Clamps in Albuquerque

We're in Flagstaff, AZ visiting friends and climbing boulders. Hoping to get the blog up to date soon. For the time being, here's a pic of Claude on his project in the Sandia foothills outside Albuquerque.

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.

Bouldering in Boulder

We did a drive-by of the Front range. On a half day of bouldering we headed up to the Satellite boulders at the base of the Flatirons. We met up with Ryan and Alex and the mission for us was a beautiful arete called "Flesh Fest". I was prepared to sacrifice skin but we came to find out that the boulder problem was not actually very sharp or difficult (relatively speaking) and the send train started after a few tries. It was a sweet boulder problem but we were jazzed to have extra time for some of the other classics in the area.

Here are a few pics.

Walking up to the Flatirons

Ryan on Flesh Fest

A different angle on Flesh Fest

Captain Hook is another fun problem at the Satellites

The Grandest Junction in the West

The spray I'd heard on Unaweep Canyon just outside of Grand Junction was so bad that some years ago I drove right by without even stopping. Admittedly, this is not like me but it was at a time when I'd seen almost none of the climbing in Colorado and I didn't have an adorable 9 month old limiting how far I could hike to boulders. This time when we rolled through GJ to visit my sister Heather the idea of chossy boulders a stone's throw from parking seemed appealing and worst case scenario I'd cross one more place off my list.

Maybe it was the total lack of expectations but I was fairly impressed with Unaweep. Yes, there is a lot of choss, but there is also some high quality rock to be found with a little effort and perseverance. The sheer quantity of the boulders ensured that some gems could be found and in my brief wandering (only a couple hours) I found some amazing things just waiting to be climbed. It just goes to show that spray is not to be trusted and most people are too lazy to adequately explore and assess an area.

Here are a few pics of some of the developed climbing.

The Plethora boulder was the best single boulder that I saw that had been developed. Lots of fun steep problems and unlimited variations for the board locals. This one was my favorite problem on the boulder.

Tommy on the Plethora boulder.

Lina also on the Plethora boulder

Some cool verticalish face at another area

One of the better things I found that appeared to be climbed on. Felt hard and I wonder is it's done.

More Joe's

Here are a few more pics from Joe's

Lina tries some crack

David on Team Effort

Prairie battles with Moby Dick

Lina on a cool slab

The Worm Turns

Feels Like Grit

Joe's Valley

It is safe to say that four days is not enough time in Joe's Valley. Regardless, we made the most of our limited time by climbing everyday and dreaming of the next time we find ourselves in Utah. There are so many good lines in Joe's that my head was spinning and I was excited about a return trip before the first day even wrapped up.

Here are a few pics.

David warms up on the Rail

The incredible Poseiden exploits my dynoing weakness and shuts me down. Oh so close.

David on No Substance

Tomasina on Wills of Fire. One of the best moderates in Joe's

Jitterbug Perfume is added to the list of problems that spit me off after the crux. So much skin was sacriifced with nothing to show for it.