The following is the quick numbers from each of stops along the way. We kept track of total number of unique routes/problems climbed (not including repeating the same warm-ups), number of difficult routes and total number of classics climbed.
 |
| Lincoln Woods in early January. |
Lincoln Woods, RI
1 - day climbing
Ben:
7 - problems
1 - V10 or harder
3 - classics
Krissy:
1 - problem
0 - V5 or harder
0 - classics
 |
| Horseshoe Canyon Ranch |
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas
3 - days climbing
Ben:
24 - problems
4 - V10+
8 - classics
Krissy:
10 - problems
1 - V5+
2 - classics
 |
| Krissy Sending New Religion V7 in Hueco Tanks |
Hueco Tanks, Texas
28 - days climbing
Ben:
131 - problems
13 - V10+
55 - classics
Krissy:
59 - problems
10 - V5+
25 - classics
 |
| Bishop, California in March 2012 |
Bishop, California
17 - days climbing
Ben:
69 - problems
16 - V10+
45 - classics
Krissy:
28 - problems
5 - V5+
11 - classics
 |
| Krissy sending Baldwin Bash V7 in Joe's Valley - April 2012 |
Joe's Valley, Utah
16 - days climbing
Ben:
102 - problems
11 - V10 +
66 - classics
Krissy:
69 - problems
10 - V5 +
34 - classics
 |
| Ben sending T-Rex 5.14b in Maple Canyon - May 2012 |
Maple Canyon, Utah
26 - days climbing
Ben:
42 - routes
13 - 5.13 +
26 - classics
Krissy:
27 - routes
17 - 5.11 + (one 5.13a)
14 - classics
 |
| Ben on Simply Read 5.13d - Rifle, Colorado |
Rifle, Colorado
15 - days climbing
Ben:
22 - routes
4 - 5.13 +
15 - classics
Krissy:
20 - routes
13 - 5.11 +
11 - classics
 |
| What the weather did not look like for most of our Squamish stay... |
Squamish, British Columbia
2 - days climbing
Ben:
7 - problems
2 - V10 +
3 - classics
Krissy:
4 - problems
0 - V5 +
2 - classics
 |
| Krissy on Jingus Americanus 5.12d - Acephale, Alberta |
Calgary, Alberta
14 - days climbing
Ben:
19 - routes
8 - 5.13 +
4 - classics
Krissy:
7 - routes
6 - 5.11 +
0 - classics
 |
| post trip depression staring on the last week of the trip... |
Rumney, New Hampshire
8 - days climbing
Ben:
8 - routes
3 - 5.13 +
4 - classics
Krissy:
4 - routes
4 - 5.11 +
2 - classics
All in all, we climbed our hardest routes ever and achieved our goals. Some of the highlights include Ben sending T-Rex, a 5.14 enduro roof in Maple Canyon (every single person there that day stopped to watch and cheer him on, it was quite an inspiring send). Ben also was pretty stoked to send Alma Blanca V13 in just a few tries in Hueco Tanks. Haroun and the Sea of Stories V12 in Bishop was also pretty exciting and stands out for sure as one of the best boulder problems ever. Thanks again Jason for the excellent spot (glad you didn't get hurt) and for Krissy who held the crash pad down during the 30 mph wind gusts on that send!
As for Krissy, Sprout was hands down the biggest accomplishment of the trip. Her first 5.13 (a) and by far the most dedication and hard work needed for the send. New Religion V7 and Wills of Fire V6 were two of her favourite boulder problems. One made you feel like a superhero, the other made you feel like peeing you pants it was so scary but topping them out definitely felt great.
The trip was such an amazing experience. We met so many great people, saw so many beautiful landscapes and cities, and most important, we enjoyed every single minute of it all (except dealing with the sub-tenants, but thankfully that's all over with). If we were to do anything different, the only thing we would change would be to buy a camper van. 8 months in a tent wasn't too too bad, and we miss it already, but seeing how others managed with a van made us wish we had one.
So now we are back in Halifax for one final term in school then on to a new stage of our life..real work. Ben will be searching for work as an Engineer and Krissy for work as an Occupational Therapist. Who knows where we will be in 4 months. Calgary? Salt Lake City? We've had a taste of what these places are like and are now excited to begin this new journey. Wow, 8 months flew by.
We will keep some long overdue posts coming. Take care! See you around!
-Ben and Krissy
Now, back to reality for a few months!
