Palouse Climbing Festival II

After a looooong and snowy drive I'm back from the Palouse Climbing Fest at the University of Idaho. It was a good time, they have a tight climbing community that seems really supportive. Thanks to Brian Veseth and Mike Beiser for bringing me out. Here are a few shots from the comp.

Mark Polinski - Men's Open 2nd Place Bouldering

Comp Setter, Randy Hill showing how the dyno is done.

Leanne Leedy - Women's Open 2nd Place Bouldering

Palouse Climbing Festival

I've finally packed away my slide projector and carousels and am ready for all digital presentations. This Friday, March 6th I will be presenting a show at the 7th Annual Palouse Climbing Fest at the University of Idaho in Moscow. The show for those in the area will be at 8:00 pm at JEB 104.

Palouse Climbing Fest. Poster Design by Tammy McClure

Winter 2009 Wasatch Journal

In late November of 2008 I was able to spend an evening with the legendary Jeff Lowe to shoot some portraits for an upcomming feature for the Wasatch Journal. Although Jeff is not in the best of health, he had a great spirit and was a lot of fun to hang out with. Here are 2 of the images used in the article.

The piton Jeff is holding in the photo is one I found in an obscure rock formation above Ogden over 20 years ago. Jeff thought it was one he or his brother might have put in 20 years prior to my finding it.

Although Jeff suffers from a degenerative neurological disease, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), he keeps at it, trying to establish the city of Ogden, Utah as a center for outdoor sports and climbing.

March 2009 Rock & Ice #175

The March issue of Rock & Ice features quite a bit of my work. The first is a feature on Pirates Cove, Corona Del Mar, California with a great Stonemaster story by John Long. The second is a joint feature on Devil's Tower in Wyoming by myself and Keith Ladzinski. Last is the opening shot for an article on jobs within the climbing industry.

Tom Adams on Pin Scar Direct V2

Clockwise from the left: Laura Griffiths, Tom Adams and Michael Fox

Clockwise from the left: Gene Shockley, Laura Griffiths

Christine Balaz, Devil's Tower, WY

Dean Lords, Devil's Tower, WY

Kolin Powick

Rock & Ice #174

The January issue of Rock & Ice contains a feature on one of my favorite places, the Uinta range in Utah.

Christine Balaz on Dream Catcher, Ruth Lake

"Happy" Jay Keener on Guillotine (5.10b),
Scout Lake.

Cerre Francis, Gary Heward and Jules Cho

Cerre Francis, Rich Hagio and Jules Cho

You can buy copies of the Uinta Rock guidebook from Rock & Ice.

Uinta Rock

Halloween in Indian Creek - Part 2

So after hanging on a rope in one spot for over 5 hours, toproping one climb and hiking 90 lbs of gear back down to the car, I set up a white backdrop just outside of the campfire in preperation of the night's festivities. Here are some of my favorite photos from the evening.

Laurel Flood - Tomb Raider

Photographer Andrew Burr - Sheriff

Writer Christine Balaz - Prom Queen - Photo I

Writer Christine Balaz - Prom Queen - Photo II

Kevin Quaderer - Stock Broker

Nancy Roth - Angel

Birthday Boy, Zac Robinson- 80's Climber - Photo I

Birthday Boy, Zac Robinson- Evel Knievel - Photo II

Halloween in Indian Creek - Part 1

When a couple of good friends invited me to the 2nd Annual Costume Party at Indian Creek last weekend I jumped at the chance to get out. I mean, what could be better? Beautiful desert scenery, splitter cracks and costumes. For sure my favorite holiday, Halloween is the time to leave our serious selves behind and continually try out new personalities, characters and re-invent yourself.
The weekend had a couple of rules.
1. You must have a different costume each day.
2. You must climb in your costume.

Here are a few shots of some of the trip's ropeguns.

Photographer Andrew Burr lays down the law on an unknown 5.10+

Writer Christine Balaz on her way to the prom via Tofu Crack 5.10

Laurel Flood climbing an unknown 5.10 to get to the entrance of some forgotten tomb

Elliott Barcikowski calling a timeout to re-chalk on Tofu Crack 5.10

P.S. Happy Birthday Zac