myself happy.  I can only imagine that if he wins, regardless of the policies he wins on, the whole world will breath a sigh of relief and rejoice, and the overall ‘mood’ of planet Earth will take on a major boost of endorphins.

Authors note:  before I begin this post, I would like to call your attention to two valuable websites that I have used to analyze candidates and their positions, to assist myself in making the correct decisions on my ballot.  They are www.votesmart.org and www.ontheissues.org.

For those of you, like myself, who have become increasingly frustated by both of the major presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, I’m here to tell you that you have other options.  There are at least 3 options for president on every state ballot (including a record-setting 16 on the colorado ballot).

The first obvious choice for a major third party in this election is the Libertarian Party. However, after doing some research on their platform and their candidate, I find that my disagreements with them outweight my agreements, especially with their candidate, Bob Barr. (he clashes with his own party by supporting increased defense funding and is hard on drug crimes, as two examples).  I should add, however, that I support the election of a Libertarian to any State position, because the selling point of their platform is the decentralization of the federal government and increased power to the states (one philosophy that I take pride in for living in Colorado).

The second most prominent choice for a third party is the United States Green Party.  Many people would likely recognize this party as the party of two-time candidate Ralph Nader.  However, this year they have nominated former Democrat Cynthia McKinney as their candidate (coincidentally, Nader is still running as an independent.)

To some, the Green Party platform may seem very similar to the Democratic Party, especially on issues such as abortion, civil rights, gun control, health care, and business regulation.  However, one sharp difference is that, much like the Libertarian party, the Greens favor decentralization of the government from the federal toward the local levels.  It has become very clear to me after watching the presidential debates, is that both the Republicans and the Democrats favor a large and authoritarian federal government. This is something I personally cannot tolerate.

Some of her positions that I agree with are as follows:

• Reform the electoral system.  I think that the electoral college system is not fair nor effective  (for example, should I think that my vote for anyone other than Obama will make a difference in the City and County of Denver, where I am registered?).  It may have made sense in ‘the dark ages’, but now we have all the methods available to conduct an nationwide popular vote for president (the ‘American Idol’ voting system is proof of that).
• End the war in Iraq now.  McKinney’s specific point for her leaving the Democratic party was their support for the war.
• Abolish the death penalty.  This is another testament to an authoritarian government in which citizens are kept in line by fear.
• Repeal the patriot act.  (see ‘death penalty’ above)
• Legalize marijuana and end the war on drugs.  If you don’t know where I stand on this issue, you haven’t spent much time with me in the mountains.
• Create a path for immigrants to earn citizenship.  Furthermore, unless we as a society adjust our self-centered vision of our continent and understand that “America” consists of over two dozen counties, the majority of them being Hispanic, then the caucasian minority on this continent is doomed to extinction.

Frankly, the only major issue that I disagree with her is on gun control.  She holds a typical liberal stance against guns.  However, I find that issue irrelevant so long as the laws concerning guns in Colorado are always maintained by the State Government, where they belong.

On a personal level, there are a number of things that make McKinney unique and interesting.  One is that she was the first black woman to be elected to the Georgia State House.  An achievement like that in the “Deep South” is nothing but extraordinary.

During her terms in the U. S. House, she has been on the forefront of uncovering the truth behind all the secrets kept in the Bush Administration.   She was among the first to question the legitimacy of the 9/11 Report.  She has also pushed for the release of the full report behind the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Most recently, she has criticized the federal government’s response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

As evidence to her courage and bravery when confronting those in power, her website has a great video of her questioning of Donald Rumsfield and the rest of the DOD executive staff.

All things considered, Cynthia McKinney is a great American Patriot.  However, there is one more  achievement that is truly deserving of praise.  In December of 2006, she proposed a bill to impeach President George W. Bush.  Her charge is that the Bush Administration falsified the information to justify the invasion of Iraq, a very serious charge, indeed!  The impeachment may have been successful, considering the change in congressional majority to the Democrats after the 2006 election.  However, the Democratic leadership dismissed the possibility immediately, causing her to finally choose to leave the party.  We can only imagine how our world would be different, had her bill been successful.

