Auchen, Germany - 70+ on 5.11

My trip to Europe wasn't really climbing oriented and because of my heavy load the year before (work, school and starting my own legal practise) I was a bit out of shape. When I found out my uncle, who is in his late 60's, was still climbing I asked him to show me the area close to his home. Uncle Peter told me his friend was still leading and that he was over 70 years old. Ok, I thought to myself, this shouldn't be too bad, how hard will these guys climb anyhow at their age. Let's just say I had me arse whipped!

Cute little village below the cliffs

Dr.Evil's castle above the village

My uncle warming up on 5.10

Then TR'ing 5.11

Still going...

His friend leading 5.11

...with style...

No whippers please!

How about this hard 10? No Problem!

Hard to believe those stones hold in there

I don't trust the rubble but I'll tr it

kick kick - hmm I guess it's ok

thought bubble: "that dude leads this stuff?!?"

Time to go for it

East Williams Spire, WA - South East Face

Another Chris and Dave adventure...this time we rode our mountain bikes to the old town of Monte Cristo and then packed a small rack and rope to climb the SE Face on East Williams Spire. Although the weather wasn't the greatest we did manage to summit as well as eat some berries on the way in.

Dave expresses his political views on Bush

The old town of Monte Cristo - no cars here

Dave trying to lock bikes

Hotel? What hotel? We were hoping for a room!

Waterfall on approach

Wild blueberries!

Argh mnhmnmhnhmn

Back to business on the scree gully

No icy tools needed this time of year

More scrambling

Low 5th Upper Section

A view back at the spire and our summit farewell

Bandera Mountain, WA - Trail Run

OK so maybe this isn't climbing in its purest form but this trail does gain some nice elevation and the views can be just as pretty. This was one of my earlier forays into trail running and I went solo on this trot but saw many gapers out for the afternoon stroll.

Waterfall on the way-up

Looking west from Bandera Summit

Straight down to I-90

A look behind Bandera

Rainier from Bandera

Krabi, Thailand - Railay Beach

Michael made the trek out to Thailand during one of my longer stays. He met me for some fine time at the beach near Krabi and Thailand's premier limestone sport climbing. The first night we crashed at Vena's parent's place and then flew down to Krabi. Although the temperatures were hot we found it very possible to climb in the morning and late afternoons. The limestone is pretty good stuff but there is always the concern of having the bolts break due to the corrosion issue with the salt water and the sea water.

Long Tail Boats thai'd up during high thai'd

The beach is also a tourist destination

Sunset at the beach

Our breakfast place

The breakfast wall - closest to our hovel and just behind the "breakfast place"

Our mini village

The pad - all organized

R&R room

Trying to get a boat to Ao Nang Tower

On route to Ao Nang & going deaf

Ao Nang Tower

Ao Nang Route - spot us in the pic? (hint: there are 2 parties on route)

Looking down from a belay

Waiting for our boatman at the tower base

North Bend, WA - Exit 38

With Laurie in town for her annual visit, Mary-Lou, Josh and I decided to drag her out to a new Exit-38 area close to the Far Side. I heard about this new area in development but with no guide book out we'd have to go and find the routes for ourselves.

Pack it up - nice hair dude!

Menard wondering if the crag could be over there?!?

Blondy scoping into the gulley for lines

Someone lunching it while others try out the new lines

Doin belay duty

Mary-Lou trying out this fine line

Hanging out at P2 belay

Always a photographer around