Today's Quest

[Khendon Sevon]

So, I'm sitting here, eating Greek yogurt. In 20 minutes I'll head out to a bagel place on 8th & Washington. Then, I'll head onto campus, internal frame pack's contents swishing along on my back (more like clanking).

Then, an hour 45 minute drive followed by 300+ foot cliffs.

I'm going to the Shawangunks (climbers simply call it the Gunks). It's one of the best places in the US to climb, definitely the best so close to me. The place has a climbing history going back to pre-WWII 40's.

So... I'm excited :) I have my camera thrown in the turmoil of my pack.

We're going to be learning to climb Traditional style ("Trad"). Simply means we place protection as we climb up, rope below us. Furthest you fall is double the length of rope from your last piece of pro (you hope, you can always have pro pull on you, then you fall further).

What's your quest for the day?

[Sanis Prent]

My quest for the day is to finish my dead lift set above 315 pounds. I've ditched or bailed the last reps for the past two weeks because I couldn't maintain it.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Finish the book I'm reading, maybe?

Though I'm not sure that's epic enough to be called a quest.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

The quest through work.

Also, maybe the quest of getting a new PC.

[Liam Jinn]

I must find one of these "padded envelopes" today, followed by finding this "post office" that supposedly exists around here. Then I go to buy beer (I know where to find that) and wait for the Cowboys game. And I've got to do all of this without running out of gas :)

[Khendon Sevon]

Quest complete!

We climbed Betty, a 5.3-. Super easy, super fun.

First gear placement, a blue cam. :) My first trad placement ever!
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/hardman1.jpg

Working up the route, keeping my eyes open for places to put pro.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/hardman2.jpg

Butt shot. Classic. Notice the opposed force I'm applying with my hands. I'm "pulling" which keeps me against the rock. Yay gym technique translating to real climbing.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/hardman3.jpg

Which one do I use? They're so colorful! No, I didn't use any of these. I went with a DMM Wallnut instead.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/hardman4.jpg

Me, playing with the wallnuts.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/hardman5.jpg

The guy stopped taking pictures after this part. He pretty much couldn't see me. Got sketchy towards the top. Lotsa' fun.

Yay!

[Ryan Pode]

My quest was to get dressed. Yeah, I failed. I'd show pictures, but I don't want anyone to go blind. And I'd probably get banned.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Looks fun, Khendon.

The only quest I completed today was on Warcraft. :o

[Zeke]

I am going to beat the 16th Colossus in Shadow of the Colossus on Time Trial Mode.

EDIT: Okay, that didn't take long. I've been trying for days to do this, but now that I declare it, it's over in under 15 minutes. New quest: Get all the hidden fruit and lizards in the game. Whoo.

[Sanis Prent]

I didn't do my quest today so it will be tomorrow's quest.

I ended up doing 300 pounds on leg extensions quite easily. Next week I will max the machine's capacity. At that point, half of my leg workouts will be obsolete, since I will be able to beat the highest weight I can set them at.

After that I guess I'll just do squats and dead lifts. No sense tip-toeing around it. I could do leg press, but it takes like 15 minutes to load and unload 1,000 pounds.

[Ryan Pode]

After that I guess I'll just do squats and dead lifts. No sense tip-toeing around it. I could do leg press, but it takes like 15 minutes to load and unload 1,000 pounds.

Only halfway to Pat Robertson weight.

[Sanis Prent]

After that I guess I'll just do squats and dead lifts. No sense tip-toeing around it. I could do leg press, but it takes like 15 minutes to load and unload 1,000 pounds.

Only halfway to Pat Robertson weight.

Except that he's doing extended presses, using terrible form (with aid) and probably a huge liar anyways, even after all of that..

Further, I was at 1,000 2 months ago. There's no telling what I'd be at if I racked weight now. I just don't have time. If the gym closed at 10, I'd go for it.

[Ryan Pode]

Except that he's doing extended presses, using terrible form (with aid) and probably a huge liar anyways, even after all of that..

Further, I was at 1,000 2 months ago. There's no telling what I'd be at if I racked weight now. I just don't have time. If the gym closed at 10, I'd go for it.

Way to completely ruin the joke.

