Burnt Toast

Ok Richard never actually said he would be at VE today. Aaron said he might not but assumed Richard would be there, even Nora overslept! Climbing alone is so sad! I missed you guys a lot. On Wednesday Mel was afraid that she stood up Aaron and Richard, then she found out we all went to Willow! Jeeeez. I guess this is why we have a blog, yes, that is why we made it. So here is the scoop. J. Mel and I Are climbing Friday at 5:00 p.m. at VE. Mel and I are checking the weather for Saturday morning, there might be a run to Taylor's Falls. Mel needs to set an anchor, she is VERY excited about it. Holler if this sounds interesting.

Here is VE News from Steve.

Hey guys. Ice is over, except for the ice I put in my drink on a warm spring day, sitting on my porch, enjoying the cardinals singing in the treetops. . . Oh yeah--climbing. Some things you should know:

1) Anchors/Rockin'. You probably need to know how to set up top ropes safely and quickly using both artificial and natural pro. We teach this every other Saturday morning starting April 5 (a week from this Saturday). In the afternoon, stick around, climb on your top ropes, move them, climb some more, then debrief in downtown Taylors Falls over a cold one. If you are headed towards trad lead (see below), this is an excellent first step.

2) Traditional Lead Climbing. This is a one-day class that starts at the beginning and takes you through mock multipitch leads. Didn't think there was multipitch climbing at Taylors Falls? Guess again (of course, a pitch is about fifteen feet). See the website for dates.

3) The North Shore. My favorite Minnesota climbing destination. We spend a day at Shovel Point (Tettegouche SP) and a day at Palisade Head, long pitches high above Lake Superior. Rough it, or stay in a B & B. ( I can give you some hot leads).4) Devil's Lake, Wisconsin. We have several trips to this climbing destination on the books. Devil's Lake is a favorite destination for people throughout the Midwest: many routes, long long pitches, excellent face and crack climbing, a beautiful setting in a state park. Usually a week-end trip.

4) Needles/Mount Rushmore and Devil's Tower. No one does this trip better than we do. You can do Needles/Mount Rushmore or Devil's Tower, but why not do both, once you've driven all the way out there?!

5) Top Rope Site Manager. You are belaying somebody, they reach a ledge, get dizzy, sit down, and can't move. What do you do? This two-day class is designed for climbing professionals who do outdoor groups, but contains essential information and practice for keeping you and your buddies safe, both in bottom belay and top belay settings. Taught at Devil's Lake.6) Rock Guide Seminar. This five-day class at Needles/Mount Rushmore and Devil's Tower is for climbers who want to lead other climbers in multipitch trad settings. If you are already leading trad, but want to move into a multipitch environment, or need to know more to keep you and your climbing buddies safe, this is an excellent course.

Still with me? Get dates and prices on-line: verticalendeavors.com. Need more information? Just lonely? Call me at 651-253-4903. If you reach my voice mail, don't hang up. That's the message for my other business.Can we create a custom group for you and your family or your buddies? Wanna go someplace that's not on this list? Just call.See you at the crag!Steve Davis, Field Instructor