|
zeke_sf
Nov 20, 2006, 9:26 PM
Post #51 of 77
(2426 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 28, 2006
Posts: 18730
|
^^^first of many, buddy!
mine has been great. I've met and climbed with some great people who've pushed my ability and kept it fun at the same time.
I'm finally getting my lead head despite a three month break from leading in the middle of the year, so pushing myself on hard (for me) sport has been awesome.
I've finally got bitten by the trad bug and done a decent little bit of multi-pitching in some most of the most scenic surroundings.
meeting older climbers who are smarter and harder climbers has also shown me there is much more to come. hopefully good.
unfortunately, I have done some indoor bouldering this year 
|
|
|
|
|
cracklover
Nov 20, 2006, 9:39 PM
Post #52 of 77
(2422 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 14, 2002
Posts: 10162
|
It's been a great year. The highlight of the year was a month+ long roadtrip out west. I drove from Boston to Boulder as fast as I could, then slowly made my way west as far as Red Rocks, before hightailing it home again.
Month-by month:
January - it's COLD in New England. Allowed myself to get dragged out one warmish day to go bouldering at Lincoln Woods. Sent my hardest problem to date - a V4 called Pond Cave Traverse. Also did a little roped freeze-my-ass-off climbing at the Gunks.
March - it's starting to warm up in fits and starts. Cleanly sent a very tough and polished 5.11 TR at Quincy Quarries called Ladder Line. Made me feel pretty good about the start of the season. Did some practice aid climbing, too. Got really excited about my April roadtrip! Then my car got smashed, and I was worried it wouldn't be fixed in time. Fortunately they put all the pieces back together, and off I went!
April - Wheee! Met lots of cool people on my trip! Climbed in Boulder Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, Table Mountain, and Shelf Road in Colorado. The highlight of this was probably my onsight of Yellow Spur, a longish 5.9 in Eldo.
After CO, I went to Moab in Utah. God, I love that place. Met more super-cool people. Highlights from that trip are: my hardest onsight ever - Three Strikes and You're Out - a 5.11 in IC, and Stolen Chimney, AKA Ancient Art a super-cool tower in the Fishers.
Next stop was Red Rocks. Lots of long multipitch trad routes there, up to 5.10a. Didn't get to do Epinephrine, which was slightly disappointing, but it'll still be there in the future. It's good to have a reason to return! Had a great time with a long-time climbing partner of mine, and got to see her really push herself, which is cool, and which really paid off for the rest of her season, which was kick-ass! Unfortunately, my car didn't like the approach to Black Velvet Canyon (actually, once was okay, the second time I blew it) and so the rest of the trip, the undercarriage was held together with duct tape!
Tried to get up Moonlight Buttress, but bailed from the base, because the route was chock-a-block with other parties, and we only had a weekend to get up it. Very disappointing. But again, the route will still be there next time. Instead, went and got eaten alive by a voracious portaledge on Wigs in Space. Ack!
Oh, and another little success: In 7,000 miles of driving, I used only 100 gallons of gas. Yup, 70mpg overall! Yay hybrid cars!
May found me back in Boston. Tired, happy, strong from my trip, and with an exciting new romance in my life.
The rest of the summer was just fun. No more big road trips, no more exotic locales, mostly just wonderful climbing and good times with great friends. One low point was the loss of a climbing area where I'd been doing first ascents. The access was sensitive, and then the area got bought by a new owner, and the access went from sensitive to fuggetaboutit. Still, there were plenty of highlights: a number of first ascents, including, at one point, a whole big weekend party with my friends to do FAs on a wall together; a redpoint of my first 5.12, a fun little sport route at Rumney called Social Outcast; climber parties here and there; and a quick bit of climbing in Arizona at the tail end of a business trip.
Mostly though, when I think back on the year, I'm in awe of the fantastic people I have gotten to have the best times of my life with. It's just amazing how much I enjoy you guys. Damn, climbers are good people, and fun to spend time with. I consider myself lucky whenever I think about the awesome people I get to climb with. Funny, smart, energetic, enthusiastic, hard-nosed but optimistic. It's seems to be the same the world over. Each one of you guys - a big, bold, unique personality, and every one a true joy to spend time with.
So thank you for a magnificent year!
GO
|
|
|
|
|
saxfiend
Nov 20, 2006, 9:54 PM
Post #53 of 77
(2416 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 1208
|
Well, my year ain't over yet! One of the benefits of living in the south.
Highlights so far:
-- hairy runouts at Stone Mountain (NC)
-- leading some great classics at the Gunks (Gelsa, Directissima)
-- awesome multi-pitch leading (esp. The Daddy) at Linville Gorge (NC)
-- first visit to the imposing Laurel Knob (NC)
-- a phenomenal two-day climbing workshop with Arno Ilgner
-- getting solid leading trad at the 5.8 level
And I've still got an outside chance of hitting my informal goal of 50 trad leads before the end of the year!
