Spidermonkey's Page (pkspidermonkey@gmail.com)

2009-08-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

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Vauxhall Space

2009-04-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

2009-01-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

2006-08-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

2006-07-11T04:21:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is well fed after Christmas! This was my first time away from my family, and it just doesn't feel the same - it's also my first christmas without having to sit in front of the air-conditioner :D London is cold , but has more moisture and so feels colder than America.

Here a couple of pics, from the ice skating rink installed at Hampton Court Palace, and from our dinner the other night.

Ice rink, Hampton Court Palace and the carousel(yellow light on right)

Closeup of the carousel

Podge and Ben singing for their supper

L-R: Me, Greg, Maree, Kathy, Ben, Liz, Kelly and Luke.

New York City

2005-12-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Coming from Pulaski, TN (population 2500-3000) to NYC (8 million) was not as shocking as I thought it would be. Manhattan has everything you could ask for - even climbing! I have managed to find a climbing guide to Central Park, and have had a full day bouldering there - if it stop snowing I might try to squeeze another day out of it. These are a few photos (the last to date) but no doubt I will put some more up before I leave in three days time.

Of course, being in Manhattan the rock is sparkly. Also very sharp!

Surreal - starting on Polish Traverse V5 on Rat Rock with lower Manhattan in the background

View of the ice-rink from the Cat Boulder

Looking westwards from the same spot.

Autumn colours are awesome!

The famous Christmas tree at the Rockerfeller Centre

Angel at the RC

St Patrick's Church on 8th Ave

Atlas at the RC

Awesome structure at Colombus Crt

Trump Tower International

Typical scene on the Corner of 8th Ave and 42nd St West,
looking eastwards towards Time Square

Pulaski, Tennessee

2005-12-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

What is one to do when you arrive in the only place in Tennessee that doesn't have rocks to climb?

Rob and Box-man (aka Bam)

Bam showing everyone why he's such a hit with the ladies...

Disco party in P-town

At Simmo's (Irish dudes) party

Naomi (Gnome), Bam, Rod and his friend

Rob the Irish

Gnome (from NZ) showing us her sexy side :D

Bam appreciating Tenessee's finest - Southpaw beer (terrible!- $6 for 12)

Ben Tilley the Englishman (never let up about the Ashes)

Moi and Joe Hackett (UK)

Kristin and Genki 'Murphy'

My sister can empathise with this girl - she wasn't told that she had loo-paper on her shoes for ages!

Joe (Scotland) putting on the moves.

Area 51, Joe's Valley, Utah

2005-12-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite bouldering spots - mainly because I climbed harder here than anywhere else on the trip. In one day I managed to do my first V5 and V6, yey!

Stretching on Warm Me up Scotty V1

Sequence on an easy (although a little high) problem

Chit - my first V5

The easiest way to get a dogs attention -with food :D

Snow!!

2005-12-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

That's right, my first time encounter with snow :D I have to say though that the novelty wore off very quickly - I am missing the sun and beach even more.

My first snow-angel...not bad!

Eating snow is great for hangovers :D

It's also exceptionally bright on the eyes.

Pics from one of the climbing gyms we visited in SLC

Salt Lake City, Utah

2005-11-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

After climbing for a week or so in Joe's Valley the weather turned decidedly pear-shaped, so it took little persuasion to pack as much as we could and 'fang it' up to Salt Lake City for Halloween. I had a clue that Halloween was going to be big, but I really had no idea. This was my first bouldering comp also, although it wasn't too competitive there were some people going Very Hard.

The SLC night life is pretty good, there are enough non-mormons to support a variety of booze-filled night clubs - and the owners love us Australians, because (as I put it to them so succinctly) we drink so much. He are a few of the photos from the two nights we went out.

Yup-we're drunk: Justin, Myself, Nick Larsen and Stevie

I love the look on Justin's face! Clueless!

Hammered...

Why did I take this photo?

Justin breaks Nick's irreplaceable end-of-year beer-stein...

But it's OK because we're drunk!!

I don't even remember taking this photo...

Or this one...

Joe's Valley, Utah

2005-11-20T15:13:00.000-08:00

So utah is one crazy place! Joe's Valley is located next to the tiny town of Orangville, and being in a state populated predominately by Mormon's has no cafes or pubs to speak of. At least it has some spectacular scenery :D (why can't I get rid of the underlining??)

