AquaClimb – Climbing Walls For Pools

If you have a pool and wondering how else you could spend your money, building a climbing wall for your pool could be it. For more information, you can visit AquaClimb (not sure if the co. will bring this to Asia though).

I suppose since there is indoor climbing gyms for training purposes, having one at the pool will be great for DWS training.

Lynn Hill

I have been wanting to blog on this but had to put it off until I had given my climbing friends the books as their Christmas pressies.
I came across the book “Climbing Free” earlier in Jul when I was back in S’pore while browsing in my fav bookstore, Borders @ Wheelock Place. It’s an excellent book, not just because it is written by Lynn Hill, one of the few pro female climbers who has reached such a top level in the sport. but also because Lynn Hill wrote about her passion and love for the sport.
Later, I googled for more info on Lynn Hill and found her blog (see sidebar “Blogroll”) and realised that her book is also sold on her blog and that she will autograph each copy that is purchased from her website. Dang, I thought to myself, it would have been great to have her autograph my book.
Couple of months later, I thought her books would make a nice xmas pressie for my climbing mates. And I sent an email to find out if the books could be shipped to HK using the email addy found on her blog, thinking that someone else (not Lynn Hill herself) will reply to me.
To my surprise, Lynn Hill actually replied to me and we communicated via email.
Sure, the books can be shipped to HK, just tell me how many you need and the shipping address. Lynn Hill wrote.
And I couldn’t resist… besides getting 3 paperbacks for my climbing mates, I also ordered a hardcover for myself (besides the original paperback that I bought at Borders in Jul).
Could you also personalise the copies? I wrote in another email.
For a number of weeks, there was no reply from Lynn and I thought, maybe I will just order from her website instead since Xmas was getting closer.
And the next thing I know, D told me that the books had arrived and besides the books, Lynn Hill had included 4 VHS of her short documentary “Free Climbing The Nose” (as gifts). Besides that, she autographed every book, including a special note to me in my hardcover.
The other important thing was that Lynn Hill had sent the books to me even before I paid her. I mean, which company or seller would actually give you the goods before payment? She is quite trusting huh. Afterall I could have just kept quiet about receiving the books and perhaps deny that I had gotten it if she would ask. Of course, I wouldn’t do such a thing.
I quickly thank her for sending me the books and the tapes and most importantly, to find out the cost cos I wouldn’t want to owe her.

Having read her book, Lynn Hill is like an inspiration to me, so it was a real treat to communicate with her.

I dunno if Lynn Hill writes the same thing in every fan’s book, but u know wat, I don’t care about that. ‘Cos I sure am going to keep climbing and following my passion for travel and adventure in life.

Blessed Christmas to you and family, Lynn (if u do read this). Thanks a lot.

Introducing … Curry The Climbing Teddy

My Christmas pressie from M, who is the ingenious creator behind the fashionable climbing line for stuff toys like Ratty, Pandawg and Teddy.
I decided to name it Curry cos its fur has that same colour tone as that particular Indian dish
And I must add that Curry has some badass bling bling on the harness and together with Ratty, I am sure they will be a force to be reckoned with when they decide to climb El Cap’s The Nose. Hehe
Thanks M, once again, you’re the best.

Alexis…The PanDawg

Here’s Alexis (a cross between a Panda and a Dog) trying out her new climbing harness at King’s Park. She is the latest addition to the Stuff-Toys-In-Climbing-Harnesses fraternity, another absolutely fantastic creation by M.
Alexis has her own cams, quickdraws (like Ratty) and bling bling letter “A” sewn onto the harness on the right. Man, she has the ATTITUDE.
You’re the best, M, we have been blessed by your masterpieces.

BoulderProject.Org Featuring Chris Sharma

Chris Sharma DWS

Deep Water Solo at The Arch, Mallorca (June 2006)

 

“The Fierce Wabbit” F8b 

Teddy’s Climbing Harness

Our creative climbing buddy fitted another lucky teddy (the larger one) with a specially-made climbing harness.

D climbed and hooked Teddy at the top of the wall, and we got CML to “rescue” it in order to become the proud owner of yet another of M’s creations.
We reckon M should start a business like this, fitting cute bears, not forgetting rats, with individually made harnesses of different sizes.

Ratty with his new harness

My usual climbing buddy made a great climbing harness for Ratty, bundled with a cute little red chalk bag, yellow “climbing” rope (slinged across its body), some “quickdraws”, “nuts”, “cams” and tiny carabiners. Ratty is so ready for Krabi now…
Thanks M for your amazing handiwork.

Animated Knots

If you are into knots, whether it’s for climbing, fishing, search & rescue etc, this is great site for you and your knotty fetish.

More Sharma Magic

Chris Sharma is just amazing.

Climbing In Ceuse, France Jul 2001. 1st Ascent: Biographie/Realization 5.15a/9a+. (Think it is onr of the most difficult route in the world right now)

Dang, I have a long way to go with this bouldering thing… the mind is willing but the body is weak. Getting older lah. A good recent example is how my right torso has been aching since Tuesday night after repeated attempts at solving this bouldering problem at the YMCA Indoor Wall. I still haven’t solved it yet, one more hold to reach for but it’s just seems impossible.
Tomorrow, we will be bouldering again at Shek O, try out my new Cheap Bastard crashpad and having fun at the same time.