So, when you go to the polls, if you truly think that ‘your vote counts’, by all means you should probably vote for Obama or McCain, because it is obvious that one of them will win this election.  However, if you are disgruntled and dissatisfied with the current electoral system, I urge you to vote for a third party.  It may not make a difference today, but only by increasing third-party votes in each and every election, will our children have a realistic option other than a Democrat or a Republican in the future.

This post is a test of a live feed into Facebook.

As I have told many, I have not just been spending the low-key fall months in Colorado by watching football and waxing my snowboards.  Instead have been been preparing for a week long primal hunt in the mountains, known to many as “Elk Camp”.  I’ve spent hours reading as much information as I can about the ecology of the Wapiti, and twice as much about the topography of the West Elk Mountains, near Gunnison, CO.

In addition to the literary education, I’ve also been working on the “hunting master checklist” as produced by our venerable party leader.  I’ve gathered up most of my equipment from my other gear ensembles:  camping and backpacking, climbing, snowboarding, and mountaineering.  Last Saturday, I felt ready for a “trial run”, and accompanied my friend Scott on a morning hunt for a doe in the steep terrain up Avalanche Creek, south of Carbondale.

We had planned to get out as early as possible and climb to a vantage point to set up and glass before dawn.  I spent the previous night packing, and tried to turn in early. Much like the restless nights before many spring mountaineering missions I’ve done, I was too anxious to get much sleep.  I awoke at 3:30 AM and shortly after, Scott had arrived and we were on the road.

It was the middle of the night, but the full moon lit up the entire sky.   We did not drive far, for the convienence of living in Carbondale is that you are less than 20 minutes away from a dirt road and trail head in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.  We parked the truck at a quarter to five and got the packs ready.

“Check your GPS,” Scott said, “What time is sunrise?”

I turned on my new Garmin E-Trex and laughed.  “7:20″.  We had at least two hours to hike about a quarter mile to the first vantage point.  We started up the dirt road, but did not follow it far, before turning left, into the scrub oak and sage brush, and bushwacking straight up the south flank of Mt. Sopris.

For this trial run, I had my 65 liter backpacker’s pack from REI.  I had used it many times before to pack trad climbing nuts and cams, and rope, as well as full camp gear into Rocky Mountain National Park to attempt the big alpine climbs like the Petit Grepon and the Sharkstooth.  I had weighed that pack to almost 70 lbs. on one of those past trips.  On today’s adventure, I guessed that same packed weighed no more than 20 lbs.  However, the purpose of such a large pack when Elk hunting is the intent that you will be packing out much, much heavier than you packed in. (try at least 100 lbs. heavier)

Inside my pack (or person), I had survival essentials:  three forms of flame (matches, butane lighter, flint & steel), 100 ft. of cord, two emergency blankets, first aid kit, map, compass, head lamp, GPS, extra batteries, multi-tool, folding knife.  I also had toilet paper and cat-hole shovel (which came in handy very early in the morning!).  In addition to my basic clothing, I was wearing insulated coveralls, and insulated carhart vest, a fleece “blaze” orange vest, Mountain Hardware softshell, hat and gloves.  Lastly was a large buck knife exclusively reserved for skinning a deer (should my partner have been so lucky to shoot one).  I also had a blatter of water, and my camera and binoculars easily accessible while wearing the pack.  For sustenance, I had some trail mix, two Clif bars, and a few packets of green tea, along with my Jet Boil.  (I did not carry my rifle, for I did not have a hunting tag for this season and didn’t want to have to do any explaining should we run into a kindly DOW Officer)

Within 1/2 hour, we had climbed up about 800 vertical feet to a very large “bench” on the slope.  This was to be our first glassing (or spotting) area.    Scott set up the tripod and affixed his new spotting scope, while i took out the binoculars.  I checked the time.  We still hade over an hour before sunrise, but i took a peek through the binoculars anyways.  The moon cast little shadow, and after a few seconds of scanning, realized the attempt was futile, so I took a seat in the cold darkness and waited.

In Colorado, it is coldest just before dawn.  While we had both worked up our body heat while making the strenuous hike in multiple layers, sitting still for more than ten minutes had made me feel colder than ever.   This is when the Jet Boil proved to be worth the extra weight in the pack.  I fired it up, and within a few minutes, I was sipping hot tea, feeling much more comfortable and warm, as we sat in silence, scanning for any movement.  (although we were not totally bored, as we pointed the spotting scope to the full moon and each took a turn checking out the topography of the celestial body, only to be partially blinded for a few moments after.

