2005 News
12.27.2005 Christmas 2005!
12.07.2005
I know I haven't had any updates in awhile - things have been pretty hectic lately. I did some
skiing during Thanksgiving which was nice - no broken bones so far this year. I am off to Chicago
for work next week. Tonight the low in Denver is due to be -10F. It's really cold! I'm due for some
altitude so I'm making plans to get out and attempt some winter peaks soon. Isn't Christmas coming
soon? Sheesh....
10.21.2005 New Website and other updates
I have decided to redesign the site. I started to redesign it but I changed my mind about how
I'd like to do it so it is work in progress. Check back for more - I should have something cool
and new soon. Just keeping up with the latest news is about all I can do these days.
I have had a lot of requests for updates so I am going to start keeping a blog here at the site
so there is a little more info about what we are up to. Abby and I have been extremely busy.
Second grade is treating Abby well. She is very excited about skiing this year. She went to
Winter Park last year with her school and had a blast. It's nice to see her get excited about a
sport because we've tried them all and nothing has stuck. I have been really busy with work
and I have tried as often as possible to
indulge in my new love of mountaineering. I have surpassed the 51,000ft vertical ascent milestone
for the year which is a new high for me. It still pales in comparison to most. I am trying to climb
all of Colorado's 14,000ft peaks. I am currently close to 1/2 way at 26 complete. I cant believe
it's been a year since my last "end of summer" update but it has. Abby and I had a great summer.
Mom and dad came out to visit which was a really great time. I took them to the top of Mt Evans
(over 14,000ft) where the oxygen is about 60% of what it is in AL. They had a great time. Of
course dad cleaned up again at the casinos! I have completed 13 14,000ft peaks this year as
well as a few other notable hikes/climbs. It has been a good year for me so far. More to follow...
09.17.2005 Climbed K2 and Capitol Peak - Capitol Peak is thought to be the hardest
14,000ft peak in CO by it's easiest route. It has a notorious "knife edge" that must be traversed.
Here's a picture of me crossing the knife edge after summiting Capitol (in the background).
09.12.2005 Saw Dave Matthews at Red Rocks again. This concert was
put on to raise money for hurricane Katrina relief.
09.11.2005 Dave Matthews Band at Red Rocks
09.04.2005 Climbed the Iron Nipple - 13,500ft
08.29.2005 Mom and Dad in Colorado!
08.20.2005 Full Moon hike - Mt Lincoln/Mt Bross
08.21.2005 Land Rover Trip - Leadville Mine Tour - sponsored by Denver South
08.04.2005 Abby's 7th Birthday
07.30.2005 Climbed Missouri Mountain 14,067ft - the 36th highest peak in Colorado
Week of July 18th 2005
I had originally intended to travel to Chicago basin this week - one of the most remote places in CO
to attempt 3 peaks there I wanted to climb but I have been recently plagued by a weird knee problem
and decided for something easier for vacation. I have already completed 8 14,000+ft peaks this year
and was getting a little burned out. So Daedra and I decided on a road trip to Yellowstone. Abby went
to day camp and is now getting ready for second grade.
Also I am still working on getting Abby's pictures back online I have just been extremely busy.
I have another huge web project I am trying to launch right now that I think everyone will like.
There are just not enough hours in the day!
07.09.2005 Daedra and I climbed 2 14ers - Challenger Point 14,081ft
and Kit Carson Peak 14,165ft
07.04.2005 Abby and I went camping at Mueller State Park
06.24.2005 Hiked Mt Harvard - 14,420ft - The 3rd highest peak in CO.
The marmots at the summit were hungry:
06.17.2005 Hiked LaPlata Peak - 14,336ft - The 5th highest peak in CO.
Me on the summit of LaPlata:
06.06.2005 Had a 1st grade graduation party for Abby. Pictures in her section soon.
06.11.2005 Abby and I went hiking at Eldorado State Park
06.04.2005 Hiked Mt Antero - 14,269ft - this was my 18th 14er.
06.02.2005 Site back up
I finally got the site back up and running. My apologies to those of you who didn't know it was going down.
I am also setting up a new email server to accept incoming email for the mattpierce.net domain. While I have
been away I have been quite busy. I will add some info later on exactly what I have been up to. Also - an
important note - I am working on a new (secured) site for Abby's photos and info. I expect to have this up
VERY soon so you can all catch up on what she's been doing.
05.27.2005 Hiked 2 peaks - Mt Belford (14,197ft) and Mt Oxford (14,153ft)
03.18.2005 Saw comedian Carrot Top
03.06.2005 Went 4-wheeling with Nic
03.05.2005 Camped at Kite Lake and hiked Mt Bross. This was my first solo winter 14er summit
Sunrise at 12,000 ft
03.01.2005 Went to my first Nuggets game - went with Jeff
02.2005 Zoo
02.06.2005 Went to Moab, UT with Daedra. We did some 4-wheeling and visited Arches National Park.
Check the trips and Land Rover menus to the left for more pictures.
Daedra and Matt at Delicate Arch Matt sitting atop Sand Dune Arch
On Poison Spider Mesa 4x4 trail near Moab Matt playing in Arches
01.22.2005 Went camping and hiking at Kite lake. This photo is Mt Democrat (which I've climbed twice)
New Years - we went snowshoeing