I definitely didn't think I'd go back to lace-ups... "I boulder. I need to be able to take off my shoes off and on without worrying about the hassle of laces." But I started seeing some of my friends with them, and noted their confidence. I ordered some new Demons from the gracious and generous folks at MadRock and they had them on backorder - so in the light that I've been having problems with velcro not lasting as long as the rubber - I decided to try out the Con-Cept lace-ups.
I tried them out today at Ute Valley and I swear I had a few double-take moments where my foot stuck when I totally didn't expect it to. I felt like I was 20 pounds lighter since I was able to put so much more of my weight on my feet instead of my hands. The laces allowed me to really crank down the tightness where I needed it and weren't a hassle at all to take on and off. No worrying about if my velcro is going to pop off in the middle of the crux? I'm sold. Thanks MadRock!
One of the precious things about living in Colorado Springs is having so much excellent "local" climbing. Being able to ride or drive down to the Garden\UteValley\V-Naughts to do some lunchtime bouldering is something I hope I won't ever take for granted...
Thanks for the video of yesterday's session, Todd.
Once in a long time, a brilliant man can articulate my pain. I don't care if anyone else understands, but my kindred spirit, Nathanael May, does...
Yes, my name is Daniel...
My Grandma Hansen turned 90 this last weekend and all of the Colorado family went out to Richfield, Utah for her birthday party.
And what does any climbing-dependent person (read: addict) do when there's a trip planned out to Utah...?
We would leave super-early and hit Big Bend bouldering and then the more family-friendly Arches National Park on our way to Richfield. Genius, eh?
Despite thick fog, fear of hitting an open-range cow, sub-freezing temps and mutinous kids who had been told to turn off all electronic distractions and look out the windows, we pulled into the parking lot ahead of schedule. After checking the place out and eating some lunch we all got to work. Before you knew it, it had gained at least 15 degrees and conditions were absolutely perfect for the entire fam.
As much fun as Big Bend was, the small fraction of the Arches we saw was amazing and the kids KILLED the hike to Delicate Arch - making it back just as the sun disappeared.
We have an awesome family.
Thanks to Dan Russell for doing the climb justice with his editing skills.
Thanks to Dave Phillips at the Gazette for giving Ryan some more coverage!
http://www.gazette.com/articles/hansen_44361___article.html/climb_climbing.htmlPhoto's courtesy of Stewart Green and Mark Tjaden:
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The first time... So much to do. Footage Todd put together from our visit with Byron, Glenn, Jerad and Chris:
