Great Barrington

Greg and I left for GB early this morning from NJ. We'd never driven up from home before, and thought it would be about 2 hours - turns out the way the GPS had us go involved lots of backroads, and it took about 3 hours. 

Anyway, it was Greg's first time there, so I showed him all the classic moderates. He sent Hairy White Thing (V3/4) and tried a few other climbs. Sounds like he liked the gneiss. 

Before we went over to Hairy White Thing, I gave a few burns on Filter (v9), and on my first go fell going to the jug. After Greg sent, we went back to Filter and I finished it up in a couple more tries. After that I gave Fotowa a few burns, but my left pointer and ring fingers started bleeding. On the way out we stopped by the Speed Boulder so Greg could see it, and I figured I'd give Castalettes (V9) a few burns. I'd previously thought that this problem would never go for me, but I sent on my third burn today - super stoked! It was a good day, and we took a better route home and made the drive only 2 hours.

Just a week till Hueco!!! Stoked!

Woah - My trip to Hueco is coming quick! With the recent snowstorm in the northeast it is looking like I won't be getting outside much. So far this has meant long sessions in the gym, core workouts, and weighted campusing. Maybe I will get out to Great Barrington after Christmas - I hope at least. 

Olivia's parents recently offered to let me stay with them in Falset, Spain this summer, which I'm hoping to do (hopefully for at least 2 weeks). Falset is about 40 minutes from Siurana and Montsant, where there are world-class crags! Unfortunately it will be super hot in July, but at least I'll be climbing! Anyone ever been to Siurana/Montsant/Falset? Any tips? I'd love to check out Albaraccin if I can somehow get my hands on a car, too (or if there is a way to get there by train?)

Da Gunks

Wow - Thanksgiving went by WAY to fast. I had a good time while I was home, though. Hit the gym on tuesday and worked a sport route for a little, nearly decked a couple times, but had a fun time overall. I haven't trained endurance in months, but surprisingly I felt good on routes. Anyway, Saturday Greg and I headed up the new paltz to meet Mike Arthur and Mikey Rhosler. Well they were their usual selves and didn't wake up till 11am, then missed the exit to new Paltz - we didn't see them till 2pm. 

Anyway, we were climbing by 1030am, and Greg got on a bunch of the moderates and had a good time. While we were warming up by the Gill egg with Jeff and Andrew, I met Chris Sierzant - you might've seen him on the cover of urban climber? Hes a cool guy in person, and definitely strong. I guess he was in the area for thanksgiving and wanted to see what the northeast was all about. I told him he had to see some real new england bouldering, and to check out GB - that pebbly conglomerate at the gunks doesn't compare. Anyway, we worked our way down the carriage road and I finally ended up at The Art of Nothing (8pts) with Jeff. We worked this a little, and I missed the good part of the lip a few times before giving up. This was the only problem I realllly worked all day. Even Lovely was a sheet of ice - bummer. I might work that in the future, though. Oh, and Bismark is a pile - i'm never getting on that.

Every time I go to the gunks (read: carriage road) I'm reminded that the only line I really love there is Crouching Dragon (11pts).  Mike showed up and almost sent first burn, falling off the last move. Second burn he matched the lip and fell. a few more tries falling off the last move and he gave up. I wish I could not warm up and nearly send an 11.

Great Barrington, frozen

Jeremy, Sam, Chelsea, and I headed out to GB this morning to meet Adrian, Gary and Murph. I've lately decided that GB is without a doubt the best bouldering area I've been to in the northeast. Anyway, it was forecast to be a chilly 27 degrees today, and it was definitely colder with the 15mph winds. After warming up we headed right up to the Phen Phen wall to work The Echo (v9) and Filter (v9). I gave Filter three or so burns, and came up with some good beta to avoid the penultimate hard move. The lockoff feels easier to me, but setting up the foot is definitely difficult. Gary was able to send on his second go using my beta. Anyway, I gave up on Filter for the day to work on my real goal, The Echo. Jeremy and I epiced on The Echo for a long time, and I must have fell off the jug in the seam 5 or 6 times before finally sticking it. Jeremy also sent, matching the left hand and going up to the seam. Next we headed to Fotowa (v9) to burn our tips a little more. I got about five burns in before my left index finger started gushing blood. This line should go in a couple tries when I'm fresh. Anyway, super stoked on GB, can't wait to return. Photos by Adrian Cighi.

