Some motivation - pics of the Italian dolomites from UKC:

Fragile Ego (17)
Starts with a small overhang that you have to overcome, followed by an interesting move on much smaller holds in order to gain a bigger ledge, which is where the problem lies: you’re so pumped that sidestepping the whole section(and thus going totally off-route) seems much more attractive, which is then off course what I did  (Better not tell the route police about that one….) Ends with an intimidating yet easy arete up onto a big block for clipping the chains. Fun climb, next time I won’t wimp out *promise to self*

Kate’s Moss (17)(a.k.a. Emile’s nemesis climb)
Finally, I got this one in perfect style and with plenty of juice to spare. I’ve been up this route 5-10 times (I’ve lost count over the years ) and each time it’s been a battle – the times I got the mid section crux, I was so pumped that the last section was a nightmare. Not anymore. As it turns out it’s all in the feet – I got it so easily this time that this once dreaded route will now be my warm up – whooohooo!!!

George’s Bush (20)
On top-rope and in bad style, but I got up this beast. Excellent and fun route, +- 25m long with 2 distinct cruxes, the first being the overhang / big bulge at the start, followed by easy climbing to the second crux. Some small slopy grips and a big keeyaay gets you over a small bulge on to a ledge from where it’s relatively easy climbing to the chains. I loved it and it’s my goal to red-point this one in good style.

We had a late start and the sun was catching up with us, so this was the end of the climbing – not that I think I had any juice left for another hard climb.

So, it’s more hangdog this week, I’ll start working the small rail and pockets more. I find the smaller crimps to be my downfall at this point. The one’s on the second crux of George’s Bush was quite different from what I can (or at least tried to) practise on the finger board.

I can’t yet honestly report back any major finger strength gains, but it’s a bit hard to be subjective. In order to build a solid foundation and avoid injury I’ve purposely not aimed for big short term gains. Having said that I can’t deny that I’m able to hold on to much smaller holds and get up routes I could not fathom before. On George’s Bush the first big move is onto a slopy looking hold and I was very pleased to find a edge on it onto which I could fit about 1 digits of 2 fingers, AND then pull from there onto the next big hold – that must count for something? Yes, me & myself think it’s starting to pay off.

Whooooooooohooooooo!!!! I can like to have weekend!!!! 

Alrighty then. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks and some serious changes along with it. I dare say I think it’s all going to be OK. Let the bragging start:

- Work: following an update from the big man it looks like some travel to Australia may be in the pipeline, maybe more than that later? Who knows, but at the very least I’m going to dip my toes in the ocean over the ocean

- Adventure Inc.: What a shitty name – I think I’ve lost my self proclaimed gift for nifty naming. Anyways, until some better title pops up, it’s what I’ll call my effort to get a group of regular friends together for some climbing. I’ve been playing with the idea of guiding and if I’m going to try get some experience herding cats, I might as well drag my friends along for the ride. This Sunday is episode one.

- Mortgage burning party in the pipeline, although probably still a few months away. Got a buyer who’ll be renting until the sale goes through, so a huge relief for me. No more keeping 10 000 sqm grass civilised.

Ooh, and did I mention Ramfest? Yes please. Good friends, good music – what more can one ask for?

Whooooooooohooooooo!!!! I can like to have weekend!!!! 

To say I sucked would be a bit of an understatement. I got to the second bolt and simply had no juice left to go any further and seriously considered leaving the gear behind. After an epic jumar to the last bolt clipped, I had to swing out to the adjacent route’s (a 24) anchors. Even just cleaning the route proved to be a tedious and drawn out process.

De-motivation squared. The only thing that made me feel a bit better was getting home and reading that someone suggested an upgrade to 21.

So this week’s mission is to start getting fit – I’m guessing the stiff walk-in must have played a role, and then more hangdog. Yes, plenty more hangdog. And lose some weight, let’s make it a round 10kg’s, by end next week

In the process I’ll start writing my own cook book and stumble upon the first design for a cold fusion frying pan. That will make George Foreman cry, I’m sure. And of course find someone to pay me more for doing less: management position, here I come.

Never underestimate the power of a sick mind. Muahahahahaha

Operation route guide print is a go go go!

- Test the guide readability on the screen at A5 size: check
- Specify duplex printing in order to save paper: check
- Get quote from printers for printing & binding: check 
- Place order as per quote: check

And then I arrive at the printers. Shock. Horror. I’m handed a route guide the size of a door. I double check my mails, yip, there it is – I asked for it – A3.

