Video Preview

With all the rain and snow we've been having, Yes I know I live in a desert so I don't even want to hear it, I have finally taken the time to compile a new "Demolition Playground" video. For those of you that saw the first one you know that it has been several years since that version came out. Over the past few years there have been many more cars to come and go. I didn't even get video of all of them, because as usual taking out the video camera comes second to just having fun doing. But for the video I did get I have been piecing together the footage and it's starting to look good. The final product will probably be about 30 min long, but here is just a little taste to wet the appetite.

And the Hits just keep on coming......

It was a busy climbing weekend for me. It was the first time that I have climbed both days, Saturday and Sunday, for several months due to my finger injury.
Saturday was more productive as far as sends go. After warming up I got back on the route I tried the week before, "Spank Bank" 13a. A short, four bolt, slugfest with no time to shake out much less chalk up. So I took a deep breath, dipped my tips, and it was go time! Send, first try of the day!
After that Sam and I got on "Hellavator" 13c. Sam sent second try, but it's not going to be another quick send for me. It will be another route that I'll have to train for.
Also, I've been working on "Evil Party Vortex" 13b. I have only spent a couple days on it, maybe a half dozen burns, but it is coming together fast. I really think that it will go down next day out. But with this storm upon us this week, I'm not sure if that will be this coming weekend or the next, if I'm even still around.
There was a lot of great climbing this past weekend but I was pretty focused on my own stuff so I never did take my camera out. But I wouldn't want to leave you, the viewer, unstimulated. So, I will leave with you another de-motivational poster from my collection.

Send Train!!!

Wednesday Afternoon I headed down to Sedona to finish the business that I started New Years Day, "Galactic Hitchhiker" 13a. After a quick warmup I jumped right on, figuring that I would use the first burn to remember the moves and hang the draws. Suprise, I SENT! First go!
So I figured while I was up there I would hang out and take pictures of my friend Craig on his project, "Mission to Mars" 12d. Abra-Kadabra........ he sent to!!! And I got some great pictures of him doing it. Check them out. And remember that you can click on the pictures to make them bigger.

"Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it."

I went for another long run yesterday. 13 miles in 2 hours, same time as the first 13 miles of my run Christmas Eve. I thought that it would start getting easier, but it's not. Still getting muscle and knee pain, mostly on my right side. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong but if anyone has any suggestions I'ld be glad to hear them.
It's funny running that distance in a small town, I practically have to run around the WHOLE town in order to not retrace my steps.
Oh, and my GPS watch is AWESOME!

"Trying is the first step towards failure." Quote Homer Simpson

We had one day of good weather this past weekend and I spent it climbing at the Asylum with Dustin. Here is a photo of him from last year. In retrospect it was probably a bad idea to put a gun in is hands.

Meanwhile, it was a great day of climbing out at the Asylum. No sends, but sometimes that doesn't really matter. It's about solving a problem. Most of the time the problem has many steps, and solving all of those little steps can be more rewarding than finishing the puzzle. Both Dustin and I made big progress on a couple of routes. He is really close to sending "Evil Party Vortex" 13b, and I unlocked the key beta on "Spank Bank" 13a. In all likelyhood both of us will send next time out. Hopefully that will be next weekend!

New Years Resolutions

It has been an exciting New Year so far. Lots of action. A bunch of us headed down to Sedona new Years morning to climb @ the Church wall. I've been wanting to get on the 13 down there, "Galactic Hitchhiker". A really amazing climb that I hope to get photos of next time we get down there. I think that it is going to go next time out. My friend Sam joined us for a few hours late in the afternoon, Just enough time to send "Mission to Mars"!

Saturday I rested from climbing because of my still injured finger, and decided to go for a nice long run in Sedona. It was slowgoing because it was mostly rough trails with lots of steep ups and downs. Ended up running for over 2 hours straight totaling 11 3/4 miles!
So Sunday it was off to the Asylum.
And for the finally for the New Year Weekend........ It was a perfect day. Clear skys, 35 degrees, slight breeze, just the best conditions you could ask for. Our token Canadian, Dave, came with us and had a great time. And I sent my long term project the " Alpha Monkey" 5.13b. By no means the best route ever, but it is just a steep, towering, thug-fest of a route, just the kind of route I like, and I finally sent it. Sam got some great photos of me on it the burn just before I sent, (I had him belay me when I did send). If you click the photo it will take you to his Blog where there are more photos, or you can click the "Blimp Bouldering" link on "my favorites"

Happy New Year

2010!!! It feels so different! Oh wait, no it doesn't. Crap!
Either way, it's been a great year so far. My finger feels like it is finally healing, health is good, and I'll post more about that when I get the photos compiled. For now here is a photo from Downtown Flagstaff @ midnight when they dropped the Pineapple, I mean Pinecone. Whatever!
And this one is from the Morning After.............