New climbing destination: Superstition Mountains in Phoenix

Hey everyone! Ever since Hueco Tanks decided to turn into a lame, climber hating park, we’ve been searching for new places to frequent so we don’t have to give our money to liars who make stuff up just so they can close down access to us. This has proven difficult. Obviously, Hueco is a climbing Mecca and one of the best destinations in the world for bouldering …so that means finding comparable rock is almost impossible. However – if you’re willing to hike for 45 minutes and put your hands on some fairly sharp rock, you’ll find an amazing hidden gem of a place. Our New Years was supposed to be spent back up in Red Rocks, but we decided to stay home and finish the roof on the woody. So while here, we started searching around for something close that wasn’t bad and wasn’t covered in snow. We had heard of the “supes” a couple years ago while it was still in it’s development stage and people were saying great things about it. So we decided that we would trudge out there and give it a fair shake. Thank goodness for us, one of our good friends had been there a few times and offered to meet us out there and show us around. The hike was long but not horrible and the area was absolutely beautiful! We decided to head out again the following weekend but had to do it alone. We explored a couple new areas but then ended up getting lost. It was a fun day and we’re excited to get back. There is a project up there that we both want to put to bed!!

Entrance cliffs...pretty cool
Entrance cliffs…pretty cool

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This is the view from the 45 minute long trail
This is the view from the 45 minute long trail

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Another view...
Another view…
Working the warm up
Working the warm up
Cody's turn
Cody’s turn
Cheese!
Cheese!
Crazy fun problem
Crazy fun problem

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Just chillaxing
Just chillaxing
Tommy trying a super stiff problem that I couldn't even get off the ground from!
Tommy trying a super stiff problem that I couldn’t even get off the ground from!
Tommy giving this sharp thing a go
Tommy giving this sharp thing a go

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Descent
Descent

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Descent at sunset. It was stunning!
Descent at sunset. It was stunning!

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The crew!
The crew!

 

 

The Woody Gets a Real Roof!

Go figure we chose to build our fancy new climbing wall during El Nino, when we end up getting more rain than we’ve had in years!  Needless to say, my temporary heavy duty tarp roof didn’t last more than a few months before it started leaking.  Unfortunately we didn’t have the $$ to put a permanent roof on right away, so we limped through monsoon season and a wet fall until we could buy all the materials to put a corrugated metal roof on.  Finally, during my Christmas break, I was able to finish the install, so she’s now ready for all the rain Mother Nature can throw at her!  The roofing is bare steel, so eventually it will form a nice bright orange oxide layer and look really cool!

Evidence our woody took a pot of gold to build!
Evidence our woody took a pot of gold to build…even before the new roof was purchased!
Starting to install the plywood sheathing
Starting to install the plywood sheathing
Shot from one end
Shot from one end
Plywood installed!
Plywood installed!
Time for metal now! Working on placing the flashing on one side.
Time for metal now! Working on placing the flashing on one side.
Working the shady side now
Working the shady side now
All done...she's a beauty!!
All done…she’s a beauty!!

Merry Christmas from Tucson!

Well, “Merry” is a bit of a strong word for our very first time hosting Christmas in Tucson with Grandpa and Maria’s mom, brother, and sister.  We were super excited and decked the house with all sorts of holiday decor.  Maria hand-made everyone’s stockings, and I had some big plans for Christmas dinner.  But alas, things didn’t go according to plan.  Holly, who hasn’t been with us for Christmas in about 7 years, came down with a nasty bug the day after she arrived, leaving her basically bed-ridden through her whole trip!  Then Joe got sick a day or two later, forcing us to cancel all our dinner plans and festivities!  We were able to get everyone out of bed for an hour or two on Christmas Eve to open presents with Grandpa and the kids, but that quickly disbanded once the last bits of wrapping paper settled to the floor.  Then, on Christmas day we were all supposed to regroup for stockings and Santa’s presents, but Grandpa awoke with a stiff bout of vertigo that kept him home and we barely got Joe and Holly out of hibernation long enough to partake 🙁  Needless to say, no one was keen on Christmas dinner later that day either!