It was a strange silence, other than the rushingwater of the creek, far below.  However, just before dawn, the birds started to wake up.  One by one, they would announce their presence, chirping and cawing, as if to call the sun up.

When light finally started to creep in, I was getting anxious to see a deer, or any large wildlife.

“They should have been moving around for food much earlier than this,”  Scott said, sounding discouraged.

We did not see any deer that morning, but it was not long before we saw other humans.

Actually, in the early morning light, you can pick out “blaze orange” without even looking for it.  However, by the time these guys rolled up in their trucks, we were high above them, perched and ready for the hunters to pressure the deer up the hill, and right for us.

The first guy parked his truck and walked back down the road a bit (away from us).  Then he crossed the small Bulldog Creek and sat down under a large evergreen tree next to the water.  He was less than 50 yards from his truck.

“What’s this guy doing?”  Scott laughed.  I had no idea.  Did he know something we did not know?  Was a whole train of mule deer about to cross the road right in front of him, allowing him to pick off an easy kill and be home in time for Church?

Not long after, the hunter’s “secret spot” was spoiled by a white half ton pickup truck lumbering its way up the road.  I had to laugh!  Another hunter popped out and started stalking the tall sage brush near the road.  Neither person made an attempt to climb the steep hill that we had climbed earlier.

After glassing for a while in light, we saw no signs of deer.  So we packed up and headed farther up hill, tracking as we went along.  The most obvious sign to look for is feces.  Although we found a few traces, nothing appeared to be very fresh.  Shockingly, we encountered a few very large piles of dung, which could only be attributed to a local black bear.  “This is definitely his territory,”  Scott said.

From our second vantage point, we took the optics out again.  This time, I could look far to the southeast and see the snowcapped mountains of the 13ers and 14ers in the core of the Elk Range.  Down below, the two hunters were now standing in the middle of the road and talking to each other!  I did not want to be so preoccupied with the comedy scene to miss any movement in the brush, so I strained my eyes through binoculars for any sign of a deer.

Sadly, we returned to the vehicle not having seen any deer.  It was an incredibly frustrating experience.  I did leave the day feeling very confident in my equipment setup.  Unlike the casual day hunt for deer, an elk hunt has been told to be a truly epic experience, and a much more committing adventure.  I figure we will be hiking at least 5 miles and 3,000 vertical feet a day, to look for elk in the deepest woods and the highest peaks.    Returning to camp empty handed one night just means we’ll be hiking a little bit farther and higher the next morning.

(for more about big game hunting, I recommend Jay Houston’s website, “Elk Camp“)

Because of the low morning light, I don’t have many photos.  However, quickly after the morning adventure, I drove down to Denver.   Here are a few photos of the drive.

About every three weeks, I make an early Monday morning drive from Denver to Aspen.  I’ve been doing it since last winter, racing across Interstate 70 in cold and icy blackness, to arrive in the Roaring Fork Valley just at sunrise, and joining with the regular commuters for the battles on Highway 82.

In the summertime, a second option is available in Independence Pass.  I’ve driven this route at least a half dozen times, and I never cease to enjoy the solitude and natural scenery for the two hours away from the interstate.

Independence is a serious pass, with tight switchbacks and some very narrow sections where a descending truck must stop in place to let an ascending vehicle through.  But it is all paved and easily navigable in the summertime.

In early October, I took a risk heading up for the pass.  I felt that it may be my ‘last chance’ before CDOT would close the pass for winter.  I knew that a storm had hit the mountains on Saturday, but I hadn’t seen the conditions of the pass in any news report.  I based my final decision when I saw the sign at the Copper Mountain exit of I-70 that read “Independence Pass:  OPEN”.

For most of the drive up the pass, the road was all clear.  However, during the last few miles, above treeline, the conditions turned to blown over snow, with ice beneath.  I pulled over and locked the hubs on my truck, then transferred over to 4 wheel drive and continued my climb.