So now, in the paraphrased words of Jack Parrow, I’ll be the guy at the crag with the fresh new book. 

The largest route guide in the universe (cellphone for scale):

I’ve ordered a new A5 sized print, and will be donating the larger than life version to the Appin Inn guesthouse where many climbers stay, hopefully it’ll be of some use there.

I’ve had 2 sessions so far, the result being sore forearms today and the slightly depressing but also exciting knowledge of how long a training path I’ve picked for myself.

For the first week or so I’ll just play around a bit, since I’ve not been climbing much lately I really need to ease into it – no tweaked tendons for me, thank you very much, then I’ll start trying out Stuart’s training tips

I’m looking forward to seeing my progress on the weekends on real rock, will post back here in a month or so - hoping to report some serious strongness

I’m in exactly that position – no crag close enough to reasonably reach after work during the week, and even the closest indoor climbing gym is slightly further than I’d like to drive to regularly – not to mention the peak hour traffic en-route.

The idea:
A free standing construction which will be relatively easy to disassemble and re-assemble. My living arrangements are somewhat unstable at the moment – I don’t have a permanent place to put up a wall, so I’ll need to be able to move it without too much difficulty. Building it indoors is also not an option at the moment.

Whats needed:
Some plywood, pine beams, and artificial grips. Bolts & nuts to put it all together and some paint to protect it all from the elements.

The Design:
I’m going for a simple design, almost exactly the same as this sketch from the Gecko Grips site (where I also bought my first set of grips), except of course I’ll have some additional construction to make it free standing.

So far I’ve gone after building metal brackets to bolt everything together. It’s been a pain, I’m seriously considering ditching that plan in favour of plain old wood screws.

I’ll post up some progress pics & details as I go along, watch this space.

Some cool stuff’s been happening. No, I still can’t ride the unicycle, but I’ve started on the bouldering wall – got most of the wood, ordered a good set of grips to start off so I’ll start drilling some holes tomorrow – after seeing the attorney, but that’s a long story - let’s call it atonement for past sins

Paul, PTA strong man and owner of the gym where the schools finals will be held

Roc Rally is on! Leaving on Friday, and so far the weather is looking good.

My effort with setting up the registrations for the Rally paid off, so far 26 teams registered with the minimum hassles.

I’m really looking forward to the crazy & fun atmosphere – be there or be square!!!

Then, SA Schools finals the week thereafter – a lot of people put in a lot of work and now it’s come to the first inter-provincial comp in many years, if not ever. Most of the KZN & W-Cape schools & teachers will be making a roadtrip of it by doing the Roc Rally and then travelling to JHB & PTA for the two final events the week thereafter.

Ooooh, before I forget, MensHealth put up a link to my blog, what a pleasant surprise! I took a screen shot just in case they realise the mistake & take it down

I’ll post up some pics of the bouldering wall progress, just in case you’re interested. Check out the Gecko site too - simple diagram, even I can understand it….

That’s it I’m done
(for now at least…)

Coming up: Half price bungee at Orlando Towers. Sounds like fun, not sure if my nerves will hold. No big plans for the weekend (yet). Maybe start working on that long planned bouldering wall….. yesss, my precious, that sounds like a brilliant idea.

Got tickets to the Sun City Spring Bash and the Van-Fokken-Tasties gig (blame Tuks for that name ) on Thursday, and then flipping a coin on whether I’ll leave for the Roc Rally on Thursday or Friday. Going these alone at the moment <sigh>

Let’s set a deadline for learning to ride that unicycle too. How about end of October – and by riding I mean steady enough to commute from my parking garage to the office.

Let me stop there. I’m famous for loading way too much hay on my fork. If I can pull these off, I’d be quite happy. After that there’s still the multi-pitch climb at Swinburne and the kite surfing rig…….. the slackline, trad climb, the trip to the coast. The web-site, making ice, selling the plot, growing something in a pot.  

Mediocrity is no longer an option. Live while you’re alive, sleep when you’re dead.

Gustav liked & stuck to the idea of having a central climber database & ranking system and even turned down another offer to do the same – thanks G!

As most things IT, especially the little rush projects, there was a minor bug or two, but that’s fixed now, and bar any more problem reports, I’m going to have a early night tonight.