sky and stone

One Of The Best

2012-01-05T18:52:00.003-07:00

'Itsy Bitsy Spider' (v7/8)

It's been a warm and dry winter here in Telluride so far, which has allowed for plenty of opportunity to climb locally. Here are some shots of one of my favorite lines in Telluride. Perfect crimps on a slightly overhanging wall to an exciting finish. If only it was a little taller...

New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade

2012-01-01T20:35:00.001-07:00

Birthday In Moab

2011-12-05T10:27:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Erika!

Moab

2011-12-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

'Black Box Left Arete' (v3)

unnamed v5 variation

'Slappin' The Block' (v6)

Bishop- Back To The Buttermilks

2011-11-16T20:33:00.002-07:00

'Buttermilk Stem' (v1)

'Junior's Achievement' (v8)

'Robinson's Rubber Tester' (v0)

'Iron Man' (v4)

An unnamed vo

Bishop- Happy & Sad

2011-11-15T20:46:00.002-07:00

'Strength In Numbers' (v5)

'Sucker Punch' (v5)

'The Clapper' (v6)

'The Great Dominions' (v1)

'Hot Pants' (v5/10) :)

Bishop- Mono Lake

2011-11-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Bishop- Pinus longaeva

2011-11-14T18:53:00.001-07:00

'...the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling,
like the descent of their last end,
upon all the living and the dead.'
-james joyce

Bishop- Hot Springs & Star Trails

2011-11-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

Little Hot Creek Time Lapse from Christian Prellwitz on Vimeo.

Colorado National Monument

2011-10-31T21:15:00.006-06:00

Here are some photos from a day trip to Colorado National Monument, just outside of Grand Junction. I was fortunate to catch the cottonwoods and sumac displaying their fall colors. Enjoy!

Telluride Star Trails

2011-10-30T23:44:00.002-06:00

star trails as seen from my porch in Telluride

A Quick Session In RMNP

2011-10-28T15:20:00.008-06:00

Wendeline Everett- 'Warm Up Roof' (v5)

During a quick trip up to the Front Range to see Erika's end of season dance performances, I managed to get some climbing done in the park. My friend Wendeline came along and crushed it on her first day ever climbing in RMNP, making for some great photos. Enjoy!

(the three photos above) 'Warm Up Roof' (v5)

(the two photos above) 'Geeks Of The Industry' (v6)

81435

2011-10-15T14:15:00.007-06:00

I also arrived home to this wonderful surprise....Thanks Josh!

The Dark Side Of The Lens

2011-09-16T08:03:00.002-06:00

i heart this video...

most folk don't even know who we are, what we do or how we do it,
let alone how to pay us for it
i never want to take this for granted so i try and keep motivation simple, real, positive
if i only scrape a living- at least it's a living worth scraping
if there's no future in it, at least it's a present worth remembering

for fires of happiness and waves of gratitude
for everything that brought us to that point on earth at that moment in time
to do something worth remembering with a photograph or a scar
i feel genuinely lucky to 'hand on heart' say i love doing what i do
and though i may never be a rich man
if i live long enough, i'll certainly have a tale or two for the nephews
and i dig the thought of that

-mickey smith

Back In New York

2011-09-14T08:29:00.003-06:00

'i ain't living in the dark no more

it's not a promise, i'm just gonna call it...'

-bon iver

Yellowstone National Park- Space & Light

2011-09-11T10:04:00.015-06:00

In addition to the color palette, I was also quite awed by the vastness and diversity of the landscape, and the way that light and shadow filled its folds and revealed its nuances. These photos are some of my attempts at capturing all of that subtlety (with obligatory buffalo and Old Faithful shots mixed in).

Yellowstone National Park- Color

2011-09-11T09:36:00.016-06:00

One of the things that most amazed me about Yellowstone was the incredible array of colors permeating the landscape throughout the park. Capturing these colors presented a bit of a challenge as they were often most brilliant when the sun was directly overhead, forcing me to come up with creative compositions that still showcased the painted brilliance while not getting washed out by the harsh light. My creativity was the only limiting factor, as stunning colors were prevalent everywhere.

Grand Teton National Park

2011-09-01T16:17:00.001-06:00

Erika and I just got back from a five day trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. We spent most of our time in Yellowstone (why not? it's amazing) so here are the pics I got during our one day in Grand Teton. Lots of pics of the Grand. :) Enjoy!

Sunset Over Boulder

2011-08-25T20:55:00.005-06:00

there's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light

in the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right
and it comes in black and it comes in white
and i'm frightened by those who don't see it

when nothing is owed, deserved or expected
and your life doesn't change by the man that's elected
if you're loved by someone you're never rejected
decide what to be and go be it

-the avett brothers

New Problem (sort of) at the Mine Boulders

2011-08-23T13:41:00.002-06:00

I made it down to Telluride this past weekend and found the usual crew- Wylder Wilson, Damon Johnston, Jim Hurst and Andy Cook- hard at work: clearing trails, looking for new boulders and giving fresh love to the chossy underbelly of one of the best looking lines in Telluride. We have all touched the holds on this climb at some point but decided the prospect of a seventy pound cobble breaking off on our face was not worth the risk. Well, after their admirable efforts, the line is now climbing beautifully--a 25-30 foot roof climbed on a wonderful assortment of pockets, incuts and cobbles leads to a difficult lip encounter and a satisfying cobble jug. No one has sent the full problem yet, but speculation is that it will fall somewhere in the v10 range. Here are some pics of Wylder working through several of the moves. (for those with a guidebook, this problem is located on the 'Gym Boulder')

