You can't take the Jungle out of the Cat

So it's raining here in Rocklands... we're on day 5 of continous rain. The books have been read, the magazines have been read and burned. Same with the news paper. The local bridges are getting washed out and the roads are full of potholes the size of VW bugs. Sarah and I have found that you dont need a massive workout facility to do your very own version of the hour-of-power Dave Wahl workout. All you need is some crash pads (place them where the roof wont leak onto them) a roaring fire (to provide you with the oxygen deprivation to simulate high altitude) and some creativity. Sarah and I have done the hour of power workout twice now since it started raining, and even though it's really hard to get started, once you're done it feels great. Much better than the alternative of sitting around trying to beat the expert level on minesweeper for the 1000th time.

Here's proof that what I speak is true. Side elbow bridge... posterior deltoid raise omitted for photo.

Lake Tahoe

Layovers are no fun. I know I don't have to tell any of you that, but somehow it makes me feel better. We had a stop in phoenix to make before heading to Sacramento and then on to Lake Tahoe. Long story short, the plane we were to get on was late. This gave the dello and diggs some time to catch sleep. So, after the late flight, the 2 hour drive from Sacramento to Tahoe and such we arrived at Kristen's parents place around 4am Denver time. Definitely were not on the early wagon for climbing the next morning. Luckily there are SICK boulders only 5 minutes drive from the house. Kristen warming up:

The rock in Tahoe is fine grain granite in most areas. However, it is not the bullet granite we are used to in places like RMNP or Evans. It can be chossy. It has very few feet. However, it is still AMAZING. Every feature imaginable has somehow been carved into the rock.

Sometimes the sequences didn't make sense. Sometimes the power and finger strength we are used to relying on didn't cut it. This was my lesson in climbing a new style and not trusting sticky rubber / slopers. Yes, I'm stuck on that bulge.

Day two we visited an area on the ridge overlooking Christmas Valley. These are referred to as the "alpine club boulders". As you can see, no approach hike for these beauties.

Often, the crux is at the top of the line and you are doing all you can to paste your hands to some gritty slopers. Very cool once you get the hang of it, but not so secure on this day when it was very warm and all the boulders were in the sun.

Marcelo was able to find multiple outlets for his madness. Here he can be seen traversing across not one, but TWO boulders. Ahh the shenanigans went on and on.

This particular line does not have a name, but it has some of the strangest granite handholds I have ever seen. VERY fun to climb on.

After a long day of bouldering it was nice to remain in the woods but have the comforts of home. Possibly the coolest swing ever hangs in the tree outside the house. After a few post send brew-dogs, it seemed like a GREAT idea to go swinging.

Basically the beta is to get someone going until they are swinging over your head and then dyno up to their feet and pull them to keep adding momentum.

It feels like you are swinging out and up for DAYS. I was giggling like a little school girl for my entire tenure on the swing. Kristen was totally used to the madness and even managed to enjoy the forced "Spin" portion of the experience.

Marcelo is incapable of doing anything at less than 100%. This picture captures the moment where he is actually blurring the line between solid matter and light speed. Luckily he survived.

Tahoe was amazing kids. I will have more photos of the climbing and more postingness coming soon. In the meantime, who wants to go climbing somewhere with footholds?

Psyched.

-M@

Hey Marcelo

Something about a song that starts off "do you have a first aid kit handy? Do you know how to patch up a wound?" makes me think of you. Alexia said they are like the Spice Girls, only sluttier. Somehow she meant this as an insult. I don’t get it either.

And we're off...

Diggs, Celo and I all leave for Lake Tahoe this evening. We will hopefully be enjoying some super rad climbing on the little stones.

If we have computer access, I will be sure to post photos. Hope you all have a great week and a fun holiday weekend.

Tall Warmups

This thing doesn't look like its very tall, but let me tell you. When you're up on it, it makes you feel very insecure. It's just to the right of U.K. Hockey Night. Try it.

Mantle Panties V1 ( ! )

Slight of Hand, Fingerbanger, these climbs all eluded our efforts. Sometimes, the B-sides are more than enough to keep you entertained though.

Kristen pulling into the opening moves of Mantle Panties. This is where the business is at. Frank pulling onto the balancy slab.

It finishes on rewarding slab goodness.

Annie enjoying the casual climb to the top.

Emily also fought hard and pulled this one out.

Though it is not really a warm up, it is worth doing if you ever get bored watching the gnar hounds working something they have no hope of sending. Thanks for making it such a fun day kids!

Why, what's your wall paper?

Sometimes you have an experience that humbles you. Sometimes you have an experience that is really painful. Sometimes you have an experience that makes you hate all of England.