The Flood

Hi.

It's been raining for about a week straight now. Needless to say, I haven't been climbing outside. But I don't really care - it's still hot and rain murders my psyche. It's just so hard to care when the sky has been gray for a week. Seems like my bed is a better place to spend time than the gym. I have still been climbing indoors quite a bit though. Gotta get in shape for the Triple Crown - gotta earn that monaaaaayyy!

Anyway. I'm going to be in Atlanta this weekend for Adrenaline gym's 5 year anniversary comp. It's a weird format - both bouldering and route climbing - and I'm not entirely sure what to expect. Also, there is a party at TBA this Saturday the 26. It will resemble the TBA parties of old with a DJ, black lights, and, I'm sure, plenty to drink. COME OUT!

Later,

Brion

Beta

The Triple Crown Beta video that I shot last month with Andrew Kornylak is here! Thanks to Andrew and the TC for including me! CHECK IT:

-Brion

Air? Water? What's the Difference?

It was my birthday Friday. Another year ticked - the big 21/my climbing lifetime shortened by yet another year. I was happy to spend the day hanging out with Jo Beth in Knoxville while resting up for a long weekend in Boone.

We were expecting good conditions (70 degrees!). That was dumb! Climbing in Boone was like climbing in a cloud. Every problem had at least one wet hold, and the air was so thick you could drink it. After 3 hours of driving, though, we were sure going to do some climbing!

It turned out to be an alright day. After meeting up at Quiznos we all headed out to M1, a small area on 221 and warmed up on an amazing v5. Jimmy quickly dispatched Instinctual (v10), a problem I did back in March, and we moved around the corner to climb Don Johnson (v11). Soaked! We chalked the shiz out of it and gave some attempts. Neither of us could even do the moves.

Jimmy on Instinctual

So, in an attempt to find some dry rock, we drove over to Blowing Rock. It was only slightly better. After a second warm-up, Jimmy and I both climbed a low roof problem called Room With A View (v10). It was weirdish. Jimmy put together a video:

Clouds were already rolling in as we ate burritos at Black Cat and we unanimously decided to head for home. It was a late night and I'm sure DQ in Johnson City saved my life.

We are heading for the Concave tomorrow and I can't wait for another attempt on Southern Comfort!

Wish me luck,

Brion

My Life is a Training Session

I live in between training sessions. That's when I eat, when I go to class, when I shower, Facebook, sleep. Actually, there isn't much sleep involved. Only about once a week do Jimmy, Kasia, and I get psyched enough to face the heat and drive down to the Concave. Then, after three pitches of warm up, assessing the miniscule details of heat and humidity, and one burn on Southern Comfort, we pile back into the car and head to the gym. That's how it went down on Monday at least.

In a typical fashion, we hit every gas station between Chattanooga and Fort Payne, AL (Jimmy needs his Subway and Red Bull).

And we roll into the parking lot at about 1... Ok, but who really cares about the blow by blow?! Jimmy and I both reached high points on the route and we took some cool photos; we went bouldering at the Citadel and took some cool photos; we went to the gym but didn't take any photos. Then it was bed time. THE END.

Here are the photos:

Photo: Jimmy Webb

Photo: Jimmy Webb

Photo: Jimmy Webb

Also, here is a video of me climbing Riddles in the Park (v12). I waited until the last day of my trip to try this one. I'm glad I pulled through - it's a good one. Check it out! Thanks to Jimmy for the edit.

Off to the gym,

Brion