Getting psyched for Nationals (again)

Ben made SCS Nationals again and is psyched at having a fun time in Atlanta. He is climbing well and is having a really fun time. The other day we went to Easter Wall in Boulder Canyon. This was our first time visiting the canyon and Ben flashed a 10b, 12a, and 11c/d. It was a beautiful spot and we had a great time. Kayleigh and I visited Canal Zone in Clear Creek Canyon on Thursday and she lead a few nice climbs. She got stung by a wasp on her finger. (and still held on with her other hand and didn't fall!)  It was a great time and we met some nice people from Empire, CO.

Fun Weekend!

We had a fun and busy weekend. Last Wednesday my Mommy and Daddy came through town and we had a very nice visit with them. Ben and I decided to check out a spot we had heard about in Golden Gate Canyon state park. It is called Dude's Throne and it was very fun. Ben's first foray on granite went very well. He got on a 5.10 that looked like it had a hard start but the holds were just camouflaged by the granite coloration. It was really fun so then he got on the next climb, Short Dude, a 5.11. Nice well protected route. Now that he was warmed up he decided to try the 5.13a. This climb had a little of everything. It starts out on a slab and works it's way up with some technical body position stuff and into an overhanging arete. After that there is a double roof to another slab. All told there are 3 cruxes on the route. Ben worked out each crux methodically and was really psyched to try it again to try for the send. Golden Gate Canyon is a beautiful place so we had a snack and talked and he rested for his final attempt. Clouds had rolled in and I did not want to be on an exposed mountain cliff if lightning started flying! Ben roped up and started up the wall. He knocked out crux after crux took his rests while he could and did it second go! I was very happy for him.

  Sunday we went to Clear Creek to find something for Kayleigh to climb. She has not been climbing outside much and has very little confidence on real rock. We are trying to help her find her confidence so we decided to try Canal Zone. Big mistake! When we got there at 9:30ish every climb had a group of people climbing it. We were kicking ourselves for not taking a look before hiking all the way out there. We then made off for Wall of the Nineties. I expected it to be packed but to my surprise very few people were there. Ben put up the draws for Centerfold and Kayleigh started the climb. Centerfold is not that hard as long as you trust your feet and work them up. The crux at the top gave her fits! She eventually figured it out and was very happy she stuck with it to the finish. Ben was exhausted from practice and Friday's sendfest but decided to try Wet Dream which he had not been on in a year. He got to the last crux and fell off the (reachy) crux. I think that he figured out how to do it so it will be done soon and Kayleigh has her project to work on so all in all we had a great weekend.

Been a while

It has been a while but I was busy playing Tiny Wings and Angry Birds on the iTouch. Not much of an excuse but I am sticking with it. I am posting from the business center in our hotel in Albequerque. Ben is getting geared up for the Sport Climbing Series CO/NM Regional Competition. He always has a hard time here but he is determined to just have a good time and have fun. I know that if he can just have fun he will crush.  Since sending Twitch he has been so happy and has been climbing better than ever before. I can't wait to see him climb because it is amazing what he is capable of doing now.

Things have been busy

Well, the SCS season is off with a bang. Ben took second place at the SCC comp and had a blast! Last week Kayleigh sent the problem of the week (a great new thing they are doing at the rec) and was one of the few to do it. Ben got to set the problem this week and it was really cool because it was about the same hardness weather you were tall or short. Also there were at least 2 different ways of starting it. All in all pretty cool. Yesterday (3-13-11) Ben FINALLY sent his project, Twitch. It is a nasty climb with tiny crimps and crappy slopey rails. I will post an old pic of him working it if I have time.

Chilly today, Hot tamale

-31 wind chill this morning. It's COOOOLLLD outside!

Here we go again

  We have had an eventful last month or so. Kayleigh turned 16 and she had a great party and visited with her grandparents (my mommy and daddy) and everything went well. Ben competed in regionals and had a VERY off day. He did not make finals and will miss ABS Nationals for the first time in a few years. We also had a great time at the high school comps where Kayleigh continues to dominate and make friends. Ben did not set for the last comp so he competed. He came in first in youth and second overall. (the only one to beat him was I think a senior who climbs v12!) We most likely will be helping set for the next comp on Feb. 5th so the routes will be fun! I am writing from school so I can't link to the newest videos but if you look up Foofzilla on youtube you can find all the videos. Also Ben sent Peer Review 5.12b on his second go at the Highlander crag in Clear Creek.

Yet another busy weekend

So starting with Friday
Work till 3:30ish then go to Boulder for a BRC team meeting for parents
Saturday
Be back up to BRC at 8 am for the final BCS comp. Then back home to cook dinner and get ready for the high school climbing series.
Sunday
Most likely out to Table Mtn or Clear Creek Canyon so the kids can outside climb. If it's too cold maybe the rec for climbing.