Sunday December 18, 2011: Great Barrington MA

After the debacle we ran into Saturday with all of the fresh snow in the north country, we decided to head back to Great Barrington to climb on some dry boulders.

Media Update:

Tim working out beta on an undone boulder problem

Sullivan sticking the large quartz crystal on "Rubix Cube"

Me working out the lower moves on "French Tips"



Saturday December 17, 2011: Nine Corners Lake

After a few days of rain during the work week I had high hopes that snow would be melted in the north country and we might have one last shot at a bouldering session at the Snowy Mtn. boulders in Indian Lake.  With the Jeep fully loaded with four guys and numerous crash pads, we headed north early on Saturday morning.  Everything was looking promising until we got into Speculator. 

I had called a convienient store in Speculator the night before to verify that they had no snow...turns out, they got about 2" of unexpected fresh powder over night.  After a quick pit stop for some homemade muffins, we ventured back south to test our luck at Nine Corners Lake to try and salvage the day and actually climb something.  Unfortunately we ran into the same dilema in Caroga Lake but the accumulation was far less than what we experienced in Speculator so we hiked into the boulder field with snow brushes and crash pads to give it a go.

A majority of the boulders were covered with snow but we were able to climb for a few hours.  It was cold and uncomfortable but just being outside in the fresh air made all of the negatives temporarily go away.

Media Update:

The fresh snowfall lingering throughout the boulder field

Banta eyeing up his current project "The Gatekeeper"

Tim on the upper sequence of "The Origin"

Pooler styling on the lower portion of "The Origin"

Sunday December 11, 2011: Great Barrington MA

A recent trip back to "Reservoir Rocks" in Great Barrington MA made me realize how much I enjoy the climbing style and rock quality in the area.  Before the session back on Friday November 25, I hadn't been back to Great Barrington since November 2010.  Why I waited so long to return is beyond me...but I do anticipate numerous bouldering sessions here during the upcoming winter months.

Media Update:

Sullivan gaining the lip on "Scary Mantello"

The infamous mantle on "Scary Mantello"

Upper view of the mantle

Banta making it look easy



Sunday December 4, 2011: Nine Corners Lake

In the past few months, I have had more bouldering sessions at Nine Corners Lake than I have combined over the past few years of bouldering.  A majority of the resurgence of psych for my local area came about earlier in the year when I began organizing the outdoor bouldering competition that took place in early September.

Nine Corners bouldering has always been special to me and after the past few months, I have come to realize that it always will.  On Sunday December 4, 2011 I headed into Nine Corners solo style to check out some problems that were put up last year over at Stonehenge.  One problem in particular called "Diversion" is a rad looking boulder problem invloving a dyno to a poor pinch followed by a heinous mantle that D. Buzzelli put up last year.  I wasn't able to stick the first dyno move but I was able to figure out the cruxy mantle finish.  Much appreciation for what the 'old man Buzzy established last season...the boulder problem is very complex for such a short line.

Media Update:

The Plate Boulder: "Leave it to Beaver", "Pissed Off", "Froggy Style", "Diversion", "Lip Service"

A close up the lower portion of "Diversion"

A nice, new boulder problem

A different view of the new boulder problem

"Lobster Claw" -V5...FA Ken Murphy circa 2008



Pottersville: December 3, 2011

On Saturday December 3, 2011 I headed north past Pottersville with Mitch, Sully, and Pooler to check out the potential for new boulder problems at Round Pond in Keene Valley.  Our psych levels lowered once we hit exit 30 not because of the lack of boulders, but because Keene had gotten an inch of fresh powder the night before.

We were unable to climb anything new but did scout a bit.  It seems that there is lots of potential for some crazy highballs in this area.  Some pictures below.

After the scouting, we headed back south to rendevous with Team New Paltz at Pottersville, AKA Hogwart's.  Lots of sending happened throughout the day and the last climb we tried was Murph's crazy highball problem...still standing undone!  Sick find Kid!

Media Update:

 This boulder just off of Rt 73 has one sick line on it.

 View from Rt 73

Nine Corners Lake: November 27, 2011

Lots of recent outdoor climbing sessions that I haven't had a chance to post updates from.  Here are some pictures and a short video from a Sunday afternoon at Nine Corners Lake which wrapped up the extended holiday weekend from Thanksgiving.

More belated updates to follow...bear with me!

Media Update:

The Countdown Begins.....8 Weeks

The next 8 weeks of my life are going to be consumed by hard bouldering sessions indoors and out, cariovascular training, weight training, maintaining a proper diet, strength training, and yoga...

Eight weeks from now I will board a plane in Albany New York with the Iceman and head down to El Paso Texas where the Plastic Prince (Murph) will pick us up en route to the bouldering mecca known as Hueco Tanks.

This should be entertaining!!!  Words cannot express how excited I am!  We're gonna be bringing that 'Ruckus man, ADK style...

New Climbing Hold Prototypes for Black Swan



December 1, 2011

Last night, Mitch Hoffman and I capitalized on the prime fall climbing conditions with an after work session at Nine Corners Lake.  The sky was clear, the stars were full and bright, the air was crisp, and the boulders were dry.  I had a feeling the entire hike into the boulder field that something epic was about to happen.  I had been working out the sequence to the original "Nick Stoner" problem over the past few weeks and after successfully doing every move in isolation last week, I knew that it was only a matter of time, conditions, and skin.

"Nick Stoner"is the right leaning overhanging arete in the background

"Nick Stoner"is the right leaning overhanging arete in the background

The intro moves of "Nick Stoner"

 

Here is the full boulder problem...

Analyizing the upper crux sequence...daydreaming about the send