Today is not Sunday.
Fact.
Today is Wednesday.
But how about we talk about what I did on Sunday with these 3 lovely people photographed below!
Eric drove us all out to Lily Lake, Colorado, which is near Estes Park. It was absolutely gorgeous. Everything is so vibrant green this year!
Our goal was to climb + climb we did.
Kelsey wanted to steal these baby ducks!
Fresh air tastes delicious. 
We headed up for about a 1 mile hike at an insanely steep incline. Major huffing + puffing on the way up. Helloooo altitude!
Chris + I were unaware this was a team event, and left our matching climbing attire at home. These 2 mean business.
Eric lead all of the climbs and set a top rope, so we were able to get our climb on as well.
Waiting for Kelsey to come down, so I could head up!
Chris found a great spot that he propped himself on to take photos.
The views from this climb, were unbelievable. Pinch me please! You had full views of the lake and the clear blue skies let you see out for miles.
The climb may look kind of intense but it was fairly easy. It was only my 2nd time sport climbing outside and absolutely loved it. Exercise that challenges you mentally + physically is so much fun! You really have to think about each + every move you make.
Don’t worry mom, it’s safe!!
What goes up, must come down. Hi Kelsey!!
New kicks, thanks to a bday present from my parents. They are the New Balance Minimus shoes and I LOVE them so far. They’re a minimalist shoe, very similar to the trail-style Vibram 5 Fingers but without the toes.
Flying down!
We got in three climbs each and enjoyed a relaxing day, with perfect weather.
I’m not sure what it is about climbing + bouldering, but I’m hooked.
Stare at this photo for awhile, and you may forget it’s Wednesday.
Or, start planning something fun for Sunday. Ideas?
Ashley
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BEAUTIFUL pictures!!!! i want to move to colorado
Thank you!!
hi. i just wanted to let you know that i recently discovered your blog, and i just did a post for my blog on your cocoa chili (and credited you, of course)! it was really good. thank you for all the ideas here
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for letting me know.
Wow talk about an ad for Colorado, that is ridiculously beautiful!!
That looks so cool! Question: How do you get the climbing cable all the way to the top?
I mentioned briefly in the post, but didn’t go into detail about it. It’s kind of hard to explain. Basically, Eric led the climb. It’s called “lead climbing.” At the top, he set the rope so we could “top rope.”
You have the most beautiful weekends.
Wow! you have suck exciting weekends. Great pics!
Oh my gosh, I love these pictures! I think this is solidifying my need to be in Colorado right now.
WOW – i am so jealous. that looks so beautiful and you are so brave to go rockclimbing in real life! I guess I would feel safe with a professional companion. I want to be you one day!
The rock wall used to be my favorite part of gym class in middle school, but the view of my gawking classmates doesn’t quite compare to your views! There are a couple of places to climb around here…I’m inspired to give it a shot!
Wow, this looks incredible! Such gorgeous scenery! I’ve never been rock climbing or bouldering (it kind of intimidates me to be honest!) but it’s something I’d like to try just to say I did it. Glad you had a great time!
You definitely should give it a shot!
The view is incredible, I bet it was dizzying looking at that while you were high in the air! Do you have to have a lot of experience climbing inside first before attempting something like this? Or is it not too difficult to pick up outdoor climbing if your pretty athletic to begin with?
That looks like so much fun! And that view…whoa!!!!
So beautiful! I’ve done a couple of climbing activities while abroad and you’re so right – there’s just something special about it. You’re so lucky that you live somewhere where you have access to the mountains whenever you want!
Oh my gosh it’s absolutely GORGEOUS out there! This is something I’ve always wanted to do – I need to get on it. Love the one of you scaling the cliff – incredible.
I’m so jealous! I would love to do rock climbing but there’s just not anywhere around to do it. The views in your pics are beautiful. I <3 nature!
This may sound stupid but how do you get the ropes/cables up the rock at first or are they already there?
Gorgeous pictures!!
I mentioned briefly, but didn’t go into detail in the post. Eric lead the climbs, which means that he climbed up using the bolts that were already set into the mountain. He threads the rope throw the bolts with carabiners. It’s kind of hard to explain, but each time he hooks in to the next highest carabiner, if he were to slip, he only falls to the last one, which is just a few feet down. Once at the top, he secures the rope so we can all top rope. Hope that makes a little more sense!
So beautiful.
this was such a nice time! so glad you guys went! and you can be team blue – but never team green. we are team green. oxo!
Woot! Team BLUE!
I’ve been eyeing the Minimus’s (right plural?). I have 100 miles left on my current shoes, but then I then I’d like to snag a pair. Let me know how they work out!
