Events

Well, it's a good thing the fine people of the south have been busy planning events and fundraiser parties,  otherwise, January would have been a bust.  It's the beginning of the work/travel season for me and I was glad to attend the URG 3 yr. anniversary party (Chandler Wells photos) and the float the boat comp to kick off 2012.

Some pics...

Evolv Cruzer

This chick just busted hardcore for the news crew.  Ha!  

This guy was in a heated discussion for an hour.  Sheesh.....

On another note, the folks here in chatt have all been cursing the weather.  I think it is fair to say we have had two weeks of temps touching the 60's and raining.  Not cool.  However, I think it has brought many to drop the crash pad and pick up the rope and gear.  I can't say I remember a season where I have climbed sport or trad multiple days in January, it's just too cold.  Nevertheless, it has prompted me to practice my trad skills and put a few more dings in my Metolius Master Cams and take another amazing ride on my Sterling Nano.

We headed out yesterday to soak up the sun and sink our fists into the wandering cracks of the Tennessee Wall.  And it was the Sheezy my Neezy!!!!  I have to admit that I have only done 5 trad routes now, but I find it totally refreshing to go out with the purpose of finding and climbing the most appealing lines and being on edge and pushing my limits mentally.  It is true that the hardest climb we did yesterday was 5.10.  It is true that I top rope flashed it.  However, I did onsight the amazing Golden Locks, a 100ft 5.9, as well as The Garden, an 80' baller 5.7.  It is also true that it was soooo fun!  I guess the theme yesterday was that we were all out there taking climbing back to it's roots, ascending easy terrain, all for the pure enjoyment of rock climbing.

Golden Locks 5.9

Ahhhh.....life is good. 

Cheddar

Curioso

Here me out on this one....  Maybe you can relate to the feeling that I get often in this town, that there is something I'm missing, like there is more than what meets the eye?  Perhaps you have also wondered what may lie beyond that bend in the river that seems epically far away and obscure or maybe you can't help but imagine parking your car on the side of the road that you drive everyday while scouring the hillside with your eyes as if it were your dream to find the next mecca.  Well, it seems as though collectively we have covered a vast majority of the hillsides in Chattanooga, collectively, but individually we only know a very small percentage of what is undocumented.  If only we could compile our knowledge without exploiting the areas.  If only it weren't inevitably a bad idea to write a comprehensive guide to Chattanooga.  If only we could share our experiences in exploration to enhance our time here in this vast wilderness.  For now, we must make this endeavor for our own fulfillment.

What I'm trying to say is, don't let your lack of motivation keep you from discovering what may be your fortune.  Follow what curiosity may arise and you will be rewarded....eventually.  Also, when you do find that mecca, let me know and I'll come climb there.  

Here is a little taste of what we found just above a not so popular bouldering area.  

Good luck,

Cheddar

Wide eyed

Got a new lens recently.  Tamron 10-24mm.  I've been needing this wide angle for sooo long.  Here are some pics from my recent outings to Dayton and LRC.

2011 photo review

From the sandstone sprinkled hillsides in Chattanooga down to the granite bowling balls of Atlanta and beyond to the EORA trade show in Greenville, SC.  The year was off to a good start.  I bought a van and drove it to the Red where I met Kurt Smith and drove to Michigan and back.  Then I drove my van home from it's maiden voyage and broke down not a mile later.  Evolv released the Shaman and Geshidos.  With fingers crossed I drove the van back north to West Virginia for the New River Rendezvous.  Then it got hot.  So, we went deep water soloing and got crunk for bolts and hangers at Beg, Borrow, and Steel.  August was nearly upon us, which means the summer OR trade show was too.  So, I drove back to WV to spend a day on Summersville Lake with Kurt and Ryan Scurfield.  If you haven't been to Summersville Lake don't go.  IT SUCKS!!!!  hahahaha..... I was blown away.  From there Kurt and I bit our lip as we loaded the van for our cross country drive via Boulder, CO, Rifle, CO, and finally Salt Lake City, UT.  I hiked to the summit with the Salewa crew marking our presence on the Salewa sales force.  And why not make one more trip to the RRG.  Then rally the troops for the first leg of the Triple Crown in Boone, NC and not a month later do it again Chatty style.  October was busy.  Sterling rope factory visit followed by hella sport climbing and then the finale of the Triple Crown at HP40.  And just when you think it's time to wrap it up....you drive to Chicago, IL and break down for a day extra in the windy city.  Get the van fixed and drive to  Minneapolis, MN, Duluth, MN, and back to Madison, WI and finally back home.  That's not without being shown the boulders in Superior National Forest, reading for hours on the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth and bouldering on the quartzite of Devil's Lake, WI.  I will welcome the new year while I recap the old.  This is how I spent 2011 and here is the story in pictures.

Hope you liked them.  Happy new year everyone!  Let's kick some A$$ in 2012!!!

Cheddar.