Shopping For Islands

So I was looking at  islands for sale. And I thought, "What about an island with a cliff for climbing?"

And I found this one.

 

"About 10 to 15 minutes by local motorized banca from the main town is an island mainly made of limestone karst cliffs; often this island is mistaken for nothing but "rocks". What others don't know is that, a paradise lies concealed between the large cliffs of this island."

Or this one with more than "... 31 acres of olive groves, forests, hills and rocky cliffs." (A little pricier than the first one.)

Red Wing Friday

It started out chilly and just dry enough to climb. Ron, Sunbeam, John, Nora and I were there as the sun came out and then it got hot. But lots of climbs were done.

This is for Nora. The name of those great old classic movies with Nick & Nora Charles is "The Thin Man." They are fun to watch - especially with a big martini in your hand.

Climbing At Red Wing On Friday

Arriving there 9ish. Leaving 2ish.

Our Quetico Canoe Trip

Video is here.

Quetico Sept '08 from rgsletten on Vimeo.

Leave The Chalk At Home?

This article reports on a study using chalk and:

"It’s hard to believe, but the University of Birmingham, UK, did a pretty thorough study (Use of Chalk in Rock Climbing: Sine Qua Non or Myth) of the factors involved in 2001 and came to the conclusion that chalk lowered the coefficient of friction by about 18%"

Be sure to read some of the comments on that page.

Urban Assault

Now that the riots of the RNC have subsided, Here is another way to spend an sunny afternoon. It's a wacky bike race right here in our town Sept 21 Go here for the website.

I need a partner! It's sponsored by Fat Tire, so there is beer involved. Now do I have your attention?

Black Hills post better late than never

Ward,Liz and I did the night drive Thursday arriving at Wrinkle Rock Camp site at 2:30am. Night was clear and dry. Stars were out in full and the air smelled of cream soda from the pines!
Moved to Sylvan Lake Campgroud in the morning and climbed Sylvan Lake area Friday. Saturday we went to Moonlight Ridge. Sunday was Rushmore (South Seas). There was enough rain Sunday night that we packed up camp, ate with the rest of the crew and started the drive home at 10:30pm. Home at 9:00am Monday.

Things I learned in the Black Hills
1) A straw in the Nalgene is the best no drip way to drink from a Nalgene
2) A spit shine on the shoes helps you send
3) Chocolate milk is the best recovery fuel after climbing
4) Hangin with Liz and Ward on a climbing trip ROCKS!
5) When traveling to the Black Hills be on the look out for 4 crazy ladies in a PT Cruiser. No further comment necessary:)
Until next.

Spire 4- Cathedral Spire Area

Dont' let the rating 5.7 fool you. this is a climb that can mess with your mind. I am addicted to the friction that this granite provides. The first pitch was a fun scramble. The second pitch was a chimney with an optional worm hole. The third pitch is quite an exposed face climb with much distance from the top of the spire to the ground. The final move aptly titled leap of faith can require much conversation with yourself to actually do it. Once you get your hands to the other side there are some pretty nice holds. We did a group rap down, that was an engineering feat to set up. There was a lot of hardware hanging from the anchors along with us. Pretty freaky I must say. The guys on the spire next door were doing a route that is called Cathedral Enchainment that involved climbing 3 spires consecutively. Looked challenging, maybe next year. I think this photo is looking down at the first climb we did, Station 13.

Gosh, I wish Mike or Ward would post about their Black Hills trip. There were some exciting developments. But it's not my news to share. :) I would also like the recipe for their Friday night dinner, that looked tasty.

Climbing at Red Wing on Friday?

Ron wants to climb. If you can, email Lisa for his phone &/email.

I'm going to Quetico canoeing for about 4 days. See you next Tuesday.

A New Bike Race To Try?

Here's a bike race where the first place prize is a tattoo.

"Rachel Lloyd, the first woman to complete the race, stopped and dismounted her bike before the finish line, reluctant to earn the same reward. But then, with fans urging her on, she had a change of heart, crossed the line and later received her tattoo."

(See especially the slide show with the winner's bike outfit.)

Standing (on my hands) on top of the world...

Black Hills climbing was awesome! (The view from upside down was especially incredible.)

I loved all the climbs in the South Seas area - especially the challenge of Insecticide and Nutrasweet... the amazing views from Station 13 and Spire 4. Wow, is about all I can say. I'm bringing Joel and my brother out here next year to meet all the "mean and rude south dakotan climbers." Labor Day tradition, coming up!

(Photo taken on top of Little Devil's Tower.)

Thanks, Lisa, Mel and Amy, for such a memorable weekend!

WR Chix Flix

WR Girls Rock the Black Hills!

Yep, it's true. We attended the Black Hill Climbing Coalition's Beans and Biners Event at Wrinkled Rock and the next day we climbed The East Chimney on Station 13 and Spire 4 in the Cathedral Spires. I'll write more when I get my wits about me.

Black Hills Photos From Women Who Were Near The Edge

 

Summit in the Cathedral Spires.

(Link to photos.)

 

 

 

This is how a rap group gets started.

Relax, It's a Climbing Song

This song was playing in my head all weekend. You might think I was missing my man as it seems like a sexy love song but, it's a song about climbing in the Black Hillsby Andy Kim. Andy Kim??? I thought it was Neal Diamond. I guess he sang it too. It's still stuck in my head, leftovers from a great weekend!

Ain't it good Ain't it right That you are with me here tonight

The music playing Our bodies swayin' in time In time, in time, in time

Touching you so warm and tender Lord, I feel such a sweet surrender Beautiful is the dream that makes you mine Mmm

Rock me gently Rock me slowly Take it easy Don't you know That I have never been loved like this before

Baby, baby

Rock me gently Rock me slowly Take it easy Don't you know That I have never been loved like this before Oh my darling Oh my baby You got the moves that drive me crazy And on your face I see a trace of love Of love, of love, of love

Come hold me close Don't let me go I need you, honey I love you so You were made for me by the stars above

Oh, rock me gently Rock me slowly Take it easy Don't you know That I have never been loved like this before.