JL
|
|
|
|
|
devilstower10
Nov 20, 2006, 10:30 PM
Post #54 of 77
(2399 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 19, 2006
Posts: 18
|
I had an exellent year... it started a little late, August I believe but I have been climbing almost every weekend since and it has been great.
|
|
|
|
|
basilisk
Nov 21, 2006, 1:01 AM
Post #55 of 77
(2383 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 1, 2005
Posts: 636
|
pretty excellent i must say. was climbing 3-4 days a week throughout fall.
finally started leading (trad, skipped all that sport junk). currently leading 5.7 comfortably, 5.8 nervously. discovered i really don't mind long runouts.
climbed my first 5.10. it was slab, so i'm damn proud of that.
found a mentor- sorta
spent a lot of time finding climbing areas in Vermont (you would be amazed). i'm trying to create a guide to one of them right now. spending my time drawing and taking pictures right now cause i'm too much of a wuss to climb in 40 degree cold
looking forward to ice climbing!
|
|
|
|
|
tonloc
Nov 21, 2006, 1:36 AM
Post #56 of 77
(2374 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 1, 2005
Posts: 249
|
i climbed in new zealand for 5 months, stepped in a bunch of sheep shit...spent the summer in a gym, then reaped the benefits back east this fall...pretty good time especially that nz place
|
|
|
|
|
dripdry
Nov 21, 2006, 1:54 AM
Post #57 of 77
(2368 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 26, 2005
Posts: 196
|
Finally did my first Devil's Lake 11a, Degrade My Sister (I'm told that if you can climb it there, you can climb it anywhere). Finished it yesterday, and I'm on top of the freakin' world after getting spanked by the climb last year. Woot!
Vedauwoo (Walt's Wall, hiking/scouting it out) in May, and Eldo the few days after. First climbing road trip, and while there wasn't nearly as much climbing as I would like, it was still great.
Mississippi Palisades, too, and although there's not a lot of good climbing there, there are a few difficult routes that could keep one coming back for a while. Fun!
Hmmm... a lot of gym climbing due to lack of partners. Next year will be a large one though.
Congrats to everybody who accomplished what they wanted to this season!
|
|
|
|
|
erin
Nov 21, 2006, 1:58 AM
Post #58 of 77
(2365 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 27, 2005
Posts: 149
|
I was able to go climbing in France this year. I also graduated (finally) and have enterered the 'real world'. A good year all around.
|
|
|
|
|
timmy_t
Nov 21, 2006, 2:58 AM
Post #59 of 77
(2352 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 23, 2004
Posts: 128
|
I climbed my first .12 and .13 this year and put up this 6 pitch .11+ thing in the bugaboos, but am still looking for some sweet climbing babe to share a rope with.
Any silly girls who like to monkey around look no further; I'm single, clumsy, and slightly afraid of the dark(and snakes). Australia and/or Thailand next winter?
|
|
|
|
|
angry
Nov 21, 2006, 3:36 AM
Post #60 of 77
(2340 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 22, 2003
Posts: 8405
|
ctrl+p
Page 1 is PRICELESS!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
lhwang
Nov 21, 2006, 4:24 AM
Post #61 of 77
(2324 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 4, 2005
Posts: 582
|
Well... rang in the New Year in Potrero Chico, which also happens to be where I'll also be bidding farewell to 2006.
In between, in roughly chronological order, climbed ice in Thunder Bay, climbed ice and did a whole lot of backcountry skiing in the Rockies, went to Skaha, roadtripped to Smith Rock, took a brief hiatus from climbing to work in Indonesia with a much needed sidetrip to Cambodia, Thailand and Burma, climbed in the Rockies, went to the Bugaboos twice, climbed in Squamish, climbed in Revelstoke, and have just started skiing again. Took lots of photos climbed safe... all in all, a great year.
|
|
|
|
|
flamer
Nov 21, 2006, 5:07 AM
Post #62 of 77
(2316 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 22, 2002
Posts: 2955
|
In reply to: ctrl+p Page 1 is PRICELESS!!!!
Dude you have issue's. You know it. I know it. pretty much anyone who knows you knows it.
You want to play little games like this go ahead.
But you've been warned.
josh
(This post was edited by flamer on Nov 21, 2006, 5:45 AM)
|
|
|
|
|
angry
Nov 21, 2006, 1:55 PM
Post #63 of 77
(2304 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 22, 2003
Posts: 8405
|
In reply to: In reply to: ctrl+p Page 1 is PRICELESS!!!! Dude you have issue's. You know it. I know it. pretty much anyone who knows you knows it. You want to play little games like this go ahead. But you've been warned. josh
Quoted to keep the public threats public.
Carry on.
|
|
|
|
|
happy_cat
Nov 21, 2006, 3:08 PM
Post #64 of 77
(2288 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 16, 2006
Posts: 71
|
My year isn't over yet, but so far it's ROCKED! (excuse the pun)
East coast: Cathedral, Rumney, Acaidia, Clifton, Gunks, Crow Hill, Looking Glass, Rumbling Bald, Linville Gorge, Cochrane Lane, PAwtuckaway
West Coast: Indian Creek, Arches N'tl Park, Castle Valley, Moab, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, American Fork
Not bad for my first year 
|
|
|
|
|
camhead
Nov 21, 2006, 3:55 PM
Post #65 of 77
(2271 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2001
Posts: 20939
|
In reply to: In reply to: In reply to: ctrl+p Page 1 is PRICELESS!!!! Dude you have issue's. You know it. I know it. pretty much anyone who knows you knows it. You want to play little games like this go ahead. But you've been warned. josh Quoted to keep the public threats public. Carry on.
