So, Triple Crown ended the other weekend with LRC. I had a pretty good day, and ended up in 4th place despite the rainy conditions. Overall, I took 7th, which is pretty good considering I had an absolutely atrocious Hound Ears comp. The Riverside has been seeing more traffic than ever before, and much needed opinions are being established. 2nd ascents are rolling in, and its always fun to hear peoples' feedback on problems. I have a very hard time grading First Ascents usually, as most of the time I use unique beta, so its great to have multiple people send a route, then tell me how hard it is. Just this past week, I put up the lower extension into the crimpy "Silversides" roof problem. Josh Edwards and I first started working this line, which has an obvious start on a low ledge, but could not fathom sticking "the move" from the low. We both worked the eliminate for a few days, and I was sucessfully able to send it, but felt completely dissatisfied with not having done it from the obvious lower start. After sending the eliminate, and figuring a grade of V9, I immediately began working the lower start. The extension adds one long move into the original start, and makes "the move," so much more difficult as every second of fresh skin counts. After a few more days of work, and coming very close to sticking "the move," I had confidence I would send after a rest day or two. Low and behold, all it took was one below-freezing day, and I was able to send the rig on my second try! Here's a video. Stay tuned for the topo release, and in the meantime, check out Southeastcraghunting.blogspot.com

Silversides Low (V10) F.A. from Andrew Minnick on Vimeo.

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of brushing, sending, and failing... a lot! Projects are being dispatched quicker than ever, and we now have Mt. Yonah developers Josh Edwards, and Sean Reed on the scene. Josh has an eye for some of the sickest lines i've seen, and lives only minutes away from The Riverside. I have a feeling in the next few months, many double-digit projects will be sent. I am able to catch my breath for now because there is rain in the forecast for the next two days, but as soon as that granite dries, its game on. Also, I'll be getting a break from school soon! Perhaps i'll be able to go exploring and look for more of Georgia's finest (yet to be found). Stay tuned for more updates, and get reared for a very detailed and well-documented topo which will be out soon-ish...

Here's a video of "Rivendell," one of the longer term projects that went down last week.

Rivendell (FA) from Andrew Minnick on Vimeo.

The Riverside

So myself and a select crew (usually only one or two brush monkeys) have been developing this amazing little spot in the Gwinnett area. The fun all started when I was approached by some kids at school saying they knew of some rocks, and that I was a climber. I followed them to this spot on the Chattahoochee River, and was shocked... I could not believe this sick little crag, hosting hundreds of boulder problems and even a few quality routes, was just minutes away from home. I was sure I would find signs of climber activity, but was continually faced with virgin stone and plenty of bushwhacking. Blocs of every shape, size, and style blew my mind hosting Fontainebleauesque slabs, crimpy blank overhung faces, and powerful dynamics. Lines have been going up like crazy, and it seems like we find a new boulder everyday. The range of difficulty is immense with easy 5.8 slab and crack top-ropes, up to V-sick boulder projects. A topo is in the works, but there is much work to be done! If you live in the Gwinnett area, this crag will soon be on your radar with rock quality shattering the standard of known granite in Georgia. Be prepared to screw your head on tight, as the beta will make you more confused than the SAT with a hangover... think Rocktown, HP40, and Boatrock all spawning one child crag. Here's a few videos to check out.

2 from The Riverside from Andrew Minnick on Vimeo.

3 Problems at The Riverside from Andrew Minnick on Vimeo.

Wow. It's been a minute since ive posted something. Been busy with classes, and training i guess. Just trying to stay outside as much as possible. The season is looking hot...err, cold? Psyche is high, and I think a lot of people are going to have a really strong year. I sent my first V10, called Gumption at Rocktown; it was the problem's 3rd ascent. I also did Brown Hole (V8), which involves this super gnarly reachy first move, setting you off for failure from the start. Triple Crown kicked off this past weekend at Hound Ears in Boone, North Carolina. I love this boulderfield, and loathe the fact that it is only open one day out of the year. I had business with this burly compression problem called Mr. Thick, and sent it finally after many heartbreaking failures on the desperate credit card crimp move. I highly reccomend this problem, and the competition(s) overall. Im already super psyched for the next comp at Horsepens 40.

Here's a video of Brown Hole.

http://vimeo.com/15089002

Boulder, Colorado. Oh my word. What have you done to me?
My two friends Remi and Alana took me to Boulder this month. It was my first time out west, aside from Vegas, and I'm surprised I came back... Living in Georgia for two years has been quite the experience. Take the night we got back for instance; one hour we're in the crisp and clean mountain air, and the next, we are in an underground MARTA station being haggled by a crackhead who had his 3 dollars eaten by the train ticket machine. Come back to me, West! As far as the climbing goes, need I say anything? I'm calling a massive westward movement. This is our Manifest Destiny...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRJd-yCx7KY

Western NC

My dad, dog Willow, and myself went climbing for a long week in western North Carolina. The first weekend, Pete Kovacevich joined us to do a 3 man send of The Mummy and The Daddy in one day. These famous climbs were both featured in Climbing Magazine's classic climbs, and are two of the most popular trad routes in the state. During the next week, we spent our time roaming cool and crisp mountainsides, hitting up every bouldering spot we so desired. Here's what we brought home!

Click link here:

http://vimeo.com/14350667