Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Just Getting Started

Hey Team, Its Zack. Sorry for being a little behind on the updates. To add on to Friday's Adventure with Ryan heres a video of his sends! Enjoy!




After an phenomenal day in Boone I decided to ditch the perfect weather and pull on some plastic! I woke up bright and early and met up with the climbing team at the SRC. After following Chris Brookman's GPS for 3 hours we started to get the feeling that we had been lead astray. We were in a reservation...


Gambling and Great Motels!


We ended up here because apparently WCU's Nursing school is located in Cherokee, NC just 30 minutes off course. Luckily we were competing in the second heat which didnt start until 1pm so we had a few hours to kill anyways. After passing on the put-put, casino's, and luxurious motels we made it to Cullowhee!

Finally my heat began and we were able to climb. My fingers were still pretty raw and I was feeling a bit less than optimal. Nevertheless I was able to crank out some problems and place 2nd overall behind a Chatty contender by the name of Kyle. He was a really strong guy who had the same style of climbing as me... as static as can be. I was able to walk out with a set of quick draws so I guess I'm going to have to get over my fear and hop on some ropes soon!

Photo: Christopher Pratt

After a nice Arbys stop on the return back to the high country I crashed in bed. Upon awakening I was quick to cook up some oatmeal, sip on some coffee, and crank out some homework. Around 10am my brother picked me up with some dank signature cookies he made the night before. Hell Yea! They were comprised of coffee, truffle, coconut and a whole lot more. Definitely a good way to start the day.

At the lot of Blowing Rock we ran into Tilley and eventually Dalen, Matt, and Sam down at the main area. After warming up on the 5.10 boulder and a few heady high balls we hopped on Desperate Bitch (V8). The stand to this problem is not that bad but when you add the extra move coming into the start... shit gets real. I couldn't piece it together but watched Dalen crush it! After admitting defeat I decided to give Classic Arrete (V6) a final burn. DONE!

Photo: Rami Annab
Classic Arrete (V6)

Once walking over to the 45 wall we ran into two really strong climbers I had met before at Rumbling Bald, Dan and Eric. They were really psyched on Flagyl (V10) and it began to carry over to me. I got all amped up to do the first move, hopped on the start, pulled up, and... fell. I quickly gave up on that one but was able to crank out Left into Center 45 (V7) for the first time. Thats a really cool problem with some crazy footwork! After Tilley gave me shit for not cutting feet I decided to retest my dynamic ability on Flagyl again. After changing my feet around a bit I was able to stick it! Now all ive got to do is link the movements!

Crunched with time Dalen and I raced over to Jason Lives (V9) at the Dump Area. We were able to quickly figure out all the moves but couldn't piece it. We decided to go out the next day for better luck. Unfortunately, however, 24 hours of rest seems to be asking a lot for skin health...



Before sleep I super glued a massive split in middle finger together in hopes of a miracle for the next day. After an extravagant rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, onions, and avocado meal with Kelen we went to sleep for the big day ahead.

I had thought we agreed on 11am for our departure time so I told Kelen I'd have to ditch her around then to go climb rocks... On Valentine's Day. She was completely okay with the plan until 10am came around and Dalen told me that he was at my dorm... I guess I mixed up the times, Yikes. After rushing Kelen through her deserved relaxing morning Dalen and I headed out. Once we got there I was able to send Black Magic Women (V7) and campus Druid Roof (V7). It was cool to see a lot of improvement since the last time I had tried those a few years back. Dalen and I punted off the top of Jason Lives yet again and we began agreeing on the idea that we were soon to be epicing on this problem. unfortunately.

Photo: Zack Silberman
Dalen on Jason Lives (V9)

On our way out I was able to send Cigerette (V7) and Dalen walked Cinderella (V8). KILLA!

We took a rest day tuesday, which consisted of me doing pull-ups, push-ups, and L-sits, as Dalen ran for 4 miles. These are considered Active Rest Days as Kelen would say. 

So we went back out today for the send but yet again... couldn't send. I got the impression that the send would be speedy after my first day on but for some reason keeping it all together is really difficult. I need some energy for the send, I'm considering trying this...


I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome...

Moving along we went over to Blowing Rock where there was a full on party at the Mushroom Boulder. We made our way eventually to Room With a View (V10) in which I was able to get to the first hold out of the roof 2nd go! 
Photo: Michelle Wilkins
Me on Room With a View (V10)

Dalen, Taylor, and I all came really close but were having trouble with the bump onto the face. Due to it being 3:40pm and my math class at 4:00pm we had to call it a quits and 2 step it out. Hopefully the PimpJuice will help next time around. Dalen dropped me off at Walker with my pad and all and I was able to make it to class only 5 minutes late. After some weird looks and stares I successfully made it to my seat and entered back into the real world... I want to go climbing again. This Friday! Anyways, I need to get back to my studies, Thanks for reading.

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