So our lovely canoeing trip began at the E-Room with Don going to get his car. After waiting a while, we went to go find Don only to hear when we approached him, "I think my car is leaking oil". We all peered underneath the car to see a big black oil spot and the strong pungent smell of gas. Immediately, we jump to possible solutions and decided to ride like illegal immigrants in the trunk of Polar's car so...

read more

Hey SUOCers, So I would like to begin this story with a brief memoir.  Last year, while watching Dosage V, a fantastic climbing movie if anyone is interested, I noticed that an area in Spain had been featured.  This area is known as Albarracin, named for the small medieval town that sits near the boulders.  Well, I thought these boulders were pretty darn awesome, but how could I ever go climb there.  I'm just a...

read more

June 2009 the East Buttress of El Cap (grade IV(?), 5.10b) was sent. The ascent was done by myself and my partner, non-SUOCer, Colin Simons. The ascent took place in day light hours. We completed the climb in 9 roped pitches. This was the first attempt for all parties involved. I took 3 falls on pitch #6 (my lead) but otherwise there were no falls. It was a meanie. Some heinous 5.9 laybacking in minute...

read more

An almost usual trip to Moss Island. Climbed some of the most popular routes including Tumbleweed, Mother's Day Mayhem, Sno-White, among others. The highlight was probably Lyuba's climb on the 5.6 arete (nobody seems to know the name of this route). She found herself a little stuck about a third of the way up the ledges. As belayer, I tried to lift myself up the wall to a hanging position from which she could pull...

read more

Lauren Paish, my younger brother, and I went to Great Falls. WE climbed a bunch of stuff. It was a Tuesday so we had the rocks to ourselves. We got to watch some striders surfing the waves. A strider is a person who rides a surfboard using a paddle (still standing though) down the river. We start with a 5.easy corner then moved onto some climbs where you have to lower in from the mighty...

read more

Sunday started out looking grim: driving through fog and drizzle on our north did not instill feelings of successful sends.  We saw a few patches of lingering snowdrifts along the country roads of the Tug Hill, and shivered slightly while getting our gear together at the car.  We crossed the river on a wooden plank that is stashed in the bushes, and rock-hopped to the far shore.  A small (6' diameter) chunk of ice lay hidden amongst...

read more

So I made another pilgrimage to the holy lands for a fun filled weekend of pulling through triple roof systems and 5.8 blank faces protected by manky spinner bolts. Wahoo! Special highlights include seeing the seasons change! On Friday, the whole valley was nothing but bare naked trees. But on Saturday night, I was wondering around the forest with some beers in hand looking for the cliffs so I could get some quality solo time in enjoying...

read more

I am writing a paper on recycling. I keep getting a mixed set of facts about whether or not it is good for enviroment (my google fu seems to say that it is ok for metal and glass but paper and plastic are epic fail). Is recycling a net saving in energy/materials/less pollution? Does anyone have a link to hard numbers?     J

read more

So last week I rolled up on Camp Slime and found myself to be the only one in the whole campsite. This was not the case this weekend. As we stumbled in at midnight, the campsite was covered in 12 pole North FAce dome tents, colossal family tents complete with bunk beds, propane heating, and satellite TV, et cetera. JT, Tim, and I managed to find a small corner to squeeze our tent in and went to...

read more

  Its 8am Saturday morning. Sunshine, warm weather, and flowing water in the Adirondacks are beckoning; wake up... WAKE UP, GODDAMMIT! ITS CREEKIN SEASON! So we meet at the E-Room, teeth unbrushed and stomachs still yearning for a break from the night's fast and hastily outfit our boats (we've only been planning this trip for a couple weeks, but no, we are compelled to leave boat prep 'till the morning of...) for a long day...

read more

So in preparation for the upcoming summer, I have been sure to make a weekly appearance in New Paltz in order to climb the rocks at the world renowned Shwangunks (Gunks). This week JT, Kevin P, and Woody accompanied me. Together we sent a host of routes. My favorite was V-3, whose crux including busting through an overhanging V slot in a large roof. Exciting moments included hanging from an arm on the overhanging territory,...

read more

Hey SUOCers, So this past weekend a bunch of us went into Canada to do some bouldering.  Allie, Joe, Harry and I drove out to Jess's house in Buffalo and spent the night.  Following a breakfast of delicious chocolate chip pancakes to fuel our hunger to climb rocks, we jumped the border into Canada. We did some really great problems.  The area we bouldered in is called the Niagara Glen.  It is just down river...

read more