[Sanis Prent]

I can't tell with you ;)

[Ryan Pode]

I'm a Libertarian Jewish boy from Maryland. Do you honestly think I like Pat Robertson?

[Sanis Prent]

Liking him and believing he could do what he said aren't mutually inclusive things :)

[Seerriss]

well let's see, tomorrow would be try to walk most of the dogs at the animal shelter before time is up I guess...more than likely though I will spend at least 30 mins of my time split with the two cages of little dogs though since they don't walk them...

[Mu Satach]

Today's Quest - Get my hair whacked. I've hacked at it a bit here and there for the past two years... it's time to call in a professional.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

The quest for this week - find parts to build a computer.

MoBo and Processor found, need RAM and other things.

[Khendon Sevon]

Today's Quest:

I'm traveling into the City. Catching a 10:53 train that'll get me to Hoboken 'round 11:40. Then I'll take the Path train (yes, I'm complicating it a little, I want to meet up with some people in Hoboken) to 33rd St. From there I'll catch the 1 train at 34th st. & 7th ave. That'll take me to 66 street and I'll have to walk on over to 127 Amsterdam at 65th street.

What's there?

A library!

A library?

A library.

That's right. I'm going there to be Borachio in an impromptu reading of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

It'll be my first time reading Shakespeare in front of people/acting. Should be fun :)

[Ryan Pode]

Your quest sounds a lot more fun than mine. I'm riding my bike to the most acoustically sound building on the eastern seaboard (five minutes away) to move marching band equipment. >_<

[Zem-El Vymes]

Today's quest is to detox. I drank a fifth of tequila and ate pizza all yesterday, so I am rinsing myself out with water, whole grains, maybe some asparagus, etc.

I remember why I don't do that anymore :x

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Today's quest?

Finish the laundry, clean the dishes, tidy up the living room, then get drunk on wine and draw. Or post drunk. Who knows.

[Khendon Sevon]

Haha, S'illy has the most noble quest here :)

Shakespeare is done. Now I have the long journey home.

[Park Kraken]

Nathanial -

http://www.newegg.com/

a friend of mine used it to build a new computer, found it completly reliable in terms of shipping and such, and his computer is pretty sweet. As for RAM, generally Corsair makes the best kind, if your looking into gaming and the such.

EDIT: Today's quest(s);

Go to the Plant City carshow, look at old cars, eat at the whistlestop cafe, look at passing trains.

Come home, drink that bottle of wine I've been saving for a while, and play WoW. Get my lock up at least another two lvls.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Oh, That's where I've been looking, trust me on that. Only problem that I've found is that when searching for RAM using the configurator (awesome name), it doesn't let me choose which model/make the Motherboard is that I am getting. So that's what I've been researching as of late, RAM compatability with the mobo. Soon to be figured out!


Today's quest - cook rice.

I succeeded! Kinda.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Todays quest!

Finish this bottle of wine.

It's going well.

:D

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Yay! Das and I are wine buddies :eee

[Dasquian Belargic]

Quest completed! :cool

[Khendon Sevon]

You gained 2,000 experience points!

[Salem Ave]

Woohoo! Now I can put another talent point in Drunken Debauchery!

[Zeke]

I'd think you'd have maxed that one out by now. :P

[Liam Jinn]

I'm just trying to finish this 18 pack of Miller Lite, while remembering/having the space to save my game on Madden '08. #13 so far, and well, let's see what happens. Third try in 24 hours, maybe the third time is the charm.

[Dae Jinn]

My quest for the next few weeks will be to find and apply to as many jobs as possible. I have a group interview-type thing at Pet Smart on the 27th, and I REALLY hope that I get a job there, because I would love it :)

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

I failed on the dishes, partially did laundry, but I did drink my wine :)

Today I have to buy groceries, finish the laundry and dishes, and rest.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

I also had a quest of not killing a bunny this weekend.

I think I passed! It's such a cute bunny too. ^.^

[Dasquian Belargic]

Todays quest is to tidy my bedroom. I fear it will not be as rewarding as yesterdays quest.

[Seerriss]

my quest was as usual for Sunday to walk as many dogs as possible and to help dogs get adopted, our longest there dog at 8 nearly 9 months of jailtime was finally adopted today!