Me on Fotowa, photo by Adrian Cighi
Me on Fotowa, photo by Adrian Cighi

Looks like Gary Goldfinger will be joining us tomorrow, possibly with someone who knows the area a little better. I'm headed out to REI right now to pick up a propane heater, or at least some hand warmers to deal w/ the 20* temps. 

Wow, just saw that Carlo Traversi topped Evilution out - ballsy. Props to him on the send. 

Back to Great Barrington on Saturday - Stoked! Looks like it is going to be 20 degrees or so, brrr.

Lincoln Woods

Jeremy, Chelsea, Sam, Brandon, P. Fitz, and I made it out to Lincoln Woods today to do a little afternoon bouldering. People talk a lot of smack about Lincoln Woods, mostly because of the graffiti on the rock, the grilling, and the loud music . I think most of that is to be expected 10 minutes outside of Providence, though. We got on a lot of problems today, and my tips held up well - I think Ander's A-Balm (www.a-balm.com) is really making a big difference on that front. Anyway I sent 3 climbs today - Neil's Lunge (v4), Clutch (v9), and Who Needs Hueco? (v8). Who Needs Hueco was my favorite climb - sidepulls and pinches out a roof to a big move to a hueco. Jeremy, Brandon and I sent this line just as the sun was fading. Next time I go back there are 4 7s that I need to finish up. Anyway, here are some photos. All photos by Adrian Cighi

Jeremy on Who Needs Hueco (v8)      Photo by Adrian Cighi
Me on Who Needs Hueco          Photo by Adrian Cighi
Jeremy on Clutch (v9)   Photo by Adrian Cighi

Me on Clutch (v9)    Photo by Adrian Cighi

P-Way

I made it out to Pawtuckaway yesterday with Jeremy and Sam. It was my first chance to see the area during the day, as we had previously only been there at night. During the day, Pawtuckaway is beautiful. I had an alright day, climbing Mortha Stweart, Atlas, and Up in Smoke (all v7).  My tips were dead by the end of the day, with the middle left bleeding. Can't wait to get back to Pway!

Shoe Rant

Yesterday, while at Great Barrington, I broke out an old pair of V10s which still had a little rubber on them. Unfortunately my Jet7s had been mistakenly picked up by someone at the gym, and I needed a pair of sensitive shoes. Putting on the V10s really got me thinking about all of the pairs of shoes I've worn in my five or so years climbing - and I realized that 5.10 shoes are, in my opinion, the best on the market. My top 3 shoes, in order:

1) The OLD Five Ten V10s - These shoes were the best! They fit like a glove, had a super narrow heal, and sticky, sensitive rubber. The old V10s were downturned just enough to climb both vertical and overhung problems/routes in. I had two pairs of these, and really wish I could go out and pick up a new pair (or 3). The only downside that I can think of is that the heal occasionally popped off on a really tenuous heal hook - but that happens with all slippers.

2) Five Ten Jet 7s - I was really skeptical of these shoes when I first saw them. Fortunately, my skepticism was completely unwarranted. These shoes perform amazingly on the steeps, and equally well on vertical. The "green" toe rubber is definitely the best solution I've seen to rubber on the top of a shoe. Unlike most shoes with rubber on the top, the Jet7s maintain their sensitivity for toe hooking. My only complaint about these shoes is the strap on the closure system, which has worn quite a bit, and looks like it will break soon (granted I've been climbing in them four times a week for the past three months or so). 

3) Five Ten Dragon Lace-Ups  - I've had 3 pairs of these shoes now, and they are the workhorse of my climbing shoe arsenal. The Dragons have the same Stealth HF rubber as the Jet7s and the V10s. I especially like the way the Dragons climb when untied, which is great for warming up. 

Great Barrington

Wow - What a day. Jeremy, Rob, Todd, and I left Boston around 9 this morning to make the 2.5 hour drive out to Great Barrington. We warmed up at the warmup area this time instead of at the Speed Boulder. The warmup boulder has a bunch of V0-V4's, and is definitely worth checking out, even if it is at the end of the day. Anyway, we warmed up there and headed back to the Speed Boulder. I tried my best to do Big Big Love, but after five or six goes I gave up - that problem is my nemesis, and I'm quite sure I will never do it. During this time Rob did the stand start to Something From Nothing which I was told is V10. Definitely a strong send for him. Todd also made a lot of progress on the stand, but couldn't get his right hand over the lip for the topout. Todd has some really good beta on the move to the slot involving a finger lock with his left hand - I wish it worked for me. I tried the move a few times, and felt a little closer today than I had on previous trips. 

