Pasty Gangster

Priest Draw still has a few problems I haven't done. One of these I've been avoiding until I got beta as the key grip, while cool looking, is pain inducing. Lisa had done the hard part of working out the beta to the Pasty Gangster but thus far I am still a failure. I've got a max of 6 burns before the throbbing in my thumb and finger render me a writhing mass. Maybe I'll do it today.

Reaching the painful hold

Closeup

Oh the pain!

Two Dudes and a Baby

I'm not sure if Jason new what he was signing up for when decided to jump in the Motherload with Hammie and myself. A road trip with an infant is a bit different than the standard one but thus far it has been great. We've gotten more than enough climbing as other friends always join and we are rarely less than four (and a half if you count Hammie). Hammie is making heaps of new friends and is content to play in the dirt while dad and others climb. Flagstaff was a good choice for our last week in the States and Hammie and Jason have done some serious bonding.

Hammie and Jason chilling outside the Motherload

Hammie with a couple new friends

One dirty girl

Jason flexes, Lisa climbs and Hammie plays in the dirt

Flagstaff, AZ

Lina is on her way back to Sweden while Hammie and I have another week in the States. The plan is for Jason to join us for a trip to Flagstaff for some limestone roofs and visiting friends. We actually just came from Flag as we rolled up there for a few days after Pie Fest and before dropping off Lina at the airport. We'll see how it goes without Lina but if there is one place that it's possible to climb heaps with an infant it is Flagstaff. Hope Lina enjoys her week without poopy diapers and early morning.

Here's a couple pics for a few days ago.

Lisa pieces out Pasty Gangster

David gets confused on Underachiever

Toad Race

By now the Pie Fest is old news but I thought I'd post a couple pics from this years Horny-toad race. I don't know what possesses a toad (technically they are lizards but) to run toward a wall of screaming people but it's certainly entertaining. This year's race was the shortest I've ever seen as the winning toad bolted straight across the finish line with no hesitation. It took much of the suspense out of the race but folks still shouted support for 2nd and 3rd place. Good times.

Release the Toads!

The bewildered contestants

The winning toad crossing the line

Pie Feastival

If you come to a Pie Festival you better bring an appetite. The gorging began the second we arrived to Pie Town just past midnight as pie was waiting for the weary international travelers. From there on out it was a constant flow of deliciousness from the traditional spaghetti feast and smashed Jersies to BBQ ribs and Navajo tacos. Good times.

My dad's famous "smashed Jersey" sandwiches

David preparing his "man pie". Meat is gooooooooood

My old man preparing a spaghetti feast that will feed roughly 150 people

Pie was of course the main attraction. I reckon I sampled over 20 different pies in 3 days and my mom further solidified her status as pie queen.

Monster Island

Yet another Pie Fest under my belt, which needed to be loosened a couple notches due to obscene amounts of deliciousness. Good times. When I've got a little more time I'll write a little something about the festival but in the mean time here are a couple pics from the local bouldering at Monster Island.

Jason nabs the FA of a sweet highball named "More Death, Less Rail".

Charlie on one of the area classics, Velcro Kitty.

Jason on the Poop Shoot sit start

Lina on Frankenstein wall

Pie Fest

September is here and on Saturday the 11th we are once again celebrating the majesty of pie at the annual Pie Town Pie Festival. We are flying in from Sweden to gather with the other revelers for a weekend of climbing rocks and stuffing our faces. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

If you can't come this year then mark it on your calander for next year, the Pie Festival falls on the second Saturday in September every year and you know I'll be there.

Here's a short vid from last year and another with a sample of the area's bouldering.

Pie Fest 2009 from Walker Kearney on Vimeo.

Monster Island Bouldering from Walker Kearney on Vimeo.