It's robot fightin' time

The Bro posing on some slickrock

The reason I keep going back to Red Rocks on climbing trips is that each time the place seems to have more to offer. Though the grades are said to be soft by some, and the sandstone soft by others, it's hard to leave the area without a wicked case of chronic perma-grin. The kaleidoscope of colors you see at the canyon are beyond belief and are a photographers dream come true. And, as I've stated before, it has everything from long easy trad routes, great sport climbs and as Richard, Timbo and I found out, some killer bouldering too. I consider Las Vegas to be the armpit of the Universe and Red Rocks Canyon being so close to it has created a bit of a dilemma for me. The quality of the climbing and past fun times I've had there far outweigh any bad vibes I get from the "city of Sin".

The trip started out like it usually does, with a long drive from Oregon or Norcal that stretches into oblivion. Sooner or later we arrive, triumphantly... and crash at the BLM campground. The days are usually organized as such:

-an easy and sleep in late day

- hard sport day (read, feel inadequate because Lauren Lee is right next to you flashing 12.d's),

-boulder day to get rid of the gibblies you got from that whipper yesterday

-long trad day in order to go easy on your thrashed tendons (doesn't work as you invariably get off route)

-Rest day, or, in Timbo and my case: get absolutely spanked on everything you try

-Get drunk/rest day

-Spend day mostly scraping your knees on a cryptic red rock approach hike. Do one pitch. Your camelback runs dry on the way out and you start to realize the worth of showering around this day.

-Try "must do" project day. Key word is try here.

-Drive 22 hours home bragging about your conquests and sends.

We skipped a few of those last days as we had to rush back to Oregon for other reasons, but we followed the basic blueprint. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Here are some highlights.

The dudes: Richard (with the snazzy hat) belaying Tim

Richard stylin' an 11.b

One of the burlier falls I've seen anyone take. Flying upside-down for a few meters, my brother left some red discoloration all over the previously tan rock.

V hard or bowel movement? You decide, though the patched pants lead me to infer that this has happened before

a fun little slap

One of the best problems I've seen, over at the kraft boulders (I believe it's called the Monkey Bars)

I know my enemy and its name is The Pearl, V4

I have no idea...

Chimneyfest: 2007. The boulder was probably 60 feet tall and split perfectly down the middle.

End of a long day

A gorgeous, clean 12a that proved a bit much for me. I've always said that red rocks can turn an average photographer into a good one. This climb showcased some desperate slaps and a stem in a featureless corner.

Good times

Well, it's been a busy few weeks (errr month. I mean year. whatever) and it is about time for an update. Since I'm back on the quarter system again, we students here at OSU are about to get blasted with some midterms. But such is life. On to some fun stuff. Last weekend I got the opportunity to spend some time in Bend with the bro...

(yeah, that guy). Last Friday was my friend Gretchen's "owie" party, and good times were had by all down in Eugene. G is healing fast after her auto accident, which is great, but I missed a perfect opportunity to ditch this bottle of Arbor Mist she and Richard gave me and leave it at their place. Seriously, the stuff tastes like a combination of ox piss, hippo sweat and that grape fluoride at the dentist you hated as a kid. I'll get 'em later.

Among other events last weekend, the Oregon State Mt. Club's got a cabin in Sunriver for the holiday weekend. It was great to catch up with some people. Now I wasn't around for this, but some members did a little ice climbing a Saturday ago. That's right, it's been cold enough in Oregon for there to actually be some frozen waterfalls. Greg and Ian have some nice shots on their blogs, and I recommend you check them out. I think it might be time for me to actually get some hammers and some crampons. Speaking of cold, we got our second snowstorm since school started. Apparently, we have a pretty significant La Nina this year. Here's a (bad, I know) pic of the library the other night on my way to the climbing gym.

Since I have my camera back I'll post some pictures of Timbo, Lord Burton and myself on our red rocks trip sometime soon. Actually the climbing shots were just OK, but the pictures of all of us screwing around ended up being pretty freakin' funny. Like I said... good times. Take care everybody!