Typically Utah- cold and beautiful!

Once again having problems with the timer on the camera...

Justin saying hello to his fans back home.

View of the campsite in Little Cottonwood Canyon (right next to Joe's Valley)

My first V4 at Riverside, Joe's Valley

Moonshot in the morning

Evenings at Little Cottonwood Canyon

Vegas Baby!

2005-11-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

Our view from the very lush MGM Grand Hotel.

Am I in New York??

Collection of shots as the 'Volcano' erupts at the Mirage Hotel. This occurs every half an hour during the night, and usually draws a strong crowd every time.

Two nights in Vegas makes you crazy!!

I would have taken more pictures but with Justin's arrival there was an inordinate quantity of alcohol consumed - needless to say that after 16 hours flight + 10 hours on the turps with me he wasn't a happy chappy the next day!

Druid Stones, Bishop CA

2005-11-18T11:18:00.000-08:00

View of the Druid Stones - sitting at about 5500-6000ft

Same again...

The town of Bishop...unbelievable, but I miss the place!

Continued...

2005-10-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Me on an unknown V3

Kretchon Classic V4, at the Serengeti boulder (Happy's)

I have to admit - wearing a $42000US Rolex feels goooood

Morning after the rain and snow

Veiw of the Happy's - check the guy in the middle of the photo for scale...

Yet another beautiful sunset at the Happy Boulders.

Fireside...

Closeup of a caterpillar at Owen's River Gorge

Miscellaneous + Climbing Photos at Bishop

2005-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Moonrise at the Buttermilks

Progressing upwards on Carrotop V4

Crux move on the same problem

Moonrise 2

Swinging at the Buttermilks

Smugness at the top of the boulder

Detached arm...

Clearing skies after a day of rain (and snow)

Shady in the cave

The ravens again...

Bishop!

2005-09-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Wow.

I arrived in Bishop about 6 days ago now, and it is a complete contrast to Squamish - but no less beautiful. No climbing photos as yet, but take a look at the scenery (the photos that are tinted are taken through my patented polarised sunglasses filter!)

View from my campsite at Horton's Creek, the altitude at the campsite is around 3500-4000ft, the mountain in the background is around 10000-12000

Vista from the bouldering area known as the Buttermilks.

View of the Happy Boulders

Evening view of the Happy's

My first Rattlesnake encounter...

Closer photos (yes I know it's a shaky photo). Lucky Iwas wearing brown underpants!

Pictograph on one of the boulders. Some of the boulders at the Buttermilks are protected so no-one can climb them. Unkown age, but obviously very old.

That's it for now!

A day at the Zoo

2005-09-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

This was a little depressing for me as it was hard to see all of these animals cooped up, especially the gorillas. The lead male was just sitting in front of the glass looking back at me with a look that I'm finding hard to put into words... looking at a primate that's so similar to us has definitely left a lasting impression. Alas, no photos though - out of respect I decided not to be just another tourist jamming his/her camera against the glass for a photo.

Me with some friends...

Gloden Tamarin Monkey

Two very big Grizzly Bears

The American Bald Eagle

Chilled out - The Orangutan

African Lion

Painted Wolf

Big thing with long legs...

Sleepy Hippos

Hello Seattle!

2005-09-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Finally made it to USA, and ended up taking in the sights of Seattle for 2 (or mybe 3)days. Very cool place...

Interior of the Seattle Library, very interesting building - each level spirals up into the next.

Close up taken in the Butterfly house in the Seattle Science Centre.

The Seattle Science Centre.

I try my hand at doing the weather...very embarassing!

The Space Needle- better to be looking at it than to pay $13 to look from the top

Steve looking incredibly dodgy as he gets into pirate mode.

View from the bow looking up the canal.

Looking across Lake Union.

Captain Blackbeard aka David Rodgers - Thanks for the ride!

Leaving Vancouver Island :(

2005-09-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Not much to say really, these are simply a few photos taken on the ferry ride between Vancouver Island and Vancouver city. Enjoy.

Curtis Tribute Post

2005-09-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Curtis is, in my opinion, Will Farrel's love child. This post is a way of saying thanks for showing us what a great place Victoria is, and thanks also for letting us crash for a couple of days at his place. Cheers Mate!

