Multi-pitch Climbing With A 12 Year Old

Here’s a story of preparing a 12 year old to do a 6 pitch climb.

Extra Work For Rock Climbers

Wind turbine repair is a growing field for experienced climbers.

“About half of Rope Partner’s technicians double as recreational climbers, Mr. Bley estimated. Their job, requiring them to fly around the country for projects that can last up to several months, offers an on-and-off lifestyle that allows them to climb or relax during their weeks off.”

Headlamp Climbing

This is a photo from Planet Granite in San Francisco of climbing with headlamps. Looks like fun. Link here.

Tikka Light Contest

Here’s another winner in the Petzl Photo contest.

What Does A Bad GriGri Look Like?

Here’s the winner from “How Bad Is Your GriGri?” contest.

Real Blind Climbing

Blind climber Erik Weihenmayer tackles his hardest route to date - Eldorado Canyon's The Naked Edge - to benefit the Access Fund

What A Way To Get A Drink

This is a great way to make a drinking fountain. Probably not very safe for climbing, but fun to see.

Get Dirty

Wanna crawl on your belly like a snake? Thru a mud puddle?

If that appeals to you, it’s time for you to register for Muddy Buddy 2010. Lisa did this race last year and had a SUPER FAB time.

“The first 50 teams to register for each event will receive a Technical Participant T-shirt! Muddy Buddy will be in 18 cities in 2010. Secure your spot in the Mud Pit near you. Events typically sell out!”

Climbing Workouts

This site has a complete 16 week workout plan for improving your climbing. (That’ll take you thru winter.) His first post deals with setting your goals. It’s that SMART idea:

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

He also has a workout for each week all on this page.

The South Butt

Here’s a  new clothing company that is being sued by…well I bet you can guess which company might be suing them. The South Butt’s slogan is “never stop relaxing.” Slightly different than “never stop exploring,” the other company’s slogan. 

Here is a disclaimer by The South Butt:

“We are not in any fashion related to nor do we want to be confused with The North Face Apparel Corp. or its products sold under "The North Face" brand. If you are unable to discern the difference between a face and a butt, we encourage you to buy North Face products.”

I personally have had my face mistaken for my butt, so I can understand any confusion.

Snow Kiting

Hey it's a blast! Several of you Rockers have said this is the winter you want to start kiting. I think with all the snow coming you picked a good one! I would love to introduce you to the sport but am limited by my gear. Yes kiting is expensive and the gear needs to fit you personally to work safely. I have several kites all sized for different speeds of winds but not two of the same to be able to ride with you at the same time. Lisa has used my trainer kite and it's good for basic starting but you can't really ride with it. Of course riding is what it's all about. That said I have inside information on two affordable intro to kiting sessions coming up. They will be offered through UM St Cloud and be on Mil Lacs. If you're interested in learning or giving it a try contact Evan at this email,  outdoor_endeavors – at - stcloudstate.edu Of course UM Duluth has a super program also in place and provides all the gear. Here's their page.  If you have any questions feel free to get hold of me. I like kiting so much I don't even buy my season passes to Welch anymore. Here’s a story by Stephen Regenold in the Star Tribune about his experience last winter.

Blind Climbing

OK. it really wasn’t blind people climbing, it was Lisa, Peter and I climbing with a bandana around our eyes. Not sure if it was a useful exercise, but it focused our attention on remembering where the footholds were. (About 2 minutes.) About halfway in the video, you can see “Bandana Cam.” (Don’t know why there’s no sound in part of it, but that’s probably what climbing was like for Helen Keller.)

 

Holly Jolly Solstice Schinanigans

Route Setters Unfair To Short People?

I was only able to capture a short (haha) segment of a protest today at VE. Look what they did to the protester to shut her up. If you agree with the protester, please let her know. Power to the little people!

Small carbon footprint people rock! (Man I wish I were short, so I could protest too. But, nooooo! I am average height. I hate being average!)

Are you a scruncher or a reacher? Let us know what you think.

BREAKING NEWS!

Richard made it across the long ceiling clean as a whistle. He did that all the peeps that have given him beta over the past year. Russel. Tyler, Peter, Kyle, Anthony, Dan... he didn't thank me for telling him that "today was the day!" It stressed him out, but I am just saying HE MADE IT. and he never has to go there again! What an accomplishment. Russell said They aren't going to let Alex Johnson in the gym anymore when Richard is there. One famous climber at a time is enough!