[Park Kraken]

My quests for the day were mostly completed. I didn't finish mowing the lawn, but I did do something useful for the family, I did watch a good Sunday afternoon movie, and I did gain the ability to summon a succubus.

All in all a good day's work.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

My quest for tomorrow is to make it through the day without dropping dead of exhaustion. :\

[Khendon Sevon]

Today:

I woke up at 8:30 and picked up two friends from college. We drove west to Allamuchy, NJ. It's a state park that's friendly to climbers and has some of the nicest rock in Jersey.

I used my anchor skills to setup a few topropes. We climbed from 5.5 to 5.8 throughout the day and bouldered the begins of 5.9-5.10 routes. Towards the middle of the day (2:30pmish) JP showed up with his intern.

JP is my new climbing buddy. He's a lot more experienced than I am and has climbed all over the east coast. He brought his intern (he's head software engineer at a small company, so he gets interns).

We climbed some more routes and had general fun. We also taught his intern how to climb. Good times.

Sadly, I don't have any pictures of me doing any of the more difficult climbs/boulder problems :( Only the "easier" stuff.

This is the crux (hardest part) of the first route we climbed. I wasn't warmed up so it was more difficult than it should have been. It's about a 5.6, relatively easy and within my ability.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/allamuchy/muchy2.jpg

Of course I got over the crux :p It's only a 5.6! So, after much anger, I went up the rest of the way. (With relatively pumped arms from having held myself there so long and examined the various methods of pulling myself over the crux).
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/allamuchy/muchy1.jpg

BUFFFFFF - Yes, I am wearing a buff. It says "Climb" on it. I started wearing one under my helmet after I went to the gunks. I find sweat dripping into my eyes while I'm trying to concentrate annoying. It also burns. Ouch.

So, buff. They're crazy. Check out www.buffusa.com for all the spiffy features.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/allamuchy/muchy3.jpg

Quest completed!

[Dasquian Belargic]

Todays quest is the same quest we have every day, Pinky...

Party!

[Khendon Sevon]

Kayaking today.

Not bringing camera; don't feel like dropping it. Currently 40 degrees, supposed to get up to around 60 by 12 PM. Bit cold for my tastes.

C'est la vie. Maybe it'll magically get to 80 or so. That'd be nice.

Why is it so eaaarly in the morning? 7:47. Bleh.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Go to work aaall day and night.

That is my quest. It's a chain quest, that will be carrying on all week :(

[Khendon Sevon]

...

Eel Traps.

Eel traps + beginner kayaker that doesn't speak English and won't listen to anything I say.

Eel trap + beginner kayaker + rapids + me getting angry so I stay 20 feet in front of them and only look back every once in a while to make sure they haven't died = DANGER.

So, this girl somehow went left. I look back, "turn right, turn right, turn right!" I shouted as loud as I could, and began to turn my own kayak. At this point we're already a river bend away from the rest of the group. The girl had been going insanely slow and I was designated nanny as I was the assistant leader with the most "on the water" experience.

I fight through the rapids, tell her to turn. She doesn't turn.

John, instructor, is paddling towards me. I go back through the rapids, meet up with him. We then paddle against the rapids again, try instructing her while fighting to stay in place.

She starts to go dangerously close to the eel trap.

What's an eel trap? Well, they build up a rock platform that funnels the water to a pinnacle. The water is fast moving through the V like shape and, at the point, there are traps to capture the eels.

So, she was heading for the trap. "Get out of your kayak! Get out!"

After 5 minutes of her paddling until she was exhausted, she finally listens to us and gets out. Then she lets go of her kayak.

Good bye kayak. I paddled through the rapids and caught it. Another individual came to help and I attached it to the back of his kayak. I then paddled back up through the rapids and got her paddle.

"Go tell everyone to sit tight while we get this under hand," John tells me. So, I start paddling away. About 100 meters away I realize I still have the girl's paddle. I sprint back, hand it off, then head back.

I get back. Blister. Right hand. Too much intense paddling through rapids.

That was the first mile of the trip.

I then had 9 miles left. Guess what? I spent the entire time behind that girl making sure she didn't get into anymore trouble.

