My Climbing Life

Girl Power!

2012-01-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

Success! Blog number two.

I just read Rock & Ice, no idea which issue, but there was story on Sasha DiGiullian. I proceeded to cry once this story made me acknowledge my failures.

Ok well first thing, something that I have been trying to do... Goal list.

5.14c

V13

V14

Rodeo Free

Pistol Whip Project

The Project I like to call "resolution" but really has no relation to that route

Black Lung. I plan on going to Joe's for a week come break. It's on the list and hopefully an actual possibility this year.

If this trip to Hueco pulls together, I would like to climb a V12 there.

Travel to Helena and climb with Dominick

Put time into development into the Backside. The most difficult part about this is finding the hard projects I want. It's not that they aren't there; the search is just comprehensive. Areas seem to build up from the ground when it comes to grades, which makes sense.

Gucci Guitar. That gave me a goal for the weekend. Awesome. Hopefully the weather is conducive to that idea.

50 pull ups

5 one arms

3 laps on my campus board, which I haven't managed to do since last year.

Non-related to this (climbing), but since this will be my goal list, I must include attempt to earn As in all classes and destroy ACT so as to be Valedictorian. The chances are slim, but hey, goals are goals.

This summer, I am also hoping to travel to Font. for my senior trip. I have been wavering between Font. and Switzerland. Right now, I think Font., but that's always up for change.

Something to read. I don't necessarily feel this way; nevertheless, it made me laugh.

The Death Penalty

2012-01-18T22:19:00.000-08:00

We live in a nation built on the founding principle that all men are created equal. In consequence, a human’s actions should be judged with equal reciprocation— “an eye for an eye.” Furthermore, capital punishment deserves implementation in cases of murder.

When considering capital punishment, it is important to not to limit the scope, or view, of “an eye for an eye.” In example, if a woman shot another man, subsequently killing him, she does not necessarily deserve death; what if he made her the victim of his habitual rape? Because of scenarios like this, capital punishment demands delicate application, and does not apply to all murders.

For simplicity, we will consider a basic instance where murder is the overriding and defining issue within a case, and capital punishment is the primary consideration.

So the reader possesses a more complete view, a short list of oppositional stances is given: more costly for the state to carry through with capital punishment, two wrongs do not make a right, and the straightforward fact that the crime has already been committed—to kill convict would not solve anything.

Taxes cover the costs of capital punishment. For a person to oppose paying the small portion of his income that will eventually aid a fellow society member is small minded, and this literal cost should not be viewed as exceeding the emotional cost to those involved, or more critical than the moral downfall.

Of course, two wrongs do not make a right, but it is possible for the second wrong to work in the direction of justice.

The argument that killing a man who has already executed his crime is invalid. Any chance of the convict committing a second offense drops to zero, and the punishment deters other possible convicts from pursuing similar crimes

Although it does not appear to be law’s general tendency to be emotionally inclined, it is important for emotions to be acknowledged when that is one of the victim’s costs.

A murdered person gives up the rest of his life and numerous opportunities, whether the person would have lived for seventy-three or twelve more years. This is an enormous payment on behalf of the victim. In addition, there is the emotional trauma during the murder, which to most, is likely incomprehensible, and the trauma to the victim’s relations. Piling upon these last three costs is society’s loss of wealth in some form or another from the loss of one of its persons.

One of the law’s primary goals is to provide appropriate compensation. In this scenario, to provide the equal compensation, the only means would be to reciprocate the original actions.

Thus, the death penalty has the potential to be the appropriate sentence to achieve the primary goal of many cases, compensation.

This blog post is an official entry for the Law Blogger’s Scholarship, sponsored by The Law Office of Joshua Pond, http://www.joshuapondlaw.com.

You blocked me on Facebook; now you must Die.

2012-01-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

I have decided to stop climbing.

Ha Ha. Not really. But, my appearance on the climbing scene has diminished. A quick year in review.

I went to nationals and sucked it up. Let's just say I could've done better.

The day after destroying the sickest plastic project-in reality, I thought it was a new high in my climbing-I injured my finger three finger campussing.

Over a week in Joe's valley, I peaked out with No Substance, a V8, a memorable and rather disheartening send. Being that this was three weeks after sustaining my previously mentioned injury, I was still handicapped. I attended an SCS competition afterwards and the pain resumed completely. At the comp., I completed two routes... maybe just one.

Climbing in Bozeman the next weekend to attain my necessary three for regionals, I still felt pain and stopped after two routes.

Ultimately, I did not attend regionals or any following competition.

I climbed thrice at the beginning of the summer completing routes new to me such as the Pulaski, V6. Pain resumed, and I of course un-resumed climbing.

A couple days into July, I'm guessing the fourth, I began to climb again. Making a strong appearance, I sunk pockets at the Lander International Climbers' Festival-consisting of five days of 5.10 snacking. It seemed much more like chewing on bitter inedible twigs than any sort of snack.

For the next three weeks, I climbed managing to send Tribal Vibrations, V11, and some others again. However routes, such as Pookster, another eleven, beat me yet; it was abuse.

Europe, an awesome-ish trip, came, but climbing only came seldom. Once in Austria, once and half in Switzerland, and thrice in France. I sent Biceps Mou, the highlight-day (out of twenty-one) of my Europe trip.

Back in Wyoming, I did ten 8s in four hours and Green Glass Door, an awesome route.

It is rather depressing to see that was my year in climbing. Like fo' real, I did shit. Sorry to use the word. Not very professional. Looking over all that is a disappointment.

The year previous, the list of accomplishments was much more impressive. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. 8th at nationals.

Now looking at it like that is probably not the best. Climbing is about enjoying yourself; we all make it sound like some enlightening pursuit. We all make it sound as if this transcends us to a higher level. Maybe I am misinterpreting the things I read, or think I read. And if we are to think climbing transcends the human, why wouldn't we take it seriously?

Climbing to me is a game. It is not a lifestyle, although my life revolves around it. It is a game because I go out and climb rocks while taking it as if though I am playing with nuclear weaponry. Dealing with nuclear weaponry strikes me as a pursuit I would enjoy, but this doesn't mean I would treat it lightly. When I take a step back though, I realize all climbing does is give me an unreasonable sort of pleasure.

The weeks without climbing taught me that I do not need climbing to live. Over the weeks, I managed to make a catapult, six feet tall, and develop my social life. Those were the only remarkable developments. It is hard to tell if my mental fortitude declined over this period.

Looking back to where this tangent, nigh on unintelligible, started, climbing is about enjoyment, and even though it is just a game, my happiness depends on it. Without progression, life in stasis, to me, is a life not lived. Not superseding my previous year with greater achievement disappoints me. If someone asks me, the greatest moment of my life. I don't want to look back three years and say a certain day. If my finest moment was any extended amount of time ago, what the @#$% have I been doing in the mean time? If I can avoid injury, and I will consciously try to avoid it, this new year will not be like last year.

Since the end of summer, I have primarily climbed indoors. On my wall...

Last year, my biggest flaw was my inability on large moves. Lacking large facilities, I worked on smaller move, harder hold routes. My last couple months have gone to working on nemesis routes with big moves, and as I have become better, worse holds.

I think, do not know, that I progressed in ability, hopefully at least to the previous years strength.

For the last year, I also had small-time sponsorship from La Sportiva. I didn't attempt to renew because of my poor performance though. If I had done, well I would feel as if though I deserved a sponsorship; I did no such thing though and must once again prove myself, if only to myself, worthy of a sponsorship.

It is hard to find a balance in life when I'm all about extremes. My classes are not too difficult, but sometimes the homework is just ridiculous and overwhelming; at the same time, which pisses me off, it is unnecessary. Of the things in life I do, and am proud of, I think first and foremost to come to mind is academics. Not that I am supremely above others, but I push my limits to the bar society sets for me in small-town Cody. Last semester, I took Calculus II, AP Biology (Bio 1010 through the near-by college), Honors British Lit., Advanced Composition (English 1010 through the college), and AP Economics (outside of school, online, and self-paced). This semester is much more my style with Differential Equations (at the college), College Physics... at the college, calc. based..., Independent study for "Advanced Topics in Mathematics," Chemistry II (college Chemistry 1010), AP Statistics, and AP Government. Normally, a kid takes four classes at a time, so I am pretty psyched with six. What I love is my parents don't push me in any of this. They support me, but they don't push.

The only part that sucks is I often am single minded. I must either be focussed on my intellect or physical being. It's one or the other. My goal this semester is to find a way for the two to work together, to be in balance.

Among other sad things, I believe that USAclimbing wants me dead. Well, this year they changed up the set-up for bouldering and regionals was in December. It is generally in January, well in previous years. Although I registered for the competition, somehow I never saw a date. So there was $85, a ridiculous amount, down the drain. Really though, it was my fault. Dagnabit. This made me more resolute in my decision to not reapply for a sponsorship.

Lately I climb hard in the gym and easy outside. A couple of days ago, I skipped out on school and went up with Jordan Jolley, Josh, and Christian Baumeister. I don't remember Josh's last name despite the fact I know him fairly well, much better than Christian at least. When we went up, I managed a new V5 next to Fader, which I called V7 last year... more like V5.

Today, Reese, a longtime friend of mine, and I went up to look at this boulder he cleaned up when I was in school. Down low, this is all between the first and second switchback on Cedar, he put up a low-ball V2/3 called Circle Jerk. Then he showed me the other boulder. It took a while to work out the easiest sequence, but when we did it went down at about V6 I would say. I don't know if this is correct because my judgement is befuddled from all times we tried it with extremely hard-to-hold start holds. So... Villainy in the Modern Age, V6.

Then Reese was wanting to give a look up the Lower Stonehedge drainage, so of course, we did just that. Making it to the first boulder up the gulley, the Maxx (I think that's how it was spelled), we threw down pads. In the guide there was a five done and room for more. So, we both did the five and began to work on a route that came out of a super-tight corridor. When all the dust settled, practically a literal statement, one chossy, semi-crap route was left standing. The moves once you escape the corridor are nice, but the corridor absolutely blows. I think this one deserves to be called Maxx Blow, V6.

What I really want is the perfect project. Three weeks of work. Beautiful movement. Memorable send. Limit of difficulty.

I'm waiting for it to appear. Thanks for reading. I doubt this blogging will become a more regular thing, but hey, we can hope.

Open that Door!

2011-09-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

I am the king of indecisiveness. So many times, I have thought, "I should make a blog post." And then, the negative nancy within my head asks me, "What on earth do you have to tell?" The honest truth would be not much. However occasionally I do have some words that I find worth sharing. Also this does well to explain the mass quantity of time between my posts.

So, the rest of my summer was spent in Europe. Europe was awesome, but there was one major problem, an extreme lack of climbing. I climbed in a gym in Innsbruck and Interlaken. We also managed to go climb outside in Interlaken for an hour or two. Super massive, beautiful, granite faces. Of course, I was humbled and sent away after being put in my place on an 11c. Moments like that made me want to leave Europe or climb every day there. That is bratty. But, climbing is number one. I would kill for climbing: not the sweetest thought. The highlight of the trip was Paris because I was able to go by train down to Fontainebleau.

In Font., my time was spent at Bas Cuvier (pronounced without the s and r). Bas Cuvier has rolling hills littered with innumerable boulders. While there, I managed to put down Biceps Mou, an awesome 7b. The last day of climbing, we (parts of the family and I) took a taxi to Bas Cuvier. I asked for a calling card and received one that way we would be able to take a taxi back to the train station. After a day of climbing. We went to the parking lot and tried to call the taxi. Number showed invalid! So, we walked back to town. This took approximately two hours. Oh the things we do for climbing.

Now back in Wyoming, I have been seeking my ever so elusive strength. To gain it back, repeats are the name of the game. One day, I decided to approach a circuit competition style. With four hours, I was going to attempt a repeat 10 different V8's.
The list went as follows:

Deadman's Harley
Hiya
Bawitdaba
Presto
POW!
Ripper Extension
Something About Bob
Studs
8000 Beats per Minute
Honey Beaver

I managed to do this with approximately 7 minutes to spare.

Other than that, I managed to do a link-up of Kaiya (Spelling?) into Hiya. This may or may not be a first ascent. I think it was 9 or 10ish. Super fun and techy. Although, I could only work the route for a couple tries a day unless I took a break otherwise my knee began to hurt. If it has yet to be named, I knight it Dragonfly's Dance. If not, oh well.

The second route would be a new one on the Wretch. This route starts up Riding a Deadman's Harley (11) and follows a new route across the face that moves from the start of Deadman's Harley (8) to the end of Wilford's Wretch (6/7). This route is probably 10 or 11. We will have to wait for someone else to decide. Probably a ten, a beautiful one at that. As with the theme of the boulder, I personally will call the route Green Glass Door. This route is beautiful and covers a large distance on the boulder. Hopefully someone else does it soon.

Reruns and Photos

2011-07-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Tribal Vibrations

Then, Dragon Force: Living in Infamy

Sloppy Seconds and the Dream Phase

2011-07-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Time and I are at odds.

I need time. Time lets one grow. Without time, I would be forever stuck on this never-ending plateau. But time also limits my growth, for it is not infinite. I have to work within it's set confines.

However, I also am the master of time. I create time, just as each and every other person creates time. Time is unique. Time is only there because a person may perceive a passing moment and record the past. Whereas in truth, there is only the present, hence time does not exist because at any given moment there is only the instant. So perhaps every moment is occurring over and over on different dimensions giving the perception of time.

Either way, I wish time would go slower and give me time to heal and climb. But, the good news is I am back climbing. Taking occasional days of climbing and a week in Joe's (where my peak was No Substance) into account, I took 3 months off of climbing. Currently, I am into my third week of climbing.

The first couple of days were a bit of a challenge. Heck, the days now are a challenge. I was struggling to put down fours. Climbing fours is admirable for a climber. When a person knows that at one point they could do better, but at that moment they can't, it is mildly disheartening. There was however a plus to climbing a maximum grade that I passed in the climbing gym. The situation put me in a position to go to boulders I never had any desire to attack before. I opened up to quite a few boulders I had never been on before. Of the new-to-me boulders, I think my favorite was the Manual labor boulder. There is an awesome 6 called the Pulaski. Sharp holds, great movement.

Other boulders/routes that I jumped on that I would recommend:

Dr.J Boulder- The 4 on there is definitely worth checking out. The rock quality is questionable in place (I broke one of the holds I was thinking about using).

Dragon Force Boulder- This boulder is entering the ranks of the Wretch and Spearpoint (exciting news on Spearpoint to come). With the two routes from last year (there is FDP, Fossilized Dinosaur Poo, and Living in Infamy, graded10 and 10), Marc has added two eights. The Honey Badger (funny, I think I heard that name in another area) and 8000 Beats Per Minute. I would have to say Honey Badger was the better of the two with awesome intro moves into V6 for the finish. I did 8000 BPM by myself. Go there, that's heady.

Ahona Boulder- On Ahona a relatively new route was put up last fall. The route, When Life Gives You Lemons, should be on everyone's ticklist. Following a sloper arete on the right side of the boulder's steep face you move up out left onto the face after falling into a left-hand two finger pocket. You lock into a solid undercling, and then make an enormous throw out to the last pocket on Ahona Verdugo, the eight on the boulder. After doing this route, I am inclined to say it is not a nine, but more of an eight, possibly seven. However, I will say out of all these new routes this was my favorite.

Spearpoint- Although I have no real news about this boulder, I saw a possibility on this boulder that excites me. I thought it was most definitely climbed out. Last year Terry did a new route called something like Spear Chuckin' Baby Throwdown. This route goes the reverse way of Babies for Breafast and up Ho-down Throwdown. Well, if you start on the three and kind of shift up along Tribal Vibrations. Instead of going up though, you hit the start holds of the stand up nine that goes up the obvious crck that moves to the right. From there you sould cross onto this crimp and move to the jug on Ho-down Throwdown. The crimp is on the left side of the right slanted crack. Should be obvious if you look at the boulder. Spearpoint is by far my favorite boulder with the largest concentration of hard climbs.

Spearpoint and Ripper. Best boulders on the mountain.

Reincarnation, sadly, is not instantaneous

2011-04-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

There is much of nothing to say. The weeks preceding Joe's were spent in a state of rest where I would take a week off climb once and repeat. This being rather uncharacteristic of me has a reason. I managed to hurt my finger, completely intentional, by campussing. As I well know, everyone is very interested in the background story. Well I was feeling like a was hitting a rather high peak. Crushing (plastic) projects had been the agenda on the two days of climbing previous to the injury. Adapting myself to a stress much like what I would encounter in Joe's (climbing multiple days on), I was often climbing 5 days in a row. So I was thinking, third day on this can't be anything but healthy for me. I threw down with some huge move routes, which a rarely do, and then proceeded to the campus board to finish up this short session. The small rungs, beckoning me to climb them, decided to beat me. In all honesty, I was feeling invincible. Going up and down with three fingers exhilarated me. Only planning on doing six sets, I began to feel pain on the fourth set. I taped tighter. I finished off the sets with constant pain in my right finger. The pain wasn't crippling; however, it was building my apprehension. I took one day off after. Two days later I returned to the dungeon (garage/climbing gym) only to be pushed away.

The next three weeks slowly ate me.

And then, the Joe's trip arrived. I was going to climb at my lowest, a depressing notion. Not only that, but I was fearful that I would make it all the way down there only to find I still couldn't climb.

Turns out, I could climb. The highlight of the trip was succeeding on No Substance. Looking back, it is mildly depressing to see that as the pinnacle of my trip. My last year trip which lasted only three days was much more successful. Despite my negativity on here, it was an amazing trip; climbing again felt fantastic. The Saturday traveling back from Joe's, I attended a competition in Sandy, Utah. Here, I was shot down. My finger was once again hurting; the same one and a new one: lucky me. After destroying two routes (beginner top-ropes), I waved the gang sign and disappeared.

A comment on this competition: I was disappointed in the way routes were set. They used liked colored holds and no tape. Now I would agree this is awesome they have enough money to pull this off, but if you have a yellow route next to a dirty white route, not cool. Not speaking from experience or anything though.

Upon my return to Cody, I found myself with finger pain when I attempted to climb. There was yet another competition I needed to attend to meet the minimum requirement for local competitions to pass on from regionals. The competition, on the sixteenth in Bozeman, MT went down in much the same way. Do (two) route(s), roll out. After the competition, I went with my father to bikram yoga. If you ever have a chance, go.

Over my actual spring break, I did not climb once. That is a depressing truth. One of those things a person hears and goes, "Wow, that is like child abuse." And I would say, "Yes. But imagine something twice as detrimental to a person's mental health."

Now, currently still on time off. I wait for this weekend, yet another comp where all I will do is make my presence known and lose some money. I will try to climb in the beginning, but if any thing goes south (why is south bad?), I will immediately stop.

Wish me luck on the healing. Time. Time is such a fickle thing.