Curtis: "I am all MAN"

Curtis giveth...

And he also taketh!

Family resemblance to Captain Cook?

:D

Victoria -Vancouver Island

2005-09-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

This little corner of the world is quite frankly my favorite city I've been too so far, full of irish pubs, cafes, beautiful vistas and really friendly people. Steve and I went there to visit Curtis (who has appeared in another post) for the purpose of chilling out before we headed south. 4 days and a large hangover later, I left Victoria with the feeling that I would return again one day.

The beautiful Empress Hotel - check the colours of the walls.

Random shot of downtown Victoria

The boys- Steve myself and Curtis

Posing...

Street artist - nonplussed.

Start of our last night in Victoria...

More than a few drinks later!

Final little bit from Squamish...

2005-09-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

The great debate: Stephanie and Steve discussing the existence of ghosts...

Final afternoon: last view from the campsite.

Final morning on the way to the boulders. L-R: JP, Ben, Stephanie, Steve.

Rising From the Depths, V2 among the Grand Wall boulders. Starts very deep under the rock.

While Steve and steph discuss the merits of a ghostly existence, I find myself amused by jumping off things :D

Coffee is great!!!

Last post from Squamish

2005-09-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well boys and girls this will be my last post for a little while, Steve and I are heading to Vancouver Island for a couple of days and then begin our journey southward. I am at last feeling more like a climber than I have for the past couple of weeks, climbing every day has definitely made up for lost time :-D Here are a few more pics of the areas around Squamish.
take care,
John

Groovy rock carving-quite a surprise to finally see it, I must have walked past it a couple of times.

Typical morning on Endor - err I mean the campsite.

Undeniable proof that yes, I can cook.

The mighty green beast- still as yet unnamed.

A typical day on the inlet for Squamish Kite-boarders.

Average day on the walk out of the forest.

My first encounter with a squirrel. So cute you eat it!

Ascent of my first solid V3 in the forest - The Old and the Serious

Slabby top out on the same problem - note the slopey holds.

My day of awakening - ascending the classic V4 Mantis

Cheakamus Canyon

2005-08-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Cheakamus Canyon is probably the only area in Squamish that doesn't get wet when it rains, and for good reason - most of the climbs are overhung. So Steve and I jumped into the van and went out on what has probably been the best day of climbing I've had since I've been here. I was fresh from three days of rest, and itching to climb. Steve (being the quintessential boulderer he is) discovered a boulder that had some good lines on it.

L-R: Phil, Curtis (on climb), Jack (striking a Zoolander pose) and his girl Jenny.

Jack on his attemp on a 5.13b overhang...very impressive to watch!

Voila, I've worked out how to use the timer properly :D The moss here is very cool, strewn across the rocks like a blanket.

Macro closeup of the moss - pic is probably 2cm square.

Native inhabitant - the Banana Slug.

Closeup (yes, I know I should work for National Geographic)

Steve on one of the harder lines on the boulder.

Yours truly on an easier one.

Reverse angle of the same boulder.

Squamish, BC, Canada

2005-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Here are a few of the photos that I've taken in the past week, to view a larger version just click on the picture - to return to the page simply click the back button on your browser.
As you can see, some of the scenery is breathtaking and no doubt I will add heaps more photos in the coming weeks of this area. Take care, bye for now :0)

On the highway out of Vancouver...

The 'Chief', the massive rock on the outskirts of squamish

Better view of the chief - the trees on the top of it are actually 20-30 meters high
its kind of hard to appreciate the scale of it...

The view from the second (middle) peak across to the first (right hand peak in previous photo)

View of the logging port for squamish. Can you see the shadow of moi?

Raven in flight...

Me in the park with the Garibaldi(aka Diamond Head) Glacier in the background. I know I don't look happy, but I couldn't tell when the timer went off :D

Photo taken in the bouldering area known as 'The Magic Kingdom' , it's easy to see why...

Me on a no-named VO flake in the magic kingdom. Mum/Dad, note the crash mats in the bottom of frame!

2005-07-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

These are a few pics of Le Parkour, which is essentialy an urban sport that treats the city like an obstacle course. It derives from the french term parcours du combattant

Also somenaffy pics of buildering...