Kluttergarden Bouldering

2011-08-15T11:04:00.002-06:00

Erika and I decided to chase the cooler weather this weekend, so we headed up to Red Cliff (near Vail) to spend Saturday bouldering at the Kluttergarden- a collection of beautiful granite blocks spread throughout a mature aspen forest. We finished the day with some gelato in Vail and the Pretty Lights show at Red Rocks (which was phenomenal). Perfect!

Telluride Trip

2011-07-30T08:56:00.012-06:00

Erika Curry-Elrod climbing 'Every Hole's A Goal' (v2) at the Mine Boulders.

Erika and I made a trip down to Telluride last weekend in order to get away from the Front Range for a few days. We watched the rodeo in Norwood, climbed a bit, hiked and shot a bunch of photos. (note: the first two photos were shot by me, the rest were taken by Erika- thanks!)

Tree House Bouldering Video

2011-07-11T17:37:00.003-06:00

Tree House Boulders, Telluride from Tyler H on Vimeo.

Here's a video of my friend Tyler Hogan sending one of the best lines in Telluride- the 'Prow Project' at the Tree House Boulders . Not sure if anyone else has climbed this yet, but it's a spectacular line and a proud send for Tyler. Not sure about the grade yet either-- maybe v9? If anyone else has climbed this line, feel free to chip in your opinion on the grade. Enjoy!

Red Rocks Show

2011-06-19T08:50:00.001-06:00

Ray LaMontagne at Red Rocks- 6/17/11

Four Corners Trip- Natural Bridges

2011-06-12T16:19:00.010-06:00

Four Corners Trip- Mesa Verde

2011-06-11T21:37:00.001-06:00

Four Corners Trip- Hovenweep

2011-06-10T17:01:00.002-06:00

Four Corners Trip- Canyonlands

2011-06-10T14:16:00.007-06:00

Grand Canyon National Park

2011-05-17T16:09:00.001-06:00

The last leg of my trip brought me to the Grand Canyon. It's difficult to capture the vastness and grandeur of this place in a photograph. It's definitely a place best seen with one's own eyes. Go there!!

Petrifed Forest National Park

2011-05-16T16:32:00.002-06:00

After leaving Las Vegas, I detoured south through Arizona on my way back to Telluride in order to check out a few national parks that I had always wanted to visit. First up was Petrified Forest National Park and it didn't disappoint. Both the landscape and the petrified logs which fill it are shrouded in a desolate mystery which is only revealed by matching one's own steps to the pace of the geology which created this wondrous place. In this meandering exploration, the light changes, the hillsides unveil deep purplely hues and ambered logs sparkle against a darkening sky.

Zion Stars

2011-05-10T17:41:00.000-06:00

These are some photos that Erika and I shot on a wonderfully starry
night in Zion National Park. Enjoy!

Red Rocks Scenery

2011-05-08T17:33:00.000-06:00

Hoover Dam

2011-05-04T18:08:00.000-06:00

A Night In Death Valley

2011-05-02T16:59:00.000-06:00

I was fortunate enough to spend a night at Panamint Springs in Death Valley with my parents while traveling from Bishop to Las Vegas. It's a rare treat to get to peer out into the starry blackness of such a remote place and a memory I won't soon forget. Enjoy!

Night Sky From Buttermilk Road

2011-04-25T11:52:00.008-06:00

i am my mother's only one

it's enough
i wear my garment so it shows
now you know

only love is all maroon
gluey feathers on a flume
sky is womb and she's the moon

-bon iver

Great Basin National Park, NV

2011-04-22T21:25:00.009-06:00

On my way from Joe's Valley to Bishop, I spent a few hours exploring Great Basin National Park. I've driven by this park many times but it's always been during a time of year when the park isn't fully open (most of its attractions are open in the summer only). This time was no exception but I decided I had to stop and check it out. I would love to go back during the summer to explore the high alpine areas and to check out the 'darkest skies in the continental United States'.

10 Days In Joe's Valley

2011-04-20T18:36:00.012-06:00

I've been fortunate enough to spend the last ten days in Joe's Valley. Since I was mostly climbing alone, I didn't have the chance for many pics. However, here are a few that Erika snapped when she came out to visit this past weekend.

Gazing out from atop 'Dirty Harry' (v7/8)

Piecing together a way up 'Jamie's Slab' (v5)

Putting the finishing touches on an unnamed v5 at the Man Size Area

Getting ready for another go on '3 Weeks' (v6)

The San Rafael Swell, UT

2011-04-16T23:10:00.000-06:00

I spent another rest day exploring parts of the San Rafael Swell, including the magnificent views of the Wedge Overlook and the winding dirt roads and pictographs of Buckhorn Wash. Enjoy!