The Psych Runs Through

2011-02-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

I have been training for nationals, and this weekend that just past, I went to youth nationals in Boulder, CO. This competition was weird. It was not because the competition itself was weird; I was feeling out of it.

The first day, Saturday, I went out of isolation at 4:30PM. I had spent the whole day wasting time while waiting for my time to climb. I started warming up at around 3:15. I climbed every 10 minutes or so. At 3:45, I reported to isolation in the building where the competition was. There they had warm up walls about the size of what I have been climbing on all winter. AS competitors had been told, there was limited warm up space. This wasn't a problem however; I had previously warmed up at the Spot. I went out after 30 minutes of being there.

Jumping on the first route, I quickly made it to the last 3 moves. In a rather awkward move a made it through the crux and finished it up. Although the route was probably V3, I had almost messed it up and was rather shaken. After 4 minutes, it was onto the second route. This route was quality except for the awkward-ness in the middle. I fell there once before completing the route. The 3rd route I messed up at the end and never completed it. The fourth route I had a high point where only three or four made it past that point but many made it there. I ended up in 19th place and did not move on to semi-finals.

This was rather depressing being that I had put so much time into being prepared for this competition. Now that is nigh on silly to say though, doesn't everyone that didn't make it feel that way though? Probably. I messed up and learned from it though. I haven't been on big moves like the routes had in forever. Training on an 8x12 wall frankly doesn't prepare a person for that. I own primarily crimps because they are cheap. I'm not really trying to give myself an excuse, but I am haha. This mess up was my fault. I wil be better prepared next time. There will be no mistakes. By failing, I have only been more motivated.

I climbed at the Spot the two following days. I really came to understand my weakness there. There are approximately three crimps in the Spot Gym. Ok maybe a small exaggeration, but not that big one. During this period, I felt much empathy for Alli Rainey. Alli lives in Tensleep where the climbing has an enormous emphasis on technical climbing. She has been traveling out the Red for the last two years or so(?). Here she has just been being set behind being that although she has fingers of steel (I wish I had a better description) but not the full body strength to swing herself through the air time after time (this is changing from what I read). Being that I do climb on a rather small wall to make difficult routes, I make them with small moves and microscopic hold (in comparison to the Spot's at least). This in no way prepared me for the competition. I'm just not cut out to be a thug!

That will hopefully change though. Despite my limitation, so called, I most definitely had the ability to make it into semi-finals at least; I just messed up. Explosiveness is a necessity.

Considering alternatives, I used the kettlebell today. I am trashed. The muscles that have been torn down are hopefully useful in climbing. With the rope season approaching, there is training to do. Endurance may not be the most fun, but I plan to do it.

hopefully somebody has made it this far into the post because here is the important part: a question from me to you. I know that a lot of people read my bog (mild sarcasm) but what do you do for endurance training? What are your feelings on weights? I have access to a hangboard, campus board, and an 8x12 wall.

With nationals out of the way, I am not one bit more relaxed; however, I am sad it is over. The whole process is something to love. Honestly, I need to thank my parents for taking me to places like this all the time, thanks! This time was also a little different. Sunlight Sports helped me go. I can only say thank you for that and keep working to be a better employee. It was super nice of Wes and Melissa, the owners, to help out. I was also psyched to represent La Sportiva at this comp, even though it was only for a day. As a side note, I have found the the Testarossa, made by Sportiva, is the best climbing shoe in the universe.

It is time to ready myself for the real season though. I go to Joe's Valley the 2nd of April for a week or so then hopefully I will get out for another week a week after that. Otherwise, I will soon be climbing outside in Cody again.

It's been a while

2011-01-31T06:09:00.000-08:00

Quick update before School, thought it might be a good idea.
First off, most importantly, I have had two good days outside the last two days. The first day we, Drew and I, made it outside for three hours before I had to go to work. Drew punched out Nipple Mechanics with ease. The highlight of my day was a new(?) route on the blank check boulder straight up the face. I started from some obvious crimp around chest height; there is still a sit start to be done. Yesterday, Drew and I went climbing for 4 and a half hours. The high was 16 degrees F. It was fantastic I managed a new route with a dab. So, of course, I have to go back to do it again and gain legitimacy in my mind. Maybe I will do that when it is a little warmer... Speaking of other news though, I managed to make it to youth bouldering nationals. It is coming up; it is approximately 3 weeks away. School calls.

a lil' bit o' this, a lil' bidda that.

2010-11-12T05:41:00.000-08:00

I ride on the psych wave. Sometimes I fall off. Right now, I am riding that wave full force. I have been training and am so psyched to do so. But in other words, the main reason of this post is Mike uploaded a video of the other day when we were at Pistol Whip. http://vimeo.com/16721156 check it.

The right path

2010-11-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

Full Gravity Day was awesome. I ended up taking 5th overall. Not quite my goal, haha, but I am still happy with it. Most of all, it was a learning experience I needed now, not later. Dominick Speranza ended up besting me in the finals taking fourth. Sick with it. He's pretty psyched about that. Me, well I'm mainly nervous haha. This is gonna be an exciting go around this year. I'm actually really psyched about it. I'll have to work it up.
Besides that, the next day I journeyed to Pistol Whip. I ran into Mike, Marc, and Clint going to Cornflakes, and they were already heading to Pistol Whip, so I accompanied them. Short story short, we managed to throw down and finish the stand up start for pistol whip. Now the SITTTT, YAHH!!
Besides that, I'm just training, so I can avoid failure. Hah I'm PSYCHED!

Heroes

2010-10-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have three big climbing heroes. The first is Patxi Usobiaga because I am eternally impressed by his dedication to training. I kind of feel like I'm in the same boat; I think I will have to always train if I want to reach the top and climb with the best of the best at their level. The second is Adam Ondra. He is young and goofy(well it is kinda true haha). He climbs like a mad man though, inspiring in my opinion. Then there is also Nalle who, to me, came out of no where and was just climbing at the top. He also started climbing a little later than most top climbers; I thought that was cool. Now that I think about it, there are a lot of climbers I look up to. Among the larger than life ones are: Alli and Kevin Wilkinson, Joe Kinder, and Jonathan Siegrest. Then of course, even though this isn't actually the point of this blog, are the local climbers who I really feel I owe a thank you to for so many things. Mike Snyder was the guy that took me climbing outside when I really didn't have any climber friends. I can't tell you how appreciative of his patience with a little climber like myself I am. Aaron Mulkey had the largest impact on me. His gym introduced me to climbing (introduction is step number one to obsession). He introduced me to the now deceased climbing team and competitions. Clint Cook is someone who I look up to. He not only pushes his climbing in the midst of an actual life, but he has an attitude towards everything I admire. Leif Gasch: he has had an influence upon my climbing like none other. From him, I learned progression; he showed what training actually was. That it really could be used to make climbing harder stuff a reality. BJ Tilden is one of my biggest heroes. I used to be all worried that I would never receive a sponsorship. Hearing him though, I realize why was I ever worried about that. He climbs extremely hard and has an actual job and no sponsorships. He has chosen to go that way. He loves to climb just to climb. That is how I climb, but I would worry about the idea of a sponsorship. Now I know that doesn't matter. So I am just climbing to be better. That is all I truly worry about now: bettering myself.

Thrilling post

2010-10-23T06:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, I don't really have anything to write about, but I need to just give a quick update on this because I think it is appropriate. Downgrades are as follows haha-
Perpetual Motion was a 9 and is now an 8/9.
Hypervelocity star was a 7? and is now a 4.
C.E.O. was a 9 and is now an 8.
Hot Hot Heat, a contrivance, was a 9 and is now an 8.
Heart of a Masochist was a 12 and is now an 11/12.
The last three were personal downgrades. I am fine with downgrades because everything I say is an estimation. And truthfully, I was never a quality grader. An update on me: I still love climbing, and I am learning to experience ecstasy with training. Puh-Pow

The times a changin'

2010-09-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

First off, I'm so psyched. I don't think I have ever been this psyched to do anything. All I want to do is to climb, train, and think about climbing. I want to dropout of school and climb. Other areas are calling to me. They say come climb. But I can't do that. School is a must that must be finished. Then college is a must that must be finished. Climbing is must too though. How does that work? Well sadly enough when conflict occurs between climbing and other activities... climbing wins.
This week has been one of success on the climbing front and on the school front. I have the hardest part of my prposal for building an electrical generator done. Anatomy and Physiology homework was completed. Most importantly, I trained like a mad man.
Last weekend though on sunday, my third day on, I sent the project in the newness. I don't really have any pictures; yes, I do; but they aren't amazing. This route is a four move wonder. with three definitely hard moves- the first move you go off a sloper onto an open hand crimp pinch. Making a cross way out onto a steep lip, you grab this super crap sloper. You then throw in a toe and heel to make this huge wild swing move out to another crap sloper. Both feet cut, and you make a crazy campus move to a flat ledge. From there, it's over. Just a calm walk to the lip. I feel hesitation taking over whenever I try to rate routes. Where is the person to confirm stuff for me? Confusion. Confusion. Confusion. I'm going to call the line Heart of a Masochist with a hypothetical grade of V12.
Now it has been a week or so since that day. I've climbed outside twice since then. In those two days, I found my new project. The route is on a boulder that has a V9 and two projects so psyched. Train, Climb, Train, Climb.

