Thursday, October 27, 2011

Southern Hospitality

After 4 days of hard climbing to end our time in the Red (for now), we made our way out to Boone, NC.  On our last day in the Red we finally got to see 'Twinkie," an extremely overhung 5.12 that Mike Suleiman was dying to see all trip.  It was exactly what we expected; slab climbing up to a near horizontal roof of jugs, and super pumpy.  Although I made it to the top, it takes someone with a much higher understanding of the art of resting to send it clean.  It is definitely near the top of my to-do list next time I make it to the Red.  Mitch wanted to save his energy for one of his projects, "Tissue Tiger," and didn't get on 'Twinkie" which was apparently a good choice since he sent "Tissue Tiger" later that afternoon while Mike S. and I continuously pumped out at the crux for a 20 ft. fall.  In the end we got on over 50 routes in the Red and we didn't even touch the tip of the iceberg.  

Mitch

Mitch

Mike S.

Mitch

Mitch
It was a lot of fun having Mike come visit us and I know he enjoyed the New and the Red.  After dropping him off at the airport we were left with the decision of spending about $50 each to make the drive to Boone, or going straight to Chattanooga, TN which is our next destination.  With friends expecting us and good weather in the forecast we decided to go to Boone.  The drive in was dark but even then I could sense the beauty Boone has to offer, and it was a treat arriving at our friend Tilly's house that night for a giant feast.  We met Tilly and friends in Moe's Valley early on in this trip, and have been psyched to see Boone ever since.  I have never met someone who is as excited about climbing as Tilly, especially Boone climbing.  His house backs up to one of the largest boulder fields in Boone, and considering there is no guidebook published for the area, we are psyched to have someone to show us around.  There are just as many dogs running around the house here as there are dirt-bag climbers, and Juno and Chooch are loving it as much as we are.  

Mitch

Mitch

Josh


Tilly

Thomas

Thomas

Mr. Silberman
 We spent the last two days climbing in several different areas.  Hiking in to the boulder fields is much different than most of the other bouldering destinations we have seen.  The trees are alive with color and everything seems so lush compared to the deserts we have spent so much time in.  I love it.  My past experiences with the south-east consisted of family reunions off the coast of South Carolina, and I didn't expect North Carolina to be so mountainous.  Yesterday afternoon we took a 25 minute drive to the Grandmother Area and the view from the bed of Tilly's truck where I rode was overwhelmingly beautiful despite the nausea it provided me.

New friend


Dalen

Thomas
The climbing itself is very techy and unlike any climbing we have encountered on this trip.  It is also different in the fact that there is less pressure to chase grades since there is no guidebook, and most of the Boone climbers seem more interested in just having fun than worrying about grades.  It is a refreshing change from some of the other world-class destinations we have been to, and it makes you remember why you are a climber.  Climbing is fun!  We have done climbed some beautiful lines and have finally had a chance to test our strength on the slopers that are so common in the south.  Top-outs are a lot scarier and I already feel more confident at mantling!  We will be here through Halloween and then we are off to Chattanooga!  TJ is meeting us in Boone for the next few days and was already supposed to be here hours ago, but as usual we are sitting around waiting on him...Luckily JR was true to his word and was here in time to enjoy our taco feast tonight!

Cheers,
Thomas
Thomas

Thomas

Thomas

Mr. Silberman

1 comment:

  1. Looks great guys. Come to horse pens! -jasin
    Weshouldbesponsored.tumblr.com

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