When the Spring 2003 semester ended I took a trip to Seneca Rocks, West Virginia for three days of rock climbing. Doug, our guide and instructor from Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides, took us on some routes to practice crack climbing. In the picture below I'm at the end of the second pitch of "Unfinished Business". This was our final exam in crack climbing for the day requiring some very nice hand and finger jams.

I took an early spring trip to South Dakota this year to do some rock climbing. My plan was to have two days of practice climbing in and around Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore and then spend a final day climbing the Devil's Tower in Wyoming. However, the weather did not cooperate and the second day of practice was cancelled due to snow. However, I did enjoy climbing near Sylvan Lake with a guide (Mike Keegan) of the Sylvan Rocks Climbing School & Guide Service and his friend Dylan.

This past spring I was fortunate enough to travel to Estes Park, Colorado for seven days of rock climbing in that area. An avid climber could spend an entire climbing career out there. There's that much to climb! If you plan on going and want some good guidance and instruction, contact the Colorado Mountain School. They offer all kinds of instruction from beginner through expert. In the picture above are (left to right) Curtis Wood, Bruce Dailey, Bob Chase (guide), and me.

In 1992 my alma mater, Davidson College, dedicated a new swimming and diving facility and invited all swimming team alumni to return for an alumni swim meet. I'll take any excuse I can get to swim in this facility, it is primo. In the photo below I'm in the near lane leading off the medley relay and already falling behind.