Loss O' Time

2010-09-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

School= Time KILLEEEERRR. Down with school. Down with N-Tell-Egence. So despite the fact school hath been stalking me out trying to ruin my life, I have been managing. In between trips to Cedar to check out the marvelous there has been growth. I went with Drew Haman to this spectacular new area and proceeded to have one of the best days of climbing ever. We put up tons of new problems for one day. Ranging V5-V9 which definitely put me right to bed when I went home. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. The next week was filled with hangboarding. The weekend came back and gave lift to new hope. Off to do the new for another sweet day. I finally managed to send this beautiful route that had been shunting me at the end of the last session. It is a beautiful highball with a bouldery crux in the beginning and a second crux at the tippy top. Definitely highbally, absolutely stellar line though. Perpetual Motion V9. The fun was cut short by my need to be present at my job.
I then took three days off cause of hangboard motivation issues.. this has to be common. Then went to the Newness another time. This time I had the pleasure of checking out the boulders, two, super low. So one line i think I can confirm as undone went up. A super sick v5 arete. The off to check out this crazy roof boulder Drew showed me. He had pointed out this line on the small of the roof that had looked cool but not attention grabbing. It turns out after working it Drew has an eye for great lines. Hard line. It's a true boulder problem; there is 4 crux moves then a hopefully easy top out.
Another day of training blahbbity blah then a morning to the magic again. All before noon haha. I went with Jason who has been psyched on climbing here(newness). I met Jason a while ago when the gym was open. We never really climbed together much; we weren't mean to each other, but he was kind of an unknown for me. When we climbed together with Drew in the Newness he flabbergasted me. I hadn't climbed with him since winter in Dylan's, but he absolutely crushed. He was pulling moves on Perpetual Motion with ease. So I got his number; hopefully we keep climbing together. I love it when people are psyched and just want to get better and better. He has that attitude and is willing to work for it. BOMB. Back to story- we went out, a new problem was done, sweet dynamic v4. Projecting that line some more, I found myself actually slapping and swinging of the move I couldn't stick at all last time. Awe! Such a cool line. After progress on the cruxy route front, we hiked for almost two hours scouting the boulder field. We found mild potential. Jason found this little clump of bouldering after an hour or so. This is where we found the good lines. Two, in my opinion, to be exact these boulder crisscrossed on top of each other. The lower one is this crazy slate like rock. There is possibility for breakage along with sweet route. I didn't give it much consideration, maybe a 7, because I was immediately enthralled with this other line. I can't even explain how beautiful it is. Just crimps along an angle formed by two faces of this boulder. I cant wait to try it; I need to finish up that other problem first though.
Now in between sentences I am hangboard training. I am excited for tomorrow because I will be climbing. I'm going with Jason to his project: Clambake. A supre cool route I think it V10. Maybe I'm getting soft haha cause everyone calls it 9.. I don't know if those people have actually done it though? But sickness off to work at 9. Oh and I still don't have a wall built. In between school, climbing and work I have seemingly miniscule amounts of free time. Climbing outside though- ahh the psych.

Set Free

2010-08-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

So I read sentences from the previous blog posts. Completely senseless for the most part. That's what happens with 5AM writing lessons I guess. What I'm trying to say is sorry. But the real point of the post is to spray of my new send. No I don't feel like I'm spraying. I feel more like I am trying to spread the joy of what I have felt.
Projecting this route was a challenge for me. I try to avoid projecting. Projecting puts people in a rut. I believe this true in bouldering at least. So since the lander trip which ended july 12th I have been working on this. I have been to tensleep a couple times but never pushing myself to the limit in hope that if i save myself a little i can do this route. Not pushing myself, being a sissy in tensleep, is against my creedo. But it was worth it for a day like yesterday.
I left my house 5:45ish. a little late for my liking but acceptable. I made the ride I think I was hiking in by 6:15. With all of my biking I have noticed I am becoming faster and less tired by it.
I made laps on the usual routes at the cheese boulder and learned I was still feeling quite a bit sore. Can't stop me. From there I traveled the 50 feet to ripper, threw down my stuff and traveled to find my stashed pad.
Oh POO! Pads were missing. Once I had had them blown down 20 or so feet. After scouring the place though, no avail. Stolen. Lame partiers, they've been trashing the place up right around there leaving trash for me to dutifully carry out so assumptions are it was them. If not though they're still lame. Without a pad I continued on. A little down in spirit I finished my warm up. Then grim. My heel still was popping off. I found a trick though to keep it on. And ultimately I prevailed on the finish. FINALLY!! I got to the top screamed yes multiple times and continued on.

Dope is Chrome V13

I feel this route really is a 13. It took so much for me to put it together. And the name that's to signify the pointlessness of this process- the process of projecting. Once I finish a route I am lost. But only for a time until I find my next home.
The next day I did another not so early start, I just went without a pad, to bawitdaba. This is v8 that is so hard. I finally finally did it. But I did it really fast that morning so I was just like what now. Now I am going to rest for the next day (today) and jump on another project. The route is a project on the pistol whip boulder. The first three moves were impossible for me at the beginning of the summer. We'll have to see if anything has changed. But another exciting thing... I'm sure others have noticed. Once I got to the parking lot hiking out I noticed a huge roof in an area where I only know of one route, my dick. But I went up and checked it. There is definitely possibility. And the need for pads. Hopefully somebody will want to check it out with me. Onto the next.

the fourth day

2010-08-02T03:29:00.000-07:00

I am awake hoping to get the cool temperatures. I will leave soon hopefully. Another hopeful is my wrist. Dear Climbing gods let it be healed and able. May luck be with me. One day I will have a real climbing blog post. When I do something again haha. so today!!! haha. I need some caffeine. Tea. Climb. My technique of typing power a bunch last time to aid the sending was complete fail so maybe actually saying stuff helps. My body feels well I mean three days off is fantastic. I need to put it down fast or else I will lose fingertips. bye bye

touchy topic

2010-07-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

So along with a crashpad from my girlfriend for my birthday i also received a little trip to lander. So the first day I wanted to try my luck on rodeo free a 14. I thought it was possible. I was running warm up laps on it until bam, rip.

I tried again but the tape just made it a no go. sad. So instead of fretting I instead worked on getting psyched for the next day. And I did. oh I did. I was so psyched to go and crush and I went warmed up jumped on a 13 attempting to onsight. locking off on a 2 finger some pops happened. So now I have time off. Unsuccesfull trip. though Dan was impressive and worked that 13, When I was a young girl I had me a cowboy, all the way to the last bolt. But we had all lost psych a bit. next time.

POW-er

2010-07-26T04:32:00.001-07:00

power power power power power power power power power power power power power

Alpinismo

2010-07-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

Yah so hot hot heat. i'm up for what I now know as the Alpine Start. haha I'm uneducated. Get it while it's sticky. The route has been feeling great. Last time I made a little more progress. Now I just have to push it that much more. But today is also threatening me with hotter temps. Live with it. I guess haha. Energy is flowing from me. Now I just need to focus it.

UP UP AND AWAY

2010-07-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

So Ten Sleep was semi-bummer. I went with my uncles which was cool. We climbed at a slower pace than when it's Manda and I. I was fine with that. The only thing i once we got to my route.. Rain. It was fun though. My uncles loved it which really made the day for me. i was worried about leading them to a dissappointment. Today I'm gonna have a nice early morn sesh. Grim Ripper is in my grasp. I just have to clench down. Preferably sooner rather than later haha

Freaked out

2010-07-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

Summer is running out. my dad still hasn't helped me with the wall. i am freaked. Besides that progress yesterday.. new high point. Today Ten Sleep. Climb while you can. Sucka. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

Polytheistic Religion of Climbing

2010-07-20T04:49:00.000-07:00

So I been working on the grim ripper proj. Not getting anywhere on it really. though hopefully today I do. Maybe send? Ahh it's so hard. The moves
Just shut you DOWN. It's been what I've been going to and working on since my last Ten sleep trip. The movement on the route is beautiful. The problem is a mastery of compression with a minor in expansion. So challenging. The first couple of moves probably come in at v7 or 8. then you hit a v10 move. then v(way beyond me) and another and a couple v10 moves then v8 finish. rough. I'm still pretty psyched though. And today is my birthday so I will be wishing for serious birthday luck. Besides that the coolest new thing I've jumped on was the low low start to lewis town pharmacy. A cool problem Clint showed me. I think it clocks in at solid 9. Clint, during my solitude, has been crushing. He sent this thing on the wretch.. a route I can never remember the name of that I think is a 10. He's climbing strong. Now he needs to get on the sit v11 and crush. I just realized if you compare that 11 to some of the things i've done I'm sandbagging. Power to the People. I never want to grade too high.
Today I'm also gonna go check this new cave out next to dragon force (ps new line on dragon force harder than the others). This cave is sick although back breaker rocks are numerous, the chossy juggy stuff has been climbed. but the real potential awaits in the nice rock. Small hold. Multiple lines. Psych. Day of SEEEEND. Make a prayer to the climbing gods. Dear Climbing Gods. May we send.

Sicky Gnar Gnar

2010-07-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

After a shaky ride in the ol' red suburban we had made our way to Ten Sleep. The hike up all the way to the Superattic was absolute fun as always. Amanda jumped on a 9 for her first lead ever which was super cool because she didn't get psyched out up on route. Then we made our way to the Great white Behemoth a 12b I had done last time. Gave a warm up lap then waited....
After sufficient waiting I jumped on He Biggum. Sadly though it was still in the sun so at one point I just couldn't see where to go. That run ended up just being one to hang the draws. I then watched Dominick Speranza jump on great white behemoth. He made it to the top and had it figured out. Since he's more of a boulderer(?) he was pumped silly. I then hopped back on He Biggum and sent. Oh so sick. Then I sent Canadian Jackhammer second go. I'm so stoked for ropes now. bouldering doesn't even have extreme appeal now. but come time it will. Besides I'm going bouldering today.

