Day 320 First Snow
This weekend, we had our first big snow of the winter. For those in the northern hemi, I am very jealous of your warmer weather because it is full on winter here in New Zealand. We only got about 6-8 inches but it covered everything. The snow canceled climbing for a few days but we found some good winter sports to entertain us. We tied ropes to the back of this little work truck and pulled snow boarders and mattresses through the fields at Flock Hill Station. It was too much fun. We got a little footage of the experience so we should have a little short video of our winter games. Here we are four days later and snow still covers most everything. We were able to boulder yesterday despite the snow. Most the rocks were dry, but the ground was either wet/slick grass or snow/ice mix. Needless to say, I busted a good number of times. I seem to have trouble walking. As long as we do not get anymore snow, it should be nonstop bouldering until we leave…..the friction is great in this weather.
Eric left for Christchurch last night to pick up Miss Sophie. He is really excited to say the least. I’m pretty psyched too. It will be nice to have another friend around. Because it was a surprise for Sophie, I couldn’t let anyone know until now….Eric bought a sweet red van. It is really cool. Huge red van with a bed in the back and a licence plate cover that says “Women love me, Fish fear Me.” It is pretty rad to say the least.
New Zealand is still treating us great. We’ve met heaps of people and have really enjoyed the climbing. With less than a month left, we are excited about South Africa, but will definitely really miss it here. Hopefully we’ll get most our projects done before we leave….if not, I’ll just have to come back….
Now that Eric is back from Wanaka, we’ll get some pics online soon so you can see how amazing it is here.
By the way, apparently we got our days of travel extremely confused….we somehow left out a whole month….this is why the huge skip to 320. We’re on the right mark now. Two months until our 1 year anneversary.
Taker Easy,
-Matt
Hey Guys….Thinking of you both. I put up two new problems (next to each other) on the coast and had no choice but to call them; Women love me, and Fish fear Me. Takeiteasy Glen (Tasmania) When Africa??
Glen said this on July 28th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Eric, the new video is just beautiful ! All my love always, Mom
Claudius Klimt said this on July 26th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Oh, man! *So jung komma nimma zamme* is sooo cool! (Una masa!) And so sweet of you to have named it like that.
I miss you, mamacitas, and Sophie, I miss you, too, and the good times we had together.
Ai..ai..
Espero que sigan Bien, besos y abrazos,
Pinky
PS: For next time, we should get some *on-whisky-dancing* shots, yeah?
Flock Hillers said this on July 25th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Eric, the new video of NZ is just wonderful…..wish I had been there too…..AMLA, Mom
claudius said this on July 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I can’t explain how very much I miss both of your faces
I have some really amazing new music that I of course want to share… imagine that me sharing music?! I will e-mail some tunes to E tonight.
love & light and many bear hugs
p.s. i already told you this E but the video was incredibly done
I can’t wait for the day when you change people’s lives w/ your work like the my friends from Random 1
Gina Marie said this on July 23rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Hey!
I really enjoyed the video!!!
We’ll never be this young together again…
Well done. Talk soon.
Lovelove
ps. HELLO Matt/Alana/Vanessa/Ben/Anton/South Africa!
Sophie said this on July 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Howdy!
Last night I went to one of the most amazing shows…
I saw Amos Lee at Rams Head in Annapolis, which is one of the best venues to see chill live music in the area, his voice was unbelievable. You both would have loved it… powerful.
just wanted to share
Gina Marie said this on July 17th, 2008 at 11:18 am
So good to know you guys made it safe to SA!
We are all thinking of you here, wishing you good times and missing you lots!
Love and hugs from you family in Flock Hill,
Rousi, Hanna Montana, Rosa, Chloe, Vikki, Jason, Ben and the Hills
Flock Hillers said this on July 16th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Matt,
Good news brother! Had an ultrasound a few days ago and the baby is healthy and strong, developing perfectly. Also…I’m now outnumbered 3 to 1 in my own household–it’s another girl! Like I told Brandi, I’ll just have to raise another tomboy climber who knows how to do an armbar and rear naked choke.
Check out craghead.net when you get a chance; just got the video of God Given posted up…motivation for you if you ever need it, or get the itch to be reminded of getting an elbow smash to the face while spotting me on it.
