Its Too Hot / Arkansas

We returned from Massachusetts post Thanks Giving and headed to the legendary Horsepens 40, home of Americas slopiest bouldering. Unfortunately for us the temperatures were HOT, mid 70's in fact. Much too hot for bouldering, and after one (still enjoyable day) of skin thrashing up sweaty rock, and with no prospect of cooler temperatures anytime in the near future, we decided to head to Arkansas.

Nine hours drive later we were in Arkansas pulling in to the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch . We arrived in the dark and parked the Whale not really knowing our surroundings, here is the view that greeted us in the morning.

Whale on the ranch

The Ranch was a pretty cool place to hang out with a pavillion for campers containing a grill, fridge and power. The bouldering whilst spread out was excellent in quality forming some very pure lines.

Kevin on the Crescent

West on the four star Jeffs Prow V9

One of the areas purest lines Momento V5

Cowell is another area about 20 minutes drive form the Ranch, and home to the famous Freds Cave. Set in woods 5 miles down gravel roads, with free camping just minutes walk from the boulders its a great place. It was here that we met Kevin and West (pictured) 2 climbers from boulder, who we wound up hanging out with for most of our 2 weeks in Arkansas. I had a great time climbing with these two, we seemed to always be able to inspire each other to an ascent. Of the problems we tried together we either all climbed them or all failed on them. Our last day we had a plan to try a problem called Ab Lounge followed by a problem called Off The Rails, both V10. We were all successful on Ab Lounge, West showing the way with Kevin soon after and eventually me after a good rest. A good start! Off The Rails was the problem we really wanted to do, however we only had vague directions as to where it was. Kim and I carried on climbing while Kevin and West went scouting, they returned successful but only after more than an hour of hiking around.

The problem really lived up to expectations, one of the best power endurance lines I've ever done, consisting of a series of slopey rails, leading to crimps and finally a slopey mantel.

I figured the beta out and did it 1st go on the link, its more than a few moves, and my fingers were pretty numb as I pulled through on the crimps, one of those moments when determination gets you through. West had a really good flash go using my beta but numbed out on the crimps, Kevin then did it with a bit of working, followed closely by West. A great end to our last day in Arkansas.

Here is a (low quality) video of my ascent.

New York

Whilst visiting Kims parent in Massachusetts, they took us to New York for a two days. Here are a couple of cool photos Kim took from the top of the Rockefeller building.

New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

So to try and bring us up to date.

We were in Alabama when a bruised rib (sustained from strangely manteling over a sharp hold) forced me to take a break from climbing. We had a week to go before we flew out of Atlanta to visit Kims parents in Massachusetts, so we decided to head down to New Orleans for a couple of days and then head out to the Gulf Coast for some lazing on the beach.

New Orleans

We got a great little hotel in the French Quarter, just 2 blocks from the madness of Bourbon Street, but still quiet. A happy couple of days were spent wandering around checking out stores, street performers, and old world architecture. The nights were spent combining those famous New Orleans staples of Food, Booze, and Jazz, the best being a great dinner at a place called Irene's Cuisine ( great review here http://adventuresinshaw.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/i-can-now-die-happyor-why-i-love-irenes-cuisine/ )

Irene's

This was followed by cocktails and jazz at Fritzels European Jazz Club on Bourbon Street http://www.fritzelsjazz.net/live/

Uncle Barry

The Fritzels All Stars

I really recommend Fritzels, there's no cover, a good atmosphere, great music, and the cocktails come by the pint!

The Gulf Coast 

After the excitement of New Orleans we headed up the coast for some chilling on the beach.

First up was Dauphine Island.

We spent 2 nights here, the campsite was 5 minutes walk from the beach and part of a sanctuary for migrating birds. From the beach we saw a pod of dolphins, maybe a hundred yards out, and in a small lake in the sanctuary several turtles.

The view from the campsite beach

Its a turtle!

We left Dauphine Island via a ferry ride to Fort Morgan (shown in map above), it was a beautiful day and we were lucky enough to see (presumably) the same pod of dolphins, sometimes as close as 15' from the side of the ferry.

The next destination was Fort Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, again camping a mere 5 minutes from the beach.

Fort Pickens beach

 Another barrier island, again amazingly beautiful, miles of white sand beaches and wildlife. The highlights were seeing a Nine Banded Armadillo really close as it came through our campsite, and watching Rays feeding in the surf just a 2 feet away. ( see photo below )

Rays feeding in the surf at Opal Beach

We spent 3 days and nights here before heading for the airport in Atlanta.