Swiss update

Me on l'altra faccia

We've been running around like mad trying every thing we can and working our selves into the ground but we have managed to haul our self up a few things. Pat had an awesome day the other day and sent 'le grotto de soupris 7c+' and the stand to 'Jungle book 8a'. Super effort mate. We both managed 'ictus cerebral 7c' I got up 'la pinoche 7b+' also as well as 'l'altra faccia 7b'. I've lost track of all the easier classics, there is so much to do and so little time. Pat has been working the sit start to jungle book and has made some really good links, hopefully we can get back there soon so he can crush it.

I've been looking for a good project to put some time into but i'm still not sure on what yet? I've been feeling pretty good so i'd really like to test my metal on some of the harder lines. Let the search continue....

German Dude 'Jungle book from the sit 8a+'

Pat working the sit on Jungle book

From the land of Chocolate

Cool little house on the death road past chironico

Me getting whipped on 'la Pinoche 7b+' cresciano Pat with the post van at chironico

So we've been bunkered down here in our little swiss house for nearly a week now and it's been awesome. After ariving and a death drive by myself through Italy in our little post man van I managed to find our house and make it back to pick up Pat from the airport the next day.

Pat warming up on a high ball Cresciano

The first few days were spent at Cresciano with great conditions except for a bit of snow. We spent lots of time learning to climb these beautiful boulders and getting shut down on projects. Pat managed an impressive flash of la Pionche 7b+ on the amazing la Pelle boulder. We took a quick trip further up to Chironico which is quite snowy at the moment but still some classic's to be had. I managed to haul my ass up a beautiful problem call 'Globe trotter' 7a which I really had to work hard for but was worth all the effort. We got snowed off after that before taking a wrong turn and ending up on an ice death road but we've made it back and are waiting for better weather to come.

Up up and away

The Swiss Gneiss kit! got some new gear can't wait to give it a burn



Today is the day and I'm frantically packing for my flight to Milan tonight in the big silver bird. Super excited to be getting away, relax and climb for a whole three weeks! Weather over in Switzerland has crapped out a bit over the past week so I've packed my woolly hat and I'm hoping for some nice weather soon.

I get in on the 27th then I pick up big burly Pat Reynolds on the 28th and big strong viking Tor joins us on the 7th. Can't wait to catch up with these guys and crush some Gneiss.

I'll try keep plenty of updates and photos from the trip coming over the next few weeks

Hope you all had a great Christmas!

Busy Busy

So I haven't updated in a while but have been very busy over the past month or so training and getting ready for Switzerland which is now only two weeks away. So crazy it's came around so fast! I haven't been climbing much at all but doing a lot of strength based training With Mark and the guys at Evolution climbing and training. These guys really know their stuff and is definitely the place to go if you want to get really strong : ) Thanks for the help guys!

I've started climbing again and I'm feeling better and better each week apart from being sore and tired all the time from the training. I'm hoping after a week or so of rest before I go I'll be feeling Tip Top when I hit the ground in Switzerland. It's going to be a great trip and I'm really looking forward to catching up with my mates Pat and Tor over there and hitting the Gneiss blocs. I'll definitely keep the updates happening and get some photos up as the trip goes along.

Happy Place

Tor linking up on the F.A. of Golden Pinch


I've been revisiting the Happy Place above the cliff line of Dark Forrest over the past couple of weeks. I really like this little cliff, it has a great feel about it. I repeated all the problems we put up there last year during a session there with the Norwegians, Tor and Simen and also Gary Compton.
There really are some great problems at this compact little area and I will get a guide up soon so you can all check it out.
Gaz C. on the Happy Pyramid



After repeating all the classics like Happy Pyramid V4 and Deadbolt V6 I finally managed to repeat Tor's Golden Pinch. I was really happy cause I couldn't touch it last time, I guess you need to be Viking strong like a Nord! I managed to clean up some projects there too over a few little arvo session's including the low start further down the slopey ledge into Deadbolt @ v7. A tricky undercling traverse on a variety of little knobs and nubbins produced Damage inc @ v8 and climbing out the low ledge under the roof then popping out and finishing up the mantle 'hydraulic' created 'Viking invader v9'.

The golden Pinch


I really will get this topo done soon, it's shady in the arvo so will be perfect for a late summer session.

Later

Lara Street

Ritchie on 'Aslaya'


Had a nice session at Lara Street on Sunday. Me and Katy met up with Chris Ritchie and Jason Taffle and headed up on Sunday morning. We ended up having a Cruisey day but managed to put a few nice new problems on the side of the Lara's Lips boulder. Chris added Aslaya nice V1 or V2, Jas added 'My ass is on fire, a spicy V3' I manage a few little problems including 'Prince of Persia V2', 'Johnny Utah V5' and 'Tongue n Cheek V5'. I also managed to finally haul my ass up 'Womb Raider V4' Which is a total classic by Pommy Jason. Nice one lads!

Mmmm new cragging

Found a cool little new area today up the top of Dark Forrest. Nice group of boulders with nice features, nothing super hard but a good little cruisey area. I put up 16 easy probs this arvo so I'll try and get some info up soon. Looks like some of it may have been climbed before?? but I'll put something together in the interest of getting of record of stuff. If any one ever has some recorded info for these crags let me know, i can always credit the first ascents.

Been resting the last few weeks so it felt good to be getting back out and getting some mileage. Now that it's training time again I'll post my training plans as soon as i have a chance. 11 weeks till Swiss to get my shit together.