Let me know how South Africa is going…I pray for safety and success often for you and Eric.
Take it easy,
the Gecko (a.k.a El Matador)
Josh Reyes said this on July 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hello Matt, I have been following your journey since you left Sqaumish last summer. I find all the thing you guys are doing pretty amazing and inspiring. This is Brandon by the way. You have shown me the light as far as climbing trips go. Right on
Take care.
Brandon said this on July 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hey Eric, Just started leading Trad a month ago. I’m impressed even more by how calm you guys were with me falling so much on the Grand Wall. Thanks for the intro to Multipitch.
Matt, looks like your beard is still in rare form. Kudos. I hope you both continue to enjoy your adventure.
Keep Crushing,
Mario de Baltimore
Mario said this on July 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Made it back to P-town!!
)
(still a pity I didn’t miss the return flight too eh? not funny yet? too soon?
Thank you both for an INCREDIBLE visit. I miss the flock hill station already (and more thanks to the amazing people there too!!)
…My only consolation is that summer has finally hit here and in just days you’re all moving on to some glorious times in South Africa.
Enjoy your travels, be safe, all my love.
sophie said this on June 26th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Oh, I’m so scared. There’s a Peck with an acorn and he’s waving it at me.
Love you Matt!
JB
John said this on June 21st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Soooo…..We’re gonna’ be in South Africa in about two weeks.
Anybody else excited…anyone…am I the only one?…AWESOME!!!
Life is good here in P town, and the Portlandians are doin’ fine.
Sun is shinen’, birds cheepin’, and the good times are rollin’. Hope you guys are having fun…wait…I know your havin’ fun. You guys Rock! See you soon.
B-Trap
Benjamin Trapanese said this on June 20th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Howdy!
nice page! Hope you enjoyed the wonderfull day when I left.(Did Roberto make it over the famous 2-finger-pocket?) Got my tooth fixed in Greymouth - it’s all good now.
cya Jonas
Jonas said this on June 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
can’t wait to see the vid of your snow sports… was just catching up on your travels (had to watch “way we live” again too). you guys are killing it with the vids and images. so inspiring and i can see you are having the time of your life too. love it
man i am going to miss my 3 pals in about a week and a half. you guys are lucky to have them with you and i’m gonna cry a few tears when they leave. but will be SO fun to see updates here that include them. wish i was going too… but for now i will spend my weekends at smith trying to learn to like climbing on a rope
’til next time…
-audrey
audrey said this on June 18th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
great to see you boys (and lady) are doing well. I’m in your girlfriends bed as I type this…take care…miss y’all.
-Brett
Brett Zefting said this on June 16th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Ballard -
Cole here. Want you to know you are now Uncle Deed! Jeremiah Oren Strong was born on Monday. He weighed 7lb 12oz and 20 in long. Wish you were here. Sounds like you are having an incredible time. We’ll send you pics soon. Give me a call when you get a chance. I won’t ignore it this time.
Love ya -
Cole
Cole Strong said this on June 14th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Will you guys let me know when Sophie arrives?
marylynn said this on June 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Bullard, Long time no see… You were missed at Jason’s wedding but we had a blast and drank a lot of beer… Hope all is well and stay warm because we sure are here in Alabama.
Stretch
Brad Smith said this on June 13th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Great post Matt!!! I hope people will get as much a kick out of the “snow rodeo” as we did! See ya manana buddy, Ciao Eric
eric klimt said this on June 12th, 2008 at 1:35 am
eric, I just met Brett for beers and “garbage plates” (ask him about the plates, a Rochester tradition). He filled me in on your travels. I’ve been pouring over the blogs and pics from your adventures. All look great. (good luck on the Chaco sponsorship). Hope all is well. I’ll keep with the blog and reply when I can.
Pull Hard!!
-Mikey Sear
Mike Sear said this on June 11th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
“to practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” -KV
Its amazing a year has almost passed, I remember the farewell dinner at Jen’s… music . good people . jambalaya . anticipation .
soooo proud and I wish you sending power, love, and much continued soul growin’!
Namaste . Namaste
g-money
Gina Marie said this on June 11th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Matt and Eric, soooooo wonderful to hear from you ! I can just imagine your snow play ! Hugs, Mike and MOM
mary m klimt said this on June 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am