July 2006
Hello everyone,
I was just wanting to send an update to y'all about my recent Japan trip!
Shane Williams, Alex Gerrits(DrTopo) and I were in Japan for three weeks, during this time we traveled with the Bpump crew around to 6 differnet areas. From river polished limestone to granite boulders in the forest. While climbing at these areas, Drtopo(see links below) was filming for his website and the Japanese were filming for a video project of there own, that will be coming out in a couple months.
The japanese photographer Yamamotto Hiroaki was also traveling with us taking photos for a feature article that will be in the Japanese mag Rock+Snow. Some of his photos will also be used in next seasons Lost Arrow Catalog. Contact me if your interested in getting some images from him. (see link below)
Between climbing we went back to the city, where I did 3 Slideshows and poster signings. The first at the Piranha Gym, then at the Bpump gyms in Shinjuku and Yokohama. All were a success, with between 50 and 100 people in attendance. At the final show I raffled off a Revolution Crash pad, thanks to Tak at Crux. Well I think that about does it. Here are some of those links..
Photos from my site, including Yamamottos:
www.cryptochild.com/Japan.html
Drtopos videos:
www.drtopo.com/movie/big_in_japan.html
June 2006
So it's been a crazy hectic summer so far. Much to do and the day is long. I need time to: design the new So Ill catalog, tune my cello, get an oil change and climb. The day becomes shorter the more I think about it. Oh well, no time to waste!
I just got back from an amazing 3 week trip to Japan, The weather was perfect for us-no rain. We were very lucky considering we were right on the cusp of their rainy season. I was traveling with my friends Alex and Shane. Alex runs the www.drtopo.com site and was updating it each day of the trip. We went to 6 different areas, some river polished limestone and some granite boulders hidden through out the forest. The food there was also great although not common; one of our favorites was raw horse. Every climber we met was very energetic and happy to share with us their local areas. This defiantly makes for a much easier trip. I also did 3 slide shows at the Pump gyms that were a big success; the people were very excited to see new areas on the big screen.
Now I'm back in Boulder, regrouping. I'm writing and article for Urban Climber about my Japan experience and I have an upcoming art opening at the Optical Reverb Gallery in Co Springs on July 7th. Who knows where I will be after that?
Feb 06
I've been having an excelent winter in Hueco Tanks, while avoiding the real winter weather in the north. Today is my last day. I had a great time during my stay, climbing with old friends and making new friends from all over the world. The climbing has been amazing also with plenty of classics to repeat and amazingly enough some new lines to be had. My favorite first ascent of my trip has to be Rules of Chaos in the East Spur Maze. I beautiful highball straight up the middle of one of the nicest boulders in the maze. There is a short video of the problem that you can watch on my website- www.cryptochild.com enjoy! Next stop Utah... jk
march 05
After two weeks of getting our asses spanked in Spain, my travel partner Shane and I have moved on to the beautiful forest of Fontianebleau. The first week was brutal, trying to deal with the weather, rain then snow. A short trip to Amsterdam seemed to be a cure all for our woes. Upon our return the forest seemed glimmer with a new light. The sun was back to shinning and the boulders were a drying. Too many problems to climb! We have taken residence in a old barn in the sleepy town of Noisey. With only a few weeks left we have entered crunch time, with much to do and list abound we are finding our self in a frenzy- to live life to the limit and to suck it the teet of the mother wolf.
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january 05
Let's start off with New Years at the Hueco Rock Ranch. The night started off with a bang, as the gigantic bonfire was ignited with the help of gasoline and fireworks. It was a joyous site, with Christmas tree atop and all the fixin’s. Until a mouse whose home we were scorching ran out ablaze and had to be stomped by the downpresser man. One thing lead to another and we found ourselves in for a trip out to “The Old Kenneth Billings Place” for some late night apparition hunting. Though the only thing we found was a squeaking door and a nest. It was filled with one road runner. So back to the Ranch and, 3. 2. 1… New Years!
The trip to White Sands the following day was a much needed contrast to Hueco. It is a place where you can really dream all day. Besides the endless climbing in Hueco my evenings were spent back at the Ranch. For a short period of time I transformed the barn into a parlor where in my opinion you could get a unique trim. Interest quickly faded. When I wasn’t out in the street dueling with the excitable Anna Burgos you could find us fishtailing up and down it. This being fun and all, I had to get going. Onward, to Salt Lake City and another adventure.
Dictated, but not proofread.