BAP!

2010-07-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ten Sleep. Again today.
Lander was amazing overall met up with old friends. I consider them friends at least although they might think of me as some little kid. Amanda did amazing. She is willing to get on stuff way over her head which is a huge accomplishment. I on the other hand am still scared to take lead falls on featured or not so steep terrain. But I am doing better I took some 20 foot whippers, scary ones cause you fall alongside this huge rock. I met Jonathan Siegrest and Paige Claassen. It's really col that people like that (sponsored) are not al big and bad. they climb with the normal folk. Also met Joey Kinder. Just fun weekend. Managed to throw the stick on four 13's. Not quite a 14 though I will be going back before summer's end to deal with that unfinished business. But for today Ten Sleep. Bomber

Lander my dude.. ICF

2010-07-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

So umm best vacation ever. Ya. I went with Manda which made for an amazing time. The first day we got there we bought our tickets and a guide and ran off to the Rodeo Wave. The wall has many hard routes in just one little area. After onsighting the most challenging 12a ever we're off to the wave. It just so happens that Leif Gasch was at the rodeo wall along with the now infamous Ronnie Jenkins, the sicky gnar gnar FiveTen rep. I found my first project Atomic Cow a 13d. This was my goal, to climb a 13d. That day I was unsuccessful, the next day I made it though. Ok not feeling like typing I'll do more later haha bye

I don' reed guud

2010-07-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Ten Sleep is where I seem to only climb now. I went friday, haven't climbed since... wazzup wit' dat. Work that's what I have worked 8 9 hour shifts in the last 9 days. I'm 15... What the eff!? I'm really anal about my climbing. any time off I can literally feel strength seeping from the pores in my skin. Evaporating with my sweat. AND I HATE IT. If I can't make going outside work i will train on my hangboard. That sucks. Sorry about the ranting. Now the fun stuff. double whammy.
Last time in Ten Sleep I ran into quite a few grumpy couples. The first ones where Amanda and I wanted to climb first. We get to the insect corner, we ask is this the insect corner? Yes. Can we climb here with you guys? Well There's two routes here and 5 of us.
Really I mean c'mon. Share. So Amanda didn't get to climb until way later in the day. I had to warm up on great white behemoth a 12b. That hard of a route should have a label next to it saying not for warm up. Some how I onsighted it. That was like psych oh yeah. Then i wanted to jump on incredible horsecock or he biggum fucked. but both were in the sun at the time and draws were already hanging on Hellion(except for one) so i was like screw it I haven't done this yet. Sadly no onsight haha. But i did do it in three trys. I love this route. three time better than Heart, Balls, Swagger. Beautiful line. No not three times better thats a lie. I only say that because it's my most recent route. By then He Biggum was in the shade. so I worked it. NO success that day. I was too drained after Hellion. So I worked it to the top. Next time I think it's possible. But I have a different route I really want to do next. The 13th if Kevin doesn't bail. But now off to lander for 5 days so sick so sick. International Climbers Festival. I love climbing. No doubt.
Outside climbing man. so much better than comps. I like comps, but outside- it's the Super-Love Bliss Machine.

The FA

2010-07-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

GEtting a first ascent leaves me with mixed feeling. I love that exploration into the unknown. Questioning if the problem really is going to be possible. But there is a downside for me. Once the route is done I feel like I need to rate the route. When I do this I generally underestimate to be safe, but I would rather not rate it at all. Why I do is because I have been looking to get a sponsorship. If I don't grade the problem i worry I won't recieve recognition.. blah bitty blah. So I did That other Dragon Force project Monday. I'm gonna call it Fossilized Dragon Poo(FDP). And say it's a V10 because I feel no one could argue to down grade. Isn't it funny how so many of the things I do I rate 10. I'm scared to go higher. I was thinking about 11 for FDP which would be cool. I need someone else's input. Well just some thought. Come climb in cody anyone(who doesn't trash the area haha).

no. no way.

2010-06-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

Ten Sleep
I went.
Everyone went.
Oh so sick.
Lawrence Hughes sent Crown Prince Abdullah(12d) which he has been working on like a mad man. I was super impressed because to do it i knew he was gonn ahve to pull it all together and do you know what he did- pulled it all together.
Another guy, Zach, sent Aunt Jemima's Bisquick Thunderdome(12d). hahaha.
Manda and I went which was a nice treat. Manda hasn't been so psyched on the whole climbing thing since it seems I am a tad obsessed. So I liked having her there on this gorgeous day. besides that I managed to squeak out some sendage. Alli Rainey last week, when I was there last had been working on this route called Heart Balls and Swagger(HBS). You should already want to get on. Sadly I dedn't get to see her send it that day, but she did. Which is really cool. So after warming up on this pumpy overhanging jug route I take a rather small break. Dan Moncur came, but later than I expected, so before he got there I hopped on a route called Happiness in Slavery. This pumped me the eff out. It was a 12b though so I was like ok who wouldn't pump out going up beta less. So once that was over another break. Dan showed finally two hours late. I pulled out my binoculars to stare at HBS. People climbed. I stared. I wasn't expecting much from myself as I hopped on the route. My shoulders were completely torn up from an intense hangboard sech Friday. A little less than half way, right before the crux I made a z like clip...
Little did I know, lesson learned.
I powered through the lower crux. At the next bolt the insane rope drag was made apparent. It got worse and worse towards the top. Pump and rope drag. It was brutal.
But the result was a flash. I look back right now and go... holy $%#*. I can't climb ropes. But it seems now I can. At least to some degree. Then later after doing Beer Bong an easier route. I jumped on Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle(EKV). I fell at the top I was so pumped. I let myself get lowered then Dan went up hanging a few times to the top. I then Managed the push without a hang.I've decided I only have so many good goes in me before I die. Love. Love. Love. I can't wait for next time.

a New Era approaches

2010-06-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

Summer has shown it's face, for a time at least. I sent terry's route(read previous post). It was sick, so sick. And I went to Ten Sleep. I am in love. In love with it. I did The Burden of Immortality(12d/13a) and Crown Prince Abdullah(12d) both onsight. Going again sunday hoping to crush Dragon Force Proj tomorrow.

Wanted: Summer

2010-06-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

So i went climbing with some Canadians in town, Terry Paholek among them. That was sick. He sent a project here and called it The Spearpoint Baby Chuckin' Throwdown(V12). He also crushed Prize Fighter(V10) and some route I forget the name of, don't worry though it was a 10 haha. But with those guys we also traveled up yonder to hop on the Dragon Force Project. Well we found to Projects a sloper one and a sloper crimp one haha. Also we found Danscaping(V6). Selena, Terry's wife sent Danscaping a route with a desperate topout. Terry and I both worked on the projects. I sent one calling it Living in Infamy(V10) and am now left with a sick sloper proj. I can't wait to hop on. I was the only one to manage that send though.
Then yesterday I made my way to tensleep with Amanda. The highlight was Super-Love Bliss Machine(12d) that I sent in two tries. I was psyched cause that's the hardest sport route I've been on.
Tomorrow I will either try the remaining Dragon Force Proj. or Terry's Route. Haha I will have till noon. Then Work. Dang

Iso(Lation)

2010-06-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

Cody is isolated from the outside world in terms of climbing. It's not a world class destination, though it possibly has more to offer. Think Joe's Valley. Here the routes are just as good if not sometimes better. I just feel isolated. Self pity party, not quite. I just think it would be cool if some strong climbers came here once in a while. Not saying I want to be like Joe's, cause I don't. But sometimes it's cool to have the area you climb at looked at by others and here their response. And I always here grades are sandbagged here. Yes I think Some most definitely are, but i would like to here that from some one that comes from out of town. Just thoughts. I love Cody though, for climbing at least haha. The only thing that might be nice now is more hard projects and a climbing gym. But the truth is I just have to go looking for the routes and they will be there waiting. In the past I've just had stuff handed to me. I need to man up.

Phote Ahs

2010-06-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

Antelope boulder two thanksgiving breaks ago

Core's Last Comp

A comp. in Jackson Hole over a year ago.

Wretched Harley(V10) is what i think this one was called photo by Mike Snyder

Prize Fighter(V10)

The Bearded Clam(V9)

Tribal Vibrations(V11)

The Camera(V9/10)

The Cave(V10)

The Assassin(V9) Photo by Mike Snyder

Satan's Soul(V12)

Bawitdaba(V8) Still unsuccessful on this haha Photo by Dan Moncur

Viral Kiss(V8)

The Riddler Project

Stalker

2010-06-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

I like to always be immersed in climbing related things whether that be climbing(my preferred method), reading a guidebook, reading a climbing magazine, reading on the interweb about climbing, or just dreaming about routes. I also like to plan trips that may or may not happen. The thing that chains this all together is the climbing.
So the interweb. People are getting blogs, like this one but more people read them. I assume almost noone reads mine haha but in preparation of that day I keep this. Since people get blogs they need someone to read them, why not me right? Alex Fritz' blog kicks my blogs butt. Everyones does, I must need pictures, that's the key. To have pictures though, someone must take them. Joshua Levin he blogs it hard too. I need to blog it hard.
I don't know if you've seen tthe obvious correlation yet. But people that blog hard about climbing, obviously climb effin' hard. So theoretically if i spend more time blogging I will increase my power possibly tenfold. So sick.
I also have a facebook. Weird I'm a teenager with a facebook. Ok well I was looking through Alex' pictures, like the stalker I am and he had pictures of his room. This is just getting weirder isn't it. Well his room is covered with medals. And I say that to ask is that normal? I have all the medals and stuff, not many, that I haven't lost in a drawer that I never look at. Oh wait I have two ribbons hanging up right beneath my doorway, can you guess? They are participant and competitor ribbons taped back to back haha. Now lets make this clear. I am not ragging on Alex Fritz. It just sounds like we look at things differently. Quite frankly I like Alex Fritz, he's nice to me. It doesn't take much for me to like someone. Besides all that. climbing today. Grim Ripper Project. I'm so psyched. It is this way hard, extremely hard cave. Harder than the other things I've done. I think it's harder than Satan's Soul. But I have all of the sequence unlocked. well except the last couple of move which hopefully won't be the hard part. It's not supposed to be at least. But see yah. Wish me luck. LUCK

Summer?

