Flagstaff. YEAH!

While many people went to eleven mile or baseball games, Celo and I headed north to do some clambering up at Flagstaff and hang out with John and Becky, some wicked cool cats who Celo knew from the olden days. Here are some of the resulting shenanigans. So you start here (on a log, which you will sprint up)... ...or here. Yeah, it's what you think it is. Then you jump. Okay, now you grab the decent sloper and slap yourself (gracefully) against the wall. Top out and it's all over! Looks fun, right? John suggested that this problem, which we can only assume to be an FA, be called, and graded V(stupid). Next door to V(stupid) there is a really cool Gill problem (Gill Lunge, or something like that) that goes at somewhere between V0 and V15. In any case, it's cool as hell. John and Celo both (re)sent. Shortly after that last sequence the weather decided we needed to leave and go drink beers, so it became very very cold and snowed a bit.

THE END!!!

More Valley of Joe!

All of the fun at Joe's was not captured in pictures. It was an excellent time. Now, a return visit has been proposed. Return to Joe's Valley???

Really?

Yes

Fiona is on Self Service. A great climb at Area 51.

Thomas is warming it up... warm it up Thomas!

Here Kevin takes a moment for a dramatic pause. He stands in front of a superb looking line that he found. Dang... I still need to get on those crimpers.

Wills a Fire

So there is this sequence... or other sequences... but SOME sequence works...

Most all of the holds are good.

This one is less than awesome.

This crimp is quite crimpy...

... but the Stephanie has been pulling quite hard on the holds of Joe's.

This climb is super classic and actually climbs REALLY well with good beta like Steph's. Words and Woots to great sending out in Joe's!

A few more shots from Joe's

Thanks everyone for the nice comments for the first post about Joe's. It's really nothing to do with me though. It's tough NOT to make such a sweet climbing area look like so much fun. Especially with the crew of clowns that were around! Such as der dello doing what the dello does best: Hiding people's gear and being a general giggling comedian. Yea, that's shibbs. Yea, that's a mohawk. Yea, he knows it's going to be difficult to tell dad.

We just can't seem to gather up without at least a few PBR's going down and some crap being talked.

So HOT!

Rylan and Thomas both sent Moby Dick. That thing is SERIOUSLY difficult. You should send them e-mails of congratulations. Maybe even ones with pictures of your junk attached.

Amy redpointed the shoe throw and then repeated it several times throughout the morning. Usually with at least one HILARIOUS throw per go.

Like I said, Wills a fire = droopy draws. (heh...sounds like a spurt root)

Find the Fiona and win! She was on her way to a "pants party" in this picture. Whatever that means... NOT SO INVISIBLE SANDWICH!!!!!!!111!

Thomas "quota busting" on some of the stuff left of Pocket Rocket. He managed to climb a whopping 62 problems while we were there! I'd be curious to see a grade breakdown!

While not the quality of the first set of pictures, I hope you all enjoy! W3RDs and WOOTS where appropriate.

Joe's Trip

Ahh yes. Bluebird sky, crisp morning air, and tips disappearing despite incredibly finger friendly rock. We MUST be in Joe's Valley, Utah. As you probably suspected, the shenanigans started the moment our crew set foot in the valley. Turtle-ing, pad stackage, and wicked boulder problems just started flying out of nowhere! (BTW, Next shot is Eden V10. Thomas Crushed it after some brushing)

Here is Nick on Anatomy Act V7

Bec somehow getting Rylan in the dreaded pad taco. V14

Can you believe what chaos our crew creates when we roll to the boulders!?! Look at all that crap! Luckily, Dello keeps focused on his goals.

David Garcia Flashing Skins Game V4

Situner on Moby Dick. (no send)

Smarvez on The Angler. Amy Glowing on the shore.

Did you know Organic Bouldering Mats will actually FLOAT if blown into water? It's true. Windy conditions in Joe's makes for soaked pads and an uncomfortable swim for the tuna.

I had the pleasure of getting on the Angler. Truly, it is MUST DO.

David Garcia Sending Wills A Fire V6.

Giving me the finger, or showing off war wounds? You be the judge. Bec putting in time on Right Boy Size V6. (She's SOOOOO CLOSE!!!)

Here, Diggs crushes the absolute awful crimps of Footmare V4. Ask any of the boys in the crew and they will gladly tell you that the pain level is more like V100.

David Garcia's face after a lap on Footmare.

What is a climbing trip without camp fire / smores session?!? You missed out if you weren't in attendance!

Rich Pimpin Jeans V4 Flash (heh... in jeans even)

As usual, Marcelo was working the most difficult thing he could pull his meat off the ground on. He might have touched his leg to the rock a little on one burn. He swears his shins just do this when he flexes.

Nothing will have you packing your pad and gear and hiking in climbing shoes faster than a skunk rolling up on your session. Trust me.

Kevin launching on Pocket Rocket V6. Such a sweet problem.

So, Friday afternoon, the weather turned to absolute crap. Rich and I topped out the last problems of the day in falling snow. Though pretty, it didn't do much for our climbing psyche for the next two days. Luckily, weather looked good in Moab, so we bailed for hot showers and warmer temps.

Rich, Biggity, David, and I all got on Circus Trick V4 (yea right) to no avail. I really want to come back and try this problem fresh. Anyone up for a commando weekend to Moab?

Rich pulled over the top of his nemesis Brown Power V5 after a great deal of effort on the problem over several burns. (Doesn't he look SO Happy!!!)

Biggity also took down Brown Power on his last effort of the day. Sure makes that drive back to Denver much more enjoyable!

Thankfully, I also took care of some old business on the block top boulder at the end of the day on Saturday. Weird moves and a VERY happy climber once topped out. Blunt Arete V6

If you happen to see these pictures and think to yourself, "Gosh, I've got to get my bottom end to Joe's Valley soon!" you're in luck. Sounds like there's already a weekend commando trip planned for April.

First rule of Joe's Commando; you must be CRAZY EXCITED for Joe's Commando.

And no I DON'T mean sans-underwear Marcelo.

Blech.

-Matt