A Busy Spring is Gonna Turn Into a Busy Summer

So, we are right in the middle of a busy spring.  Emily just got back from Missouri where she was working on wedding plans and a hiking guide, and JD just got back from Mexico where he conquered his first 17 thousand foot plus peak.  JD has an AMGA training and then a knee surgery in April along with a Challenge Course Practitioner Training in May.  Emily is sooo close to wrapping up her first year of teaching and cannot wait for the summer!  We are also expecting one new book contract soon from Falcon Guides for a Best Hikes Near Albuquerque book.

By the end of May we'll be heading to Springfield, MO to finish up a hiking guide there so we can turn right around and co-instruct an Expedition Backpacking class for San Juan College near Taos, NM.  Right after that class we'll head back to Missouri for our wedding (it only took 7.5 years!) and then we'll honeymoon in the Ozarks where we'll be wrapping up hiking guide NUMBER SIX.  While all of that is going on, we'll be spending weekends in and around Albuquerque working on guide number 7 and waiting to see if we get offered an 8th book which will be a rewrite of the Falcon Guides Leave No Trace pocket book.

Oh, did I mention we will probably be in Cody, WY in August?

One Out of Two Ain't Bad

Hello friends and family!  We arrived back in Mexico City on Saturday the 26th.  The afternoon was spent poolside at our hotel and our last dinner in Mexico was nothing short of spectacular!  Sunday morning we woke early, had a huge breakfast and hit the town.  Time was short, but we were able to visit both the historic district as well as a local marketplace.  We made it back stateside by 7:00PM MST on Sunday.  


I (JD) reached a new personal high at 17,159 feet above sea level on the top of Iztaccihuatl.  Unfortunately, I hurt my already injured knee on the way down Izta and didn't even get a chance to attempt Pico de Orizaba (18,490 feet).  Very frustrating considering I had absolutely no altitude issues at over 17,000 feet!  I shall return.

Pictures of the entire trip will be coming soon!

Thanks for all the support!

Summit Day Success!

All 10 climbers summitted Iztaccihuatl around 8 am this morning!  The team is headed back to Tlachichuca for the night.  Tomorrow (Thursday) we will head to Pico de Orizaba and set our next camp at about 13,943 ft.  We are hoping to summit on Friday morning!

Izta is a MASSIVE volcano topping out at 17,343 feet.

Greetings from Mexico-Numero Dos

The OLER High Altitude International Mountaineering course had a fantastic day on North America's 8th tallest peak, Volcan Iztaccihual or Izta.  Everyone is doing well and will be spending the night at camp #1 at 12,900 feet.  Check out Kling Mountain Guides blog for a more details!    

Greetings from Mexico

The OLER High Altitude International Mountaineering course has successfully made their way to Mexico!  Today they left Mexico City and are headed to Amecameca and La Joya.  They are planning to stay at the Altzomoni hut at 3,900 meters to acclimate.  Check back soon for updates! 

Mexico City and Jackson, MO!!! Here we come.

Spring Break is here!  JD is headed to Mexico to climb two volcanic peaks and Emily is headed to Missouri to work on a hiking guide.  JD will be sending sat phone updates to Emily and she will posting updates here and on Facebook.

Stay tuned!

Possibly, My (JD's) New Favorite National Park

I stopped in for a quick visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa, CO the other day.  I've been near it before, but have never stopped in.  I'm so glad I finally did!  The Dunes were amazing!  They reach 750 feet high in some places and cover almost 40 square miles (and can be seen from space).  To top it off, the Dunes have 14,000 ft peaks to the north and south (we have climbed Blanca and Ellingwood in the past).

A small portion of the Dunes. 

Blanca, Ellingwood, and Little Bear (all 14ers) sit near the Dunes.