Wyoming - Day #3

After another early start, we met up with Bob from All Terrain Sports, who we had arranged to escort us to a mountain bike area called Happy Jack and to the climbing area Vedauwoo Rocks.  We loaded up the bikes and headed out. The trails at Happy Jack are great--very different from the technical riding at Curt Gowdy—with lots of flowing single track and only a few technical climbs (that kicked my butt). It was great hanging out with Bob.  He had great insight in to the local outdoor scene and knowledge of the local area.

Ryan, Bob's son, met us after the ride, and we headed over to Vedauwoo to set up a top rope and check out possible options for a ropes section. Vedauwoo is a granite formation that offers tons of climbing options.  We set up a top rope on a 50' face and Greg and I rappeled off while Mike snapped pictures.  After, Bob and Ryan showed their climbing skills as Bob led a 5.10 corner.  I struggled up the first one third on top rope before calling it quits. It brought back some great memories of avid climbing in my (apparently distant) youth--when I was a lot stronger and climbing conditioned.

We bid Bob and Ryan farewell, and we all scattered. Mike met back up with Dominic and headed back to Cheyenne to meet with sponsors and some other state officials.  Greg and I headed back north to tie in some sections of the course around Medicine Bow and work our way toward Lander for a meeting with NOLS the following day.

The possible route to a put-in on Seminoe Reservoir was beautiful, rugged, and desolate. Challenging terrain, for sure.

After stopping by Arcola Reservoir and taking a jaunt up Independence Rock we headed west to Lander.  With limited food choices along the way, we ended up eating pizza in a very local bar in Jeffrey City.

We arrived in Lander and checked into the Nobel Hotel, which is the lodging provided by NOLS for their students before they head out on wilderness courses.  The setup reminded up my childhood where I grew up in an Outdoor Education Center in Wales, hosting students for weekly stints in the Welsh countryside to do outdoor pursuits.  This may sound gross, but it was the smell that brought back those fond memories. After cleaning up we hit the sack to get some rest, ready for another new and exciting day in Wyoming.