Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Most of 2013
In 2013 I focused a bit more on bouldering, climbed a fair amount of routes but really wanted to improve a V Grade since I seemed to be stuck as far as progressing in that area. I didn't have my greatest year climbing routes, but did get stronger, improved in Bouldering, and had a super fun time even when I was struggling to climb 5.12 after bouldering for months haha.
Aside from bouldering as always I did a bit of hiking and photo taking, here are a few from those adventures.
Believe it or not, I actually did a bit of canyoneering in 2013 as well. Did a mega exploration trip down near Lake Powell and got in some incredible canyons... I didn't do many in 2013 but the few we did were pretty off the charts good. :)
I did climb some routes as well before spending a month in the Red River Gorge (which will be it's own post). Here are a few shots from that.
Me on Pink Lady, a classic V6 in Moe's Valley
Andy on Underwhelemed another classic V6 in Moe's Valley.
Mike near the topout on Pink Lady
Nat working the moves on Phoney Baloney Traverse V7 in Joe's Valley.
Ryan on the mega compression problem Israil in Moe's - V6
Nat on Phoney Baloney
Aside from bouldering as always I did a bit of hiking and photo taking, here are a few from those adventures.
Never get tired of Zion National Park
Beautiful limestone sport climbing in a slot canyon, nice.
Believe it or not, I actually did a bit of canyoneering in 2013 as well. Did a mega exploration trip down near Lake Powell and got in some incredible canyons... I didn't do many in 2013 but the few we did were pretty off the charts good. :)
Yup, we're going DOWN canyon, the super pothole.
After one person gets out it's much easier to pull the rest out.
I did climb some routes as well before spending a month in the Red River Gorge (which will be it's own post). Here are a few shots from that.
Ben on one of the 5.10's at Slavery Wall - Ten Sleep Canyon
Jaima warming up in Arrow Canyon
Hayden cutting the feet on the mega classic Brown Sugar - 5.12d
Water streak goodness. Hayden on Heart of Glass - 5.12d Arrow Canyon
Holly warming up on a 5.10 in Ten Sleep Canyon.
Ben crushing some El Shinto route in Ten Sleep Canyon
Awesome pano of Ben on Happiness in Slavery - 5.12b Ten Sleep Canyon
Ben trying hard on Happiness in Slavery - 5.12b Ten Sleep Canyon
Trent on a 5.12 in Red Rocks
More Ten Sleep goodness.
Sunday, February 01, 2015
Kalymnos Greece climbing!
In 2012 I went on my first international climbing trip to the island of Kalymnos in Greece. Had an amazing time with awesome friends. The island is pretty mega. You basically wake up in the morning, go climbing until the sun hits the wall, walk down the hill to your hotel, change into your swimming suit and swim in the ocean before dinner at one of the many restaurants along the beach. Life doesn't get much better.
First I had like a ten hour layover in London. Jetlagged and hungry I wandered around the city and took some photos.
After an amazing month on the Island, it was time to head home, but not without a couple days in Athens to see the Acropolis and a few other sights.
First I had like a ten hour layover in London. Jetlagged and hungry I wandered around the city and took some photos.
After a lot of travel, jet lag, and ornery-ness (haha) we made our way to Kos, the large island nearest our final destination, the island of Kalymnos! A short ferry ride
took us to the port city of Pothia.
Followed by a short taxi ride to our hotel and the climbing! So much rock next to the Mediterranean, it's pretty much climbers paradise! There's something about this place... something makes this place pretty special! Maybe it's the climbing on crazy tufa's and stalagtites?
Maybe it's the fact that you get to swim in the ocean, sit on the beach, enjoy amazing food and Kalymnian sunsets!
Or maybe it's the rest days that include hanging on the beach, visiting ruins, driving scooters around the island, caving, beach volleyball, slackline, jumping off cliffs into the ocean, sea kayaking, etc...
Really, I think it was all about the climbing though, well mostly the climbing, well all the other stuff was pretty amazing too. :)
Okay, actually it was about the awesome friends/people who made it such an amazing trip and such a special place!
Or the goats... it actually could've been the goats.
After an amazing month on the Island, it was time to head home, but not without a couple days in Athens to see the Acropolis and a few other sights.
Until next time!
