Sunday, March 6, 2011
Peak Experiences Comp - 3/5/11
We went up to Midlotian Virginia on Saturday for the first top rope competition of this season. Ben did very well, placing 2nd in Youth D boys. His top 5 scores were each 5.10's and 5.11's, which are very difficult routes. Here's some pics of him climbing, and my best description of what's happening in the picture ...
He's getting ready to do a cross-over move to that big yellow hold on the right
And he makes it - it was tricky because you have to dyno (jump over) to it, and your body swings, and if you don't control the swing then you'll flip right off the hold. Ben got it! He's been practicing these at the gym.
Ben has gotten so tall over the last year, he can reach a lot further now.
The climbing walls all have different angles, so you have to control your body over the angles.
The next few pictures follow this amazing route - it was the most difficult route he completed, and was a 5.11. Here he's starting to turn parallel to the ground to traverse the arch. We have a similar set-up at our gym, only it's 6 feet off the ground. Here, Ben's about 30 feet off the ground.
Following the route along the underside of the arch. Ben is anchoring his feet while moving his hands.
The most difficult move was from the last picture to this one - going from hanging under the arch, to reaching up and shifting your entire body weight over an up to start moving up the wall. Last year, there was a move like this in one of his season finals routes, and Ben couldn't make it. He's gotten so much stronger.
Now the hand and foot holds get really small and flat. It takes a lot of strenght and balance to move up the wall without much to hold onto. And, get over the big triangle!
Perfect execution over the triangle.
And he's up to the top! 70 feet off the ground. He looks back at the belayer to ensure he gets full credit for the route.
He's getting ready to do a cross-over move to that big yellow hold on the right
And he makes it - it was tricky because you have to dyno (jump over) to it, and your body swings, and if you don't control the swing then you'll flip right off the hold. Ben got it! He's been practicing these at the gym.
Ben has gotten so tall over the last year, he can reach a lot further now.
The climbing walls all have different angles, so you have to control your body over the angles.
The next few pictures follow this amazing route - it was the most difficult route he completed, and was a 5.11. Here he's starting to turn parallel to the ground to traverse the arch. We have a similar set-up at our gym, only it's 6 feet off the ground. Here, Ben's about 30 feet off the ground.
Following the route along the underside of the arch. Ben is anchoring his feet while moving his hands.
The most difficult move was from the last picture to this one - going from hanging under the arch, to reaching up and shifting your entire body weight over an up to start moving up the wall. Last year, there was a move like this in one of his season finals routes, and Ben couldn't make it. He's gotten so much stronger.
Now the hand and foot holds get really small and flat. It takes a lot of strenght and balance to move up the wall without much to hold onto. And, get over the big triangle!
Perfect execution over the triangle.
And he's up to the top! 70 feet off the ground. He looks back at the belayer to ensure he gets full credit for the route.Alek's pictures from the 5th grade tea
The famous LB and Alek (as in 'LB Bread')
Alek and Jack are in coats - who are the other two boys? 
Grant at the next table over from where Alek is sitting.
Table's eye view of the place setting
Jack in a tux.
LB
Either Alek's eye or Jacob's eye ... hard to tell
who is this Alek?
Jacob5th Grade Tea
The 5th grade tea is a longstanding tradition at our elementary school. Each spring the girls and boys learn about etiquette and then practice at the tea. All are asked to dress up. It was a fun day acting like proper children! The sandwiches and desserts were delish, and the even the tea was good! Of course, sugar cubes were a part of making the tea soooooo good!
Ben looking dapper
Ben having tea - the school cafeteria was transformed!
Jessica, Brian, Ben, Anna and what's his name - Nick?
Jessica and Ben waiting to be seated
Jacob, Nick, Cameron, Gabi, what's her name?, Alek
Alek looking very dapper
Ben's placesetting
Sandwich table
Dessert table
Alek's placesetting
Ben looking dapper
Ben having tea - the school cafeteria was transformed!
Jessica, Brian, Ben, Anna and what's his name - Nick?
Jessica and Ben waiting to be seated
Jacob, Nick, Cameron, Gabi, what's her name?, Alek
Alek looking very dapper
Ben's placesetting
Sandwich table
Dessert table
Alek's placesettingSunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Utah
Came home with 450 pictures from Zion and Bryce. Will try to limit it here!
The cousins on a hike to a waterfall in Bryce:
The cousins on a hike in Zion:
Alek and Ben at the tip of a trail at the highest elevation in Bryce:
The cousins on a trail at Bryce:
Horseback riding into Bryce Canyon (Alek is in the grey sweatshirt):
The cousins on a hike to a waterfall in Bryce:
The cousins on a hike in Zion:
Alek and Ben at the tip of a trail at the highest elevation in Bryce:
The cousins on a trail at Bryce:
Horseback riding into Bryce Canyon (Alek is in the grey sweatshirt):
Been a long time...
It's been a long time since I blogged ... I went back to work full time in on the first of June, and Gary traveled nearly every week over the summer, leaving me to shuttle the boys back and forth to camps while trying to focus on work. So, no blogging time.
But, we're settling into the new school year and work schedule, and I'm thinking I may have time to catch up a little soon. I have lots of pictures to post of our trip with the Carlsons to Disney, and with the Foxes & Smiths to the Nation Parks in Utah.
But, we're settling into the new school year and work schedule, and I'm thinking I may have time to catch up a little soon. I have lots of pictures to post of our trip with the Carlsons to Disney, and with the Foxes & Smiths to the Nation Parks in Utah.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
