Bloody hell! Where did the last couple of months go? Our lack of crushing has not been without good reasons.
So what has been happening.........in a nut shell please?
After Melbourne's crazy heatwave in early spring, the A-Team took a break from training, and started doing normal people stuff, like going out, drinking, spending money on shit we don't need. Around the same time I also had my final exams for Uni, so it was a good time to take some time off. Since then my housemates and I have been evicted from Rathdowne Street.....of course a munty eviction party was in order. The Armageddon on Rathdowne party was the highlight of the spring carnival season. Following this, Al and I both found ourselves very distracted with girls, myself not venturing out of the house for 2 weeks.....needless to say, climbing was the last thing on my mind. Recently due to losing a battle in court, worthy of Napoleon himself, well actually it was only an hour and I didn't really get sweaty or anything, I've since taken a job with an outdoor retailer. My role (only 1 month contract) was to set up a new Kathmandu store on Chapel St, followers of our blog my remember this street is to me what good writing is too teenage vampire swoon flicks, incompatible. Drop in, its great, no air conditioning, and a cupboard full of faulty products returned, and only after 10 days of open trade.
Well ok, so here's something about climbing......Al is still taking a break and Phil is fully injured again. Man, if Phil wasn't so hairy I'd wrap him in cotton wool.....oh wait, actually he's shaved his chest just the other day. Looking hot mate! Myself, well I'm actually off to Thailand on Friday night.
Thailand - the one climbing/vacation destination I'd thought I'd never visit. Couple of reasons; I don't consider myself a "tourist" in fact I hate them.....yes this made talking to Kathmandu customers an exercise in tollerance, something I have very little off for idiots. Secondly, Thailand seems to be a place where everyone goes climbing. What I mean by that is, people who climb who aren't climbers (I refer to such people not with distain but merely observation - like if I was to go surfing I wouldn't call myself a surfer -kinda thing yeah?) seem to have climbed there. Then there is a bunch of people in their own sub category - those who thing Thai fisherman pants are cool, and where them to the gym....fuck off, they look stupid, mainly cause you ain't Thai or a fisherman. The rock is limestone, and due to the humidity and the traffic (human of course) it is polished. This sounds awfully similar to a place I wish I hadn't spent much time, El Chorro in southern Spain. Not only were the grades soggy, but the place was full of English Geezer wannabes. Both El Chorro and Thailand are what I've considered 'Climbing Holiday' destinations as opposed to a climbing destination.
That said, before you all jump up and down and say, ' you are an idiot, how can you comment on a place you haven't been to?' or 'fisherman pants are cool', I'll say you're right, except the douchebag with the pants comment. Regardless of the reasons I've never gone over, I'm actually really excited about going to a "holiday climbing" spot for 3 and a half weeks. I need a holiday. I haven't been away since my Castle Hill trip in '07, with good reasons...mainly accident last year and no money. So I'm heading over with Kent "KP" Patterson, and a couple of girls Alex and Rachel from the Munt crew. Of the group I'm the only one who wasn't been there, and as of today, Wednesday I'm pretty psyched. I have spoken to mates (Philby, Patty Turner, and Timmy Le) and have got an idea of routes I wanna try. Apart from the climbing I'm just psyched on getting outta melbourne, and lounging around on the beach (this is a new concept to me - tourism shit). Anyway should be good, and i'll let you know how it goes.
Ok guys, so 2009 has been good for some, and not for others. Some projects were ticked, others still wait. Douchebags were named and shamed, internet slaging wars were fought through chockstone, facebook and some dating site I wont' mention....there were no winners. So merry Christmas, that is if you celebrate it, and Have a great New Year. 2010 will be a great year for Victorian climbing, can feel it in me bones!
Peace out guys!
- Grosey