Even after our Christmas was officially over, Murphy kept his foot on the gas!  Holly started to feel somewhat human the day she had to leave for VT and Joe regained an appetite just in time for us to have a belated dinner with Grandpa before he and Mom had to cut their trip short to try and beat a rare NM blizzard!  So all in all, our first Christmas was a flop, but the kids really seemed to enjoy it, and it was good to see family, even if it was only during the moments they crawled into the kitchen to reload on Nyquil!  Maybe next year….

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Will’s first encounter with the big man himself at the school’s Holiday Night
Henry’s turn!
Story time with Oma before heading out for our crazy family Christmas picture
Story time with Oma before heading out for our crazy family Christmas picture
Looks like the boys were pretty nice (...eh spoiled) this year!
Looks like the boys were pretty nice (…eh spoiled) this year!
Mama dishing out the goods
Mama dishing out the goods on Christmas Eve
Some yummies from NM!
Some yummies from NM!
What is that!?
What is that!?
They both got their first BB rifles...thanks Uncle Joe!!
They both got their first BB rifles…thanks Uncle Joe!!
Thanks Grandpa for all the cool toys!
Thanks Grandpa for all the cool toys!
Mama also scored a really cool lantern from Holly
Mama also scored a really cool lantern from Holly
Henry working on his 'rip and tear' technique
Henry working on his ‘rip and tear’ technique
Oooooohhhh!
Oooooohhhh! A new shaving kit!
We bought mommy a new bookcase...
We bought mommy a new bookcase…
All done...and the patients depart to their sick beds
All done…and the patients depart to their sick beds
Looks like Santa came and filled the custom stalkings that Mama made
Looks like Santa came and filled the custom stalkings that Mama made
The two turds couldn't wait to see what was inside...we had to basically chain them up to keep them from getting out of bed before 7:00!
The two turds couldn’t wait to see what was inside…we had to basically chain them up to keep them from getting out of bed before 7:00!
"Put it back! You have to wait for everyone else to get up!"
“Put it back! You have to wait for everyone else to get up!”
Checking their inventory in their brand new Minions PJs...adorable!
Checking their inventory in their brand new Minions PJs…adorable!
Everyone made out with some pretty cool stuff
Everyone made out with some pretty cool stuff

 

Thanksgiving trip to Bishop and Red Rocks

Our trip out to Bishop this year was a little different from previous ones. About 4 days in, a huge system came through and dropped the day time temperatures to just above freezing. There was no way we were going to function, let alone climb in that kind of weather, so we decided to pick up and head to Red Rocks just outside Vegas. I’d never been bouldering there, but Tommy told me it was great stuff, and we didn’t want to end the trip prematurely. I’m really glad we went because it was absolutely beautiful and the soft sandstone felt so good on our fingers. We climbed there for two days and then headed home ending the week long trip. It was a lot of fun and we had the boys with us which made for some interesting times. 😉 They both loved climbing around on the rocks and Will even fell off one and banged up his head. He’s a tough little booger though and while he probably needed stitches, we just rubbed some dirt in it and pressed on. 🙂 Tommy was able to finish off his longstanding project, Morning Dove White, which has now become my project! Haha! I’m very excited to go back next year and put that one to bed. We also ticked off some other projects and found some new ones in Red Rocks, so all in all, a very fun and productive trip. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!!

First day on - Ready to get on the rocks!
First day on – Ready to get on the rocks!

