Ouch.

I think I pulled my groin muscle. How's that for an opening?! Serioulsy...I've been working a problem with a lot of high steps, and since yesterday I can't walk without pushing in on my left groin muscle. So now when I'm walking around in town I look like some kind of perv with his hand on his groin. Darn it! I suppose I'll give it a rest till this weekend when I head to Smith Rock. On the plus side...Joe's Valley baby!!!!

It's all coming together, and in other ways it's just not quite there.

I don't want to be a grade basher, but...

I did a V12 today. I'd like to end this post here, but I just can't. I know that some of you would stop being my friend if I left it at that, so I'll clarify. I've been climbing at Swan Falls about 10 times so far, and each time I've liked it. There really is some good stuff, but the guide book is soooo bad. Well, I finally figured out where everything is according to the book and started finding some projects. I'll do this v6...flash. I'll do this v9...flash. I'll do this v12...twelve...TWELVE...2 falls then I got it. Here's how I figure it...this stuff really is the grade it says, and I really am that strong. I think I might be superman while in Boise...maybe it's something in the air. OR...the grading system here is rediculous. Probably the latter.

The "12" I did was really cool though. It's called the 7 Wraths of God...and it's super close to Iron Man Traverse in movement but on tiny crimps and bad feet the whole way. Matt, I think that when you join me for the Joe's trip you should fly here then drive with me to Utah so you can climb here first. You too can be a V12 climber. Plus, I need someone to confirm my rating out here.

Joe's Valley anyone?

Here's the deal, I'm headed out to Joe's Valley, Utah on April 24th. Tim is driving out with me, but he has to leave on the 27th, but I'd like to stay longer. If you can make it out, I think you should...it should be perfect weather for sending hard! If your reading this and thinking 'Man, I want to go but I can't afford that', talk to me before you rule it out. I'm going, it'll be fun, but nowhere near as much fun without you all there with me. Invite your friends, too.

On another note, I quit smoking...what this all boils down to is I get a little edgy, so if you tell me you can't go I'm pretty sure I'll have a breakdown and start smoking again - if that happens I'll get black lung and die - and you'll be responsible for killing me. Are you okay with that? You don't want me to die...do you? You know how to avoid this...save a climber's life, won't you? Go to Joe's Valley.

Oh man...I'm tired.

S0 here's the deal on slick-lining; Slack-lining has been known to bring nations together. For instance...did you know that the only reason that the U.S. and Uzbekistan have a relationship is because Jimmy Carter (back in 1971) slack-lined with the president of Uzbekistan, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov. In that time, it was considered proper to slack-line and then free-style rap the terms of a treaty, thus bringing our two countries together. True story...Uzbekistan is known for it's intense, sometimes violent slack-lining. Google it.

You didn't know that did you? I feel sorry for you, we have all of this knowledge at our fingertips and you don't even bother looking into it. Sad.

I climbed at the Black Cliffs today...which is mostly trad. Man, I am not a trad climber. I gave it my best, but all I could do was 5.8-9. Trad is SCARY! I did however get on some sport and did a few tens, 2 11's and onsighted a 12 a or b. It was tons of fun, but great googely moogely, I need to find something else to do with my time! If you have any suggestions, would you help a brother out?

Rest day...

So in my off day I find myself preparing for my good friend's date tonight. Cleaning the house, praying, yukking it up, more praying. This even sounds a little weird to me know, but I'm getting over it. I have for the longest time strived to be a 'cool' Christian, aware of the ways of the world and not wanting to appear too sheltered. As each sun sets then rises again, this thought dies in me. Now, as I help my friend prepare to honor this woman I find myself taking stock of where I am with God. I can see myself little by little dying to the world; it's as if the Lord has touched my eyes so I can truly see. That being said, I've been asking this question - what is this religion, and how do I react to it? James 1:27 says this;

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

I am seeking God fervently, and constantly praying that I would die more and more each day to the world and all of it's sin and temptation and live more and more in Christ. As far as orphans and widows...I know one person who had the courage to go out and spend time loving children with Christ's love - and I am inspired. May that person inspire all of us to do what we can - what we should be doing as the arms and feet of the Almighty. If you read this, and are prayerfull, please consider lifting me up in your offerings to God that I might find my own widows and orphans to love and care for, and that I would keep myself unstained from this world.

Wow. Swan Falls is so cool! Not only the climbing, but the scenery is B-E-A-Utiful! I got on some 7's that were pretty fun, and worked a few 8's and 9's - I failed misserably there...but as Matt H. said, this is an endeavor geared towards failure. Check it out though...this is my Nockamixon! So stoked right now...



Right? That's where I get to climb now! There are so many boulders nestled into the Snake River canyon for miles, and so much is undeveloped still. The rock is mainly well-featured basalt, with some shorter dalliences to the occasional high-ball, pee inducing mindbender. Very cool.

I'm going slack-lining.

Packing my lunch box...

I feel like I'm back in school these days...I get up early, do my readings and pack my lunch and I'm off to climb. Today, avacado/pepperjack cheese/spicy mustard/basil sandwich.

Swan Falls - I can't wait. I remember this place being amazing...a lot like Haycok, but more open and with the Snake River flowing thru it. I really hope to find some stronger climbers there today, I'm feeling pretty good and ready to start sending! My mind is clear and focused, my body is as it should be, I can't wait to see how I feel on rock today. We'll see.

The Amen of nature...

Dude, Table Rock is both amazing and terrible! I climbed quite a bit...probably about 20 problems, but I could find nothing harder than a v4. What's worse is that quite a few of the problem's holds were drilled and chipped into the rock! Who does that? Did some weak climber look at the rock and say "Nature, your going down! What What!" That's beat. I cried a little. I did, however, do a problem that is a lot like 3 star...high ball-ish and cracky. Pretty cool. At the top I heard a song that goes 'Jaimie to the rescue' (ask Matt Herman to sing it, it's great!).

As I climbed though, I did get a chance to be alone and figure some things out. Talking to God is always easier when your alone in nature, especially amongst rocks...the amen of nature is refreshing. After all of that, and an uplifting email from a good friend I'm feeling more like me again. I'm back, and Boise's gonna get some. Tim and I are getting geared up 70's style and givin' it the business tonight, so in that spirit I need Herman to put on the shirt I gave him and wear it out tonight.

So here I am...

I've decided, like some of you before me, to start a blog. In a way, it makes me feel more in touch with you all (if you read it, that is). I'm just going to dive right in...

I'm headed to Table Rock today to do some bouldering, which I'm pretty stoked about. I think I need some time by myself to clear my head of the interesting dichotomy of terbulence and lonliness. I haven't been by myself since I left for Bishop to now, and I'm looking forward to time spent with God. I've been in a whirwind of meeting new people, getting the lay of the land and figuring out what the heck I'm doing in Boise, Id! I know He has a plan for me, and not long ago I could see it pretty clearly, but for the life of me I can't see it right now. I'm praying that in my time spent alone amongst the boulders of Table Rock and Swan Falls, I'll hear Him again as I did in Red Rocks not too long ago. We'll see.

For those of you that do read this with any interest at all, you are in my heart and in my prayers. My guess is I'll be updating this thing morning and evening...it seems to me to be a good way of organizing my thoughts in the absence of you all helping me in the way you would if I were with you now. Thank you in advance!