I am luurrrrrrrrrving them!!! I haven’t been running for about a year now…and wear my vibram 5 fingers 80% of the time. They sometimes are annoying though and I am getting really sick of talking to people about them at the gym, haha. My toes have been rubbing with my latest pair as well and they hurt a bit when you use them for hiking, which is why I decided to get the NB’s. They are super light weight and hug your mid foot really well, while giving your toes a TON of room. I hate the minimal toe space that regular shoes provide. My feet get claustrophobic, now that I am so used to the VFF’s! I jogged a very short distance while walking the dogs and it was easy to stay on the balls of my feet and not heal strike. I’ll keep you posted as I wear them more!
Beautiful!! We went hiking near Boulder this weekend, too – and was just in awe of the gorgeousness. (Is that a word?)
Yes…definitely a word!
Rock-climbing look like SO much fun! I’ve always wanted to go rock-climbing! Glad you had a great time, Ash! Lily Lake looks BEAUTIFUL!
Looks like a great day out! Just took a colleague on one of our great waterfall scramble routes, which leads to a one of our more gnarly alpine climbing mountains. He is hooked. It was fun introducing people to an activity that I love. Excited to see that you’ve gotten in to it too!
Waterfall route?? Fun!!!
I’m so jealous of your climbing area! It looks like so much fun! and May I just say WOW to your arms while you were on your way up??? Thanks Chris for the awesome pictures
Thanks Sylvia.
I love these photos and all the climbing and bouldering that you get to do! Your adventure posts always make me want to travel to Colorado!! Hopefully someday soon
You definitely should!
*Staring*…So gorgeous!
Wednesday, what?
I’m a little terrified of Bouldering, but you guys make it look “easy”!
You would be great!
That looks like so much fun! I’m totally impressed
Fun post, and great pics! Thanks for sharing.
I’m climbing in the other Rockies – in Alberta! My husband and I (with various friends and family) have had some awesome climbing days so far this summer…when the snow melts off the Rockies you gotta take advantage of it! I love climbing for the same reason – it’s a total body workout but doesn’t feel like you’re in the gym. You can beat the views and the perception of risk versus the actual risk adds a fun element to the activity – like the comment directed towards your mom, it’s totally safe! And a great relationship/trust builder. 
Don’t see many other blogging climbers in the “healthy living” category – fun to know you love to climb too! 
Happy weekend planning…
Wow, how cool!!! I would love to check out Alberta!! I get excited “meeting” other blog-climbers too. Thanks for saying hi!!
The view is so beautiful; I would love to guzzle in fresh air on a beautiful day
What an amazing day! I would love to try climbing.
What an awesome day. Reminded me I need to try and plan another climbing trip before my husband moves to China!
Oh my gosh!! Good luck to your husband!
Thanks! He’s very excited (I’ll be joining him but not for a year. We’re looking forward to finding places to climb there!
Aw. Beautiful. Looks like you had a wonderful time climbing- keep up with your passion!
Wow. I didn’t want this post to end! I love the scenery shots, just beautiful!!!!
Makes me want to go climbing somewhere now!
Aw, thanks Jen!
Beautiful! Those shoes are super cute too!
Ashley…..you make me soooooo nervous. But it does look amazing, beautiful and breathtaking! I am so proud of all the things that you do and your zest for life! Keep having FUN and be safe climbing!!Love you guys xoxoxo
Hehehe, sorry Aunt Sher!!! It’s really safe, promise!!
LOVE YOU!!! xo
That looks so fun and so awesome! Although yes, scary. I would love to try to do this one day.
you are such a bad ass! Just did my first 14er this past weekend. Gorgeous! I’m loving living here!
I am so jealous! I love climbing and really wish I had more time to dabble in it.
I’m not generally scared of heights, but I wonder if outdoor climbing would intimidate me, as compared to indoor climbing. Did you find that it was a little scary at first?
Maybe it’s just because I watched 127 hours recently haha
Beautiful!!! You are awesome at rock climbing, I am so jealous and amazed! I do not think I would ever be able to do that!! My fiance would love for me to, but I admit I am scared.
xo
~Lori
I have to say, I love that you “sign” each of your posts. It adds a simple, but great personal touch!
side note: NICE shoulder definition, lady! ow ow
hahaha thanks
That looks like so much fun! And I can only agree with Janetha: VERY nice shoulder definition
Are you still loving the Minimus’? Would you say they come up true to size? Shoe sizing is so hit and miss and there’s no store around here that sells them so I’d have to buy online. I really want a pair now(I’ve been considering VFF for months but am not too keen on how they look…); do you only wear them on the trails or also for around town, running errands and stuff? Thanks for your help
Haha, thanks girl.
I am LOVING the Minimus shoes. I wear a size 9 and did end up buying a size 9. They fit great! I can wear these much more comfortably on trails, in comparison to the VFF’s. All the little rocks hurt much more w/the VFF’s. I pretty much live in my VFF’s + Minimus shoes. I can’t stand wearing anything else! 
Ashley, thanks so much!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to reply- thank you for such helpful advice
I ordered a pair today!!! So excited!!
You’re so very welcome…anytime!! Hope you like them!