After we gave up on the Speed Boulder, we headed to The Filter (V9) and The Echo (V9). Both are thin face climbs, and pretty technical. Jeremy, Rob, and I worked on The Echo and figured out the beta, while Todd got on The Filter. Rob and Jeremy both got to the last move of The Echo, but couldn't stick the jug.  Todd made an impressive send of The Filter, killing every move with the smoothness.

I was pretty done for the day at that point, but we headed down to JLo (v8/9), which is probably the most aesthetic line at GB other than those on the Speed Boulder. This climb seemed impossible, but I would like to work it in the future. 

Here are some photos, courtesy of Rob Southern:

Todd on The Filter
Me on The Echo
Rob on The Echo
Jeremy on The Echo
Tod on Something from Nothing
Me on Something From Nothing (broke out the old V10s!)
Me on Crystal Problem (V4) (not sure on the exact name of this problem)

Forerunning

Last night Jeremy and I made our way up to Newburyport MA to forerun some problems for the comp they are having on saturday. I had trained hard the previous two nights, and was completely surprised when they handed me the open category score sheet to run. There were about twenty problems on the list, going from V7 to V10; I knew I was in for  a long night. We tried to run all of the problems, but by the end I couldn't do more than 3 moves at a time on the 7s. Forerunning that many problems is HARD - props to the guys who do this for the big comps. I woke up this morning and couldn't clench my fists, and my back is sorer than ever. What a good day of training that was. 

I'm excited to be heading back to Great Barrington on Sunday. Hopefully I will send my nemesis, Big Big Love, within the first few tries. If not, I think I'm giving up on that circus trick of a problem. 

Core

I talked to my brother last night about the core exercises he was doing for climbing. Apparently I'm not doing anywhere near enough for my core. To right this, I'm going to get a medicine ball and start doing 4 exercises, 3 sets each, 4 times a week. Hopefully this puts me on track to crush in Hueco this winter. 

Oh and does anyone know about a potential 5.10 slipper coming out? Thought I'd heard something about this a while back but nothing has been revealed.

The Gunks

Things didn't go quite as planned at the Gunks on Saturday. Mike, my brother Greg, Karsyn, and I left for the gunks early, and were climbing by 11 am. We walked down the carriage road to the Buddha, where Greg and Karsyn tried Andrews Problem. While they warmed up and whatnot, Mike and I went up to Crouching Dragon (V11). I had previously been on the stand start (Dragon Turns, V9/10), but had always thought the lower moves looked impossible for me. Much to my delight, I was quickly able to do the first two moves, but couldn't make the bump into the start hold of Dragon Turns. Mike had better luck, and within 5 goes had linked into the last move of the problem. Numerous burns later, he missed the jug at the lip, and never sent. 

Disappointed, we walked down to the Boxcar boulder so that Greg and Karsyn could try a dyno problem there. Mike and I rested, and then walked up to Venus In Scorpio, one of the best lines at the Gunks. I didn't have any luck on it - and Mike felt worse on it than he had this past winter. After that, we went back to Crouching Dragon for a few more tries before heading back to the car.

On our way to the car we stopped at Dislocator Roof (v2) and Black Boulder Problem (V4), where a crowed had gathered. There must have been ten people gathered around, with pads and gear strewn across the carriage road. 

The worst part, though, was that they had an Ipod blasting Rage Against the Machine. Seeing this really made me realize how much like an outdoor gym the Gunks is. I think that areas with such easy access and good landings promote the worst in bouldering etiquette. I decided that I'm over the Gunks or at least the Carriage Road scene. I think from now on I will be at Lost City or Peterskill. Or maybe I will just wait till it is too cold for all of the gym climbers to be out and about. 

Plans for the week

I hit up the gym last night with Jeremy for a training session, I think we climbed for 2 hours and campused/did core for 1. While we were working one of the many sandbagged problems in the gym, I remembered how much it helps to scream on hard moves, now I just need to keep that in my mind while climbing. I think I scared a few of the noobs who were top-roping, that or  I sounded like a little girl. Not sure which. Either way, screaming helps. 

Our campus sessions have gotten a lot more intense as of late. We have been working in a weight vest on some exercises. Right now we have about 9 lbs on it, which is surprisingly a lot of weight. Thats really it for the wood/plastic pulling side of things - more importantly on the rock climbing side of things I am going home this weekend, which means I get to head up to the Gunks for at least 1 day of climbing. 

