Argh!

I was going to go bouldering today but we ended up trapping a bear last night so I worked till 5am and did not have the energy for it when I woke up. Its probably 80 degrees right now anyway so maybe its a good thing. I'm planning on going out after work (it should be in the 40's by then) so hopefully that goes well.

I'm extremely antsy to be climbing. I miss it right now even though I went out on Monday. I think it has just been too long since I've been able to throw myself at it and not feel the constraints of work, family, friends, relationships, and weather. This coming weekend will be the first that I've spent here in the valley in over a month and a half! It couldn't happen at a better time.

First Fall Session

These are from my first session in Yosemite during daylight hours in a really long time. It was especially nice because of the company I had. The problem is called "Barrel O' Laughs" and was first done by Noah Kaufman last spring. I would not recommend his method of topping out though.

Al

Peter

Kevin

I have a wedding this coming weekend but after that I'll be spending most of my free time bouldering again. Psyched!

Disney

For my birthday (I'm 46 if you haven't heard) I decided to do something I had not done in over 10 years, I went to Disneyland. I had the perfect excuse of course, to visit my beautiful girlfriend who recently moved to San Diego for school.


Oh the possibilities. I understand that they used to pay people to climb up and down this thin in traditional Swiss attire to compliment the ambiance. That would be a sweet gig.



The swing is inside a giant orange at California Adventure. I'd never been here before because it was not open the last time I visited Disney.


I was hoping to get picture with a "Disney Princess" for the blog but I would have had to wait in line for over an hour!

Taking care of business at the designated location.

Mr. Toad's Wild Secret

Mr. Toad has some 'splainging to do.

Low and behold the really dark secret behind "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride," it is not some creepy cut-out illuminated with black lights inside the ride. No, if fact it lurks behind his awe shucks gaze and fancy dress.

One might ask, 'but what could good 'ole Mr. Toad possibly have to hide?' Well, if you look closely you'll see the pinched between his index and thumb is something even a little more green than his skin. It's a spliff! No wonder Mr. Toad has such a crazy ride he's high as kite.

More Way Lake

Beth on some traversing atrocity dubbed "Princess Peach"

I went to Way Lake again on Saturday. The highlights for me were the grilling at the end of the day in the parking lot and a highball FA I called "Sacrificial Sherpa". The name stemmed from Jeff's sacrificing his eye to protect Randy's fall on an early attempt and a nod to the potential for injury to happen upon the poor spotter that volunteers to guard the terrible landing. I also got really excited about the roof project Jeff has been working on. I figured out some wild beta the involves a 360 and feet first climbing through the roof. Its really neato.

Right now I'm at my godfather's house in San Anselmo, in the north bay. My dad came out for a few days and we caught a Giants game tonight. I'll also be heading to Disneyland on Sunday to meet up with Sarah and the Seven Dwarves. If I haven't climbed between now and then, one can expect even odds on the chances of my being arrested for trying to climb the Matterhorn. I'm actually a bit curious about how long it would take them to catch me...

Last Sunday Morning

The sunrise just before I went to sleep in the back of my car at Lake Mary near Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Green

Taking a break from "Yabo" to let sore muscles have a few nights off. I will be heading up to Way Lake on Sunday to climb with the east bay crew though, that'll be fun. I'd like to try the roof project Jeff showed me last time. Not sure if its even a project anymore. Anyway, enjoy these pictures of some of my new friends.