3/31/08

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!

3/25/08

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.

3/23/08

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!

3/11/08

voodoo testimonials: carrie cooper


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.

3/10/08

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!