All the best in 2014! Wish you to balance it out just right …

Time to pack

It is time to pack now and head back to Australia. I had a wonderful time here in US and was lucky to visit some amazing places. However big big thanks goes to all the amazing people I have met and who made this trip so special.

Testing friction in Joshua Tree National Park

Testing friction in Joshua Tree National Park 

A brief visit to Lime Kiln Canyon

Our brief visit to Lime Kiln Canyon is a proof that even these days a single photo can still inspire. We changed our plans and visited this lime stone crag after seeing one of the photos from Jim Thornburg in his awesome "Stone Mountains" book.

The place has quite a potential and if you are tired of crack climbing and want to touch a limestone for a change it's definitely worth a visit. Above is Jen Nay at the crux of Mantis (5.12c).

More info about the area can be found here.


 

Photo of the Day - The non climbing stuff

It has been a lot about climbing recently - at least on this blog. Feels like it needs a bit of the "other stuff" ;-). Here is an (unfortunately) unknown street master showing me the California style. It is nice to see people doing what they love !!! Especially so early in the morning!

Welcome to Indian Creek - perfect rock climbing weather

The weather got crazy last night. What a nice welcome to Indian Creek. Thanks!

Photo of the Day - Moonlight self-portrait

Playing with remote trigger and flashes ...

Photo of the Day - Thin line

Sometimes it is a very thin line between bouldering and freesoloing ...

Photo of the Day - Campfire Vibe

It often feels to me like there is some kind of magic going around these camp fires :-)

Photo of the Day - Basejumping in Verdon

Thanks to the amazing BlackSheep cafe in Bishop I had finally time to catch up with the internet ;-). A few older shots from the trip to Verdon last month.

It was not even five minutes since our arrival when I noticed these two super friendly guys packing their stuff. Another five minutes and I was staying at this exit point called Vent des errances.

Not being used to watching base jumpers I suddenly understood why rock climbing may seem dangerous to non-climbers. Awesome stuff Jean-Louis and Gui. Thanks for the show and such a nice welcome to the amazing Verdon Gorge!

Photo of the day - Ironman

Ironman the three start classic at Buttermilks in Bishop. Everybody (feel free to correct me) seems to like this line.

Photo of the Day - Early morning at Buttermilk

I arrived to Bishop, the famous bouldering area in California, late last night. Was not quite sure what to expect and could not wait to wake up this morning. Thanks to the jetlag it was not that hard to be up early and here is one of the shots from my morning walk. I must say the Buttermilk area is a beautiful place and what's better the climbing here is even MORE amazing ;-) Some action shots will follow soon ...     

Early morning at Bishop

Photo of the Day - On the Move

I am sitting on a train to Prague. The next destination is US and I should be planning the next two months right now. Instead I am thinking about the last month I spent with my family and friends. It has been such a wonderful experience to see so many great and inspiring people again.

I am feeling extremely lucky to still have such strong bonds over here. It is almost like the time I have been living on the other side of the world has not changed much. I do not take this for granted and big big thanks goes to all of you who made this visit so good :-).

Add caption

Slackliner Manuel Kreissig in action in Verdon

I met Manuel in Verdon a few weeks back. Pretty much by accident while breaking some slacklining rules ;-). Despite this awkward moment it was very kind of him to let me catch this little sequence. Pretty impressive stuff Manuel ... Thanks!

Slackliner Manuel Kreissig in action

Slackliner Manuel Kreissig in action

Slackliner Manuel Kreissig in action

Dachstein

A few awesome days surrounded by the Dachstein massif but most importantly with the MAN to whom I owe a great deal for being here ;-). It was nice to see my father's love for nature in action again. I wish I'd be in his shape when I turn 60 ;-)

Hallstatt

On the way up from Hallstatt to Simonyhutte

Looking back toward Gossau on the way to Adamekhutte

Gossau lake

The MAN in action :-)

A rest before the final push to Adamek Hutte

   

Family time ... Finally!

Had an awesome time with my sister and Miska, my beautiful niece. It has been such a relaxing week. It would have been much harder to pack my stuff and leave if the next destination was not the "Gorges du Verdon" ;-). Thanks Janca, Jan and the little wondergirl Miska for such a great week.

Photo of the Day - L'homme Obu

Sunny on L'homme Obu, the beautiful Fred Nicole's addition to Sydney bouldering

Photo of the Day - Lights Off

Ever wondered what is going on in your gym when the lights go off?

Pic of the Day - Drawing with Light

I have never been good at drawing. Fortunately, there are ways to cheat these days ... 

Photo of the Day - Climber's ideal sunset

Seems to me like most climbers have this weird habit of turning their back to sunsets ;-)

Photo of the Day - Trip to Oz

Thinking about climbing trip to Australia? Belayers watch out :-)

La Sportiva Lead Nationals

 A few shots from the Open A finals - La Sportiva Lead Nationals 2013. What a show guys ... Thanks !!!

Great report from the Lead Nationals by Matt Adams has been published the Vertical Life's blog.

Check out the full photo gallery here.

Photo of the Day - Observation

This is what happens when you get climbers out of isolation (La Sportiva Lead climbing nationals 2013)

Photo of the Day - Point Perpendicular

Love it when photos like this magically appear in my archive. Two years back at Point Perpendicular

Photo of the Day - Sublime Point

Photo of the Day - The Brute From The Balkans

Sunny on The Brute From The Balkans at Bowens Creek in Blue Mountains

Photo of the Day - People

No matter how beautiful the places around me are ... it's always the people who make them special Thanks people :-)

Photo of the Day - Space

For those who have seen my previous post. This is the action I was waiting for ...