2010-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Ok well it's kinda summer. The rain has still been coming down occasionally, more than that, but the climbing has still been a-go. Besides that I suck at this blogging stuff, hardcore. I am no good for updating on a regular basis. Which is weird since i can sit at the computer and just have Facebook suck the all the time from my life. I should take up baking again. Yes baking, Love it. The downside is the delicious food that you just can't seem to stop eating, who says no to homemade banana bread? My favorite bar type baked good has to be the seven layer bar. Except for the fact when you eat it it's like saying something along th elines of- Screw this, I wanna get pudgy.
And I just can't do quite that. I have a little more pride than that. Peanut butter is my weakness though. ok well i have to go. haha carnival. and groceries. and skin healing.. project going down, hopefully this friday. wish me luck

the letter 3

2010-05-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

3 is perfect. Not quite a letter though, I'll admit. A triangle of 3 is always strong. Well 3 days of school are left. And right now that's just perfect. Tomorrow when only two are left. That will be the new perfect. When one is left the newest perfect. And once there are no numbers left that will be perfection. This weekend was a god send of sorts. On Thursday I made a happy little trip to the doctor's office. The reason for my visit was to check up on my abs. I have been concerned for quite some time with the possibility of a hernia. So skip to the point, no hernia. I was so relieved, extremely relieved. Friday I went climbing, when I first got to the crag I was feeling way too out of it. I pumped myself out a couple times warming up then went into a rather long break. On my first try doing the traverse project at the carcass crag I sent. Holy Crap. I barely did it my arms were so pumped at the end. From there we went to the Wretch I did the project on there also. Two projects one day glorious. But might it get better, oh it might. Myself and Amanda went to Clambake, a project I've had for quite some time. I was sticking the crux move that I had never been able to stick before. Realizing this was possible I started to get a wee bit jittery. After a couple more attempts I was hit with the fact I'm skipping a move. Oh @#$% ! I tried to do it with that move but by that time my muscles were weak. Oh yah I was sick that day too. It was 5 in the afternoon and all I had had was two bowls of oatmeal because it was all I could keep down.
Sunday I went out again. yippee. I did clambake, but my fingers were sadly enough sissies. That meant for a short sesh, tore a hole in ye' old finger. Hopefully I won't have thin fingers next time.. hopefully tomorrow if there is no rain right. Well wish me luck

the list

2010-05-10T04:58:00.000-07:00

So summer is very near. I hope this upcoming week of forecasted storms and snow will be the grand opening to the sunshine and warmth. This weekend I managed to sneak in two days of climbing. The second day, a wee bit short, but climbing none the less. I tore it up on the hangboard on friday which was a silly idea with the weekend approaching. Saturday morning hit and hit it did. My whole upper body was sore. I went out with Reese and Justine to the batcave where everyone seems to have desire to go now days. Now we get to the exciting part. I climbed a route, Presto, I put on my list. I made a twenty-some problem list of to do routes in cody for this summer. Some are V8 and other are much much harder, projects. My goal is every weekend to get on at least one those routes and make maybe a little progress. Hopefully by the end of the summer that whole list is almost crossed off. It will give me a little organization and hopefully help keep motivation high.
Sunday I went out with Dan who is now working the problem twoface a sandbagged V7. He kept making it through the crux move but falling shortly after. So close. Hopefully next time though all goes as planned.

Infatuation

2010-05-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Infatuation- extravagant passion or love. That's what I have with climbing. Obsessive. Everything. It is a drug. You do it once. Next time you need more. And more. And more. Yesterday despite the winds that lashed our faces Justine, Reese and I made our way out to the boulder gardens. Reese, newly licensed to drive, has made a comeback to climbing. He had climbed when it was just getting big in Cody, a short lived love for many. But after climbing Three times in the last week after at least six months of no climbing and very intermittent climbing before that for the two years previous. He has already almost made the comeback to V3 and also almost did V4. After climbing at the first boulder I stole two pads and made my way over to Spearpoint. Spearpoint is filled with a good many hard routes. A 3, 6/7, 10, 11(Tribal Vibrations, and now another something. The boulder hangs out about 20 degrees from vertical maybe a little more. Many of the routes on this boulder lead to sideways movement, still fantastic, but no straight lines. The last time I was with Mike Snyder at the boulder he pointed out the straight line. Here you start on a flat pad and a half ledge. Cross into a good pocket with you first three fingers on your left. Slide into a pocket with your last three on your right then make a dynamic throw/bump off crappy feet to a tiny half pad three finger crimp. Bring your left to a tiny sloping pinch after throwing in a left heel. Bump. Scream, move with your right to an even smaller crimp that begs to tear into your precious fingers. Bump haha again into a crack system. cross with your left higher into the crack system Toe into a small pocket with your right quick move with your right farther up the crack. A couple more pumpy hand movements and top out. First Ascent. I was so excited. I think this problem is hard really hard. But the most exciting part was doing it. Second- I love naming it. It's still special to et to name things being that I haven't done too many first ascents and like this one the ones that I do are hard. Dan told me I need to name it Pookster. Haha after my girlfriend Amanda called me that the crap has not stopped. So Pookster it is haha. And I think it is a solid 11. Pookster(V11) So sick

The Fantasy

2010-04-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

I used to fantasize about sex. Things changed. I fantasize about climbing.
The moves run laps in my head. The brilliance of the possibility. The idea I might be able to take the moves combine them and find the way to completion. Tomorrow feels like a lifetime away. Like I am waiting for the most amazing moment in my life. All that awaits me is another route upon which I draw my life force from for the time being. It is constantly inspiring me. It is nothing new. Yet something I have never encountered in my life before. Climbing's inspiration it lends to the soul is unexplainable.
The summer brings hope for me. I have much to do. Much to accomplish. I plan to climb to my limit. As much as possible. As hard as possible. Quite frankly the developed routes are running slim for me. This summer will involve pushing the limits of Cody bouldering as far as I can. With Satan's Soul I have already set the summit at a higher point. My goal is to keep pushing the limits farther and farther.
Another note upon which to remark is Dan Moncur. A climber originally from Casper, Wyoming who is now going to college in the nearby Powell. His winter was not filled with climbing being that he didn't have access to much of a gym anywhere. No one really did. But now that he's back on the rock he is psyched. And crushing. We have been going out when he has had the chance and he has already started putting to rest some of Cody's hard problems. Yesterday he walked up the super crimpy Hot Buns Stuffed, V9. I was blown away. An incredibly impressive send. I can't wait to keep climbing with him and see what else he might put down this summer.

Joe's Valley?

2010-04-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

I've never been good with this. Recently I've been climbing before that spring break in Phoenix with my grandparents. I just had a 5 days in a row climbing spree. How amazing is that? So amazing. But back to Joe's. I caught a ride down there with some Helena(MT) climber's, the Speranza's, so the trip in total was made by myself, Dominick II(the dad) and III(son), and Duncan Ellis. The first night we slept there was semi-hell for me. I have rather poor circulation and during a cold night it shows. I spent most of the night awake trying make sure my toes didn't fall off and just tried to keep relatively warm. Our first day was going to be spent at Area 51. Worries fluttered about me when I thought of climbing and my lack of sleep. We arrived to the boulders about ten-ish the sun beating down on our backs. I quickly stripped down into my capilene. After warming up on a boulder I neglected to find the name of we moved on to Resident Evil. The problem was a wee-bit hard haha. It took a good many goes goes but i finally sent it. Black Lung, the thought of the climb had always excited me. I wanted to try it with my all, but I felt that with this trip I wouldn't be able to do it at all. I tried it a few times though. I think given another year and maybe a couple days there the send wouldn't be to hard to do. Dominick sent the V8 that was a shorter version of resident evil. But we decided to move on for the day. We drive to fingerhut. Now talking about this it seems like we went to Resident Evil climbed and left all within a tiny time period. But oh no we didn't, it was time consuming. Fingerhut was not a-go our tips were shredded so we moved onto the scrawny and brawny boulder. Everyone else was pretty much psychless by this time, except me. I flashed the route called Not so Brawny, I think that's its name but the crimps on Scrawny and Brawny felt like tiny little needles poking into my hands by this time. I bit through the pain and did the first move matched but then botched my sequence. Sadly I left this route undone. We returned to camp tired and ready for dinner. Once night approached we happily made our way to bed.
The next day was started later being that we were tired. Our first stop was the boulder with they call him jordan. Myself and Dominick dispatched Wills A Fire but after that they call him Jordan felt just like to much dynamic movement and our guides gave us no clue as to what the routes were on the left most side of the boulder. We made use of our time and instead of being squabblers we made our way onto the riverside area. The angler was done by all. Myself and Dominick worked Feels like Grit. Talk about hard. That took my all but finally I found myself to the point of topping out. Dominick was psyched but couldn't manage to piece it together. Up the hill to Big Joe was our next destination. This boulder is huge. I did Big Joe in two tries then gave Nerve Extension some all out goes. Dominick and I also tried smoking joe from the start a couple times but he and I quickly reverted to working Big Joe and nerve Extension respectively. It was late when we called it quits and time to return to camp.
The third day was a rap up day. We were all trashed and knew today couldn't last long. I think next time I want to take a week trip where we have 2 on 1 off 2 on. The other days would be travel. First we went back to area 51. Dominick wanted desperately to do Resident Evil. He impressively did it in like 4 tries that day right once he did that we were outa there and went back to Big Joe. In two tries I did nerve extension. Super psych and then after a coupe tries I did smoking Joe. Super duper psych. DOminick also did Big Joe. Every one was ready to leave here now no one else was down for climbing more. But we went to the boy size area. After letting Dominick's dad get on some slab we tried boy size. Hard as crap was how that felt. I almost almost almost had it but I left it undone. We went to camp quickly disassembled it and made the long drive home.

