Craig Crag

On Saturday I got the chance to Join Marc, Michelle and Craig to a new crag being developed in a secret location known only to few people, most of which havent been heard from in a while. We had a great day dodging and soaking of the sun rays as well as climbing some great routes.

Craig on an unnamed 12+
Marc on Into the Frey 11b.

After a couple of climbs I fixed a rope and took photos for an hour or so and when returning to the ground I was basically spent! A hot day in the mountains takes its toll!!

Devils Right Hand- Yamnuska

On Friday once again we took advantage of the Autumn weather and blasted up to Yam for an ascent of the route, Devils Right Hand. I remember seeing it from a route close by and it looked just awesome. After hearing 50/50 reports about the quality, Pat and I went to have a closer look.

Pat being pensive at the belay stance.
Nice corner crack leading to the roof and soon after, the top of the cliff.
Pat on the 4th pitch.
Sea of grey stone. 
Pat starting up the third pitch.

Another stellar day on Yam. Despite some negative feedback on the route, we thought it was pretty great:good stone, safe and nice climbing. 

The Diving Board- Yamnuska

Well last week I got the chance to team up with my good friend Jason for a good route on Yamnuska.  The route Diving Board ascends a steep wall on the east side of the mountain and is one of Andy's newer routes. As usual we followed the rack instructions and brought a good size collection of gear which turned out to be a good idea because we were placing a lot of it!

Looking down from top of second pitch.
Stoked as always..
Roof on third pitch.
Jason starting up the first pitch.

The route was awesome and even had a few token hands in crack climbing sections! One of my favorites yet.

Back of the Lake

We had a stellar day climbing at the back of the lake yesterday and a good time was had by all. The weather was perfect and projects were getting worked on. We "beat our heads on the rock" as my friend Greg says as we tried and flailed on a few steep climbs. Classic routes and great people is my favourite kind of time.

Mike on "Incomplete" 12+- This climbs amazingingly.

Of course, the Lake.

The Hideaway- ACC Canyon

On Saturday, Michelle and I joined some of our good friends for the hike up to the Hideaway crag deep inside the "ACC Gully" on Grotto mountain. We had a great time climbing the instant and new classics that are abundant there. Its slowly becoming one of our favorite spots because of the great location and excellent climbing.

Tools of the new crag trade.
MA- Mantle Delight
Mantle Delight

Mt.Lougheed from the Lookout.

BlackFeather Canyon

So on Friday I got the chance to head into a great place, Blackfeather Canyon with Zack, Amitai and Drew. We had a great day on the stellar stone and enjoyed great company in an amazing setting.

Drew on the super classic "Sister Ray"

My new obsession- "Kick me Down"...I am inspired by this great line.

Grey Scale- Yamnuska

On Friday I had a great day dodging rain showers and grabbing excellent stone on the modern route "Grey Scale" with Rob. Its a stellar route taking a pretty direct line through the grey rock left of the Bowl and Devils right Hand. Some laughs were had as we moved through the difficulties and Yam settings to the summit ridge where we topped out, had a little food , then started the rappels back to our shoes and packs at the bottom. Just great.

Firing the first pitch in good style.
Second pitch.
Last pitch.
Last pitch again.
Freehanging rappel off the summit ridge- good way to end the day! I would really like to do more of these modern routes this summer.

Yosemite Bound

So close, Yosemte is a real Mecca and it is a dreamy place to climb
Our first route in the valley, the classic Sunny Side Jam Crack

Had a great couple of weeks in California with my good friend Mike Pollard. We had one day at Cirty of Rocks, 4 at Lovers Leap, 1 in the high sierra and 5 in Yosemite. A really great and memorable trip. We also brought along our friend Hibachi who helped us grill everything everything from steaks to vegis...I will add more photos soon...



The Matthes Crest traverse
Where is the coin slot for this ride??? Midway on the traverse,

very very fun.

Mike at Lovers Leap, CA. A 4 day stop-over at one of the best climbing areas I have ever seen, sooo nice. Racking up for a route called "pop bottle".
Climbing on Corrugation Corner.
Lovers Leap
Lovers Leap
Bishop, CA. Home of the best bakery this side of the Netherands and quite possibly the best place to live if you enjoy climbing.

Moose Mountain Climbing!

On Friday the posse assembled at the Bagel Company for a pilgrimage up to the hallows of Moose Mountain. Last week, the local french connection checked it out to discover good climbing amidst loose rock. Hearing that last part about the rock got us all fired up and in no time at all we were chasing each other up the steep trail to the cliffs where we lounged in T Shirts all day, took photos, ate and of course, pulled down on some unsuspecting classic rock routes. Thanks to Joel, Jeff, Chad and Blake for a great day!

Fall on Yam

So the Floose and I shot up to Yam to do a nice classic moderate route before the snow started to fly. Well, the snow flew anyway and we had a great time on the route "western union".

California Dreaming

Part of me thinks that when judgement comes, if there is such a thing, you will be standing there at the pearly gates as some great one is flipping through shots and moments of your life. Its conclusion as to if you lived your life with "flavor" being your entry pass into the place with all the clouds and flowing cappuccino. If any of that has a bit of truth to it, then the last two weeks on the coast and in the mountains of the western USA with Michelle Walker added to the bank of images.








Day Needle, Keeler Needle and Mt.Whitney. A granite climbers dream.








We climbed sun drenched granite in Idaho, drove "tank to tank" through the deserts of Nevada. Held the tent down from blowing away at Mt.Whitney, California and bouldered in the cool morning hours in Bishop before the days heat. Tuolomne meadows granite and seafood in Sanfrancisco. A really good trip!