Right now the plan is for Mike Arthur, Mike Rohsler, my brother, and I to head up early saturday morning and put in some work on Venus In Scorpio. Here is a video of Pete climbing Venus in Scorpio (v11):

Mike put a lot of work in on this climb last year, and was pretty close to doing it on his 3rd or so day - Hopefully he can send on Saturday, and maybe I'll have a good day and make some progress on it. On the slightly easier side of things, I think we will work Jahboo (v9), Even Lovely (V8), Jackson Pollock (V8), and maybe  The Art of Nothing (v8). I'd love to get over to Peterskill too, but I don't think it is going to happen this weekend. 

Great Barrington

Today was, overall, a success. Rob, Jeremy, Todd, and I left Boston around 8:30 and were climbing in Great Barrington by 11:30. I hadn't been to GB since last spring, and I wasn't really sure where the boulders were - fortunately I remembered, and we made our way up to the Speed Boulder, which contains Something From Nothing (V12), Roses And Blue Jays (V13) and Big Big Love (V8). We warmed up on a nice V2 around the side of the Speed Boulder, and then proceeded to work on Big Big Love. Unfortunately, I wasn't having much success with the gymnastic movement, but Rob, Jeremy, and Todd all did it within 3 or so tries. Next, Rob started working on Something from Nothing, which is an awesome line. He quickly sussed out the lower moves, and started working on the crux throw to a slot. After hitting above the slot maybe five times, Rob started sinking his right hand every time. With a little more work he did the top moves, and the top out. All this time I was working on Big Big Love by my lonesome self - still trying to get my right foot to heal toe cam properly. I put in around 30 attempts on Big Big Love, with zero success. In the meantime, Rob managed to get Something to Nothing into 2 sections. 

 After giving up hope, we all headed down to the Green Goddess boulder, which has a three or four lines on it, between V4 and V8. I was pretty burnt out by this point, so I watched the other guys crush problems. After a good session on that boulder, we headed up to Filter (V9). Filter is a sustained crimpy face, probably ten moves in all. I tried my best to bear down on the crimps, but my tips were dead from 30+ tries on Big Big Love. Rob did all of the moves, but had no luck on the link. 

After we gave up on Filter, Jeremy headed to check out another area, while Todd slept on his pad, and Rob and I went back to the Speed Boulder to try our "projects". I felt the best I had all day on Big Big Love, and finally sussed out the beta to get the heal toe cam to work, but I was too tired to finish the top section of the problem. Rob had a few more good burns on Something From Nothing, but didn't send. We walked out of the woods by headlamp, content with the long day of bouldering we'd had. I think we will both send on our next outing to the Speed Boulder. 

On the way home we stopped at some micro-brewery in GB, and I had an awesome burger. I felt like I had earned my meal, with forty or so tries on Big Big Love. Anyway, it was an awesome day. 

Great Barrington Saturday - looking to get on Big Big Love, Filter, Fotowa

Lincoln Woods Sunday - Barbwire? Not too psyched on LW but its rock not plastic.

rain rain rain

seems like it will never end. Sucks that Nor'easter was supposed to have been this weekend, kinda wanted to go and see friends - I guess secretly I also wanted to watch someone climb Jaws II. Anyway, I had 2 days on at the gym, taking today off, then 2 more days on. Hopefully the weather next weekend is a little better looking.

Sent Stegosaurus last Thursday night, happy about that. Also picked up a weight vest last week - campus training w/ weight seems to be a pretty good workout. 3.5 months till Hueco, need to train hard!

P-Way

Well we got home from Pawtuckaway about an hour and a half ago, at 1 a.m. It was a great session, possibly the best I have had all year. We warmed up at the Zoo, repeating a few moderates before moving to the Split boulder. The first hard problem we got on was Steg-A-saurus (v9), which traverses across an overhanging face. I did all the moves in six or so tries, though I couldn't link the 2 pieces together. Jeremy and Rob also did all the moves on this problem, but they weren't able to link it either. Steg-A-Saurus should go first or second try next time we are at Pway.
After that, we walked over to Halcyon (V11) and My Little Pony (V9/10). Rob and Jeremy put a little work into Halcyon, while I watched and spotted. Both Jeremy and Rob were able to hit the gaston way left, but neither was able to move off it. Next up was My Little Pony, which starts on the same undercling as Halcyon, but breaks right with a long move to a bad crimp. Rob and I worked the move for a while, and Rob was able to stick it twice. I think that with some work, all three of us can send that line this fall.
Our lantern setup worked really well! The propane lantern is a lot brighter than the white gas one for some reason - so if anyone is purchasing a lantern any time soon, pick up a propane lantern and not a white gas lantern.

