At last...

I finally have my copy of the climbing bible

Zorb

For those who are not familiar with what Zorbing is they gave me this promotional video.

ZZZZZZZZZZZorb

Home stretch.

Its good to be back at the New...feels like home.

Note to self...try not to look like a Yankee down here

If I buy now do I get a 2nd free?...but wait there's more!

The Largest As Seen on TV store!

This store was everything I hoped it to be and more. It has every crazy contraption that Billy Mays ever tried to sell us in his illustrious infomercial career.

Where am I???

So I did not realize till now that Dollywood is next to the Smokey Mts. in Tenn. It is definitely a interesting dynamic of nature and commercialization. The cheap hotels in the off-season are a plus.

Rain at HP40. Looks like its on to Tenn. Maybe next yr.

HP40 sunset

Really hoping this all stays dry tonight

Mmmm lox bagel

Can't wait to tear into this lox bagel at Satsuma cafe... this place totally reminds me of the Cathedral Cafe at the New.

Moon Shoes!

Testing out my new moon shoes that I bought off an indigent man in some small town in rural TX for the change in my car, which I think added up to something like $1.13. Wanted a pair since I was 8...too bad they don't work that well when you have a bum ankle.

Thanks Fede for showing me a good time in NO

This book is $40k!

This is the first edition signed by Ayn Rand at the Vintage 429 shop in New Orleans. I am currently reading a copy that was $4.95!

How to start your day in New Orleans

The ACME Oyster House

Shane is all smiles after leaving Smitty's

Luckily we were (without exaggeration) the second to last people to get in before they ran out of meat. Best ribs I have ever had so far, no sauce required. Usually I am a sauce is boss kinda guy, but trust me Alex they are amazing!

This is just my opinion... but the New Orleans music scene trumps Austin's.

Leaving the jammin streets of Austin and stick to your ribs BBQ of Lockhart for the rowdy streets and tasty oysters of New Orleans. 10 more hrs on the road.

Survived the dust storm. Leaving Hueco Tanks off to Austin bright and early... full day of driving and only getting halfway across TX!?

Ghetto Simulator V2

Finished the day on Ghetto Simulator the best V2 I have ever done...bar-none!

Trying to slay the Cobra

Sadly it was not in the cards for me. After three days on I just didn't have the juice. I left all of my skin on that climb...if only I had more time.

Baby Martini V6

Got further on Baby Martini, however it seems that the ankle brace will not allow me to get this one yet...

Puting more work in on King Cobra V6

Got all the way to the last hold but didn't have the gas to finish...hopefully tomorrow it will go down.

Lobster Claw V5

First V5 send at Hueco!

Book update

So for all of you who have the Wolverine Publishing climbing book on Hueco Tanks, that says bring all your gear because there is no climbing store...well now there is. (Albeit it is only open on weekends I hear)

Working the King Cobra

Me eyeing the King Cobra V6

Nobody get out off here alive V2 (4 stars)

This is where I met up with the crew from Juarez that led me to all the best problems...and then persisted to critique me in Spanish. Venga Venga!

Baby Martini V6

This is what is so great about Hueco Tanks, even with a bum ankle I can climb solid and fun low roof problems only 3 feet off the ground!

Hueco Tanks First Day!

So it turns out I had to swap my 3 week plan at Hueco for a 3 day plan...oh well making the most of it. This a V3 at the warm up boulder. I know both Natalies probably don't approve...don't worry I am being careful ; )

Currently sitting through Hueco Tanks orientation video.

What is going on?

Seriously what country am I in again?

Landing in Phoenix

More airial shots

Some of the New Mexico mountains

More airial shots

This is a pic from the plane of the Northern Arizona plateau, which is defined in the middle of the pic. The brown area near the top is part of the Grand Canyon and the mountain in the background is Navajo Mt. in Utah.

Back on real rock!

