Tomorrow I get on a plane to Boulder for the ABS nationals… uhg. I’ve been wondering lately: why do I still do these things? Well, because I effin love climbing! Yeah, even gym climbing. To me, it’s still fun- Monkeying around in the gym. Hopefully they set some all-points off dynos at the comp this weekend. Plus, if everyone who is actually strong really fucks up, I might have a chance! Wish me luck (I’m gonna need it!)
Lemme tell you about a few things that have happened in the oh-so small world of Ethan… for one, I’m proud to announce that Touchstone Climbing Inc. and I have made a sponsorship agreement! Touchstone, and more specifically Mission Cliffs (the original T-stone gym in the bay area) was probably the single most heplful entity (besides of course my parents:) of my successes with climbing. I was first introduced to climbing the first time I stepped through those front doors of MC when I was 8 years old. It was pretty much my second home during the school year when I was growing up, and I can confidently say that that I wouldn’t be the climber I am today if it weren’t for the close proximity of the gym to my house (4 blocks). The Touchstone gyms in the bay area, and the walls of these gyms molded my climbing into what it is now. Through these gym I have become a part of a great community, a community through which I have made many meaningful friendships with great individuals. So… RECOGNIZE!
I will be hosting a couple clinics geared toward advanced (5.11ish and up) lead climbers who want to learn to climb more relaxed and efficiently, without the fear of falling! The dates have not been solidified quite yet, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be the 7th and 14th of March. I have also talked to Lynn, the manager of the Great Western Power Company, the gym in Oakland, about doing a slid show/party there sometime in March before I take off for NZ. Stay tuned for more info on those events!
Also, I forgot to mention that I’m in the 2009 sigma “our world” calander!!! When I was in Colorado, I met and stay with a great guy and photog, Nathan Welton and his lovely wife Alicia. They were so generous to let me stay with them in their beautiful home in Estes Park. I climbed with nathan and a few others around estes for a couple days, mostly getting shut down on various potential projects around there because of conditions, overhyped pieces of choss (JK!) and just pure getting spanked on hard shit! Nathan was on assingment for the famous camera lense company Sigma, so we was getting some amazing shots during that little trip. One day we went out to the Anaconda, a 13c ish crack up on lumpy ridge that I had no business being on (because I have no crack technique) and I thrashed and dangled my way up it nermous times. I didn’t end up sending, or really even getting that close (someone later told me Tommy sent it in a day!) but Nathan definitely sent some killer shots to sigma and they ended up using one in their calendar! If you are thinking about getting married in the Carribean anytime soon, Nathan is your man! And if you live on the front range in colorado and you want golf lessons, or want to try hypnotherapy, hit up Alicia! Great people.
Sorry about the lack of reporting on climbing in this post, or surfing. I’ve been scared to paddle for fear of re-tweaking my shoulders., but my friend Rob is on the north shore right now, sending me messages about the mega surf that’s been hitting there, tortureing me… I’ve just been plastic pulling for the past two weeks since bishop. I’m so psyched to go back! I’ve also been getting very psyched on finally going bouldering and roped climbing in the southern hemisphere this spring/summer. Castle Hill, sport climbing in the Darrens, Bouldering and trading in the Grampians, Sports climbing in Austria and France, and bouldering in Rocklands, South Africa!!! I’m so lucky!!! Here’s a little vid to get everyone psyched:
Welp, it’s about my bedtime… I’l let y’all know how the comp goes. Check out all the new links I added to the home page including So Ill holds, and a bunch more blogs. Also, check out TV on the Radio’s newest album, “Dear Science”. It rocks!!! Hopefully I’ll be re-vamping the site soon, giving it a new look and feel and adding a few widgets. It’s on the todo list!