Castle Hill Basin

After several days of spectacular conditions the weather took a turn for the worst... Kim-Lee, Steve, and I decided to head down to Wanaka for a few days. We did some light bouldering and even roped up a bit too! Another hour south and we pulled into the Jardines (a small boulder field situated just outside of Queenstown).
We got our fill of aggressive edges and felt it was time to head back to the 'Basin.' We couldn't have planned it better, for the weather in Castle Hill Basin was in top form. Several days of hiking up to Flock Hill and a few in Quantum and we were ready for some rest. We found a park with some interesting 'rides' and begun making preparations to siege Flock again... Upon waking up to several inches of the cold & white we are back in Christchurch holed up at the local climbers house. Sipping coffee and sitting in front of a warm fire sure beats watching ones breath freeze to the inside of a tent...

S. Island

After a brief stop in Rotorua (N. Island) to visit my parents* I continued down to Christchurch... an old friend from Montana picked me up and a few 'fish and chips' later I found myself driving into the Castle Hill Basin! The climbing has been excellent and is even better than I remembered. Although it has definetly been working me; I am getting more in tune with the subtle styles of the 'Hill.' A week later and I am back in Christchurch to resupply on provisions, but more importantly to pick up another friend who will be flying in from Korea. I should have some photos by next posting...

*now living in NZ!

New Zealand
Originally uploaded by travelingcat.

Well it turns out that I wasn't able to stay in Fiji as I had originaly thought, for do to the international date line I lost a FULL day in transit. Although, on the upside of all this; I got to travel in relative comfort... things sure have come around since last I went across the Pacific!

Originally uploaded by travelingcat.

I have been living the life of a vagabond for several years now... and as I am now a 'quarter century' I felt it was as good a time as any to go international for a while.
In a continuing search for new rock and wild adventures, this is my journey.

Bishop

devlin
Originally uploaded by travelingcat.

Fellow Hueco guide, Devlin, sticking the crux throw on 'Fly Boy.'

Santa Barbara Sandstone

coop
Originally uploaded by travelingcat.

In the hills of Santa Barbara; Cooper and I went in search of some boulders that were not affected by the heavy rains from previous months. Cooper did all the crux moves, but true to form neglected to top out!