Here's some audio of climbing

So I was at VE today for my first day this week of overtraining and none of the crew showed up. (I know you're going tonight for your own overtraining session.) So I shot a short video of what my hands see when I do a simple boulder route. My next video will be one about watching paint dry.

Capoeira is awesome!

Here's a youtube video of Capoeira, since you all have been wondering about it. Remember, I've only been to 6 classes, so I'm not doing the flips yet! =) Someday, maybe? Here's the link, since I can't figure out how to post it directly into the blog.

Night climbing in Brisbane, Australia

Has anyone ever been night rock climbing? When I was in Brisbane in December, my friend took me rock climbing at some cliffs right along the Brisbane River, with the city skyline on the other side of the river. The city had installed huge lights trained on the cliffs so you could climb all night if you wanted! They were short cliffs, but still offered a beautiful view of the city lights from the top. Quite a new experience for me! The photo of the city on the right was taken while it was still light, from the ground. I didn't bring my camera to the top when I was climbing. =)

Lisa's new business card

Man, do I feel foolish. I put "Liz" on her previous cards and paid no attention to my mistake. It's kinda like what I do climbing sometimes: I'm so focused on my hands I don't see my feet.
Anyway, here's her corrected card with her preferred title and motto.

Monday Climbing Photos

Here are some photos of some of the group climbing today.

other rumors

pssst... i heard that we are all going ice climbing at the brick yard next wednesday. richard is going to bring "the stuff" and the anchoring wisdom. I will bring a pea sized helmet and rent boots and crampons for the gals. meet at the gym at 12:15? whos in?? shhhhhhh.

i also heard that aaron is going to yoga with lisa tomorrow night, it will not be relaxing, it will be challenging. Meet at Core Power at 867 Grand Ave in St. Paul. it's at grand and victoria s.w.corner, upstairs. I will meet whoever wants to come outside the studio at 5:40 p.m. central standard time. who is in? ssshhhhhhhh.

The Rumor Mill

As with all growing organizations, Wednesday’s Rock is not immune to gossip and rumors. Today, after Richard left, there was some talk among two members, who will remain anonymous (Julianne and Lisa) about a subject that deeply worries me… finding gainful, full-time employment.

Society has created certain rules and stereotypes that we feel we must abide by. Among those false values are the beliefs that we need to “pay bills”, “support our families”, and “help those who are less fortunate”. I feel that partaking in these activities will severely affect climbing time. I urge all W.R’s not to do this thing called “work”.

We’re going to need corporate sponsorship… or sugar mama’s.

Via Ferrata, My New Interest

This is not climbing per se, but it sure looks fun. I think there are only 3 locations in the U.S. where this is available. Have any of you ever done this?

Ice

http://mountainproject.com/v/minnesota/stillwater_ice_stillwater_mn/105956275

I know exactly where this is! It's not in Stillwater, it's in Houlton, where I used to engage in activities that my parents did not know about. Do we have gear?? I guess we can rent some at VE. Do we have anchoring know how?

Sunday at V.E.

I’ve been waiting for this day for almost 29 years, the day that I give up my blog virginity. Feel special Wednesdays Rock, you’re the one for me.

Sunday at V.E. hosted some awesome climbs. Surprisingly, Richard, Lisa and Mel all showed up, with a guest appearance by Carl. (I thought Sunday was a day of rest?!) Congrats to Julianne for kicking butt at the competition on Saturday!

The Passion for Flashin’ is over, and there are a plethora of new, unrated routes up for us to climb. It was like Christmas came early on Sunday; walking around, looking at different ledges and thinking “I can climb that!”

Climbing becomes more interesting and more personal when, instead of looking at a route card and thinking “can I climb a 5.XX?” you simply look at the holds, the moves, and the terrain; and ask yourself “can I do this?”, then to attack the route with a fresh and almost child-like attitude; not limited by a rating or past experiences.

In the next few weeks the staff at V.E. will be covering the walls with new, fresh, routes. This gives us all an opportunity to set new goals for ourselves and to push our limits. Keep it up W.R’ers!

Lisa's new business card.

Here's Director of Enthusiasm:

Sunday's Wednesdays Rock Gathering

Many of the most important members of the WR group showed up Sunday. (Carl made a cameo appearance not to be seen again for at least one week as he is allegedly traveling for "work." Like, what's this work thing, dude?)

For those of you with scorecards, this was an official training day, not an overtraining day. We caught our Melissa in the process of being lowered from a 5.impossible rated climb.

Also, I designed a business card for Lisa but I couldn't remember what her title was. I know she doesn't like "Den Mother." Any ideas are welcome. I like these:

Director of Fun

Energy Source

VP of Enthusiasm

Here's my current version of her business card:

We are so proud.

Well bust my buttons! Our Julianne did great at the Passion for Flashin' on Saturday. I heard that she placed third in the intermediate division. We looked at the route she climbed, it looked downright ornry! She made it farther than anyone else. It's Sunday and I'm sure she is taking a well deserved day of rest. Rock on Sister!

The rest of us were challenged to make a good decision between church and climbing. Well.. we had a great time climbing. Lots of new routes. Aaron got up very early in the morning to conquer these routes. Some were fun, some made us crabby. A good looking guy named Carl joined us. He has not been overtraining but he did just fine. Mel-lo escaped the mad house for a little while and did a nice job on several 5.10's. I'd say everone had a rockin' day. Now, lets make some plans. Ice anyone? I will welcome whoever can make it to VE on Monday, 1:30 ish.

GriGri Brings Me Luck

I bought a GriGri a few weeks ago but haven't taken the time to learn to use it. Today Aaron showed me how and I belayed him on a few climbs with it.

Pros

• It stops the rope fast; climber falls very short distance
• Easier to keep climber on belay while climber explores new route

Cons

• It stops fast which hoists me into the air
• It's heavy

I was pretty sure a gris-gris was a voodoo item so I looked it up and here's what I found:

"Gris-gris, also spelled grigri, is a Vodou/Voodoo amulet that protects the wearer from evil or brings luck. This use of the word Gris-Gris usually describes a small cloth bag worn on the person. Inside is placed a mixture of one or more of the following: herbs, oils, stones, bones, hair, nails, grave dirt, or other personal items." From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So I'm gonna use it more if it brings good luck or protects me from evil.

Friday Afternoon at VE

I went to VE today to be sure no one was overtraining. (Really, that's the only reason I even showed up.) I only spotted one Wednesdays Rock member - Aaron. So, of course, I had to climb with him so the two of us wouldn't overtrain.

It was hard to find climbs today; so many routes had been taken down for tomorrow's competition. We were very limited to which routes we could use and even which walls. There were so many route setters hanging from ropes, I thought maybe it was a Tinkerbelle training camp.

Aaron and I struggled up some fiendishly difficult routes - probably so difficult that only "experts" could climb them - and then I had to go.

PS We didn't see any "Chicks with Picks" but look forward to that someday.