Bouldering at Hawks Nest

First we were suppose to go sport climbing today. But then somehow we were talked into going bouldering. So bouldering we went, and after driving around in circles hiking down all the wrong trails, we finally ended up at Hawks Nest. Right in the hottest part of the day. I didn't boulder because I have to be careful with my elbow, so I took photos, but the light was too harsh for any good shots.

Mikl Law, who can out climb me in everything

Deepwater Soloing at Summersville

More than twenty people, two pontoon boats, full day on the water climbing and cliff jumping. Good times.


Megan

"Whoa, it's getting a little high..."

Eric pulling a crazy heel hook

Backpacking in Dolly Sods - day 2&3 of 3

Backpacking in Dolly Sods - day 1 of 3

Megan's finger are hurting again, so this weekend we are taking a break from climbing and go backpacking in Dolly Sods, a rather unique area in the mid-Altantic states. The evergreens and the sub-alpine meadows makes it look like Canada instead of West Virginia.

Deepwater soloing at Summersville - day 3 of 3

We checked out Pirate's Cove today, it is a longer hike than Whipperwill, but shorter than the "main" Summersville sport area. There is a waterfall about 30 feet tall that people were jumping off from, I would really like to try it... but it looks scary at the same time. It is safe, I mean, even little kids were doing it. The waterfall is on top of a big overhang, so the landing is as good as it gets. Maybe next time. I didn't take any photos, just swam around and enjoyed the water. I did pull off a flake of rotten rock when I was trying to boulder the overhang. Need to be more careful next time.

Deepwater soloing at Summersville - day 2 of 3

Checked out Whipperwill today, short hike in, decent stuff to climb. I didn't bring a pair of shoes to trash so it was a bit hard to climb some of the stuff. Fun day in the water though!

Deepwater soloing at Summersville - day 1 of 3

Megan and I went to NRG/Summersillve for the weekend with plans to do some sport and trad climbing. We drove down on Friday, arriving in the afternoon, and decided to head to Summersvile for a bit of sport climbing. However, it was so hot and humid, the water looked so inviting, we decided to go take a swim. But once we were in the water, there was no turning back. It was just so much fun to play on the boulders in the lake! We got out and half heartly tried to climb Jeff's Bunny Hop, but the rock was still wet from the rain, and we just didn't feel like climbing it. We ended up bailing and going back to camp. For the rest of the weekend we didn't pull out any of the climbing gear we hauled down there, and it was great!

Climbing at the Gunks, June 3-5

Megan's flatmate back in Australia Val arrived in DC on Friday. Ocean, Megan, and I picked her up, then drove all night to the Gunks. We slept for a few hours, then was rudely awaken by loud gear sorting in the parking lot. So we went and climbed some easy stuff. Ocean and Val went bouldering, while Megan and I went climbing. The next day we climbed half of one climb before it got too hot and we had to bail. All in all, I wasn't too impressed with the Gunks. It was crowded, hot, the rock wasn't the nicest I've seen, and it was supposed to be pretty expensive just to climb there.