Baked Goodies and Summit Selfies

Whoa, so I haven't posted in awhile! I know - how dare I do such a thing to y'all?! I bet y'all are just going crazy wondering what I've been up to this past week or so! I could write a super short blog summing it up and it would go like this: I've been tearing up my fingertips, hiking until my glutes are sore for a few days, eating delicious baked goodies, slept under a roof for a few nights, and watched my TRC kids crush at the ABS comp. But that wouldn't make for a fun read would it? Okay, so here is the long-winded story.

Last Saturday was a rest day and we watched the ABS open competition, specifically to watch Kai Lightner (Team TRC) compete in his first ABS open comp. I love watching how all the competitors attack the problem differently and watching their muscles work to keep them on the wall. Funny how a rest day can teach you so much about climbing!

Sunday was Aaron's birthday! We did a morning session at the Buttermilks. Aaron and Blair worked the moves on Soul Slinger (V9). I pulled onto Junior Achievement (V8) and got really close to sticking some of the moves which naturally just made me want to go back and get it later. Anyways, then it started raining so we left. We watched the ABS finals round, went out for Chinese per Aaron's request, and saw American Sniper in the theater.

Monday, we went back to the Happies after a slow morning of getting ready. Aaron and Blair attempted the moves on Red Rum stand start (V7) whilst I worked out the moves on Rendezvous with an Alien (V3). My men worked on Morning Dove White (V7) for awhile. I attempted the first moves but the pockets weren't very friendly for my tendons so I saved it for my project. After awhile we headed over to Mr. Witty (V6). I didn't have quite enough lock-off strength to reach the mono (I have the picture to show how close I am). Aaron sent it shortly after. He was also kind enough to give me a power spot so I could feel the mono and see if I could pull off of it. Yeah, I'll have to try again. Then we went over to Every Color You Are (V6) so Blair could work out the top moves. Unfortunately, I didn't take any sick pictures of Blair on it even though he looked awesome! I waited for the sun to stop touching my project and then we headed over to Solarium. GOSH DARN IT! I am so close to wrapping this project up! I have all the moves dialed and now I just have to stick the lip. I didn't stick it - my fingers grazed it a few times - but I found better feet beta for the jump.

Campground Boulder in Rock Creek

Tuesday, our friend Caitlin joined us! She had been in Heuco, TX for about 5 weeks climbing (not jealous at all). Caitlin and Blair went bouldering and Aaron and I went of to ORG again for some sport climbing. We warmed up on Paradise (5.9), then cruised through a 10c and 10b where I pulled a little too hard with my ring finger and irritated my tendon again (one day I'll stop doing that I swear), then Aaron did Love Stinks (11a). We wrapped it up with Wedge-O (10b). I'm getting much better at the hike out ever since Aaron taught me the mountaineer walk thingy. Wednesday was a rest day for us.

Not the best picture but this is the view from the Campground Boulder

Thursday we went to the Happies with Caitlin and met up with Erin and Ian. Our friend Maddy was supposed to meet us there but got delayed and met us at camp that night. Caitlin spent most of the morning working Acid Wash Right (V7). Aaron and Blair worked on some V9s (Fast Dance and Last Dance) and then went after Kill Onsight (V12 / V11 stand start). I tried working the moves on Monkey Hang (V3) but I was so stretched out and didn't have the abs to keep my feet from peeling off and me cartwheeling off the holds. Anyways, we joined Caitlin - which was a whole 15 feet away - and we worked various problems over there. In the afternoon we went over to the Happy Boulder and Solarium Boulder. They worked on Hulk (V6), Disco Diva (V8), Disco Hulk (V9) and who knows what else. I took a little break, worked Rendezvous with an Alien again as a warm up before I hit my project. My fingers once again grazed the hold a few times but STILL DIDN'T STICK IT!! Unfortunately we had to leave early to meet up with Erin and Ian for dinner so I didn't get to fully thrash myself on my project.

Friday we went to the Checkerboard area in the morning. I wasn't really feeling it so I didn't climb but was more than content to just hang out, be outside, and watch my friends work on some problems. It was getting hot (like Wisconsin summer hot) so we headed up to Rock Creek. I was going to work on a V4 but it turned out that a massive hold broke and it was then a V7. There were a ton of people - which is awesome for hanging out but not so much climbing - so I decided to hang out most of the day. Anyways, Maddy got the V7, Aaron got Osama Sit-start Eliminate (V10), and Alex also got the 7. Then we headed over to a different boulder where people were working the V9 Overzealous. Alex and I went over to a nearby boulder to work a V3 Twisted Sister. He sent that rather quickly and we moved over to Groove and Arete (V4). Eventually, Ian and Aaron came over and worked Dude (V9). It got cold so we left. And by left, I actually mean we packed up and headed to Ridgecrest for the weekend. Alex and Sarah were amazing hosts and let us crash in their house. Whoa, did I just say that? I mean, did we actually have running water, electricity, a roof over our heads, a real stove, and access to a shower?! Oh, and that's not all. Sarah is a baker. Enough said.

Saturday (Valentine's Day), Maddy, Aaron, Alex, Blair and I took a long hike. We hiked the Pacific Crest Trail to the summit of Mount Morris and Mount Owens and did a through-hike so we didn't have to hike the same path down to the car. I think Aaron was impressed my improved hiking abilities, as was I. We had a long ways ahead of us once we hit the summit. We hiked down and made it to the road. We decided running would be a good idea and Blair took off like a bat out of hell with his messenger bag. And he kept running. Maddy and I slowed down and did a brisk walk and chatted. Eventually we got to the truck and took off for an Indian buffet (yay for chana masala)! I fell asleep very quickly that night. I didn't even hear the cats wandering about in the room at night, haha.

View along the Pacific Crest Trail

Sunday was next. We went to a nearby sport crag. Unfortunately, my muscles got more and more sore as the day progressed so I did very limited climbing. They did some 10a and 10c slab climbs, Aaron did a 5.8 crack trad route that I TR'd. Alex did a route nearby and had an interesting landing. Aaron discovered he had forgotten his lunch so Alex and I donated food to him. I think I deserve some good girlfriend points right? Haha, just joking, I would never let someone go without lunch. We went grocery shopping and bought pizza ingredients. We let Sarah spoil us with her AMAZING cooking and baking skills and she made homemade pizza, a chocolate orange cake for Alex's birthday, and brownie/marshmallow deliciousness. We watched an episode of Peaky Blinders and the movie Snatch. I know, I know, not very dirtbag of us. But there were baked goodies!

Summit shot!

Monday, we went to Alabama Hills for sport climbing. Aaron put up a 10b which I cleaned. Then he hung draws on Rodeo Queen (10d). I then lead it which, by the way, was the second hardest outdoor sport lead I have EVER done! I had to hang a few times but I did make it to the top and it was a fantastic climb! Then Aaron lead an 11d which I attempted to clean on TR but didn't quite have it in me. Then he lead a 12b before we switched corridors and took it easy. Well, Alex didn't but we did :) We said our goodbyes and headed back to Bishop.

So now it is Tuesday and here I am writing my blog listening to music that was most likely played at one of my proms. Time to change pandora stations apparently. It went from Shakira to music that I don't know how it even made it big. Dang, I'm easily side-tracked at the moment. Now I'm waiting for it to be 12:30p my time so I can skype Anna!! Later today we are going to head out to the Happies for a late afternoon session. See ya soon!

Five Fingers