Kraft Boulder Classics

The Kraft Boulders are Vegas' largest and most popular area and the only place I'd climbed previous to this trip. With a short approach and good concentration it's easy to see why the place gets the majority of the traffic. We spent a couple days sampling the classics and I even collected a couple projects. My shoulder seems to be doing much better so if we make it back I'm hoping to dispatch with some of them.

Here are some pictures of a few of the classics at the Kraft boulders

$600. The name apparently had to do with a payout to aspiring first ascentionists.

$500. This problem shares the dyno ending of $600 but opts for the slightly easier left entrance

Angel Dyno. I think this is the best problem at the Krafts. Beautiful line, good rock and rad moves

Rino Rojo. The spicy top-out is hard for short folks

The Pearl. Possibly the most popular problem in Vegas.

Vegas Baby Vegas

Red Rocks outside of Las Vegas proved to be pretty decent. The rock tends to be mediocre but what it lacks in quality it makes up for in quantity. There are an impressive number of boulders for those willing to hike with top class problems on bomber rock popping up on occasion.

The sandstone lends itself toward steeper climbing so even when the lines are ugly and the rock is questionable it's still easy to have fun. I wouldn't say the bouldering can fully compete with Bishop and the Tanks but the fact that it's fairly new to me makes it my top pick for this winter. It's nice to be able to climb 10ish new climbs everyday instead of trying projects and seeking obscurities. Hopefully I'll make it back for a spell before flying back to Sweden.

Lots of boulders can be found in them hills

You got to love the desert. T-shirt bouldering in the dead of winter and plants that like their personal space.

Prairie trying Snake Eyes in the Kraft boulders

Americanization

I've been hanging with David the Australian for the last couple week. About a week ago he injured his finger and the inability to climb has lead to a downward spiral. It started with heavy drinking and ended with American flag tights. I hope his finger gets better soon.

Funny Shirt

I saw this shirt the other day and it made me laugh. I wonder if Jens has seen it as I'm told there are a few in circulation.

More Hueco Pictures

After a few relaxing days in Pie Town my shoulder is feeling better. Still not pain free but I'm ready to get back to abusing it.

Our small posse of 4 climbers are heading toward Las Vegas, enticed by all-you-can-eat buffets, desert sandstone and a chance to instantly improve your lot in life. A new guide for bouldering in the area recently came out and provided glossy pictures to get us all hot and bothered. Maybe Vegas will prove to be a new winter alternative as the Tank and Bishop have been losing my interest. We'll see.

In the meantime, here are some more pictures from the Tanks.

Nuno on the beautiful (but sharp) Better Eat your Wheaties

Andy grimacing on Sarah

Ryan on one of Hueco's best, Babyface

Hueco Pictures

Nick topping out See Spot Run

Allen tries Power of Silence

Chris running a lap on Moonshine Roof

The Egg

The Egg is one of my favorite problems in the Tanks and was Prairie's main objective for a couple days. Prairie was close to sending but couldn't put it all together. Next time.

For now I am off to Pie Town to hang with family and then I'll head to Vegas to explore the bouldering around sin city.

Here is a couple pictures of The Egg

Lisa on the first move of The Egg

Nuno finding purchase on the slopey finnish

The French Tickler

The French Tickler is one of Hueco's best lines and one of the few problems I thought I could do in my weakened state. Unfortunately the old Walker has made a comeback as I fell off the very top a few times and left empty handed. The worst part is that I walked away with an injured shoulder and I'm now taking it easy and hoping that the pain goes. Hopefully a few days of rest will be enough as I'm too stupid to actually take substantial time off.

Here are a couple pictures of the Tickler

Scoping the top out

Jeff on the French Tickler

Only a foot from the top and not sending

My Life in a Ta nk

Great people and good weather have been the common themes at the tanks. Other than a tweaked shoulder and general weakness things are great. Here are a couple more pics.

Kiva Cave

Chossy Top outs

Friends

The morning routine with Ashley

Pics from the Tanks

Here are a couple pics from the Tanks

Chris on Disposable Heroes

Sign of the Cross

Jerry on Best of the Best

Waiting to get into Hueco Tanks

Prairie in the Tanks

My recent lack of climbing has certainly taken it's toll and after a day in the Tanks I've accepted the fact that this will not be a trip to send projects. My 10 days here should at least get me back in shape and maybe when the jet-lag wears off I'll get lucky and scrape up a project. We will see.


Until I post new material here is a little video of Prairie doing some classic moderates and yelling profanities. This is footage from a few years ago and Prairie now warms up on these problems. Give it a year and she'll be climbing harder than me.

Prairie in the Tanks from Walker Kearney on Vimeo.

Good Bye Sweden!

I'm still a couple hours from touchdown in El Paso and chomping at the bit to get my hands on some rock. The scene I left back in Sweden consisted of me going to the climbing gym and whining about how long it had been since I climbed. Well it is soon time to change my tune as I can start whining about how bad me skin is from climbing too much.

This is what Sweden has looked like for the last month. I reckon it will be in the same condition when I return at the end of January.

Leaving Sweden isn't all good as I'll be without me two girl for a couple weeks.

Two from the Tanks

The snow keep piling up here in Sweden but it's only a few day until I'm shredding my tips in Hueco Tanks. Can't wait.

As I gear up for the trip I figured I'd post some old videos from the Tanks. This first one is from 3 years ago and has two of Hueco's better "high-end" problems. Both the The Feather and Full Service are must do's and I had to work for both of them. Falling off the easy top-outs only makes the final send that much sweeter (and quite a relief).

Enjoy.

Two from the Tanks: The Feather and Full Service from Walker Kearney on Vimeo.

Eftersändning

At Daniel's request, here is a video of his send of Eftersändning.

Eftersändning from Walker Kearney on Vimeo.