Wow! Check out the new site. Super swanky. What do y'all think?

So, I spent the weekend at a place called Black Mountain, up near Tahquitz. Got to climb with a bunch of Cali punks who found immense pleasure in the fact that I don't own a crash pad (anymore -- it wouldn't fit into the Ford Focus in the big move). Every time I started climbing there were comments such as:
"Maybe you should wear your harness. You might feel more comfortable."
"I think you might need to stop and clip there."

You get the idea. Luckily, this kind of ribbing environment makes me feel right at home, so I fell instantly in love with the group of guys that were kind enough to let me join them and then make fun of me and each other.

As for the climbing, it was really beautiful granite bouldering. The holds were sharp and my skin is still a little soft, so I didn't get to try nearly as many problems as I would have liked, but there was a great circuit of really fun moderates, plus lots of hard stuff. We kept bouncing from one area to another throughout the weekend and I was amazed by how extensive the area was. It was at about 7000 feet too, so it's pretty cool that you can go from the beach to the mountains that quickly. An evening of campfire, margaritas and brats doesn't hurt either. I think I might really like the whole city thing. It makes camping and climbing that much more special. Pretty cool, really. You know how things seem so much more amazing and memorable when they are the exception rather than the rule?

But anyway, it was a great weekend and I look forward to going again. In the meantime, I'm busy moving into my new place, painting my room, etc.

On a side note, my dear friend Devaki recently sent me photos from the New River Rendezvous. This was the first year in a few that I haven't gone, and I was so, so sad. I love the New and always relish the opportunity to get back to the East Coast for events. So if any of you sponsors are reading this, YOU BETTER SEND ME NEXT YEAR, OR ELSE!!

Cheers.