girls in the desert

Rox, Margot & Me at the belay on Physical Graffiti

Rox on the hike to Ginger Cracks

are we there yet?

nice bouldering weather

Margot

Rox

Roxanna, Margot & I just got back from the Red Rock Rendezvous in Vegas. After the 4 hour drive we loaded up on food at Trader Joe's, stopped at the local climbing shop, and checked into the Bonnie Springs Motel. Rox had a route picked out for us (she did write one of the guide books to Red Rocks ;-) So we drove out to Calico Basin to climb Physical Graffiti (Margot's first multi pitch climb!) it was a blast - the perfect climb for Margot & she cruised it! We hiked out in the dark with huge smiles on our faces - we knew we were in for a fabulous couple of days playing in this Sandstone wonderland!

Margot had a bouldering clinic on Saturday so she stuck around and explored while Rox & I got a late start and headed out to Juniper Canyon to climb Ginger Cracks - the hike was long and warm but as we got closer we were amazed at how beautiful the route is! We ended up bailing after the first pitch because of our late start & very tired bodies...I completely forgot how much fun trad climbing is & how much I love Red Rocks! We vowed to go back and do the route together, next time feeling fresh and waking up when the alarm goes off ;-)... After a little rest, some food & beer we headed to the big RRR festival, caught up with old friends & checked out the new gear. I slept like a baby that night ;-) The next day the weather was a little cooler & breezy - too rainy for another day of long routes but perfect for bouldering! After a yummy breakfast and errands we headed out to the Kraft boulders for some bouldering action! It was a great trip, leaving me really psyched on trad climbing! Feeling tired today but loving every minute of it! Thanks Ladies!

voodoo testimonials: Alex Babbitt & his family of climbers

Alex Babbitt & his family of climbers - Keanu, Jordin, Justin, Shania, Sam, Shane & sometimes Adam

Location: Tuba City on the Navajo Nation

VooDoo Crash Pad model(s): Highball 5000, Highball 3000 Blue & Leopard print

# of years I've used VooDoo Pads: 1 solid year

About me: I am a hard working father dedicated to raising my children around climbing. Since my children started bouldering, they have excelled in school, they’re more open and have developed great social skills. Through climbing they have gained great confidence in their physical and mental being. Since we picked up our crash pads from Voodoo we have all gone on to climb taller and more difficult boulders. Our crash pads are holding up well and are still in tip top shape. We purchased the 3000 for my younger daughter and it comes in handy on short drives around town. My children vary in age from 7 to 19, and they all put the crash pads through tough sessions, and they love them. Keep up the great work, and always stay local.

Favorite bouldering area: Priest Draw, Buffalo park, and around mount Eldon (Flagstaff area), but here on Navajo Land: places we call, Newspaper rock, monkey face rock, mushroom, and picnic rock (Tuba City area), around central Arizona: great sport areas which my friend Ivan found.

What I love most about my VooDoo Pad(s):They’re very durable; my kids love to fall on them, especially when they’re climbing high up on the boulders.

back in the saddle

I've been ill the past couple of weeks & It seems like ages since I've been climbing, playing, working, etc... & the weather has been perfect for climbing! It was nice to get back to the Priest Draw today for an early morning bouldering session with Frank, Rich & Rox - Loads of fun! The spring sunshine sure felt good! I'll post more after I catch up with VooDoo work!
Cheers,
Gina
P.S. I finally created a voodoo face book page... it's still under construction - if you're a fan of VooDoo please let us know!

NACC Fundraising Bash!

If you're going to be in Flagstaff April 12 - Come out and Support the

Northern Arizona Climber's Coalition

voodoo testimonials: carrie cooper

kyle george photography

Carrie Cooper

Location: Flagstaff, AZ or the world

VooDoo Crash Pad model(s): Highball 4000 in Marilyn Monroe Red Velvet & the Highball 3000 leopard print

# of years I've used VooDoo Pads: two years

About me: I can be seen snowshoeing out to my project in the Priest Draw with my dog Lewis or possibly laying my baby Ava down for a nap in the sun under a Buttermilks boulder problem. One thing is for certain, we love to travel. I'm married to Kyle George who is a river guide and photographer and together with our daughter we like to leave the country at least every six months. It's important to constantly challenge yourself in order to discover what is possible personally. No matter where we go, we are always happy to return home to Northern Arizona.
Favorite bouldering area: I may not have been there yet.... Fontainebleau is a nice one, the Red River Gorge, Bishop..

