2 New Posts read Both -- Black Cliffs -- Rock Climbing

The last several weeks we have been logging some serious hours on the Basalt Columns of the Boise Black Cliffs. Rock climbing has several elements that make it fun and challenging the three that stick out to me are the Mental element, the Physical element and the Fear element. Ever since we've been rock climbing we have tried to take the Fear element out of the equation as much as possible by following the safest technique in rock climbing; "Top Rope Climbing". When top rope climbing (as seen in the below picture) the rope is always fixed above at the top of whatever you are trying to climb.

If one were to let go of the rock when top roping the climber wouldn't fall at all as the rope is always holding them from above! At first top roping has the element of "Fear" but it goes away quickly when you realize you aren't falling anywhere when you let go of the rock. So to add the Element of Fear back into our climbing we decided it was time to Lead Climb. When lead climbing the "Leader" ties the rope to his/her harness and starts to climb. As the leader climbs higher they fix protection in elevated increments using carabiners clipped to the rock then they clip the rope into the carabiners thus protecting themselves from a fall. The protection points are anywhere between 5-12 feet apart on most climbs, so if the leader is above the last protection he would fall double the distance from the last protection; possibly 24 feet at worst case. Below are some pictures of me leading for the first time on a climb called Sweet Adene a 5.8 difficulty. Luckily I didn't fall and had a great time with all 3 elements of rock climbing back together again!

Vince and Randi joined our climbing crew today... it was their first time climbing on rock, and they both did excellent! Here are some pics from our day out on the rock.

Vince Belaying

Before the Big Climb!

Vince making a leap... Nicely Done

Fighting the bulge to get on top!

"Easy"... He says

Randi half way up

Having a great time look No Hands

Randi fighting the bulge to get on top

Everyone is watching... Don't Screw Up!

No problem she says as she sits on top of Sweet Adene!

Extreme Adventures -The Movie- and a couch!

Sorry, we are a little behind on our blogging... but when you get busy it happens so here goes, a little recap from the last several weeks. I (Zach) have been working on a little movie project for the last few months the movie entailed 4 Extreme Adventures from the past 3 years they included: Ship Island Lake Summer 2006, Mt. Borah Climb Summer 2006, 33 Lake Summer 2007, and Enos Lake Summer 2008. All these were trips guided by me with my group of friends. I had about 6 hours of video footage to compile into one extreme movie. Well to keep the story short and to the point I spent around 50-60 hours making the 45 minute movie! I know that seems like a long time but after you try and make a masterpiece movie you can criticize me. So once finished with the movie I took the DVD down to a local shop and had them burn 10 copies put a custom label on the DVDs print a cover for the cases and shrink wrap them. These DVDs look like they where purchased off the rack from any store. Rochelle designed the cover and the DVD label and they looked Awesome!!! (My talented Wife... So Hot!) Anyway back to my story... for the Premier of the movie titled, "Extreme Adventures -The Movie-" I decided to invite all the Cast Members and their Wives/Girlfriends for a proper premier. Since we were going to have 18-20 people in our tiny house we decided to take the plunge and get a new couch. It is beautiful, and the best part is Rochelle LOVES IT! The premier was an absolute hit! All the boys and their S.O.'s were laughing to tears! I must say the movie is really good, I have some funny friends and we have a great time when we get out into the wilderness.

Random Clips from Extreme Adventures the Movie: