Goldwing

The islands have there own little micro climate and dry extremely fast.  I've salvaged many a climbing day by going to the islands when everything else is sopping wet and it was no different when Dain was here.  It was a bit breezy and cold but we climbed.

Dain tries to stay warm on the classic Goldwing 

A Weak Imitation

My good friend Fredik Jutfelt took a picture of Den Gamle och Havet that ended up on the cover of a magazine.  I decided to try to take a similar shot the last time I was there and I think it's safe to say I should take some lessons from Fredrik.

Chris on the Gothenburg classic Den Gamle och Havet

Thank God for the Islands

As stated early, this time of year can be rough for a New Mexico boy like me. That's not to say there is no climbing at all here in Sweden but as the days get shorter the windows of opportunity get fewer. Fortunately for me there are the islands just outside Gothenburg. With a couple hundred fast drying problems and a micro-climate that is generally more favorable that the mainland, the islands provide a fix when everywhere else is sopping wet. It helps keeps the suicidal tendencies at bay.

Occasionally I need to be reminded of how great the islands are and Sunday's ill conceived trip to Orust did just that as I spent half my time drying rocks so I could climb on them.

Here are a couple pics

Island life

The Helmet

Anders on I am the Walrus

Geir on Hälsö

Per-Ola in Boxvik after 40 minutes of drying

Buddha Rhubarb Butter in Boxvik

Island Life

When the days get warm it's nice to head to the islands where you can generally find a wall in the shade and count on cool breezes to blow through. Here's a few pics from a few days ago.

Lina concentrates on the next hold

Maja's try face

Hammie shows Kalle some wildlife

Peter tries the popular "Den Gamle och Havet"

Island Bouldering

Been hanging in Pie Town and taking it easy. Lots of pie. I figured I'd go through some old footage and threw together a video of bouldering on the island around Gothenburg. For those of you that can't channel the adolescent boy in you, I apologize for the juvenile antics at the end.

Hope you enjoy.

Bouldering on Sweden's Western Islands from Walker Kearney on Vimeo.

Traktor

Johan reaching for the heinous crimp on Traktor, a Hönö classic.

Some Hönö Pics

Here's some pics from a couple weekends ago.

Setting up for the big toss on a project

The toss

Herr Thörnings slabb

Anger and Frustration on Herr Thörnings Slabb

Trying to Beat the Heat

Been spending most of our climbing days along the coast or on the islands. Still good climbing to be had but the temps leave something to be desired. Here's a few pics from last week.

Martin fondels a greasy sloper on Möte i Västindien.

Slab Dyno in Kullavik

Den Gamle och Havet

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

Vista del Mar

One of Hönös best problems.