Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Squamish: A return to the forest

I'm in Squamish, and enjoying the forest, processing movement over granite again. It's fun. Fun, definitely the right word for it.

I left Thursday, August 16th from Denver, Colorado. Would have left earlier, but was convinced to spot Rylan Marshall on Phobos (V11, Lincoln Lake). He sent, making the day worth it.

Picked up a hitchhiker in Wyoming. Sav. She was on the way to help a friend birth a child. We talked about this. Together, we drove to Livingston, Montana. I dropped her off in a trailer park, and continued on to the parking lot of a Comfort Inn.

Next day: Seattle, Washington. Stopped in a great used bookstore in Albertson, Montana on the way. It was advertised on the side of the highway, and completely worth a stop. Seemed abandoned, almost. Arrived in Seattle around 9 pm. Slept at Mercedes & Brenda's apartment. Their couch was wonderful, highly recommended. Went to Gold Bar the following afternoon, climbed on the Camp Serene and Beach boulders. Amazing. I found myself stuck on top of a boulder, for the first (and I hope last) time. Contemplated jumping into the river, onto a crashpad. Ended up sliding off, which was good, because Merc's camera stopped working. It's important to document these things.

Freshly psyched from the Gold Bar experience (very much looking forward to returning), Merc, Brenda and I left early to get a full day of bouldering in the Squamish forest. This is my third time in Squamish, and there are a few boulders I can't help but feel giddy when I try. It's great to be back and running laps on Summer Vacation (V0) and Cheese Grater (V1).

Collin Horvat  arrived that night. We spent the next day running around the forest, seeking out (and in his case, sending) top 100 boulder problems. Collin made quick work of Summer Vacation, Skin Graft (V4), Double Decker (V3), The Viper (V5), Left Rib (V2), Hoop Wrangler (V5), Be On Four (V7, flash), No Troublems (V10), Worm World Cave (V9), Trad Killer (V4) and Heartbreak Hotel (V2). I either sent or repeated about a third of these. Suffice it to say that Collin had a good day.

August 21st, day 2 in the forest: Collin and I were feeling a little beater after the previous day, but I wanted to do some crimping after all the slabs and slopers. Collin (selflessly, as it is involved) spotted me on Frontside. After some doing, I managed to basically do all the moves but the crux, a long cross off of a bad right hand sloping pinch. The fall from this move proves that the name is apt.

In conclusion:

Vladimir: That passed the time.
Estragon: It would have passed in any case.
Vladimir: Yes, but not so rapidly.
-Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

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