Sunburned arms. Ouch.

Rawr.

After the trip, one of my friends and I went and got a whole load of ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. Sugar overdose.

Quest completed.

[Dasquian Belargic]

I wish my life was exciting as yours, K

[Khendon Sevon]

oops, forgot to post last Sunday's quest.

A couple of us climbers went up to West Point, NY (where the military academy is) to do some sports climbing.

This is me top roping a route called Pink Butt Tights. It's a 5.6 on the Yosemite scale. It's also a very, very dirty route. Everything is covered in soot from the train that rattle down the railroad that's only a few feet away.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/westpoint/wp_pinkbutttights.jpg

Here's a picture of the trains:
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/westpoint/wp_train.jpg

Here's my climbing partner, JP. He's been climbing for 'round 20 years (he's only 25). Much better climber than I am. He's leading Sally. The variant that we did he puts at around a 5.9.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/westpoint/wp_jpleading.jpg

I also lead a climb. You can't really tell it from this picture; but, the bottom part is all tricks and the top is a super easy climb. The route starts with a V3 boulder move (work your way up to an incline that then has a roof over it, you have to reach up the roof to a precarious hold, bring your toes up and to your left around flank height, then reach up higher and haul yourself up).

The actual route was supposed to start much further left. There's then a very balancey move that involves taking your time and smearing your hands over surfaces for balance. So, it has a 5.10ish start, a 5.7ish move, and then the rest is just slab climbing at around a 5.4ish rating.

This particular picture is of me being lowered off after having lead it. You can tell by where all the placements are what direction is climbed in.
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/westpoint/wp_meleading.jpg

Then we found a 5.11 problem. 5.11 is way over my head. JP started the lead on my beautiful blue rope (now dirty with black soot):
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/westpoint/wp_myrope.jpg

After several failed tries we took turns bouldering the first few moves. Just as we were about to give up, JP got them and solo climbed (no rope) the first half of the face:
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/westpoint/wp_jpsoloing.jpg

There you go.

Can't wait to go back to West Point for more climbing.

[Wyl Staedtler]

Wow, that looks like fun.

Todays quest is to get home from work safely (it's a madhouse on these roads!) and then figure out how to explain Oxfordianism to students in poor, poor high schools without coming across as a "high maka-maka haole girl".

[Zeke]

I'm going to finish an entire Ceramics project in 5 hours. :D

[Dasquian Belargic]

Today's quest was to buy a birthday present for my mum.

I bought her, and I kid you not, two 'designer' rubber ducks. They were designed by some big names in fashion, and all the money from their sales goes to cancer research - so not only will my mum love them, but I am helping charity in the process!

Quest completed!

[Khendon Sevon]

haha, it's super satisfying to say, "Quest completed!" and jump in the air and pound your fist.

[Knight Staedtler]

Quest: Go to NIN concert, have mind-blowing time.

Quest accomplished! And, as an added bonus, am pleasantly buzzing and not-trampled! :D

[Zeke]

My quest from yesterday is ongoing. :( Added to it are a research paper proposal and carving a piece of linoleum for printmaking.

[Khendon Sevon]

Quest: Go to NIN concert, have mind-blowing time.

Quest accomplished! And, as an added bonus, am pleasantly buzzing and not-trampled! :D

Lucky! I would love to see NIN in concert. That might have to become a quest...

[Dasquian Belargic]

:dance @ Wyl I saw them last year. Best. Day. Ever.

Today's Quest!

Try and convince my boss to let me have Thursday night off work. A friend of mine is moving to Spain for an entire year next week, so I need to go out and partay with her.

[Khendon Sevon]

Sunday:

Helped setup top ropes for 10 students from Stevens with my instructor. We setup a total of 7 routes and pretty much all the paying customers got to climb up each a few times. They started at around 5.3 and went to 5.7.

My climbing partner came, too. "So, you want to lead something?"

Pause as the cold fingers of lead climbing snake their fear into me. "Sure."

"Haha, had to think about it, did ya'?"

So, I didn't have my rack; but, he had his. He handed me the entire thing (which makes it sound "big"; but, he's a minimalist, so there was only a few pieces). I looked at it and felt myself getting slightly more afraid.

I swallowed my fear, grabbed all of the cams (3 of them, these are the easiest to place and most solid) and a single set of Smilies (chocks). He threw his tricams on me; but, I hadn't practiced placing these/placed them ever so I kind of mentally wrote them off.

By now there are about 8 or 9 people on the ground watching. I grab for the first move, and begin up a slabby face with a flake, lean against the flake, work my way up, grab another solid hold, lean the other way, then I'm 10 feet up and at a slight ledge. I walk to the left and make my first placement, a black diamond cam. It goes in smooth and perfect.

That's when you let out a held breath. If I had fallen before placing, I would've crashed into the ground. Nothing serious. Worst that would've happened would be a rolled ankle at 10 feet.

Continue climbing up, time to place again. I only have 2 more cams and those are really, really important for when you have to do tricky moves. So, I find a nice Smiley and slide it into a thin pocket and seat it nicely so that it'll take a pull if I fall and swing and won't get pulled from the rightward motion of the rope.

Then I traversed right and got to a point where I had to start climbing again. I placed another Smiley and continued, climbed up with a few big moves, and got to the last few moves. I placed my second to last cam, decided not to try the 5.11 move to the left of me, and got to the top without another placement.

I hitched myself to a tree and belayed my partner. He took about 1 minute to climb what had taken me about 5; but, all in all, not bad considering I was placing gear and figuring out where to go.

Best part: he checked my placements and said they were good :)

You become so much more focused and calm when you climb with gear. It's like, you somehow understand that you need to keep a level head, make decisions, and not make mistakes. You might take a few risks in your moves; but, you always make sure it's within your ability. I'm pretty sure I climb my best when I'm on the sharp end of the rope, and even more so when I'm placing gear instead of clipping bolts.

The route was about a 5.4/5; so, it's the hardest thing I've climbed trad (placing gear) so far. Felt great. My placements were good enough that I could probably hit a 5.6; but, there are soooo many great 5.3's -> 5.5's at the Gunks that I probably won't be doing that for a while. Better to hone my placements on low grades before jumping up.

No pictures, though. My partner was busy belaying me and shouting up advice.

I should have pictures in a bit (read: a few days) of some top-roping, though.

[Khendon Sevon]

I'm sitting here waiting for my climbing partner to show up.

I'm wearing an outdoor research wool synthetic blend t-shirt, a pull over made out of merino wool with thumb loops, and a mountain hardware monkeyman guacamole jacket. Add to that brown PrAna pants and a Climb buff and you'll have an accurate picture of me at the moment.

My pack is stuffed with harness, first aid kit, carabiners, black diamond ATC-XP belay device, metolius PAS, nut tool, sunglasses, wind/rain layer (outdoor research), and an extra skullcap incase it gets cold. I'm sure there's some extra' junk in there, too. Climbing shoes are clipped to the outside.

Basically, I'm decked out for cold weather climbing.

We're heading to the Gunks today since it's one of the last "climbable" days of the season. (It'll soon be getting too cold, when it gets too cold the granite feels like ice at the beginning and then nothing at the end of the climb, it's not pleasant and makes climbing very difficult).

So, yeah, I have a camera packed, too. Pictures when I get back.

[Khendon Sevon]

So, yesterday was a long day. We got there at around 12 AM and climbed until 7 PM. We were the 2nd to last group off the cliffs. The parking lot was full when we got there, and virtually empty when we left.

I lead my first 5.5
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/gunks_2_3.jpg
Can you see me?

Anyway, we all got to the top, great climb. We walked down the side. I neglected to bring shoes, so, I did the 4th class terrain barefoot ;)
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/gunks_2_1.jpg

My partner (JP, right) and our friend Ceci (left):
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/ces_jp.jpg

Blood on my shoes from my lead, I left a puddle where I built the anchor:
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/bloody_shoe.jpg

Anyway, night rolled around and we did a fun climb in the dark, a 5.7+, was a lot of fun:
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/gunks_2_2.jpg

A little cold:
http://www.roxxu.com/linkedimages/gunks/gunks_2_4.jpg

That was my day!!

Hope yours was as exciting!