Oh, this year, I also almost slept with Angry's sister.
|
|
|
|
|
sungam
Nov 21, 2006, 4:00 PM
Post #66 of 77
(2269 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 24, 2004
Posts: 26804
|
I had my first ice this year.
Hopefully I will soon get my first Ice lead.
I think that in the next month I will lead my first 7A project.
:)
-Magnus
|
|
|
|
|
blueeyedclimber
Nov 21, 2006, 4:22 PM
Post #67 of 77
(2255 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 19, 2002
Posts: 4602
|
Climbed at:
Joshua Tree
Utah (little cottonwood canyon)
Squamish
Gunks
Acadia
North Conway, NH
Rumney, NH
a lot of smaller crags
Sent:
Sport - first 11c redpoint
first 11d redpoint
first 12 redpoint
Trad - first 10a
first 10b
first 10c
attempted first 11 (1 hang)
Aid - Did my first aid climb (probably A0)
TRSM course
|
|
|
|
|
ao
Nov 21, 2006, 4:43 PM
Post #68 of 77
(2245 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 83
|
Each season keeps getting better for me...and at the end of the season, I look back and wonder "can it get better than this?". I began this season as a sport climber and emerged a trad climber. I took a class and found that falling on lead isn't so scary. I was able to push myself where I hadn't before. I had a first ascent. I packed my bags every weekend to camp and climb, and loved every minute of it. Areas I climbed: Acadia (new), Rumney, Cathedral, Crow Hill, and my new all-time favorite, going so many times I've lost count, is the Gunks. I started leading on a 5.2 there, and by the end of the season, had met 2 goals: High E and Madame G's, both stellar climbs. I made so many new friends and had such a great climbing year, I can't wait for next season. It was a GREAT year!
(This post was edited by ao on Nov 21, 2006, 4:44 PM)
|
|
|
|
|
uasunflower
Nov 21, 2006, 4:46 PM
Post #69 of 77
(2243 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2003
Posts: 1563
|
had great season, some highlights might be -
-ice for a week in Ecrins to start off january
-ice in Kandersted, Switzerland in February,
-trip to Presles, France for first rock in april,
-italy in june - discovery of Val di Mello and Arco,
-then Dolomites for a week in july with Cima Grande and Torre Trieste for the sweetest picks
-then Chamonix many times throughout the summer - Frendo, Tacul, Pte Lachenal
-and a culmination with Grand Cap' in september
-eiger attempt in october
and downhill from there - a trip to Callanques in november during whitch i destroyed my ankle and stay on crutches now... 
|
|
|
|
|
oldrnotboldr
Nov 21, 2006, 5:18 PM
Post #70 of 77
(2228 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 23, 2005
Posts: 306
|
Pretty crappy year:
May: tore rotator and bruised right hip skateboarding on a half pipe
June: recovery and healing
July: bored and restless. Hiked a c4 and a c5. Recovery and healing
August: Finally able to complete a 5.3 woohoo... Recovery and healing. Scouted out some unclimbed stuff in Ontario for next summer.
September: Recovery and healing. Getting stronger. Completed a 5.6. Over the head and twisting reaches still hurt like h#ll.
October:Recovery and healing. Getting stronger. Completed another 5.6. Over the head and twisting reaches still hurt like h#ll.
November: Recovery and healing. Getting stronger. Completed a 5.7. Over the head and twisting reaches still hurt like h#ll.
Edited to add: did horizontal laps on the home wall through the summer.
(This post was edited by oldrnotboldr on Nov 22, 2006, 2:25 PM)
|
|
|
|
|
g
Nov 22, 2006, 2:31 PM
Post #71 of 77
(2154 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 15, 2006
Posts: 270
|
I did very little. Rambled up many of the same climbs. In fact, I never left the Valley. This weekend I was thinking about going going to a different climbing area for the first time in a year and a half, but JTree looks to be cold this weekend.
|
|
|
|
|
cologman
Nov 22, 2006, 4:15 PM
Post #73 of 77
(2134 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 29, 2002
Posts: 581
|
Started the early season with Flamer in Zion for a good group of winter ascents. Followed that with some Black Canyon Classics then some more Black Canyon Classics with Flamer and then moved to the high country for a pretty good season in RMNP mostly knocking off rtes with my daughter. Ended the summer with a reunion of sorts at Shelf with a group of friends who more than anything enjoy getting together to climb. Then another stint in the Black to wrap up the late summer. Fall indicated a return on a regular basis to Shelf and finally a wrap up in the Creek with my daughter. But then I still have a month to go to connect with more friends on the rock . Oh and I should add that during this time my climbing peaked and ebbed to the point where only the fact that I was rock climbing made any sense. Happily in spite of all the flux I managed to lead solidly in the elevens several times both trad and sport. And best of all I climbed on a Monday several times this year
|
|
|
|
|
|