Joe's Valley

2010-03-31T15:48:00.001-07:00

More to come.. but it happened. oh yes it did

A thanks?

2010-03-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to say thanks to the people that inspired me to never give up on climbing, who were always there to push me a little harder yet always back me in a positive way. Some people at the top of that list are my Mom-Rene, Dad-Laurence, Aaron Mulkey- truthfully if not for him I would be absolutely nothing, Mike Snyder- nobody wants to be stuck in the gym forever right, and Leif- my idol (from the sounds of things he's living the dream). Then there are the many other climbers from Cody that have influenced me and also the climbers pushing the limits worldwide that inspire everyone like Nalle Hukkataival, Dave Graham, and Adam Ondra. The company that keeps me supplied with the neccessary: La Sportiva.

Satan's Soul

2010-03-17T19:03:00.001-07:00

After a lot of hard work, and support from people like Mike and the climbing posse I finally sent my project. Here are some pictures taken by Aaron Mulkey-

This route is on a completely different level from all the other routes I have done. BJ Tilden who had worked on the route before said it was on par with all the other V12's he had done if not harder. So being that this is an FA I was left in the awkward position of grading it, and naming it-how cool. I decided that Satan's Soul was a fitting name being that it was on the Hate Satan Boulder and V12 a proper grade.- more later.. peace.. so sick

It's not the end, only a new beginning.

2010-03-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

My life was a near perfect synonym for chaos recently. Ok, well not that bad. Just I wont be saying it was that good. I mean how would you feel if your climbing gym was torn into pieces right in front of your eyes. I have to move on. This was a huge hit for me. I know that now days lots of older climbers diss on the kids that sprout from the gym, so I know it may possibly be me that that's against but I love the gym. It gave my life meaning. Going into sixth grade I was a little chub. After 4(maybe 5) years climbing really has made a big difference in that. Climbing definitely hasn't just been a physical improvement. Most definitely not. It has taught me to be persistent, to not give up and give it that extra burn. It has done nothing but better me, and I am unendingly grateful for that. Haha well there is one thing, it made me a tad bit obsessive you could say. I could tell you bout the extravagance of climbing for pages but I will save you. Instead we can talk about what this means for me because thats what we are here for, it's my blog, riiiiighT?
After Nationals I took a week off gained some weight, ate some girl scout cookies(two boxes in one night), and took a chill pill. The weather was rather frigid so getting back to climbing meant finding somewhere besides outside or the gym to climb(heating bills are for sissies). The only option I was aware of was Dylan Etscorn's garage gym. Nervousness had kind of always preceded the idea of asking the older guys to let me into their circle though. I finally managed the nerve to ask.
And for those guys letting me join them all I have to say is I owe them a million favors and what not, though I do prefer they don't ask them of me. Tuesdays and thursdays have been boulder with the big boys nights which I have absolutely loved the experience of. The crew the first night I went there was huge, I can't even remember everyone that was there. But 10 people in a rather small garage is crowded. Really crowded. Since then there has been a more consistent smaller group consisting of Dylan, Mike Snyder(wyclimber.blogspot.com), Clint Cook, Bryant and Matt Hall, Dan Miller, and Jason Litton. Now with those I was also doing some intermittent hangboard training and some other little tidbits I picked up from old climbing magazines.
Another little thing I might go off on now is climbing magazines quality. You look at the ones from the late 80's and 90's and then you look at the nows and your just like "what haaaappened?" Those older ones are filled with exceptional articles about the limits being pushed, medicine, and training. Rock and Ice and Climbing just don't seem to be put out on the level they use o be. Ok enough negative, I'm sorry.
Once the weather was nice enough I was like now I can train at the gym too super sick, before it went down. I went there one day before school was like wow my skill really went down. My butt was handed to me on a golden platter, I was having so much fun though. You appreciate things like that more when you don't have them for a while. The movement felt beautiful. And I even was going to finish it off with some training. Thats when it hit the fan. The lady who owns the building came in and freaked the eff out. She revoked my key. From there it has just gone down the hill, into the gutter, out the drain, and into the sewer. The weather was escalating in temperature though. So I made a trip via bike out to check the possibility of climbing after school. Verdict was not enough light. That weekend I traveled to Missoula to see Manda which was super fun and as always depressing when it came to an end. Since then I have made it outside for climbing twice and once just to be out there, silly cause I was freezing. Hate satan is almost a-go. Almost Garrgh.
Spring break shows signs of Joe's Valley. oh yes. Any one with advice feel free to give. And anyone with advice on training even more free to give.
Till next time.

the rest

2010-02-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

The fourth route... It started with a dyno followed by an awkward move to what i would like to call quite the bad sloper. that went out to a positive crimp then crossed into a bubbly red white and blue feature from there you gastoned above you and then reached out to the right to gaston with your other hand. Dropped your left right below to a sidepull and threw to the finish jug. After many tries in that five minutes I finally made it to the last move where I threw to the final jug. My grip failed me but i was exhilarated. The route was absolutely beautiful all the way through. I found out later that day I was in second with Joshua Levin leading. The next day came fast I woke up early planning on being there close after iso's opening. That was bad on my part I ended up warming up a little too much. Excuses excuses. I went out to the first problem, my first mess up. I did not flash it but second try I walked up it. The second route was a flash another steep route. The third, a slab. My greatest fear. My biggest weakness. It took me three tries to complete it at this point I was freaked out I knew I had lost my high standing. It was my fault I had been indecisive and messed up. I was amazed I had done it though because I thought it was a very challenging route. Then the fourth route, another beauty. It moved up a slightly overhanging wall onto a arete then became steeper. Everyone was making it to the same spot. Now if this sounded all negative I am sending the wrong vibe. I was disappointed with the fact I could have done better. I still loved it. It was great and eighth isnt bad right :) well now it is my turn to complain haha. The routes for finals truthfully were not what they should have been right once I was done I felt like this. Each route had concrete cruxes which is not how competition routes like this should be. What I think is proof to this idea is the four way tie that occurred in the top ten. ill post the results after this. But it just didnt feel like a fair ending. so be it though. I cant wait to climb outside. and I get to reset the seventy at our gym that might not be going into complete decay hurray yay yay yay. Thats it for now. Peace.

Jinxed?

2010-02-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

So on my laptop at my house I have been trying to get on at my house... it has not been able not work at all. Well now in history class I will try to finish my story about ABS 11 nationals
The next day at 9:45 i was off to the comp, iso closed at 10:30. I was up 28th. Nervous and what not I warmed up in iso snacking on clif bars and the other free bars, I am a fan of free stuff. I went out to the first problem. Right once I read the problem I hopped on and flashed it. Thank god that would have been bad to mess up that early in the competition. The next problem was awkward i tried to decipher it as best I could. I made the problem about half way on the first try. Second try I made my corrections and found my way to the top. On the third problem it was a steep roof and there was a possibility for a flash. I made it, flash. The fourth problem looked rather worrisome. It took me a while to figure out the flow of it. There was a dyno for a start move from there was only my guess....

Nats please

2010-02-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

So nationals this weekend, although I would have loved to climb outside this weekend being that it was 40 degrees in cody this weekend, I absolutely loved this weekend.. mixed feelings for after the comp, but not because of the comp. We arrived in DC, we being me and my mom, on thursday. Quite frankly I should have jumped off the DC plane and kissed the ground for the fact that I made it there with the recent conditions of record snowfall in the area. In minneapolis we met up with Amanda, my girlfriend, and i was lucky enough to get to sit next to her on the way to DC. Once in DC we were picked up by my moms grade school friend Mandy, her nickname- shes an amanda too, we went to hotel monaco in downtown alexandria. It was fun, that night we cruised the main street to get the lay of the land and find dinner. The next day was drive by touring of DC. The only museum we went to was the holocaust museum. Fascinating. The only other one I would have been really interested to see was the air and space museum. Then we went and saw memorials. Their just not that amazing. I didnt interact with them. They didnt educate me. They were just there. They are beautiful, dont get me wrong. But it feels like glorifying what we've accomplished. How does that matter in the now? Im sure it does just there are better things. At least they get america walking to and fro haha. But going to see the lincoln memorial being on the hit and run tour we were dropped off at the handicapped area by Mandy and ran up to snap some photos. In the 5 minutes that took the security guards were onto her. so we ran back and booked it. That night we went and checked into the the hotel and checked in for the comp. Now I must go help pack, we are still in DC I think I have free time at the airport for a lil' blogging if not I will try to get on soon. I am getting better I will admit. Dont Jinx

ending the un-ended

2010-02-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

Well once I got up there.. I cant remember where I was exactly in my story haha but I warmed up on shyza shyza and then snytonga and moved on to the Hate Satan Proj. I was feeling rather strong for not having been on the route in such a seemingly endless time but after 15 or so tries I had the route's movement back under control, relatively. Once. Just once. I made it all the way to the end with my toe on the jug you need to heelhook so you can hand foot match. But my body would just not let me make that tiny move. Toe to heel. Toe to heel. Next time. ah. Beautiful route. I get excited thinking about it. sometimes I think for a nice day with doing that route I would have given up this weekend.. but i dont know, ill have a chance at doing it hopefully soon if i dont fall into decay because of lack of a gym haha(churning stomach, sick with fear). Currently I dont know what is happening with the gym. If I loose it i face problems. With its current condition I face problems also though. I cant wait for summer. outside is where I want to be. Outside. Sun. Perfect Sandstone Bouldering

Hate Satan Proj.

