Climbing/Slacklining at the 2008 Shootout

[Prezwoodz]

Here is where you can ask questions or make plans with other dgrinner climbers to get together and supplement the photography activities during the 2008 SmugMug/Dgrin Shootout in Moab, UT October 8-11, 2008.

Originally Posted by Prezwoods and Coldclimb

"You see a cliff and in the middle of the cliff you think you can see a hole. Maybe an opening to a house from long ago perched high above the valley, unreachable. You run home and grab your rope, harness, helmet, and ascender and head back out the cliff. After anchoring to a tree you carefully tie the end of your rope together and rappel down to the hole. Looking inside you see pots, drawings, and a figure sitting against the wall with only bones left to show his soul. You are the first to see it in possibly hundreds of years and most definitely the first ever to photograph. You take your pictures, document your discovery and ascend the rope back to safety. Now you have to decide who to send your photos to!"

Climbing is a sport which has always seemed exclusive to those who don't normally participate yet climbing is open to everyone wanting to try. We will try and get everyone involved who is able and willing to scale ropes, rocks, and sometimes a mixture of both. Taking photos while climbing takes a certain finesse that is difficult and often dangerous to learn on ones own but with the help of John and I we will get everyone above the action where the world of the climbing butt shot is no more! There will be a lesson on climbing and belaying before anyone is able to get on the rock. This should only take an hour or so but the learning will go on throughout the day. The equipment required for climbing can be rented in Moab and we should be able to get sizes and have them picked up and ready to go. Anyone who wishes to buy their own equipment but is unsure of what to get here is a small list: Harness, helmet, climbing shoes, locking caribiner, belay device (ATC). Its a small list and with sales and returns at outdoor shops shouldn't cost to much if you wish to outfit yourself for a lifetime of fun!

Slacklining and Highlining are essentially the same but can seem as a whole different animal. Slacklining is walking a piece of 1 inch tubular climbing webbing close to the ground. It becomes a highline when you add altitude, as an example the current highest Highline is to the Lost Arrow Spire in Yosemite and is 1000ft off the deck. We will not be that high. We will setup slacklines which anyone who would like to try walking them low and then we will be setting up atleast one highline that anyone willing can walk. We do set up highlines to be completely redundant with the highest safety measures. When Highlines are being walked the opportunity for great photos is limited only by your imagination. The great part about knowing your way around with a rope is instead of being on a plane of horizontal you have added a vertical element to your photo's. Get below or above the action!

There are ways to prepare ahead for anyone who would like to. We can help direct you to setting up a slackline or most places will have a local climbing gym offering classes on how to belay and / or climb. Almost all gyms also have rentals.

Although I have talked a lot about the climbing and highlining aspect I know that at heart we are all photographers and the idea of learning these new type of techniques is to have an increased advantage at getting your perfect shot. If there are any question please feel free to fire away!

Prezwoodz and Coldclimb

INterested:

Aaron - anwmn1
Andrew - greenpea +1
April - aktse
Chris - the godfather
Clifford Whitmore- CliffW
Cuong Nguyen
David - devbobo
Erik - DoctorIt
Joel - kdog
Leah Peasley
Matthew - mANVIL
Nick - Gluwater
Nikolai - Nikolai
Stephanie - schmoo
Teresa T- ttorres33
Tony - Leaforte
Travis - zweiblumen



There is another thing I forgot to add So here it is:

One of our main focus points will be anchoring and rigging. This is probably the most important aspect of climbing outside of just being willing to head up the wall. We will show you how to setup anchors, the safety points, directionals, and slackline rigging. To be able to go up on one rope and have another rope you use as a directional can be an intricate setup. Hopefully we can give a good idea of how to do that safely and effectively!

Yup were here for any questions! Although we better not have to twist any arms to get anyone to join!

I am really excited about this opportunity and I am hoping that some others are as well.

Haha Okay Andy posted a subtle message about this thread being worthless without Pics....So Heres A picspasm of pictures along the lines of what we will be doing!

This picture is from the Fisher Towers in the Moab area. Great for climbing and the features are incredible for photography! This is called the Cobra.


See the squiggly little peak on the right that looks like a crooked line? Thats a climbing route that we may possibly be able to do.


And heres John on it. This is 300ft up.


Theres plenty inbetween that 300ft route and the ground though and that would be a difficult route we may be able to do on say the last day. But for highlining and slacklnining heres some of Johns pictures from the area.



Plenty of room for photogs and onlookers


Sometimes the best thing to do is just sit for a sec and breath it all in.


Oh and some rope jugging...


If that doesn't salivate...well I just don't know what will!