Andre and His Big Cats

A couple of weeks ago Mike and I escaped the clutches of Clanwilliam and ventured out to the farm land  surrounding.  There we met Andre, owner and operator of a game preserve. Andre raises game such as Springbok and Orax for people to come and hunt with only bow and arrow for sport.  In addition,  Andre has raised money to save the lives of 5 lions and 2 cheetahs who escaped the less sporting "cannned" hunts here in Africa for fat, rich and boring men.  Andre has created a sanctuary for these big cats to live out the rest of their days in bliss and under his protection.  Mike and I had such an awesome time that we decided to go back with more friends, look for boulders and Brie. The two experiences were unforgettable!

On another note I recently have received news that a dear friend, colleague, and mentor will be moving on to bigger and better things.  Kris Williams will be leaving Sacramento New Technology High School, in order to work for the New Technology Foundation.  Since the birth of the school Kris has been the heart of our efforts, he epitomizes what it means to be a teacher. We are lucky as a society to now have Kris where he belongs, at the foreground of an important educational movement, leading the way!

Update from Rocklands

After a little rain delay we have decided to take a break from the music video and get back to climbing.  Lyn, Paul and Cam have arrived and brought fresh perspective to the domino games and cold evenings.  

The first day post rain we hauled ourselves up the Fortress, a V13 compacted area.  Since I have done all the 13's up there ;), I showed Wick and Justin the beta on the aesthetic Vice problem and they set to work piecing it together. Since I did not climb, the next day Kevin, Wick and I toured around the Plateau with Lyn, Paul and Cam.  There I did Bullet-Proof and Running Out Of... both fun climbs on really good rock.  Yesterday, the hard men of our crew with their tick list from the movie PURE wanted to check out the Amphitheater, an awesome looking line that neither the movie, nor my photos could do justice. It is beautiful! 

We spent the afternoon at Roadside where I have found this awesome 30 foot jug haul.  It was the perfect thing for me to do multiple times on an active recovery day.  Tomorrow I am heading back to the Sassie Boulders for Petite Hueco and Springbok to hopefully put them to bed.  However, this morning I woke to a story from our friend Walker who was at the Sassies and had a close encounter with a Cobra. As a snake lover...NOT...I am really excited! 

Filling Time

Today marks our third rest day due to rain, and I can honestly say that I am glad to have awesome friends on this trip.  It would be so easy for a group to step on each others toes in such close quarters, even more so when you factor in the anticipation of climbing.   We have had cookie and chocolate taste tests.  We have watched and debriefed the HBO show DEADWOOD. We have produced MTV Cribs episodes and Music Videos.  But more importantly we have dedicated our trip to use of Garlic as the main ingredient to all meals!! We have filled time well!

Mike and Pete's Mac & Garlic Pre-Send Meal:

Dice 20 Heads of Garlic (trust me it is not too much)

Dice 1 Onion

Sauté in Skillet with Liberal amounts of Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper

Then Steam until softened.

Boil water and add enough pasta (pasta should have the ability to capture garlic and cheese)

Grate enough cheddar cheese. 

Once Pasta is done toss together and stir.

Bon Apetit! 

Projects Galore

Yesterday, Justin, Mike, Kevin, and myself made it to the Sassie Boulders.  Although the day was a bit warm, climbs were sent and projects found.  

For me I discovered a roof problem called Petite Hueco.  I have done all the moves in three different sections. With a fresh effort I hope it will go down rather quickly.  Both Justin and Wick made ascents of thy beautiful problem Pinotage.

We have one more guaranteed climbing day before it starts raining,  so we are planning on setting to work on our music video project...stay tuned!

Ups and a Down

So far this trip has been made up of fantastic Ups and one really horrible Down.  Most of you already know that Becky has hurt her knee pretty badly. Thank goodness for her positive and "trooper" demeanor, for it has kept us all going.  

Wick in particular has been absolutely crushing the sandstone blocs with sends of Oral Office, Hole-in-One and Sunset Arete.  Justin has been sick, but learning moves on Barracuda, and Black Mango Chutney,  being 100% he will have awesome day at the Eight-Day Rain sector. 

We celebrated the 4th of July with some South African beer and some Dominoes. We have been Brieing(bbqing) quite a bit and Justin found an awesome butcher shop.  

For those of you on your way, the weather seems to be getting better and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking!  

Arrival!

So for the past three years it has been my goal to climb out of the country. On Wednesday that goal was met in Rocklands, South Africa!  We made it after starting in California at 3:30am, with a small stop over in London for some fish and chips and few pints, then an overnight haul on South African Air, we arrived in Cape Town 50 hours later. WOOT WOOT!

South Africa is more than I expected the people are really friendly, house is perfect and the rock quality is bar-none.  Every time I look out the back door I feel in awe of this place.  To be in this beautiful place  with such awesome friends is a dream come true.