Nine Mile Canyon, UT

2011-04-14T18:01:00.000-06:00

While in Joe's Valley, I spent a rest day exploring nearby Nine Mile Canyon, which is home to arguably the greatest collection of rock art (petroglyphs and pictographs) in North America. Here are some photos from the day.

Joe's Valley

2011-04-12T23:08:00.000-06:00

I'm currently enjoying the immaculate sandstone of Joe's Valley.....

An Afternoon At Ilium

2011-04-05T21:02:00.002-06:00

Annabelle Boelema- 'This Airplane Will Crash Tomorrow' (v0+/1)

A quick update on Telluride bouldering conditions, as of April 5th:

Ilium-- scattered patches of snow on the ground, but all of the boulders are dry
The Mine-- still lots of snow on the ground and on many of the boulders, road still closed
The Cove-- dry boulders and no snow
Society Turn-- dry
Eider Creek/Tree House-- haven't been up there but the road looks dry and passable, probably still some patches of snow and wet spots on boulders, but the majority of climbs should be dry

Enjoy!

Spring Is Here

2011-03-17T20:42:00.003-06:00

'Alien Traverse' v4/5
Society Turn- Telluride, Colorado

In Another Time

2011-02-09T22:16:00.005-07:00

'you were right about the end, it didn't make a difference
everything i can remember, i remember wrong

how can anybody know how they got to be this way?'

-the national

Big Bend Bouldering

2011-01-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

Sequence of '1000 lb Caboose' (v8)

Sequence of the 'Shorter Traverse' (v5)

A v2/3 variation on the Black Box Boulder

An unnamed v1

'The Pregnancy Arete' (v2)

Canyonlands National Park

2011-01-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

Arches National Park

2011-01-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Erika and I embarked on a weekend trip to Moab. It was Erika's first trip to the area so we spent most of the time exploring Arches NP and Canyonlands NP, with a little bit of climbing on the side. Erika's injury made the longer hikes infeasible but we still managed to see quite a lot. We're both looking forward to getting back there when her ankle is fully healed!

East Marion, NY

2010-11-16T14:25:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures from our time spent climbing in East Marion, both before and after our trip to Europe. No matter where I travel in the world, East Marion will always hold a special place in my heart. I've spent countless afternoons scaling the area's perfect granite boulders, soaking up the sunshine and listening to the waves churn glacial pebbles with each crash upon the shore. Here, the aesthetic experience has always been as meaningful as the climbing and those moments have helped me understand that, for me at least, the two are forever inextricably linked.

A three photo sequence of one of East Marion's best lines

A fun v1 problem

A v2/3 sit start

Another v2/3 problem

New York City

2010-11-14T18:33:00.026-07:00

Grand Central Terminal

After returning from Europe, we finished up our trip by spending some days in New York City doing all the usual tourist things. Might as well end our great adventure with the biggest and best city of them all. ;-)

Trinity Church

The beautiful ceiling of Grand Central

Paintings by Jackson Pollock from the MoMA collection

Waiting for the subway

Paintings from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Apple Store

St. Patrick's Cathedral

30 Rockefeller Plaza

Times Square madness

Various views of the New York City skyline,
as seen from the Empire State Building

Fontainebleau, France

2010-11-11T23:38:00.020-07:00

Fontainebleau, ici.

After Paris, we headed to Fontainebleau for a week in the mecca of bouldering. I had heard so much about the climbing here and I was so excited to see what all the hype was about. The bouldering seemed very much suited to my style- slabby to vertical and footwork intensive. I had listened to all of the stories about the sandbag grades, the incredibly glassy holds, the perfect slopers and, of course, the pof.

Unfortunately for Erika and I, it rained the entire time that we were in Fontainebleau. That's right- every day. A few days it stopped raining for a couple of hours and we ran around like crazy trying to climb anything that wasn't completely soaked. The wet rock negated any serious efforts at harder climbs, but we did get to climb maybe two dozen grade 5 and 6 climbs. When the rain would pick up again, we would walk around the crazy boulder gardens of Bas Cuvier and marvel at the amazing holds and shapes you could find. We visited the impressive Royal Chateau de Fontainebleau, and ate our share of crepes, quiche and croissants. And we passed a few more days in Paris, a little over an hour's drive away.

I can't say that I really got to explore the climbing in Font, but I was very impressed by what I saw and amazed at how stout the lower end grades were. Despite the bad weather, finally getting a chance to touch the fabled rock of Fontainebleau was worth it all.

The first Font 6a in the world- 'La Marie Rose', originally climbed in 1946!

'La Nescafe' (Font 5+)

Crazy rock shapes...

'La Genouillere' (Font 5+)

Le Chateau de Fontainebleau
(shown above and in all pictures below)

Paris, France

2010-11-08T19:10:00.019-07:00

Due to the constant rain in Fontainebleau, Erika and I spent a fair amount of time in Paris. Certainly one of the best rain day options in the world!

Brione, Switzerland

2010-11-05T23:01:00.002-06:00

One of our favorite places in all of Switzerland was the small town of Brione. This tiny village is tucked at the northern end of the Verzasca Valley. The beautiful stone buildings, towering peaks and technicolor glacial rivers all combine to make a stunning experience. This area is also home to some of the best bouldering in Ticino. Though we don't have any pictures of the climbing, we did take quite a few photos of the village and the surrounding landscape. Enjoy!