What I love most about my VooDoo Pad(s): My crash pad is sexy. I base my self esteem on the state of my crash pad. I know I'm gonna send cause I look so hot. hahaha! Plus, I can squeeze my camera gear, baby gear, climbing gear AND attach the 3000 to my 4000, and carry it all across freezing waist deep water and THEN I can land on it. What more could I ask for?
Many thanks to both of you for all your creativity.

snowy & sunny bouldering

limestone & ice

frank & chad getting ready to move on

chad on the down climb

pups loving the sunshine

chad

me

frank

chad

how we all feel after a fun weekend of bouldering

Chad came out from Denver for some weekend bouldering. We headed to the Priest Draw on Saturday and found a couple of cars stuck in the snow which brought back memories of my little fiasco a couple of weeks ago - ugh. The snow is melting, water is flowing and icicles are forming. After playing on some of the area classics we decided to end the day just past the anorexic boulder and it started snowing.... it was a nice hike back in the snow. After a yummy dinner at Hiro's we headed back to the voodoo compound to chill, drink beer & yap about climbing. The next day we decided to head to Sedona for warmer bouldering temps. Frank warned that we might not be able to cross Oak Creek because it's flowing so hard. (Last weekend Frank & Jeff went on an epic bike ride in Sedona that was supposed to be a "3 hour tour"but turned into 8 hours.) He was right about the creek - so we decided on plan B - hike in from the Huckaby trail. Nice walk and we had the entire area to ourselves! The temps were perfect and the bouldering was fun!

voodoo testimonials: kyle mcfarland

Kyle McFarland

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

VooDoo Crash Pad model(s): Highball 4000 Velcro in red velvet

# of years I've used VooDoo Pads: About 6 months now

About me: I am a full time climbing bum, route setter and climbing coach. I have been climbing for about 5 years and competing for 4 years. I also organize and set for many local comps.

Favorite bouldering area: Ute Pass, CO and Joe's Valley, UT
What I love most about my VooDoo Pad(s): My pad is just plain amazing. It is super light, the shoulder straps are comfortable for long approaches. It’s not so thick that all you can do is roll your ankle and its not to thin that you land and shatter your ankle. And the colors are freaking awesome, definitely stands out in the crowd.

voodoo testimonials: Louie Anderson

Louie Anderson on Wasabi - V11

Location: Steele Valley, California

VooDoo Crash Pad model(s): Color: Highball 4000 in Blue

# of years I've used VooDoo Pads: Ten plus, basically since Frank first started messing around with this.

About me: .... Louie is way too modest to answer this question - so I will... he is one of the best guys on earth! Super nice, genuine, loving husband, awesome father, caring friend, strong motivated climber, makes me feel super lazy & an awesome hold shaping artist! I am so lucky to know you Louie! xoxo Gina

Favorite bouldering area: Hueco Tanks

What I love most about my VooDoo Pad(s): Quality of construction, and the fact that the foam does not break down as quickly as with many other brands.

what the future holds

shaping what the future holds is our little voodoo slogan ... but check out the new shapes Frank is molding in the next couple of weeks. The cool thing is - this isn't even a quarter of the new stuff! You should see the trailer load of our older shapes getting packed up for the big move to our manufacturer in Colorado... momma needs some new climbing holds!

voodoo testimonials: jason jackson

Jason Jackson
Location: Flagstaff, AZ

VooDoo Crash Pad model(s): voodoo highball 3000 pad,
crushed velvet dive-bar red and ultra-mini travel
napkin/rope pack, leopard spots.

# of years I've used VooDoo Pads: voodoo pads have
been saving my ass, and knees, from west texas to
northern california since 2001. The superior
construction and materials withstands tons of abuse
and keeps coming back for more.

About me: An early player in the revival of the
flagstaff climbing scene, helped to develop many of
the flagstaff bouldering areas. I have
been climbing for the last 15 years and have recently
gained local status after residing in flagstaff for the
last 10 years. Seeking out new climbs (the taller the
better,) the occasional free solo, and generally
throwing one's life around make the game of rock
climbing never grow old. Lately I've been using my
mini voodoo pad as a sport climbing backpack, easily carrying
a days worth of stuff to the crag and relaxing between
burns on a bed of foam.

What I love most about my VooDoo Pad(s): the firm
yet cushy foam helps save my knees from the constant
abuse I put them through. I love the small pad shapes
and bomber closures so i know I won’t lose anything
thrashing up to the climb, and the pimpin' top cover
patterns and colors say "why don't you join me for a
drink at the bar later." I have hucked voodoo pads
down into grovely pits at the tanks, got them stuck in
cracks and fissures on mt. Elden, and thrashed em
through a bunch of blood thirsty New Mexico White
Thorn bushes and they always come out no worse for
wear.

escaping the white stuff

Roxanna & I headed out to San Diego for a little winter escape. Our friends Stan & Lucy have a little beach house filled with fun people, good food & lots of great energy. The entire trip was a blast & I can't believe how many adventures we pulled off in such a short time! Rox took lots of pics and blogged the highlights. Thanks Stan, Lucy, Mike, Jim & Tani for such a memorable trip! Cheers!

Me & Rox on our last night

the view from the crow's nest