Trial Run

On Saturday, our buddy Caleb took Lindsey and I to an area (nowhere near abilene) to try some cool boulder problems. Here are photos from the recon mission...

We'll be heading back to Abilene soon. I'm anxious to get back out to Brownwood and put some projects to rest.

Down Time

Well, finals are finally over (im sure thats some sort of literary technique), and I'm back home for the holidays. Last night lindsey and I went to the gym--Dallas Rocks--the first time either of us had climbed in the last two weeks. I'm hoping to spend a few days over the break checking out some of the bouldering areas near dallas, and maybe Oklahoma. Time will tell, however, as I'm back on the night shift at the distribution center.

Until then, here are some photos from our summer trip to Mt. Evans. Lindsey happily hiked the (hour and change) approach with me three days in a row, and did her fair share of sending.

Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving at Reimers

In true celebratory fashion, I spent two days of thanksgiving break climbing at Reimers. Brad invited me to stay the night at his house on Tuesday, and climb with he, his brother and his girlfriend. Brad was anxious to try Spidergrind (5.11), so we started there.



Brad linked through all the moves on top-rope and will likely send it on his next trip. The highlight of the climb, however, was Brad's cry to "Let me down! I'm bleeding!" The blood is pictured below.

We walked to the House of Pain area, my first time to head all the way over there, and its one of the most impressive areas of hard routes I've seen in Texas. Someday I'll try Irreverent Youth...someday.

After climbing a few 10's Die Hard, War on Rugs, and T-Roofic, we went back to Sex Cave to climb Liposuction (5.12) . I've wanted to try the route since first seeing it a few years ago, but hadn't tried it. Jason led the route, sans stickclip (which is pretty spooky), and I followed on top-rope.

On saturday, I met Bryan in Austin, and we went back out to Reimers. After warming up on Die Hard, we went back to Sex Cave to try Body Wax (5.12). I tried the route a year ago, and decked going for the dyno, so I put a crash-pad down (dont tell me sponsors) and climbed through the dyno relatively quickly. I pulled the rope and went for the redpoint, but fell over and over, pumping out on the last moves.

Hopefully I'll be able to head back down there soon.

A trip like old...and Bryan sending Burlfest

On Saturday, Bryan and I drove down to Brownwood just like old times. Byran and I met through climbing, and its always good to catch up while doing the thing we enjoy most. The temperature was perfect--cold, and Bryan was determined to finish off his long-term project Burlfest.

He worked the top out and locked down beta that would work for him, and then went for his first burn linking through all of the moves but falling off the last jug.

We both knew the send was immenent, and sure enough he sent on his second try. Bryan has worked Burlfest since last semester, and when the moves finally came together for him, it was one of the best Brownwood moments I've been a part of. We celebrated with honey roasted peanuts. Well done Bryan.

After the send we explored some boulders that we hadn't paid much attention to before. The lake is down and several boulders typically guarded by water are revealing some potential lines. There is work to be done.

I sent Scott's Problem last time, and its one of my new favorites at Brownwood. Bryan was eager to try it so we spent the rest of our time there, taking pictures and climbing it over and over. Bryan will surely link Scott's Problem next time.

Bryan on Scott's Problem's most devious sloper:

I also worked a new project just left of Scott's Problem, that's going to be hard. I'm anxious to get back on it. Here I am about to dyno to a bad sloper on the project.



All in all, a good day.

Scott's Granite Gripper photos

Scott C. sent me these pictures from the Gripper. Not only can he take pictures, but he's also organizing an Adopt-a-crag/Competition at Camp Eagle scheduled for December 7. Head out if you can, as it'll be a great weekend...good climbing and good people.

GRANITE GRIPPER

Lindsey, Tyler and I headed down to E-Rock this weekend for the annual Granite Gripper. We ate some schnitzel in Fredricksburg, and met up with Scott C. from Camp Eagle at the park friday night. The comp started at 9 saturday morning, after the rules were distributed at the pavilion. Here's Tyler and I right before we dashed to the Dairy Farm Boulders.





At the Dairy Farm, Eric O. from Fredricksburg, Scott and I put in some work on Frogratron Direct (V5), and Eric O. was able to dispense of the problem quickly. I failed on the direct version, but did send Frogatron Right (v4). Here is Scott working the direct problem and Eric on his send.











Tyler worked a V2 in the Dairy Farm, but fell near the top several times. He could have sent with a little more time. He's pictured below on the problem.







I've been "jonesing" to try The Prow (v6), since watching Scott C. try it last year on another trip. Eric o. dispatched the problem on his second go. I was shut down several times. Took a rest and came back and fell off the last jug. Realizing I may actually be able to send, i took a short rest and sent on my next go. One of the harder problems I have ever done. pictured below.









After topping out (with mild celebration) I realized i had torn a deep flapper on the pad of my middle finger. My celebration turned to devastation--but with a serious taping I was able to keep climbing. I left quite a bit of blood on the right crimp, which I'll admit was pretty awesome.



We then tried Texas Blowfish (v5), a great slopy rail to a horrendous topout. Scott C. tried the problem last year, and sent on his second go this weekend. Here is Scott C. on his send.



I didn't send, but this picture is cool. So I'll shamelessly post it.



After Tyler sent a high slabby v1 at the Ding Dongs area, we all tried Rombatron (v4), but Eric O. was the only one to send. pictured below.



Tyler then tried Idaho (v2), but the high crimps proved too devious to be mastered.



With about three hours left before time expired, we hiked to the BURBs area to try Albacross (v5), and The BURBs (v4), and nobody sent either. But alas, in a last ditch effort to save face after the long hike, Tyler, Scott and I all climbed Albacore (v2), which required creative padding (i.e. holding back the unruly bushes). pictured below.

As time expired, Scott and I knew neither of us had a scorcard worthy of entry, so we hiked over to the Kingdom of Zilch area to climbed Zanzibar (v2), Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (v4) and Louie (v4). I'll admit, I love a good arete, and Louie is one of the best I've climbed. pictured below.

Tyler placed third in his category, and won a chalk bag. Well done cuz. All in all, the comp was a great time, and I plan to return with vengeance next year.

Lastly, here's my beautiful photographer and pack mule, Lindsey, who tirelessly supported us all day.