Memorable Photo over the last couple of years.

Proper Soul. Dan Brayak

Rasputin. Mark Large

Proper Soul. Taylor Stroymeyer

Rock Town. Mark Large

Man Show. Mark Large

Omaha Beach. Mark Large

Omaha Beach. Mark Large

Omaha Beach. Mark Large

The Whole Shot. ?

Solar Collector. Mark Large

OBED, North Clear Creek

Rasputin D. Scalliwag 5.13

and

Sadam Hussein 5.11

Images: Mark A. Large

Proper Soul Video!!

Check it out at DeadPoint Magazine.

Before and After pics

Proper Soul 5.14a(R/x)

Friday I sacked up and lead Proper Soul clean on tradition gear. It was by far the hardest traditional climb I have ever attempted. Before this, 5.12a was my hardest traditional lead. A week ago I had rapped down Proper Soul and dialed in all the gear placements. However, this was the first time i had placed any of them on lead. I placed two number one Camalots in the first 25 feet. From here things start getting a little more sporty. The run out to the next gear placement is about 20 feet up and 10 feet to the left with the difficulty increasing with every move. The placement is from a flaring hand jam undercling that one can easily slip out of with no warning. I squeezed and focused all my energy into that hand jam. If i blew it i was well aware that my belayer would have a hard time keeping of the deck. After setting the #1 camalot i slapped my way into the crux dihedral where i placed a sketchy C3 and a HB brass nut to protect the finial hard moves exiting the dihedral. The next half of the climb i placed three trucker camalots; a .3bd, a 0 C3, and a .5bd to protect the finial crux.

The NEW

Two weeks ago I sent Proper Soul 5.14a at the Cirque at Endless wall(sendless no more). I had probably put ten days of effort into the climb and was psyched to finally send the rig. I had been working the climb with the legend himself Porter Jarrard. It was special to work Proper Soul with Porter because had a hand in bolting it back in the 90's. The day i sent Porter and I had identical first burns on Proper Soul. Both of us fell on the move leaving the dihedral. Porter had to head to work, but local Chris Helm and i stuck around. Chris gave me a great motivational/safety talk and then belayed me as i fought and pushed through the mid day heat and humidity on my way to the anchors. Thanks Chris!

Photo Credit: Taylor Strohmeyer.

With funds getting tighter, i picked up a job serving tables at Porter Jarrard's new restaurant the Vandalin. I have never served tables or even worked in a restaurant and i am excited for the opportunity and experience. If you stop through Fayetteville, I highly recommend the restaurant. The dinner entrees that come out of that kitchen are 5 star pieces of art that taste as great as they look. Check it out.

With the heat reaching the mid 90's and the humidity soaring i had to take a break from Proper Soul. I went out to the Upper Meadows to try this gear line called Black Crack 5.12c. Hear are some pics of my failed onsite attempt. Photo Credit: Kelly Andrews