Rob on Halcyon
Jeremy on Steg-A-Saurus
Rob on Steg-A-Saurus
Me on Steg-A-Saurus
Me on Steg-A-Saurus, again.

Well I decided I'm going to the Noreaster up at Rumney at the end of the month. The Band lineup and the Reel Rock Tour are pretty sick, and I think I might actually spend the $50 to do both days - then again, I might just go to Rumney on Saturday to see the climbing.

And I'll be in Hueco Jan 7-11, anyone going to be down there?

Pway thursday night for a little night session - excited! I might even take wednesday night off so I can try to send something because temps are looking good (low of 45, high of 67). 10-15 mph Winds tomorrow should dry out the rain from today. I'll try to get some photos of whatever we get on. Maybe Blaow?

my left ring finger is pretty messed up. I've been putting the glucosamine gell on it, hope that helps. I'm also climbing really weak right now, hopefully that changes too.

Trained tonight

Well my session at the gym went well. My skin is still not what it was, but I was able to do a few 6 and 7s. I ended up putting a few tries into a problem that is probably v9 or so based on consensus. I made some progress and that and unlocked some beta for a few other guys. After that I headed over to the campus board to put some work in on the big rungs. I did three sets of 1-3-5-7-9s, 3 sets of 3-6-9s, three sets of bumps right and left 3-4-5-6-7, and then deadhung for a while. Typewriters were next on my list and I did 3 sets of 3 good typewriters. I still feel week locking off, but I think that will come back quick. After that I worked on assisted one arms, doing 3 sets of 4 on each arm, staggered about a foot and a half on the rings. At that point I'd had enough of the rings and went upstairs to work on core - did 3 sets of decline bench w/ the 10 pound dumbell till I couldn't move anymore. in between sets I did some shoulder exercises - hopefully that helps me. Next I did 3 sets of 50 russian twists with the 15 lb dumbell. To finish it all up I did 15 minutes on the bike, and drank some endurox to recover.
I've finally gotten myself psyched on training - hopefully it all pays off in January.

Beginning, part deux

Well its been well over a year since I started this "blag" and I've only posted on it twice. For some reason I have the urge to start documenting my climbing again, and this will likely be the medium used. Anyway, classes started again today here in Boston. Its always a bit scary the first few days of the semester trying to figure out what classes are going to be difficult, what profs are good, bad, and how to approach each class. Fortunately, my schedule looks like it will provide me with a lot of time to climb and train, which is amazing because the fall is the best time for rock scramblin' in New England. I have fridays off, which means many trips up to Rumney with Brian or Keller, and weekends at Pawtuckaway with Jeremy.
I just ended a two week break from rock climbing. I think my short hiatus served me well, because most of my fingers feel fine when I clench my fists now, with the exception of my ring finger on my left hand, which still hurts a little. Before I took my break I was climbing the strongest I ever had, and I'm excited to try to get back to that level and surpass it. I've only got 5 months until Hueco, so I need to start training right away - tonight actually. My plan is basically to do as many moves as possible a night, and to not really project too much. I also plan on doing lots of core work - leg lifts, decline bench weighted crunches, russian twists, and maybe planks. For some reason training core has always seemed to provide me with the biggest leaps in my climbing ability, so I hope it can help again this time. I'm also going to try doing campus workouts, including deadhangs, 1-3-5's, 1-4-7's, double dyno 1-3-2's and 1-4-2's, left and right bumps from 1-2-3-4-5-6. I want to start off on the big rungs with 5 fingers, and work down on rung size, then start working big rungs again, dropping a finger. I think I'll start doing typewriters on the rings at the gym and one arm pullups / assisted 1 arm pullups (not sure doing sets of 2 one arms will really help me).
I'll have to work out a schedule for all of this, and maybe try to get Jeremy on board to train with me.
I don't think anyone reads this, but if you are, let me know if you have any recommendations on exercises. I'm particularly weak on shouldery moves, but don't know any really good exercises.

Well, I'm off to the gym for a session. Peace.