Here I am getting the send of a sharp pockety little V6 called Action Figure:

William showing his big belly
Eating some lunch in the Buttermilks
Eating some lunch in the breathtaking Buttermilks
William looking like a ragamuffin. You can see the bandaid on the top of his eye. That's wear he split it open. It was pretty scary but it seems to have healed very nicely.
William looking like a ragamuffin. You can see the bandaid on the top of his eye. That’s where he split his head open. It was pretty scary but it seems to have healed very nicely.
My other ragamuffin. Henry just wanted to dig in the dirt.
My other ragamuffin. Henry just wanted to dig in the dirt.
Over in the Sad boulders. Henry decided he wanted to climb.
Over in the Sad boulders. Henry decided he wanted to climb.
Eric spotting me, spotting Henry. =)
Eric spotting me, spotting Henry. =)
Will insisted on going up next...
Will insisted on going up next…
Cody spotting Eric, spotting Will...hahaha!
Cody spotting Eric, spotting Will…hahaha!
Working on a problem called Molly V5.
Working on a problem called Molly V5.
I was so close to the finish, but I just couldn't convert!
I was so close to the finish, but I just couldn’t convert…next year!
William and Cody falling asleep on the rocks in the freezing cold weather.
William and Cody falling asleep on the rocks in the freezing cold weather.
Giving one last go on Molly before calling it a day
Giving one last go on Molly before calling it a day
Will starting the day with a major send!
Will starting the next day with a major send!
Henry joining him
Henry joining him – it was very hard to keep these two from testing their climbing independence!
Post-send call of nature
Will’s post-send call of nature! Never mind the main trail only 10 feet away!
Henry climbing on the Savannah boulder. He did really well
Henry climbing on the Savannah boulder. He did really well

Bishop'15

Will's turn to mess around on it
Will’s turn to mess around on it
Working his way up another boulder
Henry working his way up his first official V0 in Bishop!
Slapping for the top
Slapping for the top
Hanging out at Morning Dove for another session
Getting ready to work Tommy’s project,  Morning Dove White (V7)
Tommy giving it a burn
Tommy giving it a burn
Working his way through the pockets
Working his way through the pockets
Almost to the top!
Almost to the top!

…And finally after 3 seasons of trying…Tommy gets the send!

My go was pretty good
My go was pretty good too

Bishop'15

Our friend Meagan got some good black and white shots
Our friend Meagan got some really cool black and white shots
Awesome heel hook
Awesome heel hook
I was right there! Tore a tip and came off. Next year!!!!
I was right there! Tore a tip and came off. Next year!!!!
Love this shot...Me and Henry loving on each other...
Love this shot…Me and Henry loving on each other…
Tableland sunset
Tableland sunset
Storm sweeping in over the mountains as we left the next morning...
Storm sweeping in over the mountains as we left for Vegas the next morning…
A stop at one of the canyons before death valley
A stop at one of the canyons before death valley
Huge
Huge
First morning in Vegas...so enthralled with their video
First morning in Vegas…so enthralled with their video
The Pearl V5 - this was a fun boulder
Me working the send of The Pearl V5 – this was a fun boulder
The Wave V3 - super cool rock
The Wave V3 – super cool rock
Alexesizer V6 - super hard but super fun
Alexesizer V6 – super hard but super fun
Very slopey
Very slopey
The next day - the boys found a puppy and fell in love with him
The next day – the boys met a little puppy named Bear and fell in love with him
We babysat a dog recently and one of the commands was to lift your hand and she would sit. Will thought he would try that with this little pup.
We babysat a dog recently and one of the commands was to lift your hand to make her sit. Will thought he would try that with this little pup.
He didn't like his orders and instead gave him sloppy kisses
Bear didn’t like his orders and instead knocked him down and gave him sloppy kisses!
Then he ran and did the same thing to Henry...
Then he ran and did the same thing to Henry…
Later in the day, the temperature dropped so Will stole some coats, covered up and went to sleep...
Later in the day, the temperature dropped so Will stole some coats, covered up and went to sleep…
Some of our crew freezing in the cold weather. Cody, Petty and Eric.
Some of our crew freezing in the cold weather. Cody, Petty and Eric.
Our last problem of the trip. Porkchop V4 - very fun
Our last problem of the trip. Porkchop V4 – very fun
Such an amazing rock formation
Such an amazing rock formation

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Tommy's turn!
Tommy’s turn!

