Happy Windsday

On my random day off from work I decided to pay a visit to blackleaf canyon to see what all the fuss is about. Anyone who has ever climbed with me knows that the first time I go to a new climbing area is basically chalked up to a day that's less about climbing and more about becoming acquainted with the new place. Hopefully, my pre-climb visit to blackleaf will combat that problem and the next time I go back it will be all about klettern. Anyhoo... Rich Young, Dixie, and I all did a day trip visit to blackleaf and found that the 400 to 600 foot cliffs are quite climbable. And while my interests lie in the ascent of these formidable slabs, Rich's expertise in sky diving has focused his attention in "descending" the cliffs.

Vedauwoo-hoo!!

I experienced my first taste of Wyoming climbing this weekend at Vedauwoo. Apparently, this is a pretty rockin' place (no pun intended) and, from what I saw on Saturday, it lives up to its hype. The rock is a conglomerate that will peel the flesh right off your virgin hands if you're not careful and seeing as how this was my first time climbing on this type of stuff (remember I am a newby) you can only imagine the number it did on mine. Vedauwoo is full of seemingly infinite possibilities and it will take me a long time to tap into all the place has to offer. Maybe I'll go back tomorrow...

I met Plato's chair

Bozeman kicks ass. The 2 and a quarter hour drive is well worth the prize of escaping the suffocating grip of Great Falls. I have made the trip south twice in the past two weeks. The refreshing return to outdoor climbing (as I haven't climbed outside since my colorado adventure in july) was quite rewarding. My new friend, Kristina, was kind enough to show me some of the local sport routes and I was more than grateful to have befriended a real live Bozemanite. Unfortunately, I am getting all psyched to be climbing outdoors again just in time for the infamous Montana winter to arrive.

On a separate note, I have continued to improve the garage climbing gym. I have found that padding a floor can be not only expensive but nearly impossible to orchestrate. Thus, I resorted to creating a homemade crash pad. 2 tarps + 6 twin size egg crate foam pads + 2 fly away camping dense foam pads + some nylon rope = ... hahaha. Anyway, despite my shortcomings, Dixie found the foam to be tasty.

sussudio

The new and improved climbing wall is finally
completed and currently in operational condition. With a respectable 40 degree slant and just under 300 sq feet of climbing real estate it boasts a veritable potpourri of training schemes. Modelled after my brother's club shed, "club garage" ought to offer me serious dividends in the next 4 years. Whereas Great Falls used to be 45 min to an hour away from decent climbing, my side door is now 60 seconds in proximity to shredtastic fun.

Oh, happy day...

Today was my first day of bike-commuting to work and I have to say it was everything and more it was made out to be. Aside from being a great workout and great for the environment, it also sets you apart from your fellow workers. I had more than one "wacko hippie!" look from my colleagues, which brings me a sense of pride; being from Boulder and being in the military. In actuality, no one gave me the evil eye, but a few did comment on how cool it was to ride my bike to work (in a non-sarcastic tone, of course). I highly recommend it to all who are capable of riding their bikes to work...you will find it invigorating and it's always nice to be outside.