Four

Last April, Wesley and I traveled to Colombia.  The only unfortunate part of the entire trip was the weather.  We jam packed our bags to the weight limit, rounded up the appropriate climbing and backcountry gear, only to travel the entire month without opening both of our largest packs....the ones full of gear.
We had hoped to put up some new climbing routes in the Colombian Andes.  I never did see the snow capped peaks.  April weather was nice, just hazy and bit rainy/snowy in the highlands.  Photo to the right is a climbing crag near the mountains I hoped to see.  The lady at the hostel in Mesa de los Santos informed us that on clear days you can see the snow capped peaks from the cliffs.  We never had one of those, sadly.

Photo Copyright;  http://elcocuy.info/pages_nevado/cocuy_galeria_nevado9_JPG.htm

Those snow covered peaks we longed to see, are the Sierra Nevada de El Cocuy.  They are located within Colombia's eastern Cordillera.
Littered with 5000 meter granite peaks, this range is in a surreal and remote part of the country.  A ride on the local milk truck is the best and closest way to arrive at the trailhead.  As far as we understood, from talking with local guides and fellow climbers, there was still plenty of room for growth.  Ah, we will have to return.

Tayrona National Park

At any rate, we traveled throughout Colombia.  We found local cliffs to climb, beaches, scenery, history, and made ourselves a home base at a good friend of Wesley's.  Giovanni studied with Wes at New Mexico State years ago, and just recently moved back to Colombia.  His casa is near the town of Bucaramanga, what a beautiful place.




This past month, Giovanni and his wife Christine traveled back to Colorado from Colombia.  Christine just graduated from a Ph.D program at Colorado State University.  Wes and I were able visite them over a nice dinner here in Estes.  We chatted about the Cirque trip and mentioned to Giovanni that he should consider joining us, as he was looking for a great way to spend his 3 week vacation.
A few logistical emails and weeks later, Giovanni has decided to join us.  Yeah.  We have a FOURTH!!!!!
I look forward to his amazing spirit and attitude.  It will be nice to have him around camp, as well as a climbing partner in this amazing place~~~

Suesca climbing area

G's Casa Bonita!