rootlessdreams

…..apparently attract Possums.  Yes, there was another midnight foot biting crisis.  I actually watched the whole thing go down.  It was amazing!!  Let me back up for just a second so you can have the background understanding……We got to Mt. Arapiles last Thursday.  It was unbelievably hot, and that doesn’t even do it justice.  You had to force your self just to talk, but whatever came out of your mouth was probably the dumbest thing ever said because the heat totally stupified you.  The heat made for great times chasing shade, climbing terribly, and drinking hot water that never quinched our thirst.  Even the breeze felt like a blow dryer in your face.  Luckily for us, we were so excited about being in Australia our spirits were far from dampened.  The night was the best…no sun, psuedo cool breeze, kangaroo’s hopping by, and sleeping under the stars.  The night also brought the dirtly little scavengers that steel your food or just rip open the package of my pita bread so it would all go stale the next morning….I’m not bitter.  Well, this one particular night, Carl, Eric, and myself were sleeping outside and I heard the possums coming.  I turned on my headlamp to keep and eye on it.  First, it went to Eric.  His deep breathing must have scared it because he didn’t investigate him much.  Being a rather hot evening, Carl’s feet were not in his sleeping bag and the possum went straight for them.  I would have woken Carl up but I thought it was only going to smell his feet….two seconds later Carl is waking the entire camp up with screams and the possum is no where to be found.   I guess Eric is next in line to have his feet nibbled on.

The weather has become perfect and the climbing is also going better.  We’ve done tons of classic lines and a bunch of boulder problems.  Eric and Carl are really tearing it up.  Mt. Arapiles is definitely a place any climber could fall in love with.  It is so beautiful here and camping scene is great too.  We’ve met loads of amazing people.  We’ve managed to get in good with the “local legend” Kirilee and her friend Andrew.  We also randomly ran into Craig, Silvia, and their cute little daugher….we met them in Squamish!!  Small world….speaking of small world, Liz and Carl ran into a couple they just worked with in Antartica….who happened to have worked with this other couple, we just met from Utah, years ago.  Basically a huge reunion of traveler/workers.  anyways, there is also this group from New Zealand.  They are awesome, and they have a guitar….good people, box wine, and good music always makes for good times in The Pines. 

Hopefully we’ll get some more pics and video up soon.  Internet is a little hard to come by and a little dodgy, but we’ll do our best.  Our friend Mark is coming up tonight so it looks like our last weekend at the Arapiles should be brilliant!  We’re heading out on Monday and flying into Tasmania on Tuesday!  More updates to come.  Taker Easy

-Matt