Organic Crag Pack

I have been waiting for awhile to purchase a new climbing bag.  Most climbing back packs seem to lack one or two key features that I was really looking for, are expensive in relation to the material used and to top it off they are adequate in size but if I needed to bring any additional food or gear for the day, I was stuck cramming my PB&J in my climbing shoe to make it all fit.  What I was really looking for was something large enough to carry all my stuff, plus some, a bag made of quality material with features I could really use.  Organic delivered! Now I have a quality bag made in the U.S.A and I am not going to be dropping $80 - $120 every season to replace a climbing bag that is falling to pieces.  This new line of back packs is perfect for a few pairs of shoes, chalk bag, chalk pot, food harness and whatever else you think you might want or need the next time you are headed to a boulder field or out to the crag.  Its made of extremely durable material with heavy duty zippers, chest strap, waist belt strap and a daisy chain on the front for good measure. It is the next step in comfortable, functional climbing equipment. 

Quest

Development of any kind takes a commitment to accept success or failure.  

Curiosity has its own reason for existing.  One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality.  It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.  Never lose a holy curiosity 

- Albert Einstein

Ryan "Skerv" on new boulder in MD,
photo by: Original Flavor

Climbing gives me an outlet to explore the unknown, to make choices about how to solve a problem or route and see immediate feedback on my choices.  Finding new routes, new boulders, exploring what I thought I knew about my local crag or a new crag can lead to discoveries that would have otherwise went unrealized.

Recently, my friends rediscovered an area that I had visited briefly several years ago in MD but had failed to find a reason to return.  It turns out that not to far from where I had been looking for new boulders was an incredible boulder field just waiting to be found.  Its funny how close you can be to something without realizing the potential for success.  I have seen pictures of the new stuff they are climbing and its got me psyched to make the trip and check it out.  I am looking forward to seeing something new and having a new adventure.  I had a trip lined up yesterday to check the new area out but I was unable to make it happen due to a scheduling conflict.  I am looking to make a trip in the next week.

Unknown climber on problem at colls cove, western PA

All the new activity got me perusing the internet for climbing footage of remote areas in our region.  Some videos of western PA bouldering have got me amped to see what Coll’s cove has to offer.  Its another gritstone/sandstone area that I have heard good things about.  I forgot how much fun exploring remote regions of PA can be when its hot and humid and conditions are anything but ideal for sending projects.  Plus you cant reap the rewards of hard work without actually getting out and putting in some work looking for new gems.

Dominion River Rock, Boulder Bash, Blast Off, Blow Out, Bonanza

After a long, fun weekend at the Dominion comp I have managed to get out of bed this morning without an aching shoulder/back.  Thank GOD! I am really pushing to heal quickly but our bodies have a quick way of reminding us when we push to hard to fast.
The comp this past weekend was great.  I have been looking forward to it since I signed up and it was a great motivational tool to keep me honest with my PT and staying on track healing my injury.  We had a good turnout on the competition side names like J Webb, P Rob, D Woods, Carlo T, Sasha, Angie, both girl and boy Alex.  The crowd was pumped to see everyone jump and swing around on some inverted terrain.
All in all my shoulder held up well and I ended up tied with everyone going into quarter finals and onwards.  The field was so close through the whole event, no one dominating competitor arose however, props to Woods for being the only one to figure out and finish the semi finals problem.  At the end of the comp I didn't make top 5 but there is always next year and I am hoping to be healed by then.  I think DPM or some other media company probably got footage so check around.  Thanks to everyone who showed up to support, to the crowd, the crew who put their hard work into setting up the comp and of course, my super sexy, incredibly functional, late but only fashionably, sponsors who hook it up!!!  Without you guys these events couldn't happen.

and to the dog that jumped 25 feet to win the dog jump. 

Featured

I started listening to this band The Features.  Its a 3 1/2 hr drive to Richmond on Friday, I should have plenty of time to listen to their new album and make an assessment.  Check em out if you are interested.  They are a little Jack White, Black Keys, Killers and Lady Gaga.....

One time I went on a road trip to the Gunks with my buddy, we listened to a Daft Punk album on repeat for 4hrs (dont ask me which one they sound pretty similar after 4hrs on repeat).  I heard Daft Punk in my dreams for at least 3 days after the experience and to this day I can no longer hear the song Around the World without getting goose pimples.. not the kind of goose pimples you get when you are happy or excited.  Just typing the words Around the World made me puke a small amount.  Here is to your own musical savoir-faire.

Rogue

Its been a long and interesting journey recovering from my injury in February.  Time has been kind and has been moving quicker than a cat falling in a bathtub.  School is coming to an end, 3 finals left and I am cant wait to be done with this semester from the devil.  Anyways..  Now that I have managed to tear two of the largest muscles in my body I think I will take it easy for a little and probably retire from getting injured.  Its really not as fun as it sounds and to be honest I would rather be doing something fun rather than sitting on my rear, watching movies, eating ice cream and growing tired at the mention of physical activity.  I think its time I get training.

I started making regular trips to Earth Treks to see how much my shoulder can withstand, so far so good.  I have been able to boulder regularly but my focus has been sport climbing which lends itself to be more challenging for my endurance rather than stressing a healing muscle with sustained burly moves on shouldery Earth Treks boulder problems..  but I'd be damned if they won't get you strong fast.  So with sport season opening on the east coast and my sights set high.  I am planning on being fully recovered by mid summer and ready for action in the fall.  Until then I have got a plate full of ideas of stuff I want to do.  Late if the season I want to return to CO and finish up some projects.  The New River is going to be a destination for much of the first part of my summer and to top off an already full schedule I rallied for the Dominion River Rock comp coming up next week.

pants... what an idiot, it was 300F that day

This will be the second year for the Dominion comp, I can honestly say I have never competed in any event quite like it.  The venue is huge and the walls are not really walls but resemble something from a sci-fi wrestling match, not a climbing competition wall.  Large features of varying shapes and sizes are suspended from a metal structure which allows 360 of viewing for the audience and one hell of a great time for competitors.  I am really psyched to be a part of this event for the second time.
All in all my summer will be jammed packed with school, climbing, work and whatever else happens between now and fall.  Its awesome being back and doing the things you love.

P.S - check out the Dominion site http://www.dominionriverrock.com/events/boulder-bash