Stir-Crazy

Plastic =/= rock.  WIIIIIIIINTEEEEEER.

Cross-Eyed & Blind

Once more into the breach; the last trip to climb in the ol' EnArGee before the horrible, horrible winter descends on the east coast.  I've been feeling quite strong lately, and am looking forward to doing battle with the climb pictured here, Cross-Eyed & Blind, an 11a at the first buttress of the Meadow.  It's a beautiful line on beautiful stone, long, with many interesting moves.  Usually on a trip, I like to get on a bunch of routes, try them once or twice, not really caring about the send.  For whatever reason, Cross-Eyed is one of the few that really captures my imagination and my ambition.  If not this trip, then another- I know that I will send this.

Halfway to the "Wedding Day"

Yours truly putting up Wedding Day, 10b, as the sun sets behind the dihedrals of Smith Rock.  For an easy route, this had a bit of  a heady crux for me.  Stood there like an idiot for a while before I could commit- sometimes a good no-hands rest is a liability!  And while I was dithering, the guy on the 12+ around the corner whipped out of his crux about five times.

Sweet, Sweet Humble Pie

Spent labor day weekend down in the New River Gorge.  Had been sitting on my bum for three weeks or so recovering from an injury, so I expected it to be kinda rough- the NRG is humbling at the best of times, and this was not the best of times.  Lo and behold, I was right!  Could barely pull the moves on routes I had been projecting.  Ah, well.  Climbing is fun even when you're a wuss, and you can't see the takes or the flailing in a still photo.

Merci beaucoup to the Wizard, who absconded with my camera to the anchors, but delivered mighty fine results.

Yaak Crack Attack

Been a while since I tossed a climbing picture up here, so why not go all-in with an egomaniacal one?  This is me leading (alright, it was pretty hangdoggy) Yaak Crack, a 5.11d (!) in Red Rocks, NV.  Had some really interesting, if powerful, moves including a clip off a dicey hand jam.  Unfortunately I got stumped at the last bolt, the second crux.  Yay for perma-draws!  And yay for my friend grabbing this badass shot!

The Top Roped

Another Gunks shot, this time of your humble bloggerer.  This is the first time I've appeared here, I believe, except as a five-year old silhouette.  Milestones!  This, obviously, is a guest photographer.  And no offense to any of the people that have commandeered my camera while I'm on the wall, but I really need to bring someone that knows what to do with an SLR one of these times.  Would love to have some solid pictures of myself climbing!

Anyway, the Gunks have no sport climbing; only trad, which I have not the experience to lead.  Thus I mooched mightily off of the skill (and gear) of some of my excellent friends, who rigged top ropes for us less-badassers.  I did, however, learn how to clean routes.  One step further!

Inheriting the spirit of adventure

My Dad is one of the most adventuresome people I know.  He is always striving for something bigger, truer, harder, higher.  The highest point in the city, the top of the highest (accessible, relatively non-technical) mountain, the depth of the densest tome.  Arguing with him, traveling with him, is simultaneously infuriating and illuminating because he has so much drive to know and to do.  All that same desire that is present in me is there because of him.  I will never cease being impressed and inspired by my Dad.  And I hope that when I am his age I will be able to do half the things, mentally and physically, that he can.

Dad, here is to all of our past adventures and a hope that we will have many, many more.  Happy father's day!

(Special thanks to photographer-mum)

Unwitting guest photographer!

Shot by either my mum or my dad, and starring a wee me.  Or possibly some sort of gnome.