Big O Boulder Bash 2008

So I have finished a smattering of images I shot last weekend at the Bouldering comp here in Omaha. Justin was nice enough to come and be my human light stand for a few hours while we played with some lighting options for climbing, specifically bouldering.

It was enough to spark a fire beneath me and I plan on shooting s'more compositions under more controlled situations in the near future.

The comp went off really well and I believe there were about 60 competitors total. Sorry that I didn't get everyone climbing, and no one in the morning for that matter... I just had no creative juices flowing that morning because I skipped breakfast and didn't get any coffee.

Equipment: Canon 5D and 20D || Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye || Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 || Pair of Pocket Wizards || Canon 580 Speedlight || Nikon SB-80 Speedlight || Gary Fong Dome Dongs on each light source.

Golden Cranks & Mustache Testing

This weekend was the second annual Cranksgiving charity race. The criteria: 10 items, 10 different stores, fastest time wins, don't die. You pick the route, you pick the stores, you had to go at least a certain distance from Bike Masters either to the East or the West. The items go to the food bank. 

The day was cold and a group of us rode out to Bike Masters, where the race started and ended. After exiting the first stop, Eric popped his tire, and had to turn back to get it fixed. This was like 600 feet into the race. So I was left to my lonesome after about 2 stops. I hammered, I cut traffic, ran red lights, jumped curbs, sprinted up and down grassy hills all the way to the finish. I was lucky enough to ride first, sweaty, and out of breath. Real good times. Upon finishing, there was large amounts of soup for all and a golden crank to the winner. The best part about the event was running into stores and freaking people out. A guy with a mustache, white sunglasses, wearing a helmet and a large pack with only his face left uncovered is not a normal Saturday afternoon sight I guess. 

Sunday I took a trip to Des Moines to the new climbing gym there- Climb Iowa. It's a really premier facility and I am jealous that we don't have such a place here. They built it green from the dirt, so it is a very ideal building and use of space. I think I climbed for about 5 hours straight with almost no significant resting time. I can barely hold a cup of coffee my finger tips are so sensitive to the heat. 

I have a slight computer problem, it would seem that my cat has figured out that he's really cute when he wants my attention focused on him instead of my laptop. So he lays on it and becomes a pile of jello. I literally had to push him off in order to work. I am sure he thinks it's great. Yeah, so great I wanna punch him in his cat face. 

Seeing what the Rave is all about.

So I am kindof a shut-in... Yesterday I went and saw Dark Knight with my father at the new Rave theaters here in town. I must say, it was worth every dollar. Luckily it only cost a buck to get in -- a premier charity opening. I think tickets will cost around 10 normally... It had been at least 3 years or so since I went to a movie in the theater and I think I can hold off for another couple before I see one on the big screen again. It was a really good movie though.

The morning brings Cranksgiving, a charity bike 'race,' that will surely be fun. Check the website for all the details. It's gonna be a cold one, but nothing we hard men are not used to. I spent the evening picking up cat hair, drinking beer and cleaning up my steed for the noon ride. -- Typical race preparation stuff. The plan is to have breakfast, ride out to Bike Masters for the race and ride home. EB is putting on a B-Fast in the morning to commerate the event. Should be a fun day.

 On the note of cycling. I am currently awaiting the arrival of my 3rd Giro Atmos helmet. It once again cracked for no apparent reason, but luckily it is being replaced under warrenty, once again. Some how the guys at the LBS thought I had a medium instead of a large, but it was like a gift because I actually wanted a medium instead of a large! Fantastic.

Stay tuned for Cranksgiving pictures. As if you care.

Mr. Rolling sends Cradle of the Deep

After a blistering cold Saturday down in Arky, Sunday turned into a wonderfully nice day. Amazing sending temperatures and clear skies. More importantly the wind all but disappeared making the day super comfortable after waking up covered in ice and frost. 

After just a handful of tries over the last year, Chris sent Cradle of the Deep, his second 5.13a with no more than some heavy breathing. We finished up the day at Prophecy wall and rewarded ourselves with Fudruckers on the way home. Freaking sweet.

The color in these slide shows sucks to how the images really turned out, but whatever.

Campfire fun. I think I ate at least 15 marshmallows. 

The Ranch. We were about 5 days late for the leaves to really be amazing.

Cradle of the Deep. 

32 Degrees and Dropping...

For my personal record, I have never been so cold and unmotivated at HCR. It is cold. It is windy. My tips were worn before I got here. We were about 5 days late to catch the leaves before they fell.

All said, it was still a good day. I am sitting out again with only a slit for my eyes left uncovered. The chill puts it at 28. We chased the sun, tried to hide from the wind and we ate well by a really swell fire.

Chris will most likely send Cradle of the Deep tomorrow. He sussed out all the moves and just needs to put together one clean push in the morning. There is frost covering my sleeping bag. It should be an interesting night.

The Lonesome Dove

Back down at Horseshoe. It's 1 a.m. Thought I'd come down to the lodge late at night and pour some kilobytes on to the internet for the homies. It's a bit brisk, and I'm not drinking, and I am without the crew, but it will have to do. It will have to do.

huh.

Drunkin' Donuts.

After a two hour spin session with EB while watching The Italian Job, it was decided we would break for dinner then reconvene for a pedal down up UpStream then further our journey to the Donut Stop. After two beers at the 'Stream, we pit-stopped at Nomad before hitting it hard for donuts. I had 5 and convinced Eric to have 4 followed by an encore of one more apiece before slamming it home, racing pretty much the entire time. It was very painful. I finished the night off by breaking my seat while chilling under a street light. F#ckin' lame! Still mad about the seat. What good are titanium rails if the saddle flips up like getting to the engine of a drag racer. Grrr!

This is a formal invitation to anyone deeming them self awesome enough to take part in the Drunkin' Donut ride. Be prepared for good beer, fast riding, and cat posters!

Bed Time

Due to circumstances beyond my control and prior appointments, I had not climbed in a week. My hands and tips, which were subjected to the brutality of granite are not oddly trying to repair themselves. Ideally, I would have kept climbing on the epidermis -- keeping it worn and toughening it up, but since I took time off, my fingers are now just falling apart. My cuticles look like miniature trench warfare and the pads like flaking pastries. I am going to put salve on them and sleep in gloves. Fun right?