Photo Of SMS Remarks fest

Me , Shelley, Jean on Saturday Morning Special 

This photo is by Mark Watson of Highlux photography
www.highlux.co.nz/blog
Thanks Heaps mark for a great memory preserved and your generosity in letting me use it.

Mark was one of the official photographers at the Remarkables mixed and Ice festival I mentioned a few posts ago
Pretty pleased to have a pic of my hardest lead yet..Not so pleased to see I crossed the ropes ( I blame nerves)

More winter climbing

Well more winter climbing as the season comes to an end, including the elusive (for me) Friday's fool
The start is still too hard for me to lead.. but one of my one day goals. (Thank God Paul had the Kahuna's)

Keith, Millsy, Me 

Thanks Millsy, Keith , Paul for good times, support, and top ropes on the hard stuff. X X X

Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival

This weekend there was a climbing Festival in Queenstown.
http://www.iceandmixedfestival.co.nz/

It had a great Vibe with everyone from Gerusa putting crampon's on for the first time ever, Some pro Guides, Top end climbers, and lots of amateurs, all hanging out enjoying a few beautiful sunny windless days in the Remarkables, Queenstown.

Lots of social time too to catch up with old friends and climbers from far and wide. I also got to climb with 3 people I'd never climbed with before and get to know them a whole lot better.

My Team on Saturday Morning- Jean, Me and Shelley

Wine

Recently Philip shared a bottle of Felton road Pinot 2007 Calvert with us and it was my favorite so far Narrowly pipping the Georgetown 2007 Pinot. Rich Spiced Yummy!

Mike's Blog

http://mikesbigbreak.tumblr.com
Check this out.
A friend of ours Mike had an accident on His skateboard and Broke his spine at T12 causing Paralysis from his belly button down.
He is a great writer and has been Doing a blog. Some Big challenges for Mike and his family, But they are Funny, smart,  motivated people so I'm sure in the long run they'll overcome them

Ice climbing stuff I love

Petzl Quark Ice Tools- Disclaimer: I work for the importer

The New Quarks are awesome:
Light weight- so you don't get drag on the swing.
Hooks for leashless- Never get pumped again! Never hit your Knuckles.
All mountain- Can be stripped down, along with the lightweight this is a one tool does it all tool.

Earth Sea sky Stretch Fleece leggings


Cosy and cuddly with out ever getting sweaty. I have other thermal layers but wear these everytime. Also great for winter running and biking


The natural confectionary company Forbidden fruit


Yummy and don't go hard in the cold. A pocket full of these will keep you going on the walk out.

Primal Scream, West face, Remarkables

Lovely Tony B came to visit and we climbed a route  with Michal. Not much ice at the moment and it was hard with rock slabs under snow.

Photo by michalkarnik.com

Me on Pitch 1

Photo by michalkarnik.com

Pitch 3 This overhung chock was the crux, nothing but slab on top, feet smeared on face. Tony let out a primal scream on the lead.

The "easy" gully finish wasn't that easy

Thanks to Michal for the great photo's.  It is a lot of gear to carry.