rootlessdreams

…again to our friend Mark.  He actually just drove away.  Just to refresh the readers, he is the guy from Australia who showed up in Squamish a week or two before we left.  He’s been in the Valley climbing and I managed to talk him into coming to Bishop for a couple days.  We had a great time seeing him again.  He’s a total trip….brings life to any party.  For example:  Last night we (me, Eric, Matt, Isa, Sophie, and Mark) went to the Hot Springs outside of Mammoth.  We all had shorts or bathing suits to put on.  We also brought all the essentials for the hot tub:  a towel, headlamp, change of cloths, jacket, and wine.  He brought none of these things.  Jumped in the tub only wearing tightywhitey’s (they were actually blue) and walked back to the car with a blanket rapped around him.  It was such a good time.  He also hosted movie night.  He basically cleared out his van  so all 6 of us could cram in.  With sweaty hands, we all watched KingLines and got psyched about climbing.  Mark is not really into bouldering but we managed to get him on a few problems.  He got pretty psyched on Iron Man.  He didn’t send but now he’ll have a reason to come back to Bishop.Mark, I hope you have fun in Vegas and all your other stops!!  Cant wait to see ya in Australia!Sophie, my new and Eric’s old friend, hung out with us for a few days.  This must have been the week of Trad climbers trying to boulder b/c like Mark, Sophie is mainly a Trad Climber.  We got her on some good lines and I think she may even buy a crash pad when she gets home.  She was so much fun.  The Mark/Sophie combo made for an eventful weekend full of laughs.  I’m really glad she got to come.Besides the visitors to our amazing camp in the Buttermilks (which btw, is stocked with a cold creek/refrigerator, Central Heating and Air/wind/firepit, and multiple beds/crashpads), things are still the same….just climbing a lot.  We had a great session yesterday.  Eric and Matt got really close on this nice problem called Little Forgotten.  It’s pretty hard and has a really painful kneebar.  At one point, Eric (in shorts) had taped his knee/thigh hoping it would protect his knee a little better….He almost sent the problem that go, only to have fallen on the easy part.  His knee still got pretty cut up and then he had to take off the tape…..all I’m gonna say is that a lot of hair came off….Tomorrow I am going to try my current epic project.  It really shouldn’t be a project but for some reason I can’t do the last move.  I’ve fallen off this thing sooo many times.  I dont even think that is the actual crux….it apparently is for me though.  The problem is called FlyBoy, and I’ve definitely flown off the top many times.  It’s a cool move to the lip.  Your feet cut and the longer you hold on the more horizontal you swing…this is the point where I go Flying!!  Hopefully Halloween will give me some luck on the top:).Tonight, I think we are going to carve some pumpkins to get into the Halloween Spirit.  There is also some talk of doing a night session with headlamps and Jack-o-lanterns on Halloween.  That might be just what we need to send our projects.Time is closing in quickly for Bishop.  We only have around 3 more weeks left!!!  Looks like we’re gonna have to come back here as well.  I guess we’re just gonna have to repeat our entire trip when we get back…..so many climbs….so little time….For all those who have never been here before….it is a must.  One of my favorite places I’ve climbed.We are getting really excited about Hueco.  After solidifying the dates, we are actually looking forward to it.  It’s about the only plus to leaving Bishop. We are also going to get the pleasure of seeing Stuart and hopefully a few others while we are in Hueco.  We can’t wait for the fury.Happy Halloween to all!!  Check out the pics in the Bishop Days….there should be some new ones.  More posts to come.  Taker’ Easy,-Matt