Went climbing at Queen Creek for the second time today immediately after landing in Phoenix. It was a beautiful sunny 73 degrees and I was actually able to TR three 5.10s...a couple of them clean! (In addition to a nasty scramble to the climbs) Now I am icing the ankle that was definitely pushed to the limits today. So stoked to be back outside.

How to eat Airtran pretzles

Oh yeah I am definitely thinking of the low low price of FREE!

In the air shot

Currently at the time of this post I am flying over some mountains in New Mexico...I think.

Part Deux

Well I am back on the road flying solo this time around. Already things are looking up. My flight to Phoenix had a layover in Atlanta. AirTran overbooked the flight and offered 2 free round trip tickets, good for a year, and hotel accommodations to anyone who would take a flight the next day. I of-course took them up on this offer and am currently chilling at the Holiday Inn with four of my new friends (a couple of Towson girls and a UNC med student).

So after getting a THIRD opinion it turns out my ankle is not fractured! Bad news is the sprain is severe and I'm out of comission for 4 to 6 weeks : (

5.10 outlet store

Tim and I stopped by the 5.10 outlet store in Redlands. We kind of got carried away! But the deals where too good to pass up!

Beautiful Newport Sunset

Newport Beach CA

Unable to climb spending time relaxing at Newport Beach reflecting on the simpler things in life, like warm sunny skies, salty sea air, and the ability to walk!

A tasty concoction indeed

Words I can live by

After a 2nd look turns out I did fracture my ankle. Going to see an orthapedic but outlook isn't good. Looks like there won't be anymore climbing on this trip

Vicodin and Jack in the Box chocolate shakes. Just what I needed.

Just a sprain

I now have a cankle

The Ugly

9 stitches later the hole that I could fit my tongue through was fixed!

The Bad

So I blew the end for reasons I am still trying to determine and hit the ominous boulder! Even though it was padded I rolled my ankle on it, while it also threw my knee into my chin. I punctured a hole in my lip! The worst climbing injury I have sustained to date. But I am still in high spirits.

The Good

So this is my attempt to onsight the epic climb "White Rastafari" V3 at Joshua Tree. This climb has been slated as among the top 20 boulder climbs in in North America. The climb is 25ft with a crux about 17ft up and relatively easy top out. I have pulled past the crux, however if you blow it there is a boulder at the bottom that you risk hitting. You can see it covered by the blue pad next to Steve the spotter.

Joshua Tree

Tim topping out on the Outback boulder

Warming up at Queen Creek

This is a great angle shot

Queen Creek Canyon AZ

Reaching the top of Pocket Puzzle 5.10b with the onsight!

Against all better judgment I am publishing this pic

Rustlers Roost

After a great day of climbing there is nothing like drinking a Quart of beer out of a mason jar at Rustlers Roost, the premier gimmicky Texas roadhouse in Phoenix.

Oak Flats V4

Megan working this V4. This is one of Tim's favorite climbs at the Oak Flats. He was gracious enough to give us a premier tour of the best climbing Oak Flats has to offer.

Oak Flats AZ

Tim cruising a V2 at the Oak Flats, with a bum thumb. This is a spectacular bouldering destination outside of Phoenix. It has been host to many bouldering competitions as well as being projected by pro climbers. It is a shame that the largest copper deposit was discovered below it and in all likely-hood it will be blasted, thus restricting access.

Queen Creek Canyon AZ

Messing around on a 5.12b at Queen Creek

Another angle of Iguana V3

This pic has the great AZ landscape in the background.

Phoenix area bouldering

This is the V3 Iguana at the Projects area about an hour east of Phoenix.

After climbing at PRG yesterday taking a rest day and watching all the climbing movies I haven't seen yet from Megan's collection. About to watch my fifth Dvd today "Hard Grit"!

So Shane is back in TX and I am continuing on with the trip. Fellow Sportrocker Tim will be showing me around AZ and accompanying me for the first half of Hueco Tanks.

Price is Right!

Shane and I outside CBS studios as we prepare for the Price is Right! $1 dollar Drew. Tune in Feb 24 for the episode.