In the past 7 weeks I’ve been to Boone 5 times and the NRG once.  If you’re into stats, it means there is a 14% chance of finding me in Columbia on the weekends.  Has rock climbing taken over your life yet?  The climbing gods have rained me out once or twice but I’ve been able to climb at least one day each weekend.  I’m very thankful that the weather in Boone has been so good.  The weekends go quick but they say time flies if you’re hanging from a rock.  Some people complain about how hot and humid it is in the high country and I can’t help but laugh.

This weekend my Tacoma will get some much needed rest.  It seems like I get an oil change every month!  On Saturday I’m moving into a duplex with a good friend of mine.  We found a nice place downtown that was recently renovated.  The appliances are all brand new (most importantly the A/C unit).  No more apartment life to the time being!  I’m psyched that once again I will be close to the climbing gym and good beer.

I was in Boone over the weekend and “Hawked” it up on Saturday with a “Dumpy” session on Sunday.  Saturday was so good.  We climbed several routes but the highlights include the following:

• Megan top roping the 5.8 for her first climb outside (ever)!
• Leading “The Green Wave” — Whoa.  Totally blew my mind.
• Watching Mike onsight “No Free Lunch” and then Ryan saying “I think that’s the best route I’ve ever climbed”
• Leading “The Jug Route”  — Kick ass route that I want to do every time now.

Sunday was sweet too.  I got on Unwritten Law but got shutdown for the second week in a row.  I wasn’t feeling super fresh but that’s no excuse.  Maybe next time I’ll push through the pump.  I have some photos from Hawksbill that I will post up tonight.

Hey yall. Sorry I’ve been slacking on my blog lately. I’ve been busy driving, climbing, driving back to Cola and working. Anyways, I was able to sneak out of Columbia for a weekend and go climbing with some good friends. We got out to Hawksbill early on Saturday and we were able to crank out a handful of routes before it started raining. Went went to Middle and started on two classic 5.9 sport routes. They were both perfect warm ups and offered great holds with nice cruxes. Next we got on “If you bolt it they will come” which is a classic 10.a on a nice arete that turns into face climbing. After that we stepped up to “pseudo hardman” which is an excellent 10.c sport route. This thing really makes you work for your “c”. The last thing we got on was “Manifest Destiny”. Erich came through strong as usual and was able to dog it to the top. I told him to pull the rope like a dumbass and wasn’t able to do the crux so we ended up leaving a leaver. I also met Sandy and Christian which was nice to finally place a face with a name. We ended the day with a Bells – Two Hearted Ale which happens to be what I’m drinking right now. Incredible beer, period.

On Sunday the weather looked like crap but Erich and I tried our luck at the Dump. It was SICK! Besides the fact it was misting/raining on and off all day, we were able to climb some routes. We got on some moderates and then it started to rain pretty solid. We moved our stuff to Unwritten Law and gave it a few goes. I one hung it so I’ll be back to work it soon. After that (despite the weather) I did Fry Cleaned (my first 11.d) while it was misting! I was so psyched to finally do that route. Erich and I still cannot figure out how in the hell that place stayed dry. The drive out on 221 was so foggy I couldn’t see 20 ft in front of me!!

I didn’t get many good pictures from this weekend but here are a few:

Sunset in Northeast Columbia

Focus while you belay!

Mike & Mike on the Green Wave

Zach putting up a new 2nd pitch.