woodchuck07's blog

  Just received my annual reminder to donate today to SUWA, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.  For all you Creek lovers and desert climbers near Moab, be sure to do your part and toss some bucks their way soon.  Web is www.suwa.org or call direct to exec director Scott Groene at 435-259-7049 today.   You know you love the places out there, so do your part to support them in any way you can.  Hey, I'm back here in Illinois, and wish I could get out there to do something in person.  So give up a couple quickdraws you've seen on sale and toss the 2

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   Most climbers I hang with know I'm a gearfreak. If possible I buy a sample of new items just to experience them, maybe write a review or two. I have so many belay devices of different makes that I really can't say I have a favorite.  But when it comes to setting up a multipitch route belay, the Petzl Reverso is pretty useful.  There was a question in its use in one of the photos posted up a few days ago.  Tried to demo here with 3 photos for clarity of what it happening with this nifty tool.

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Guess there is a limit as to how many photos I can add to a blog. Got shut off mid post there.. Here's the end of the climb.  The crowd went crazy as all 3 made their last efforts within minutes of each other.  Great highlight to the afternoon climbs.

This was just a #@&* load of fun watching and shooting photos.  I have no words to describe it.   Eagerly await those of you who have had the privilege to be on this route and can add some beta to the photos with some meaningful commentary.   I hope I didn't get these mixed up with her earlier send of Flour Power.

Sequence hopefully is in correct order as Emily ascended the route.  It was quite a show, even if she fell near the finish. Enjoy.

What can I say. It was fabulous out there. Right from the start when we found the little puppies atop the hill in the morning as a sign of good fortune.    Here's a few random shots of the climbers at the Rally.

   This was of course, the primo' clinic to attend with many viewers also hanging out for the first couple hours. Lynn Hill and our own Katie Brown took a group of about 16 women up to Global Village for Friday in the cold air.  Mike from France also was there for 'ground school' safety info and cam demo lessons while Lynn and Katie set up some climbs.  Action mostly took place on Father/Son crack (5.7), Kentucky Pinstripe(5.10a), Vision(5.7),  Jake Flake(5.8) and waaay down on 5.7 Casual Viewing. 

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I'm just getting started here folks.  Here's a couple teaser shots from the fun at RRG on Saturday. Emily Harrington comes out of the Madness Cave and easily sends 'Flour Power', then politely signs autographs for kids.  What a class act she is!   Meanwhile Lynn Hill 'relaxes' on 'Burlier's Bane', at the Undertow Wall.   More to post up in this blog area tomorrow as I sort out all the hundreds of photos taken.  It was FAbUloUS out there!

Brushing up on those routes in the new book before I leave.  Hope to post up a couple items while there, but most likely will wait to add them when I return.  Look forward to meeting any YC members out at Red River Gorge events over the next 5 days or so. See you there the 11th.

Men, is it time for you to stand up to that nagging hag who won't let you go climbing anymore?  This blog is for those who can identify with the poor soul featured here on this climbing wall.  Let's take a look at you here, just to the left of the main photo.   Bloodied nose, swollen eye, all from that ex-wife who keeps battering you when you come to visit the kids   Is that you, with the constant frown and feeling like the world is against you? 

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