2010-02-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday's game plan was to wake up early at the 5 train, break, yoga, and train. No way haha. I woke up at 7 easily being that I went to bed at 8:30. Took my time getting ready, lately it seems like I never have calm days. I love it but it does tire my system. By 10 i was walking off to the rock gym supposed to meet this new climber in town who decided a day in the gym would be fantastic. I had done my two traverse laps for an intro to my warmup when i walked outside to make a call. Revelation- It was a balmy 40 degrees, I could climb outside. After a couple moments of elation I hustled out of the rockgym with my stuff called to make my bail phone call and was off to set up the ol' bike and burly(ey?). Call it fortune but my mom offered to give me a ride up cedar(the mountain). Thank god I accepted being that I was considering denial for the fact that it is a great warm up to bike up cedar because on our way up I saw the road was blanketed in snow.
Once at the boulders I threw on my shoes at a 30 foot traverse on an overhang V7, Shyza Shyza. After some sufficient lappage to the end but not overly pushing myself for the go I moved onto Snytonga. Again not wanting to overly exert myself I went for the crux move multiple times but didn't try to catch the sharp crimp. Then it was onto The hate satan roof route.- to be continued

I'm a crappy blogger

2010-02-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Just think I've had this blog what, almost two years and I have possibly 8 posts. But since tribal vibrations the outside progress really has been limited.. real limited. I think I did a couple of v10s. I did however more importantly find a v13ish project to work on. I had it done, every move down, but then winter came. That sends people like myself to use the rock gym as a crutch until winters reign is over. But since I am in the gym I make relatively good use of It. Alexandria Virginia is hosting bouldering nationals for this year next weekend. I fly out with my mom on thursday. The weekend is through valentines day so the fact my girlfriend Amanda will be joining us in Virginia is completely amazing. I've been training hard for the last week haha I'm sure I'm gonna climb at my limit.. maybe not. I hope so though. My goal is to place in the top 10. Later for now. Hopefully I'll update soon. If not, call me a failure.

Well hello there.

2009-09-09T19:32:00.001-07:00

School is trying to take over my life. I back handed it then told climbing to grab the steering wheel.
So the weekend in the Beartooths, a couple weeks ago, was killer. With a crew of five; Mike Snyder, Clint Cook, Joel Anderson, Aaron Mulkey, and myself, there was a compilation of completely sick sends. The aura of the trip was really cool for me. It was a first overnight trip where we climbed camped and then when morning came again climbed.
When Aaron and I pulled in around one I was ready to crush. Every one else had already had their morning sesh and they were about ready for seconds. We all got psyched and headed of to the first boulder on our itinerary. The boulder had a V5 and a soft V7/8 called Rod of Lordly Might. For some reason I miss heard the routes grade as V2 and V5. So Mike walks up the V5 i thought was a V2. So i hop on all eager to warm up. I find my way to the crux finding myself really struggling to pull through, making it to the top barely. Once at the bottom I made some comments about how stiff of a two it seemed like and i was corrected relieved to hear it wasn't one. The next route, Rod of Lordly Might, showed me some of the most impressive climbing I've ever seen. Clint had been working on it but he is relatively short and it consisted of some big throws so it was really challenging him. After working it for a little bit he gripped down onto the rock set with determination. He makes the first move to not so good sloper, the crux move for me, sets up his feet for the next move and dynos it. Bearing down he hits the next crimp bumps up then moves out right to a crimp at first he couldn't reach it but knowing he had already gotten this far he pushed that two more needed inches. The next move was a real test of balance. He had kept a heel until now and it was too late to change to a tow so after half a minute of struggling he set his muscles all the way to the work and stood up. He had done the route. This has to have been one of the most inspiring things to me, I know there are all those videos out there that you see and they inspire you. But this was different this wasn't a pro this was the average guy that has his weekly sessions with his friends showing you that even when it looks beyond possible its not.
After there we hiked for a while to find this boulder which unbeknownst to us was ripe for first ascents. RIght once we found ourselves slipping on shoes to climb the rain started to come down. Pulling all the pads into the cave we waited out the light shower. I was fired up to try this route that traversed across the bottom on a two foot diameter pipe like feature. Once at the end of this you hit a slopey crimp then rocked out to a small crimp and hucked. Then there was another 10 or so feet of get-you-pumped climbing. Once I finally did this route and topped out I felt like puking since stupidly all I had eaten that day were a handful of almonds and a clifbar.
Well I have to go. I'll finish this story next time.

oh yah

2009-08-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

Done amazing. linked it first try. ahh but im left empty.. like when youre done with any project i dont know what next. projects. ill find one.

Tribal Vibrations. Tribal Vibrations. Tribal Vibrations.

2009-08-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

I cant get it out of my mind. i can do every move. i would be up working it right now except i need a day of rest. Hoping desperately i can do it tomorrow though i know the anxiousness for getting on the route is better then the actually feeling of sending. its all about the process discovering that secret little sequence that will power you to the top. i finally unlocked the top half havent been able to link it yet. ahh anxious. well until next time. bye

Ya...

2009-07-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ok well its been a year since ive done this kinda crazy to think about all the stuff thats happened since. and to think about what was happening then. I think this blogging thing is kinda silly not gonna lie. i mean who looks at this me? well yah. anyone else? umm doubt it. Im cool with it coach mulkey says its good for everything sponsorship wise. I sent in a resume to Sportiva. i didnt even get a reply kinda disappointing. i dont know what to do about that. i mean rejection ok i can live with that. but i need the tools to find acception. So it would have been nice to have heard what i need to do to make myself look more attractive on paper. People keep telling me go for some lower shoe company. i just want to be like why? i dont like the other shoes company's shoes so thats like being a liar and telling them i love their shoes and want a sponsorship from them. So that leaves me in a predicament a kid with a very limited amount of money trying to buy top of the line shoes. the other company i really want a sponsorship with is prAna. Havent tried but they are amazing. hopefully ill give it a go before summers end. Lately ive been climbing pretty amazing stuff I still cant find anything of which i can get an FA on everything is just right outside my limit. so hopefully ill be there soon though. Today I worked on this bomber Route. amazing. its this route called Tribal Vibrations. Whats really cool about it is the way its set up. the boulder its on is this Volcom stone shape a little more tilted than 70 degrees. The first move is relatively easy the second one is too but then you make an awkward move out to a not very positive pocket. from there you grab this sidepull right below the pocket and throw for this half pad three finger crimp you throw up your right foot and rock out with your right handto this terrible hold. Mike Snyder who wrote the guidebook said it was the smallest hold on the mountain of any established route. from there you slot your hand into a crack thats one of the better holds but still slopey. haha from there i have yet to find out. but im psyched cause the route is amazing. Besides that ive beeen climbing pretty hard I have a V11 and then three V10's and 5 V9's i think. the majority of those done within the last couple months. if you read this. cool. you deserve a doughnut. or something you would appreciate.

2008-06-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Teva games was sweet. I got to see the world championships for bouldering and compete in the Youth competition. I was a retard and focused too much on one route at a time rather than backing my points up with high-low routes(haha that makes sense). I took 4th place. A week later I went to divisionals. I qualified for the second day in my opinion barely by taking 7th place (10 went to the second day), On the second day I made it to 5th place which in turn qualifies me for nationals. Two days after that(today) I went outside bouldering. I sent Snytonga and Shyza-Shyza V9 and V7 respectively.

2008-05-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Cody comp. was fun i took first in my division second overall. A few weeks later I went to regionals for SCS and received 4th place. I was amazed. I was disqualified towards the end of the first route for putting my foot on a wrong hold then I ran out of time on the second route. So sometime in June I'm going to divisionals but right now I'm more worried about Teva Games which is gonna be killer. Can't wait.

Bozeman

2008-04-20T20:31:00.001-07:00

It turns out the majority of the team didn't go, three of us went, haha. It was our first time in a roped competition this year. We weren't ready for it, I placed somewhere around 8th with three routes completed. Our next competition is in our teams' hometown, Cody, Wyoming. The weather has been better though and I've been climbing outside. I lead my first 5.11, Seam Dream, then another 5.11, Black Hole. I went bouldering a few days later and sent one of Cody's famous boulder problems Ripper Point (V5). The most kinesthetic boulder problem I've climbed yet.

Startin out

2008-04-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

Lately the weathers been crappy so I haven't been getting outside, but last time I did get outside I sent Fingerpaint my first V7 outside. Our climbing team has a newfound inspiration, we don't know what the inspiration is though, but everyones been coming to practice. We have a new training plan that has like 3 or 4 phases which get more intense with each phase. Right now I'm pumping out with phase 2 so I'm expecting major benefits. On Saturday we went to a comp in Billings. Our team had 3 first places. I got first overall just barely. This upcoming Saturday the majority of our team is going to Bozeman to compete.