Chironico, Switzerland

2010-11-04T20:30:00.001-06:00

Knowing that a big storm was on its way, we decided to head to Chironico before the weather completely fell apart. Chironico is perhaps even more impressive than Cresciano, with even more boulders and a similarly beautiful setting. I climbed a number of great problems, including the amazing 'Border Line' (7a), which finishes with a large dyno high off the deck. Erika also climbed quite well despite not feeling 100%.

As amazing as the climbing was, the highlight of the day was the large herds of goats that wander amongst the boulders eating the bountiful supply of chestnuts that litter the forest floor. The sound of the bells strung around their necks (so that their owners can easily find them) is the soundtrack of climbing in Chironico. Erika became quite friendly with a number of the goats, feeding them loads of chestnuts out of her hand. This easy meal convinced the goats to follow us for the rest of day, trudging along behind us to every new set of boulders we visited and staring longingly at Erika waiting for more treats.

Erika examining and then sending an unnamed 5+

'Gschirrlade' (6b)

The famous goats of Chironico

Cresciano, Switzerland

2010-11-03T23:44:00.001-06:00

Cresciano is host to some of the most famous boulder problems in the world- Dreamtime, The Dagger, The Story Of Two Worlds, and many others. Perfect granite/gneiss boulders sit in a beautiful hardwood forest. Chestnuts litter the ground and the yellowing leaves give the blocks an amber glow.

I was sick for most of our time in Switzerland so I wasn't feeling anywhere close to full strength but Erika and I still managed to climb some amazing lines. We also enjoyed the best climbing weather of our entire trip during our days in Cresciano, which helped quite a lot.

The bouldering here is both powerful and technical, and precise footwork is a must. There are so many boulders and problems here that it can be quite overwhelming. Also, very few problems are pushovers. Most require as much mental concentration as they do strength, with much time spent puzzling over the assortment of unsatisfactory holds and attempting to piece them together in a viable way.

Climbing here was an incredible experience, and it gave me a bouldering education that I won't soon forget.

A three photo sequence of the classic 'Frocio Multiplo' (6c+)

The crazy road up to the boulders

Erika loving the manual

Erika cruising an unnamed 5+

An unnamed 6a+

'Never Ending Story' (6b+)

Chestnuts

A three photo sequence of an unnamed 5+

Aliens roam the forest...

An unnamed 6b

An unnamed 6b

Perhaps the shortest problem in the world?
'Movimento Poco Lento' (7a)

An unnamed 6c+

Standing beneath 'Dreamtime'- the first 8c in the world

Switzerland Scenery

2010-11-02T23:27:00.000-06:00

This is a collection of photos from a few different places in Switzerland that we spent a lot of time in. Monte Carasso, located about five minutes from Bellinzona, is where our house was located. Bellinzona is the largest town in Ticino and where we did our shopping, eating and a bunch of sight seeing. There are several amazing castles in the town that comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lastly, Magic Wood, located in the German speaking state of Graubunden, is another amazing bouldering area that we weren't able to climb at (due to weather) but we still made a trip up there to check out the blocks. Enjoy the photos.

Monte Carasso

Our house in Monte Carasso

Our car

The Church Of Monte Carasso

Bizarre statues...

Bellinzona

Magic Wood

Milan, Italy

2010-10-27T16:43:00.011-06:00

The Duomo of Milan

Erika and I sandwiched our time in Switzerland with a couple of days in Milan. We ate some amazing gelato and panzerotti (sort of like a deep fried calzone). We window shopped our way through the fashion district. We explored the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II- easily one of the coolest malls in the world. We visited the Duomo of Milan and gazed out on the city from its rooftop. And, we drank some espresso. Out of tiny, miniature cups. :)

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Gucci, with its own personal cafe

Erika engaging in a Milan tradition-spinning around on the bull's balls

Another view of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Various views of the Duomo of Milan

The amazing Panzerotti Luini

Long Island

2010-10-25T14:03:00.001-06:00

New Hampshire

2010-10-24T00:18:00.000-06:00

We spent a rest day driving up to Sugar Hill, having breakfast at Polly's Pancake Parlor, and then over to North Conway with plenty of sightseeing in between. Erika fell in love with Polly's pancakes and fresh maple syrup. I enjoyed showing her around and revealing the subtle, undeniable beauty of New England.

Pawtuckaway, NH

2010-10-23T23:26:00.000-06:00

After about a week in Vermont, Erika and I spent four days in New Hampshire, three of which were spent climbing at Pawtuckaway. This place is one of my favorite climbing areas in the world. It's always great to come back here, especially during the crisp days of fall. The trees are glowing, the granite feels sticky and the smell of wood fires permeates the air. It feels like home.

Erika Curry-Elrod- 'Scared For Life' (v0)

'Provia' (v6)

'Crimp Problem Sit Start' (v6)

'Edges' (v2)

'Cause For Commotion' (v2)

A three photo sequence of a fun v3

'Atlas' (v6)

Montreal

2010-10-22T21:52:00.000-06:00

Due to our location just south of Burlington, we were also able to make a quick day trip up to Montreal. Crossing the border into Quebec is always a unique experience, as English abruptly gives way to French and the Vermont countryside slowly morphs into a cobble stone street city with a very European feel. Montreal is definitely a charming city. Walking the narrow alleys of the old town, one can easily be fooled into thinking they've detoured through France. Yet this city retains it's North American character and comes out as something uniquely its own. Erika and I had a wonderful time eating crepes and poutine, walking along the riverfront and exploring the many shops and museums.

McKenzie Pond, NY

2010-10-20T21:05:00.001-06:00

While in Vermont, we took the car ferry from Charlotte to Essex, New York in order to spend a day climbing at McKenzie Pond. The ride across Lake Champlain provided stunning views of the Adirondacks and the fall foliage was in full bloom. We stopped for coffee in Lake Placid and then spent the afternoon enjoying the crisp granite blocks of McKenzie Pond. Another perfect day.

Erika Curry-Elrod floating 'Makaia's Problem' (v1)

A four photo sequence of 'Slobadon' (v5)

Adirondack Granite

Smuggler's Notch, VT

2010-10-16T23:15:00.010-06:00

Erika and I began our our six weeks of adventure in the state of Vermont. In between eating maple syrup covered pancakes and staring wondrously at the kaleidoscopic fall colors, we managed a bit of climbing. Here are some photos from one of the days we spent playing around on the perfect schist boulders of Smuggler's Notch.

'Nemesis' (v5)

'One Eyed Monster' (v5)

'Jane Fonda' (v0)

'Pac Man' (v4)

'The Roots' (v5)

Joe's Valley

2010-10-03T12:03:00.005-06:00

'UMWA Problem' (v1)

Erika and I met up for a few days of climbing in Joe's Valley. The weather was a bit on the warm side, but it was still a great trip. I climbed a number of projects and made progress on some others. Erika climbed her first v2, and left with enough projects to entice her to return. We didn't take a lot of photos, but here are a few we took on the last day.

'Sun In My Eye' (v4)

'Fuchsia' (v4)

Fall In RMNP

2010-09-19T21:52:00.003-06:00

Erika and I spent Saturday climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park. The aspens were glowing yellow and orange, and glacial sediment painted Lake Haiyaha greenish blue. It was a perfect Fall day.

Vedauwoo

2010-09-12T21:14:00.011-06:00

The Nautilus

Erika and I spent the weekend in Vedauwoo. I had heard mixed reviews on the bouldering there and I was interested to see it myself. The climbing primarily involves using crystals and cobbles on vertical faces and slabs. There are certainly many high quality exceptions to this rule, but Vedauwoo is definitely a bit more about technique than thuggery. This suits my strengths and I quite enjoyed the climbing. No matter what you think of the climbing, there is no denying the beauty of the landscape. Golden granite blocks speckled with yellow and red lichen rise from a forest of aspens and pines. Erika and I enjoyed two beautiful days of climbing and an incredibly starry night of camping. I came away intrigued and looking forward to revisiting this place sometime in the future.

'Erotic States of Mind' (v6)- The Citadel

Erika Curry-Elrod making an impressive send of the outstanding 'Organic' (v1) at The Citadel.

'Soak 'Em Inside Her' (v5)

Beautiful Sherman granite

Alderfer/Three Sisters Bouldering

2010-09-07T19:24:00.001-06:00

'Around The Horn' (v1)

With only a few hours to go climbing on Monday, Erika and I decided to check out out an area close to her house. We opted to explore the granite of Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. With our limited time, we were only able to check out The Eggs, but it seems like there are lots of blocks hidden throughout the woods. I was taking an active rest day, so I didn't try anything too hard, but everything I climbed was super fun. This place is a great local area and a good place to check out if you're looking for something a little off the beaten path in the Front Range.

'Dihedral Problem' (v2)

A Perfect Day At Mt. Evans

2010-09-05T22:21:00.001-06:00

The perfect sloper of 'Downtrail Face' (v6)

'A Little Something For The Effort' (v2)

A three photo sequence of the opening moves of 'Downtrail Face' (v6)

'The Ladder' (v2)

'Last Of The Ohitians' (v2)

'Trailside Arete' (v3)

Rocky Mountain National Park

2010-09-01T21:52:00.004-06:00

Telluride

2010-08-24T19:23:00.002-06:00

A Telluride sunset, as viewed from my porch this past weekend.

Badlands National Park

2010-08-13T12:33:00.011-06:00

After touring through the Black Hills area, Erika and I spent the night in Deadwood. The town was overrun with bikers. Unknowingly, we had decided to visit South Dakota during one of the craziest times- the start of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Erika and I stopped by Sturgis on our way to the Badlands. Needless to say, there were more bikers than one could ever imagine. It was cool to see the spectacle, but it didn't take long before we were both itching to be back in open spaces again. We continued on our journey and spent the day touring and hiking through Badlands National Park.

Brightly colored mounds and rolling prairie define the Badlands. There's undeniable beauty in this stark landscape, as if the negative space helps to highlight the brilliance hidden within its subtlety. It doesn't wow you with soaring granite walls or broad canyons. It appears barren under the noon day sun's harsh rays. But, as the sun sinks in the sky and the shadows grow long, a transformation occurs. The landscape grows colorful-- pinks, purples and reds burst from rocky mounds, the prairie burns electric green, and the sunset stretches out against a sky already littered with twinkling stars. It is that image that stays with you- the technicolor grassland of our wildest imaginations.

Wind Cave National Park & Mt. Rushmore

2010-08-13T11:17:00.001-06:00

Last weekend, Erika and I made a trip to South Dakota. I had never been to South Dakota and I was amazed by the beauty of the Black Hills area. Watching pronghorn and bison roam the endless prairie was an incredible experience that will stay with me for some time. I think some people, myself included, think of South Dakota as a flat expanse without much to see. This might be true for certain parts of the state, but the Black Hills area is truly special. I would highly recommend a visit! Anyhow, here are some pics from Wind Cave National Park and Mt. Rushmore National Monument.

Rainy Day On Mt. Evans

2010-08-02T19:21:00.004-06:00

Erika demonstrates the patented 'Crash Pad Umbrella'.

Erika and I made a trip to Mt. Evans on Sunday. We spent most of the day huddling under dripping boulders with several other climbers, waiting out a massive thunderstorm that brought severe hail, heavy rain, wind and lightning to the high country. Eventually, the rain became less torrential and we made a very wet, hour long hike back to the car. It was certainly not the most ideal climbing trip, but Erika and I found a way to laugh through most of the day. And that's really all that matters.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

2010-07-25T18:04:00.007-06:00

Sunset outside of Alamosa, CO

Here are some pics from a weekend trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Enjoy!

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes N.P.

Barn- Florissant, CO

'Big Stump'- a petrified ancient redwood stump
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Telluride Bouldering Beta- The Mine Boulders

2010-07-13T17:35:00.020-06:00

I thought it would be fun to share a little info on some of The Mine Boulders' classic problems. I have also listed the page number that this problem can be found on in the guidebook. Check out "A Bouldering Guide To The Telluride & West End Areas" by Christian Prellwitz for more information. The guide can be found locally at Between the Covers, Paragon Sports and Jagged Edge. It can also be found online at Bent Gate, as well as many other retailers.

(All pics courtesy of Erika Curry-Elrod)

'Karma' (v3) p.30

This mega classic line has a bit of everything. Follow the perfect line of edges and crimps up the right side of the wall to a dynamic move to a good, but flat jug. Pull through to a magical mystery top out hold. Simply amazing! One of the best problems in Telluride. Tip: beware of the rocks at the base, especially the one to the climber's right- they can definitely come into play if you come off unexpectedly.

'Clothes, Bankrolls & Hoes' (v7) p.30

About ten feet left of 'Karma', this problem ascends the center of the face starting matched on a good edge at around 6 feet. A powerful first pull to a small edge leads to a tiny crimp out left. Find some feet that work and make a big move to a better edge about 1-2 feet below the lip. If you made it this far, the top is a breeze! A somewhat funky landing that can be well protected with about three or more pads. Sort of highball. Clean and pure! Be sure to check out 'C.R.E.A.M.' (v6), which is the leftmost line on the face. Every line on this boulder is outstanding!

'Every Hole's A Goal' (v2) p.22

This line is one of the most tried/climbed problems in the Telluride area. Start matched in the giant hole, and follow an obvious line of pockets to the somewhat tall finish. Can be climbed with super techy beta or thuggery. Both ways are fun. A good introduction to the grade.

'The Crying Of Lot 49' v3/4 p.23

I suck at dynos so this problem is impossible for me to grade. Jim Hurst suggested v3, but he's tall with a big wingspan. I personally find this to be more like v4 and a challenge for me at that grade. Simple beta: grab a crimpy sidepull with the left and either a large crimpy pebble or a slopey edge (further right) with the right. Dyno for the triangle shaped hold. Sticking it is hard (for me at least!). There is another fun dyno problem to the left of this- 'Light Years' (v3/4)- starting matched on the big shelf and hucking for a textured sloper. The super classic 'Gravity's Rainbow' (v2+) climbs the arete at right.

'Broken Ankle' (v1+) p.23

This is one of the finest slabs in the Telluride area. A tricky start (take a look at the feet!) leads to beautifully flowing moves between small crimps and sidepulls, and a rewarding highball finish. This line deserves way more traffic than it gets! The line to the right, 'Broken Leg' (v0+), is an easier alternative (albeit with a much worse landing).

Some scenery:

Telluride Bouldering Beta- Ilium

2010-07-12T18:47:00.010-06:00

I thought it would be fun to share a little info on some of Ilium's classic problems. I have also listed the page number that this problem can be found on in the guidebook. Check out "A Bouldering Guide To The Telluride & West End Areas" by Christian Prellwitz for more information. The guide can be found locally at Between the Covers, Paragon Sports and Jagged Edge. It can also be found online at Bent Gate, as well as many other retailers.

(All pics courtesy of Erika Curry-Elrod)

'Pinch' (v4) p.66

Given v3 in the book, this powerful prow probably falls more in the v4 range (maybe even hard v4?). Start sitting below the obvious prow with your left hand in a good undercling and your right on any one of an assortment of holds. Many people use a pinch (hence the name). I personally prefer a tiny crimp, located right above the pinch. Hard, burly moves ensue. This is one of my favorite problems at Ilium. But, you have to try hard!

'Itsy Bitsy Spider' (v7/8) p.75

The testpiece of the area. Thin crimps on a slightly overhanging face. Beautiful and pure. Start on the two obvious low crimps/edges. Make a hard move right to more crimps. Set your feet for the crux deadpoint to another sloping edge, just below the top. Snag this and then the top. Be ready for a tricky mantle. Pine needles often accumulate on the top of this boulder. Definitely brush the top before attempting. It would suck to fall after all the hard moves are over because of a few pine needles! It's important to note that 'Itsy Bitsy' does not use the good crimp further right. It seems plausible as a variation and is probably quite a bit easier (I haven't tried it yet). This crimp is also part of the 'Itsy Bitsy Arete' (v1+).

Spidey Sense (v4) p.75

Around the corner from 'Itsy Bitsy', this vertical face really boils down to the starting move. From a sit start, match hands on an obvious diagonal edge on the left side of the face. Choose from a selection of small feet. Pull hard and stick the slopey edge at 8.5 feet. Easy moves follow. Beware of the dirty top out.

Arkansas Trip, Pt. 3-Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, AR

2010-07-09T08:22:00.010-06:00

After leaving Fountain Red, we headed to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch for the night. This place is the epicenter of climbing in Arkansas, hosting a multitude of quality routes and bouldering. We enjoyed a nice 4th of July dinner, and then spent the evening watching an incredible fireworks show. The next morning, we explored some of the bouldering in the area, and then spent the rest of the day canoeing along the Buffalo National River with a group of Erika's friends. It was a great way to finish out a wonderful trip.

A view of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

Arkansas Trip, Pt. 2- Fountain Red, AR

2010-07-08T22:43:00.022-06:00

Christian Prellwitz- 'Rings of Uranus' (v3)

After attending the wedding festivities on Saturday, Erika and I spent Sunday climbing the beautiful sandstone blocks of Fountain Red. The name is a tongue in cheek reference to the famous French bouldering area 'Fontainebleau'. While this spot is certainly not the Font of the U.S. (that honor probably goes to HP40), it is still a great little area with a number of high quality lines that would be classics anywhere. Fountain Red was typical of most of the climbing I saw in Arkansas. There is no singularly outstanding area, but rather many fun, small (2-5 dozen problems) areas spread throughout the state, particularly in the Cowell/Jasper area. While somewhat lacking in quantity, all of these areas contain high quality sandstone with some amazing features and are definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

Erika and I had a great time battling through the maze of backcountry roads, incredibly high humidity (and temps) and swarming bugs to find the gems of Arkansas bouldering. Getting off the beaten path and seeing a side of the state that few visitors see is one of the great appeals of climbing to me. There's no place I'd rather be than driving along red dirt roads overhung with lush green foliage in search of hidden blocks. That's where all the good stuff is anyway.

(All pics courtesy of Erika Curry-Elrod)

'El Nino' (v4)

'Ring Around the Rosy' (v2)

Sticking the crux sloper on the ultra classic 'Le Beak' (v4)

'Le Beak' (v4)

'Rings of Uranus' (v3)

Arkansas Trip, Pt. 1- Rock City, KS

2010-07-08T20:55:00.009-06:00

Erika and I spent the 4th of July weekend road tripping to and from Arkansas in order to attend her friend's wedding. Our first stop along the way was Rock City, Kansas. This anomaly of sandstone eggs is located about 20 minutes north of I-70, near Salina. Having passed by the exit numerous times during cross country drives, I decided it was finally time to see what this place was all about. Though certainly not a climbing destination, this place is worth checking out for a few hours if you're in the area. These high quality sandstone blocks are adorned with some incredibly unique features and offer about 2 to 3 dozen problems in the v0-v4 range (depending on your creativity). Not bad for Kansas!

Flagstaff Mountain

2010-07-01T12:00:00.006-06:00

'West Side' (v0)

Erika and I went up to Flagstaff a couple of days ago to test out her new climbing shoes on the mountain's fabled boulders. Though the rock in this area is not the highest quality, the convenience, quantity and history still make it worth visiting. It was quite hot, but I still had a lot of fun lapping easy problems so that Erika could test out her camera skills.

Eldorado Canyon

2010-06-18T10:36:00.008-06:00

Blanket Flower

My friend Malin and I braved the 90 degree temperatures yesterday and went bouldering in Eldorado Canyon. Though conditions were not even close to ideal, it was still an enjoyable day of climbing, and it's always fun to check out new areas. I'm excited to get on some routes here sometime in the future.

Stepping onto the glassy smear of 'Milton' (v4- felt more like v5 in direct 90 degree sunshine!)

Latching the top on 'Milton' (v4)

Mt. Evans

2010-06-11T18:04:00.014-06:00

Bristlecone Pine Sunset

We spent yesterday exploring the alpine bouldering of Mt. Evans. The hike was quite a slog, as advertised. The climbing was amazing, also as advertised. I was feeling weak, so I didn't get on any of the higher end lines that I had my eye on. But, I did manage to climb a bunch of the classics and the stunning scenery made it all worth it. Trying to put off the long hike back to the car at the end of the day, I channeled my inner Zoolander and broke into a bit of a pose off.

Christian Prellwitz cruising the classic highball 'Timeline' (v0+).
Grabbing the jug at the top feels so good!

'Last of the Ohitians' (v1)

'The Ladder' (v2)

Ice on Summit Lake

Blue

Crashpad Magazine cover photo

If see this man, please report him to the authorities...

Showing off a range of looks...

Boulder!

2010-06-05T15:03:00.010-06:00

Small Flowered Penstemon (i think)

As you may or may not know, I have moved to Boulder, Colorado for the summer. I decided it was time to take a break from the box canyon. I'll be working, taking two grad classes (photography and journalism), playing some hockey and training hard for climbing. I'm super psyched about the training opportunities. There are four climbing gyms in Boulder alone. I'm living in a house with two Naropa University students, meeting a lot of cool, new people and loving it all so far. Anyhow, here are some pics I've taken of the area.

Downtown Boulder at sunset

A scene from Boulder Canyon. One of the hardest boulder problems in the world- 'The Game' (V16, Daniel Woods)- climbs out the pointy prow on the right side of the photo. You can also spot some climbers using the Tyrolean traverse to cross the creek in the bottom left of the photo.

Bouldering World Cup- Vail, CO

Boulder at night

Flagstaff Mountain- Artist's Point

Telluride Bouldering Conditions Update

2010-05-18T16:33:00.000-06:00

Noah Sheedy- 'The Grinch' (v3/4)

Just wanted to give a quick conditions update for bouldering in the Telluride area. The weather is quite nice these days, though the occasional snow shower still makes an appearance. (The accompanying photos are from the last two days.)

-Everything down valley of Society Turn is dry, including Ilium. It's getting pretty warm out in the desert, but good conditions can still be found in the evenings.
-The Eider Creek Boulders (Tree House) are dry as well.
-Bear Creek can be a little snowy and wet in spots on the approach but the blocks are dry for the most part.
-The Mine Boulders are dry for the most part as well, with snow still found at the base of some climbs. In fact, this is one of the best times to climb at the Mine because the vegetation hasn't filled back in yet, so no nettles to deal with and it's quite easy to get around and find boulders if you're unfamiliar with the area.

The friction is high and gravity's pull is low. No excuses. Get outside and start sending!

Kaylie Rozen- 'This Airplane Will Crash Tomorrow' (v0+)

Bishop- Dale's Camp

2010-04-24T16:23:00.005-06:00

Bennett Dahl- 'Zen Flute' (v10)

Though my finger injury has temporarily put my climbing on hold, I have still been out supporting friends on their various projects. I met Bennett Dahl shortly after injuring my finger and have been lending him moral support and, as he would say, 'technique advice'. Bennett has only been climbing for a little over a year but is crushing it, having already sent a couple v10's. Yesterday, we hiked around checking out future projects, and then spent some time working 'Zen Flute', a Chris Sharma line with an outrageous finishing dyno.

Bumping to the crimp

End Of The Road

2010-04-20T20:00:00.000-06:00

Storm clouds loom over the Prozac Nation Bluffs at the Sad Boulders.

Today was a bad day for me. Fell off the last move of my project 'Water Colors' (v7). Got rained on. And worst of all, I ruptured/tore my A2 tendon pulley on my right ring finger. Which pretty much means that my climbing trip is over. I'm going to give it a couple of days and see how it feels, but I've done this before and I know the drill. No climbing for at least two weeks, and possibly a month or more, depending on how it heals. I'm super disappointed, to say the least.

Bishop- The Sad Boulders

2010-04-17T12:23:00.007-06:00

Jessi DeLong styling the beta-intensive problem
'The Mothership Connection' (v4).

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to meet up with some friends for a morning of bouldering at the Sads. This afforded me the opportunity to get a few pictures, which has otherwise been difficult since I've mostly been climbing alone. It was a very fun day.

Notable ascents included:
-'The Black Stuff', a v1 with a terrifying landing
-another repeat of 'Molly' (v5)
-a relatively quick send of 'French Press' (v6), an incredibly thin and technical line
-'The Mothership Connection' (v4/5), a super fun, athletic climb with some crazy beta

'The Mothership Connection' (v4)

Brandon- 'French Press' (v6)

'French Press' (v6)

Death Valley National Park

2010-04-14T13:14:00.007-06:00

Zion National Park

2010-04-14T13:06:00.006-06:00

Bryce Canyon National Park

2010-04-14T12:40:00.006-06:00

Capitol Reef National Park

2010-04-14T12:35:00.004-06:00

Chasing The Sun

2010-02-25T13:04:00.014-07:00

Christian Prellwitz- 'Blankety Blank (sit)' (v6/7)

'Black Box Arete Right' (v3)

Lucy Hidden sending an unnamed v1

Castleton Tower

'Split Boulder Left' (v2)

'La Derecha (sit)' v3