So Long For Now

Dasha left today to head back to New Jersey where she'll have a couple of weeks to take care of things before she begins her PhD program at Rockefeller University. I'll be staying here in Telluride until mid September to do some distribution and promotional work with the guidebook.

It was sad seeing Dasha leave. She has been a wonderful and amazing part of my life for the last two years. I know that we will continue to be a large part of each other's life for a long time, but it's always sad when time moves faster than perhaps you're prepared for it to.

I'm looking forward to Fall climbing in the Gunks, watching Dasha move beautifully over quartz conglomerate. Until then, here are some pictures of her finally climbing one of her longest standing projects- the 'Flat Top Left Arete' V3+, The Cove.

An Afternoon Bouldering At The Cove

Dasha and I got together with some friends on Sunday afternoon for an afternoon of bouldering. It was raining in Telluride, so we headed twenty minutes down valley to The Cove where we were greeted by sunshine and pleasant temps.

Here are some pics from our time there: 1-Noah Sheedy working the sit start to 'Pine Tree Right Arete' (V2). 2-Noah's friend Nikki moving through the juggy middle section of 'Pine Tree Right Arete' (V2). Heel hook, bump, match, repeat. 3-Dasha Zamolodchikov blinded by the strain of the 'Flat Top Left Arete' (V3+). 4-Noah Sheedy demonstrating his ups on the 'Flat Top Right Arete' (V2). 5-Dasha remembering to 'Choss Twice Daily' (V0+).

One More From The Cove

Christian Prellwitz silhouetted against the sky on the awesome 'Pine Tree Left Arete' (V2+).

New Problems At The Cove

The Cove, located in San Miguel Canyon, is one of my favorite bouldering areas. It is not a big area, with only around 30 problems, but the rock is outstanding and the climbs are superb. Combine this with easy roadside access, close proximity to Telluride (20 minutes), mild temps that make it climbable year round and the fact that no one is ever there, and you have an area worth visiting. The potential for new problems at The Cove is fairly limited. However, there are some new problems that have been put up since the publication of the guidebook.

Here's a sampling: 1-Dasha Zamolodchikov on a new short, but stout V2 lay down start (with both hands starting matched in the crack under the roof) located between problems 5 and 6 in the guidebook. 2-Dasha Zamolodchikov on a new V0+ located across from problem 1. 3-Christian Prellwitz staring down the arete on the powerful start to 'Ashes to Ashes' (V4). 4-Christian Prellwitz sticking the lip on a tricky new V1 SDS on a small block to the left of problem 7.