Beautiful Lines

Beautiful potential
Originally uploaded by ericmonasterio.

Las Conchas, New Mexico.

Rest day New Mexico

Steep Vegas limestones

this is what you all be missing out there on the east coast. come visit me in Vegas for a full tour and local hospitality.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Black Cuillin
Originally uploaded by .s.s.

I fancied some boulders in the Black Cuillin mountains, next to the sea and Glen Brittle. But as I approached the boulders, my mind had already wandered away from them.

I was excitedly watching the jagged, rocky peaks above appear and disappear with each passing cloud. I didn't even stop to touch the boulders as I passed by.

I walked higher. Past streams, waterfalls, and lochs. The grass, sheep, and wildflowers gave way to bare rock. I climbed scree, sliding with every step, until I reached a buttress of ledgy slabs.

The Gabro rock was very, very grippy. I scrambled towards the ridge above. Climbing the ledges was a succession of easy boulder problems that lead me into the clouds. Each passing cloud bringing a temporary white-out.

I mantled onto the famous Cuillin ridge and let out a gasp. The misty black and white world of the windward slope gave way to the technicolor world of the leeward side. The vivid blues and greens of the lochs, turf, and clear sky below were fresh. The exposure was invigorating.

I followed the ridge north over Charlie's Peak and up Sgurr Alisdair, the tallest mountain on the Isle of Skye. At one point I encountered a fully-equipped (harnesses, ropes, helmets, boots, rucksack) guided party of four that was being belayed down a steep section. They gave quite a look when they saw me rocking my slip on Vans, Dabtronics tote, and repping the Brooklyn hat! I smiled as I downclimbed through.

The climbing was V0 minus-minus-minus (5.5 tops). But moving over alpine rock completely unburdened of gear made me feel like a kid in a candy store. Alas, the Cuillin are such a civilized size that by nightfall I was just another adult in the pub.

Magic Pond at Pawtuckaway

I went for a hike into the center of pawtuckaway to find the magic pond boulders. I took some pictures and searched around for more rocks. There are some nice big boulders out there with many clean crack lines. a number of more difficult lines too. The thin overhanging seam looked real hard but possible. THe tall face in the bottom picture has a cool line of crimps moving up and left from the big block start... the end will be tricky though. I haven't explored all the way around the pond yet. The bugs were getting too heinous, I'll return in the fall.

New Bouldarz in Dacks.

Worth explorin'? Mayhaps, Mayhaps.