Garden of the Gods Climbing

There has been some serious lacking of climbing in my life recently. And as I was laying in my bed thinking about this, I realized that I never posted photos from climbing in the Garden of the Gods.

I knew there was some good climbing in Colorado, and I didn't know how to contact any of the other bike mechanics I was going to be there with. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to find an awesome climber, named Patrick, in the Colorado Springs area on Mountain Project. I met up with Patrick twice while staying in the Springs, and both times we climbed in Garden of the Gods, which is really an obvious choice for any sort of geophile. If you haven't seen my previous post from the Garden of the Gods, get there. One night we met up with two other climbers, and spent the last hours of sunlight bouldering. The second time we went out for the day, on a crazy busy weekend. I've never told some many people how I got the rope up there. We climbed on a pair of 35 foot spires that I could belay from a sidewalk, it was an interesting experience to say the least. On the opposite of the spectrum, we hiked a mere 100 yards from the road and climbed an adventurous 3 pitch climb, and I felt like I was in the Cochise back country. The place continued to amaze me, and I'd go back in a heart beat, but I'd probably aim for a weekday.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

Garden of the Gods

I was recently sent up to Colorado Springs for work, and they couldn't have chosen a better time. Perfect 90 degree days lead to 70 degree nights. While there I was sure to take in all there was to do, including mountain biking, climbing, eating BBQ(veggie burgers of course), and the mandatory trip up to the top of Pike's Peak.

I can only imagine what someone laying their eyes onto the sandstone formations that make up the Garden of the Gods for the first time thought. These spectacular spires that jut out of the ground for several miles at the foot of the Front Range are awe inspiring to say the least. The fact that it's a free park for the public is amazing, however it is a little disrupting always being within earshot, if not sight, of a road. I made it a point to make several trips to the park while staying in the Springs, and didn't regret any of them.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

More from Tucson

Sorry the updates have been a little spread out lately. As I take on some more work, and get outdoors to shoot less, I haven't been able to produce as much for the blog. I did however just get a new scanner to scan some film, finally. I've been shooting a few rolls with an old c.1952 Ansco Ventura 66 Deluxe. As the name implies, it shoots beautiful square 6x6 frames on medium format film. Despite being over half a century old, completely manual, and not even top of the line of it's day, it takes amazing photos. In college I shot a series documenting the disappearing farms surrounding Philadelphia, exclusively with this camera. The final prints were 15x15" prints, blowing away the idea that you have to spend a lot of money to get clear and sharp 12o negatives. Oh yeah, the camera cost me about $20 on ebay, including shipping! Anywho, I've been shooting with it again, and plan to actually start shooting some climbing with it. In the mean time here is an addition to my on going shots from Tucson's interesting architecture.

Tucson, like most of the land making up this country between LA and NYC, using large crazy landmark signs for businesses. This is the sign for Vactor Ranch, a gated community at the bottom of the Catalina Mountains. If you've ever been to Sabino Canyon Natl Rec Area, than there is a very good chance you've driven past it. I know I have too many times. Everytime saying to myself "one day when the lights right, I'll get a shot of that." This time seemed as good a time as any.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography