Springtime in Little Bavaria

Cortney and I have made it out to Leavenworth the last two weekends, which has been wonderful... the weather has been perfect (minus some early-morning rain), and we have been climbing on lots of new rocks. We have been climbing with lots of good friends and it has been really nice to get away from the city and the stress of school.

The Man, The Mystery, The Magic: Max Hasson

The L-Town monkeys discovered some boulders on the river directly below Icicle Buttress, at an area called The Dock that has yielded four or five quality problems.

Jeff on Fish and ChipsJohnny on Cool WhipJeff on Starboard AreteIsaac on Ready Whip

We also spent a day at the Labyrinth area, climbing on some new problems from last season and trying a new problem or two; especially noteworthy is Joel Campbell's problem The Nine Iron, an obvious five-star line that climbs a steep overhang in a few really tough moves. The Nine Iron is up and right from the area with Becky's Problem, about a five minute walk uphill and towards town on the downhill side of a smallish-looking boulder.

Joel and Johnny on The Nine IronDrew Schick on a New Line Next to GirlfunkCortney and Drew on Ballet

In other news, Johnny recently did the first ascent of the Tornado Arete at the Carnival Boulders. This is one of Leavenworth's 'last great projects,' and is without a doubt one of the hardest climbs in the area. Nice job Johnny! Additional congrats go to Drew Schick for recently sending the Practitioner. Nice job Drew! It has already been a good spring season, and I look forward to the development the coming summer months will bring... Hope everyone has been getting out!

Cortney on Sunshine DaydreamCassie BearJeff on Filibuster - B.D. is Psyched