Pin Fest ‘09

The Black Hills Climbing Coalition has scheduled one of its climbing festivals for Sat July 18 at the Ten Pins area of the Black Hills. We are planning to go out there and are looking for others who are interested. Here’s a link to where this is. Here are some photos of us out there last year.

The photo on the left is of a climber on Tricouni Nail (R) and another climber near the summit of Hairy Pin(L).

The photo below is of Tent Peg.

Wednesday at VE

Mel, Liz, Seth, Peter and Amy where there today. Alas, no Sunbeam. Mel did one of PPM’s newer routes, back stepping, through stepping, high stepping, two stepping and who knows what else kinda stepping. Then she went down to the pit and led two routes out there. Whoa, hold her back. Peter led some crazy arête route out of the pit going over the double butts. Plus other stuff too numerous to remember. Liz got one move away from finishing her snake project. Next time, she’ll get it. Amy came in late and flashed the newest PPM route which is a burly climb. I didn’t quite finish my overhanging top rope problem. But I led a  new one out of the pit and almost had an on-sight.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

More photos here.

Training for the Outdoors

Looks like fun, huh? Climbing an endless ladder with a weight attached to your waist. What doesn’t kill us, makes us sore. This is from The Mountaineers latest newsletter.

Ever Had The Khumbu Cough?

Whether you’re in the high, cold, dry air of 25,000+ feet of the Khumbu region of Nepal, or shoveling the snow off your driveway in Minnesota, a heated face mask might be just the ticket.

Is this the Last Ice Climb of 09?

Aaron and I headed out to do another round of ice before he returned his boots. We scouted Homer's but it had running road water on it and it was pretty fragile. We then headed right to the Brickyards and set up. Just a great day out on the ice. Is this the last time out? Maybe..we'll see what the weather does. I personally am off work starting this Friday at 10pm until midnight shift on the 15th so I'll be game for anything on ice or rock. For sure I'll be hanging out at VE!

Future Commuting To The Crags

In the future, when we’re going short distances to VE or nearby crags, we might be using one of these. It even has built-in Facebook capabilities. (Which might be the main reason I wouldn’t want one.)

Local Clean Ups Scheduled

This is from the Minnesota Climbers Association web site. No firm dates yet.

Adopt-A-Crag Clean Ups

• Sandstone - April 2009

Event: Robinson Park Clean-up
"Help clean-up Robinson Park in Sandstone, Minnesota"
What: Pick-Up
Host: Sandstone Ice Festival
Start Time: Saturday, April 25 at 10:00pm
End Time: Sunday, April 26 at 5:00am
Where: Robinson Park

• Taylors Falls - May 2009
• Blue Mounds - Jun 2009
• Barn Blufff - Jun 2009
• North Shore - Sep 2009

Climber Gatherings

• Blue Mounds - June 2009
• North Shore - Labor Day Weekend 2009
• Devils Lake - Oct 2009

Home Climbing Gyms

Here are some gyms to aspire to. This might even make indoor bouldering fun. Article with more photos here.

For Chicks Only

In this article from one of the participants of the recent “Chicks with Picks” event in Colorado, comes this quote:

“I resisted the urge to inform him that I’d spent my weekend on ice and rock with some of the finest climbers on the planet doing scary things that would make him cry like a little girl — and that those climbers were all Chicks.”

Polar Bear Plunge

I am doing the Polar Bear Plunge this weekend at Lake Calhoun.  This is a fundraiser that benefits the Special Olympics.  I am looking to raise $75.  If anyone can help out that would be fabulous.  You can donate as little or as much as you would like.  Every little bit helps.  DONATE HERE

I Can climb Twice a Day!!

ok, that not what Eric is saying here. but it does advocate biking to the gym and such.

Twice-a-day training is a powerful training strategy of endurance athletes. The goal here is to engage in two, one- to two-hour workouts per day. This could be any combination of an aerobic activity such as running, biking, or swimming and a climbing session comprised of bouldering, gym climbing, or a half day at the crags. To maximize the quality of each workout, it’s important to have at least a six hour break between the two workouts. For example, you might go for a long run in the morning, and then climb for a couple hours in the evening, or vice versa. If climbing is not an option, you would simply perform a morning and late-day aerobic activity of an hour or more each time.

This is, of course, is a lot of training and requires a high level of conditioning that might take a few months to build up to. Furthermore, you should begin with just one twice-a-day workout per week and gradually advance to as many as three twice-a-day routines per week. Maintaining proper hydration and eating between the two daily workouts is vital—eating to enhance recovery in preparation from your next workout is central to effective stamina training and performance.

posted by Eric Hörst

Monday at VE

Two of these people– Pamela and Peter – were climbing the 5.TUFF routes. While this guy Hasem was leading a 5.CRAZEE route out of the pit. Meanwhile, Mike was setting up another fiendishly clever route in the corner.

 

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Hesam at VE 3-2-09 from rgsletten on Vimeo.

Ice Climbing On Indoor Gyms

In case you can’t get enough of winter, this company makes indoor ice holds to attach to your climbing wall. What will they think of next? Spring I hope.

VE Sunday 3/1/09

Lots of folks today at VE including these 4, Mike, Jake and Hannah. The Warden was back at the ranch with a busted wing.

Doni and Liz

 

Mel and Lisa

 

Doni and Liz VE 3-1-09 from rgsletten on Vimeo.

Mel & Lisa 3-1-09 from rgsletten on Vimeo.

(Remember, there are 3 size options you have for those videos; the size shown here, full screen if you click on the 4 little arrows at the bottom right, or about twice as big is you click on the video name, for example “Doni and Liz.”)

All photos from the slide show videos are here.

North Shore Ice Climbing!!!!

Nora, Dave and I went Ice climbing up on the North shore yesterday! It was a perfect day. Our goal was to climb Manitou but the ice wasn't that great so we headed to Gooseberry Falls and climbed the Lower Fall. We spent a couple hours climbing the lower falls!!!  The upper falls weren't very substantial so we didn't get to climb them. We decided to head back to Dave's place, and cross country ski the Stewart River. Dave had a Husky and they were doing the skijouring thing, they were flying down that river. It was a great weekend. I hope to be able to ice climb again soon, thanks guys!!!!

Crazy Ice on Superior

Nora Climbing the Lower Falls

Aaron Climbing the Lower Falls

Skiing down the Stewart River