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A Happy Halloween…and a crazy climbing competition!

This Halloween was a LOT of fun. A lot of work, but a lot of fun. We decided to hold a competition at our woody and make everyone dress up and climb in their costume. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but it ended up being an absolute BLAST! It was colder then hell, but we had a great turn out and the people that attended said they had such a good time and are looking forward to next year. We put a lot of time and effort into putting up quality problems and I spent a crap ton of time on my costume. I dressed up as the Black Swan and the final product (not trying to brag) was amazing. Unfortunately, it was SO cold outside that I had to put on a puffy and boots to survive so it kind of ruined it. And because of that, I only got a few pictures of it. Lame, I know. Plus, we were so busy trying to run the comp, we didn’t take many other pics. Thanks to a few competitors, we got a few more, but next year, if we do this again, we will be sure to take a lot. I’ve already picked out a costume that would be ok in cold weather so I’ll be able to function. Anyway, for our first try, I’d say it turned out pretty darn good. =) Enjoy!

We made this a legit competition and started advertising for it on our Instagram feed. This was the first promo shot. Bone Daddy getting in some hangboard time. =)
We made this a legit competition and started advertising for it on our Instagram feed. This was the first promo shot. Bone Daddy getting in some hangboard time. =)
Here he is again taking a break from setting some problems...
Here he is again taking a break from setting some problems…
Checking his messages. Ha!
Checking his messages. Ha!
This was the first place prize. It was hard to make cuz the fabric was very soft. It turned out beautiful though and we threw in some chalk and a sticker. Our buddy Petty ended up winning. He dressed up as Alladin.
This was the first place prize. It was hard to make cuz the fabric was very soft. It turned out beautiful though and we threw in some chalk and a sticker. Our buddy Petty ended up winning. He dressed up as Alladin.
This was the raffle prize. This was easier to make and it turned out so good! Our friend Cory won it. He dressed up like House.
This was the raffle prize. This was easier to make and it turned out so good! Our friend Cory won it. He dressed up like House.
One of the only pictures I was able to get of myself...and it was a selfie in the closet! Ha! This one shows you how cool my crown was. I made that out of hot glue and wire. Turned out pretty good huh? =)
One of the only pictures I was able to get of myself…and it was a selfie in the closet! So dumb, Ha! This one shows you how cool my crown was. I made that out of hot glue and wire. Turned out pretty good huh? =)
This is a little closer. The contacts were a nightmare. It took me almost 45 minutes to get them both in and then I had to do my makeup AFTERWARDS which was so hard because I could barely see. But all in all, I think it turned out well. Heck, I still have the costume so I may wear it again in the future and be able to take better pictures. =)
This is a little closer. The contacts were a nightmare. It took me almost 45 minutes to get them both in and then I had to do my makeup AFTERWARDS which was so hard because I could barely see. But all in all, I think it turned out well. Heck, I still have the costume so I may wear it again in the future and be able to take better pictures. =)
Here's a picture of everyone. Tommy is far left - he was a sniper. He looked so good.
Here’s a picture of everyone. Tommy is far left – he was a sniper. He looked so good.
Here's everyone going crazy. It was such a good time. =)
Here’s everyone going crazy. It was such a good time. =) Oh and look at the top of the woody! Tommy rigged up a disco ball for the comp and it looked amazing!
The next night we went to our buddies house and went trick or treating with all the other kids in the neighborhood. The boys had a great time. It was pretty chilly though.
The next night we went to our buddies house and went trick or treating with all the other kids in the neighborhood. The boys had a great time. It was pretty chilly though.
Will was a firefighter and Henry was Michaelangelo.
Will was a firefighter and Henry was Michaelangelo.
Silly boy...
Silly boy…
Little sweetie...
Little sweetie…

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