Some Recent Activity...

We have been extremely active in the woods lately, trying to get some serious climbing in before the surge of humidity, heat and bugs overtake the southern portion of the Adirondack Park for the next few months.  Below are a few images from an early May bouldering session at the infamous "Marble Zone".  There is a bunch more to come out of that area along with a few other zones we have been working on slowly.

Take note that it is in fact Kippy himself, pulling hard on some boulder problems again!  So glad to see this guy back in action in the Adirondacks...

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Nine Corners Lake Bouldering: April 27, 2013

Keeping it short with a nice little video collaboration from this past Saturday at Nine Corners Lake.  The crew was rolling extra deep and the energy/psyche levels were at an all time high!  I would like to inform everyone that the massive tree(s) that had fallen on the Saccharine Boulder at some point over the last year have been limbed enough so that the boulder problems can finally be climbed on again.  At some point, I will need some additional help to move the larger sections of the fallen trees but for now this initial cleaning effort will suffice.

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Pinnacle Pull Off Classics: April 21, 2013

The video compilation below is from a quick (2 hour) bouldering session at a local area known as the "Pinnacle Pull Off" bouldering area in Caroga Lake, New York.  This small bouldering area is right off of Route 29A/Route 10 as you head north towards Nine Corners Lake.  The area got it's name from the restaurant called "Pinnacle Restaurant" which sits up on a hill just above the boulder field overlooking Canada Lake.

There are somewhere around 45 established boulder problems at this area, some are of pretty good quality especially when you take into consideration the minimal approach and easy access.  This is where I started bouldering back in 2004 when I noticed the house sized boulders just off of the road.  It has continued to be a great stomping ground for days when time is limited to sneak in outdoor climbing.

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Marble Zone Classics from April 20, 2013

I have fallen behind a bit on my video editing and it is only going to get worse as the warmer weather approaches and my weekly tasks keep compounding and my work load both in the office and out of the office on side jobs increases.  Still on the "to do" list for video editing is a quick bouldering session from the Pinnacle Pulloff from last weekend, a sweet full day session from Nine Corners Lake from this past Saturday and misc. after work session clips from the Stables Boulder here in Saratoga Springs.  Nevertheless, here is a video highlighting a nice outdoor bouldering session from two weeks ago when I brought Ron Manning to the Marble Zone for the first time.  Despite the high winds and cold temperatures, we were able to sneak in a full day of bouldering and exploring.  Enjoy!

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Day Full of Sending at Great Barrington, MA

Here is the compilation video from Sunday April 14, 2013 in Great Barrington, MA.  Despite waking up to snow falling in Fulton County and downpours as we passed through Albany, it turned out to be a really nice day at Reservoir Rocks.  Sully and I had our sights set on a potential new boulder problem on the "Dump Truck" boulder that was a combination of "Dump Truck" and "One Ton" that climbed the belly of the steep overhanging block using the crack system from "Dump Truck" and some small arete features typically used as foot holds on "One Ton".  I felt that the boulder problem was a solid V6/7 as it was quite sustained and the crux moves occured near the end of the climb.  I ended up sending it on my second try that day but topped out the same as "Dump Truck".  After some lunch and further investigation, I concluded that the climb really should top out at the arete (to the left of Dump Truck).  After sending the climb in this fashion, "Tonka"- V6/7 was born.  To any Great Barrington locals, if this climb has already been established, please fill me in on the details...I think it climbs really well!

If you enjoy the video, feel free to add a comment...it is always nice to know that people are enjoying the blog updates.  Deet, daht!

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Great Barrington Preview

Here is a short preview video from a bouldering session we had last Sunday, April 14, 2013 in Great Barrington, MA. I am currently trying to put together a comprehensive video from that day highlighting the crew's efforts, determination, success and failures. I love climbing at this place.  Deet, daht!


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Early Spring Session at Great Barrington, Massachusetts

This past Saturday I had every intention of staying local and doing some spring cleaning and climbing at Nine Corners Lake.  Out of nowhere on Friday evening, flurries began to fall from the sky at home.  These flurries quickly started to accumulate and by sunrise the next day, everything was coated with just enough fresh fallen snow to make climbing in the southern Adirondacks impossible.  To maintain sanity, I decided last minute to pick up Ron Manning and head into the Bershires to meet up with a few SAC crew members and actually climb on some dry, snow free boulders.

It looks like Nine Corners is still a couple of weeks away from drying up completely.  This is unfortunate but okay since some of the neighboring bouldering areas are currently in prime climbing condition!  Deet, daht!!

Make sure to catch the end of the climbing video.  A long standing project in Great Barrington sees a long awaited send!  The crew has not yet come to a consensus as to the grade, but we all agreed that it felt really difficult...



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