A weekend at HP40... a little late

I know that I'm out of order on my goings on in life... but here's a recap from the boulders on June 2/3:

Some pals of mine and I went camping a couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday evening out at Horse Pens. We got up there just after dark, set up camp and went out to climb some rocks.

For those of you who've never been in Alabama in the summer... or don't watch the weather channel, let me tell you this: IT IS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So night climbing is the only way that we can really get anything done, but sometimes, it's all a wash no matter what.... This particular evening was about half and half. I sent some V-2s and the boys were climbing pretty solid as well.



Here's some shots of us climbing:

Turtle Rock... this particular line I was doing is a V-1



"I Hate Cops" is a V-way-harder-than-i-climb; I did not send this one, but I was able to hold on pretty well for 80% humidity on some slopey stuff...

Granger on the other hand, makes it look a lot cooler: We were not getting much progress on "I hate Cops" none of us sent it... So we decided to lighten the mood with a litle crash pad sumo wrestling!

(Mom, that crashpad is the best birthday present ever!)

After the crash-pad wrestling we moved on to work some easier stuff, you know, boost the ego a little. After our egos were back in check, we retired to teh camp site for food and a few cold ones. The next morning, we all woke up super early, as the sun was a-blazing! We decided to go to Jack's and eat some breakfast instead of climbing. Overall, good night session!


Granger and I also went the previous Saturday/Sunday, but didn't take a whole lot of pitcures, so I'll just slip them in here:

SkyWalker: V-9

The first section is a v-3 traverse, it's pretty fun, with the humidity, there's little to no friction and you kinda peel off. But, hey, never say I won't get on a problem!




oh yeah, somewhere between the two trips to HP40 I lost one of my Anazasis... so I'm back to having to wear the Scarpas... which is a pain in my rear, 'cause they are lace ups.



Now the question is, do I want to buy another pair of Anaszais? they are great shoes, or do I want a pair of Heras? I also kinda dig the Solutions. Decisions decisions decisions...

Keeping up with the boys

Wednesday Adam and A. Tyler and I went to Horse Pens 40. It was threatening to rain all day, but like the good climbers we are, we checked the weather before heading out there. The radar showed rain around 7 or 8, so we figured it would be well worth the quarter tank of gas and $5 day-fee to get some climbing in.

I should really start paying better attention to the names and ratings of the problems that I get on, but I'm really not all that concerned with bragging rights- well, maybe a little. We worked on three problems. The first one was a bit of a highball, and was rather reachy after the third move, so I was not able to top it out on this trip... add it to the project list. Both the boys flashed it. The second "problem" we came to was one that A Tyler and Tyler D put up (we're sure that someone's climbed it before, but it's not in the guide book, so they can claim it all day long) They named it "I've got you're momma's number" it's a 45 degree slant climb (picutre above that looks like a broken heart), really fun and easy, all three of us flased it and moved on.

[aside: this trip I was concentrating on climbing more and really didn't take any pictures at all, sorry for the lack of visuals]

The guys wanted to work on one of Adam's projects, not a clue on what it's rated, I'd put it at a V4, maybe. A Tyler flashed it (he's such a bad-ass and sometimes I hate climbing with him) Adam got on it and worked it for a minute before I looked at them and said, "I'm putting my shoes on, I think I can do this." They told me to go for it. First move, static and solid, second, static and solid... third not so beautiful but after working it for a minute I was to the crux... I use an extra hold because of my height difference, but essentially Adam and I were stuck at the same spot, his spot was just a little reachier than mine. After giving it our all for about 30 minutes, we decided to keep this one on the project list and move on.

After that we moved on to a pseudo arete problem near the bridge. Once again, Tyler with the flash and Adam and I struggling a little. Right off the bat I figured out some pretty good beta on this problem, a little different to what Adam was using. We worked this problem for a good while, Adam finally sent it, but for a good twenty minutes he and I were neck and neck...

I know that climbing is not about climbing harder than your partner, but to be able to keep up with a strong climber who has been climbing for 4 years (I've been climbig for 4 months) makes me feel good about my progress.

Some shots from HP40

Horse Pens 40 trip about a week ago, just now got the pictures from my friend.

This is my first V2 send ever... it's called Pearl Necklace. It took me about 20 minutes of working it before I got it. You can't tell here, but it's about a 60 degree angle coming at you.

These are all of Chicks... V0, a little warm up problem. Took me twice before I sent this one
Ok, more to come later... it's late and my eyes are hurting form staring at the computer screen.