At the top of the pass, the entire road was a sheet of ice.  I pulled into the parking lot and saw a group of people struggling to load motorcycles onto a truck.  “What were they thinking?”  I thought, for they were crazy to be up here on bikes in this condition.  But perhaps they, like me, were not expecting the icy conditions.

“Do you need some help?”  I asked.  They responded affirmative.  I put on my hat and gloves, and carefully stepped over across the ice in my hiking boots (how I wished I had my Sorel rubber boots!)

After helping them out, I got back in the truck and sat for a while, contemplating the danger of an icy descent down to Aspen.  I watched a large CDOT plow truck scrape at the top layer of snow.  However, he was not dropping Magnesium Chloride (or “Mag” as Colorado drivers term it) to melt out the ice and allow tires to grip the pavement.  Finally, I figured that my trusted truck could handle a very slow and cautious descent.

As I crested over the pass, and could see the road below me, I was struck with a scene of chaos.  There was a line of vehicles, all struggling and spinning out as they tried to climb the steep eastbound slope towards me.  The sheet of ice prevented any traction for 2WD cars with summer tires, and many motorists were just stuck on the side of the road, unable to climb any more but too scared to turn around and go down.

First I encounted two irishmen in an old F150.  One guy was driving, and spinning one rear wheel uncontrollably, while the other had tried to push.

I pulled up in front of them and explained their futility.  For even if they could gain some momentum by pushing, there would be no hope of the tire ever gripping the road and making it to the top.  I offered to tow them up.

“Oh, God Bless ye!”  they said.

I wasn’t entirely confident it was going to happen, but I just had to try.  I brought my truck directly in front of them, almost until both our front bumpers touched.  Then I pulled out a 6 foot tow chain that I have (that saw a lot of use last winter!) and hooked it up between us.  Getting back in the truck, I shifted into reverse, and eased off the clutch, to take up the slack in the chain.

I had expected a bit of resistance, and was suprised to feel very little.  My truck had no problem pulling a half-ton pickup up the mountain, and my brand new BFG All Terrain tires never once slipped on the ice.  Slowly, I drove backwards, while looking out my rear window to stay in the lane, and towed the guys to the top.

At the top, the man came out and embraced me in a big hug.  Both of them thanked me many times.  One pulled out his wallet.  I said it was not necessary, but he shook his head, and said “This is for da beers.”  ( I wasn’t sure if he intended for me to buy some beer, or find a bookie and bet the money on “Da Bears”!)

For the second time, I left the summit and attempted a descent into Aspen.  This time, a front-wheel drive sedan was stalled perpendicular across the road.  There was a long line of vehicles trying to get around him, and many people out trying to push the car off to the side and out of harms way.  Again I parked my truck and walked down and encountered a middle age woman.

“Would you like me to tow you up?” I asked her.

“Oh!  Do you have a tow truck?”

“No, just my F-250, but it can do it.”  This time, I was extremely confident in the abilities of my vehicle.

“Please!  My husband will be so grateful.  I will go tell him.”

Again, I drove down and hooked up both front ends, and towed the small sedan all the way up the pass in reverse.  This couple (tourists in a rental car, i later found out) were so excited that they even took a photo of me and my truck, and called me their “Guardian Angel.”  Again, I was offered money, and when I refused, I was told “Sometimes miracles can happen.  This is not like the parting of a sea.  It is a miracle that you just happened to be here when we needed help.  Consider this a donation to your church.”

By this time, the CDOT truck had dropped the Mag and started to thaw the ice.  The cars were now making it up the pass without help.  I made it down a few hundred feet and found dry pavement again.

Once again, I am so proud of the power of my truck and new tires.   I hope that it comes in handy many times this upcoming winter.   To me it was second nature.   I have the means to help people out in trouble, so I do so, without question.  Although I arrived a few hours late for work, it was well worth it, to see the smiles on those grateful faces.Some people may have called me stupid or gullible, but I got much more reward out of the good feeling up on the pass than I’ve ever felt at a job, current or past.

Pyramid Peak 01, originally uploaded by Adam Reiner.

I took this shot coming into work this morning. This is Pyramid Peak, the only 14er visible from Highway 82 near Aspen. It is only October 7, but an early storm has dusted the entire mountain with snow.