Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year's Eve, Hueco

Becky and I are here in west Texas enjoying some free Internet and catching up on Facebook (barf in mouth). We've had two nice days of climbing sandwiching a day of snow in between. The white stuff was pretty to look at but I'll be happier in the long run if the sunny but cold weather continues. Today, our second rest day, Kevin and I built the dog run on Adam and Melissa's property so now home base is all set for a long stay. I'll take pictures a post them soon so everyone can see the results of our hard work (I know the wait will be painful).

Climbing has gone well so far. Yesterday Becky looked great sending the three classics 'Hobbit in a Blender', 'Dragonfly', and 'Warm-up Roof'. I managed to tick two cool problems as well, 'Le Chninkel,' an excellent Fred Nicole problem, and 'Ultramega'. A good start to the trip, and we're off to North Mtn. tomorrow!

I hope everyone has a great New Year's!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Something Different

What's different about this video? Anyone can play except Becky. Leave comments.

Compton Crips/ Bloc X from Anja Hodann on Vimeo.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Been Out Bouldering

I have finally been released from the bonds of nursing my dog! Turtle's wound is completely closed now and for that I'm immensely relieved.

With all the freedom I now enjoy I've been able to get out to the boulders once again. I spent Thanksgiving week and much of the following week in Yosemite enjoying the company of friends, great fall weather, and throwing myself at the boulders. I haven't done much to capture any media, but fortunately Becky has been better about bringing the camera out. I'm told we'll have to wait to see any of it until after her finals are over though, so I guess we'll have to be patient.

I did manage to convince Becky to allow me to share just a teaser of what's to come, so that my devoted readers can better understand my continuing battle with the boulder problem "Dogwood". Yes that's right, I'm back at it once again. I Finally got around to trying this fall, not once, but twice actually. The first was a brief dusk session. I got one attempt in before headlamps were needed and after that I just wasn't committed. I've tried this one before in the dark and honestly its no fun. The falls from the top are hard on my back on the best of days, but at night when it becomes more difficult to time my landing it leaves me feeling wrecked. The second time I tried it was much better. I gave it eight solid burns and six of them ended with me falling from the top. Below is perhaps my best attempt yet.

Dogwood Attempt from Princess on Vimeo.



Unfortunately the weather has crapped out again, and I'm not sure if I'll get another shot until spring. Something about this situation feels familiar...