tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3950539203552822522024-02-20T21:40:59.642-08:00"Balance is something; It exist without you, And moves through you, like love."KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-2172532642333066982014-07-10T14:22:00.000-07:002014-07-10T14:22:15.793-07:00"Można Inaczej" - FINALSI would like to ask for your support once again. I have a chance to win but not without your support. You can vote by liking the video on YouTube. The voting deadline is by tomorrow <i>(11th of July)</i> and finishes at 16:30 <i>(+1h UTC)</i>. Please, if you have a minute vote on my video and share it as much as you can. I can promise you ENG version after this weekend.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Peace & SlackOn!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jangalekathlete" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Janek</i></span></a></div>
KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-81904566305789607622014-07-04T05:13:00.001-07:002014-07-04T05:13:39.697-07:00Casting "Można Inaczej" for a new Vlog on YTI would like to ask for your support. I am taking part in a casting <i>"<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Odkreceni" target="_blank">Można Inaczej</a>"</i> for a new Vlogger on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YT</a>. I got through first two stages already. Right now to get to the finals I need to be in the lucky four which will have the most likes under their youtube videos presenting the person and the idea behind. My concept is to present different extreme sports and get normal people, celebrities and other extreme athletes involved in that project to show everyone what extreme sports are about, how they can change your life and basically spread the passion to others and try to change their lives for better.<br />
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To help me to get to the finals please click on the video below and click 'LIKE'. I am hoping I'll make it and soon you'll see a sample episode which will be published in a few days.</div>
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Thanks for your help and hopefully despite the result I will find time and resources to continue with that idea. Sorry the video is not in English but when I'll start with project you can definitely expect at least subtitles.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Peace & SlackOn!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jangalekathlete" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Janek</i></span></a></div>
KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-55336881960234543312014-05-25T10:32:00.004-07:002014-05-25T10:32:51.546-07:00Todra - NEW highline TOPOSo I've been working on this for a while. Here you go - new highline guidebook. This time it is "Gorges du Todra" - beautiful highline area opened in Morocco by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/theteam.php" target="_blank">Somewhereelseland Team</a> Members back in 2012. I can recommend these lines to anyone who likes highlining. This place is amazing and offers interesting culture, food, beautiful rocks, exciting climbing and more. Besides, it is really affordable. I will be also preparing late report from that trip soon, so stay updated. Enjoy the new <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6VXx7HV40JYTldmRTZzal93Sjg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">guidebook</a> and few cool shots from <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a> as well as the "<a href="https://vimeo.com/42685772" target="_blank">High Over Todra</a>" movie trailer. Take a look on a sidebar to find more highline guidebooks. There will be more to come including Meteora in Greece, Ostrov in Czech Republic, Sokoliki and Hejszowina in Poland and more ... :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hiking through the Gorge</i> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/kwjet.php" target="_blank">Kwjet</a> on the first highline in Morocco - "Berber Gold"</i> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Local taste ...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a> on the "Too Much Couscous in the Head" high above the Gorge</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/pro-team/jangalek" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Janek</i></span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-36593393082982917022014-04-12T10:38:00.005-07:002014-04-12T11:00:08.940-07:00Co-operation with SZTUKA ŻYWIENIAI've always liked cooking and eating. In my mind these are such a obviousness it is almost weird to state that. I don't think that everyone likes cooking but we can probably agree that everyone likes to consume foods. I remember when I was a kid I used to eat any amounts of whatever and definitely didn't pay attention to my diet. Later in my life I decided to study biology because in high school that was one of my favorite subjects. After one and a half semester I realized I am not really interested in botanic, mycology, life cycle of tapeworm and such ... Due to my long interest in sports as well as my both passions - climbing and slacklining, I decided it might be better to focus on topics connected with it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Back in a days (photo-credit Michał 'MihÓ' Jędrzejewski)</i></td></tr>
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I did study at the Sport and Physical Education University but then my life took unexpected turn. I got a chance to do a big sponsored slackline trip with friends and I took it. Since that moment I spent 4 years traveling, highlining, slacklining and living life of professional athlete, which in the sport of slacklining is almost equal to being a dirtbag.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>E.g. 1: My best bud <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and professional haircut - total dirtbag ...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>E.g. 2: Dirtbag kitchen/diet ;)</i></td></tr>
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I was obsessed with slacklining and didn't spend as much time climbing and doing other things, as I would like to. I tried to expend my knowledge of human physiology, anatomy as well as training and nutrition methods and apply them to my life. I never had enough time to focus on training and put these ideas in real use.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Back in 2008 when I climbed and slacklined more equally. Here climbing my first 7c "Madre Salvaje" in Desplomilandia (Spain) (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Nowadays, my philosophy on life as well as slacklife changed quite a bit. I would like to connect my two passions and use them for challenging alpine projects, progress and get stronger in both disciplines and maybe even find some time for some other things I always wanted to try.<br />
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This by itself is quite a challenge with which I struggled during last few years. It is really demanding dream, which requires some quite strict tactics to stay positive and successful. I made up my mind and decide it will be better to focus on training and when I live for a trip I should have a certain goal, schedule and be totally ready in my body and my mind to use my power and time most efficiently. When I am back home that's time to work, progress on different grounds a train some more.<br />
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I used word 'train' in last sentences quite a lot but that's what it comes to both with slacklining and climbing. If you connect this two it can be and most likely will be harsh on your body. That is why I started looking ever more into training methods, came up with some ideas to train for my highline goals and decided I need some help with my nutrition. I believe nutrition and proper training are the keystones for my further progress.<br />
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Because of my daily responsibilities, training and lack of time I felt like I wouldn't be able to come up with well-balanced training-nutrition program. Then I found out about "<a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/" target="_blank"><b>SZTUKA ŻYWIENIA</b></a>". This team is formed by a friendly couple of professional trainers and nutritionists. They climb by them self and are more then qualified in a field of sports, coaching and nutrition. I reached out to founder of the company <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/p/kto-za-tym-stoi.html" target="_blank">Marcin Bończa-Tomaszewski</a> and after a few months of co-operation became a sponsored athlete which I am really proud of.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/" target="_blank">SZTUKA ŻYWIENIA</a> promotes healthy way of living and program which is adapted to your needs. I was shocked by the effects on my life. My habits changed completely as well as the way of thinking about it as a diet. It doesn't feel like a restriction. I chose to eat certain way to improve my performance, supercompensation, regeneration and frame of mind. <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/p/kto-za-tym-stoi.html" target="_blank">Marcin</a> put up with all of the challenges I created for him. As you know already I had a serious accident and I am still struggling with my recovery. As soon as I could barely walk and got a green light from a doctor I wanted to train as much as I could. By adequate training program, well balanced nutrition and well selected supplements I was able to achieve that.<br />
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I like the the co-operation methods. I work one on one with <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/p/kto-za-tym-stoi.html" target="_blank">Marcin</a>. I can ask all of my questions and I get the guidelines and files to learn how to properly put together my training and meals. I introduce one new habit every two weeks which helps me to master it without compromising others already in use. I found that really effective. I always wanted everything right away. I believe that is one of the main mistakes people do. It is much better to improve the same way as you do on a line; step by step.<br />
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I will try to share more knowledge from that field in the next posts. I am also really happy that <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/p/kto-za-tym-stoi.html" target="_blank">Marcin</a> supported and helped me with stopping eating meat. When I was younger I did stop eating meat completely for a few year but didn't realize how to replace it, what are the risks and that is a huge challenge. I achieved this goal gradually over last couple months and it has been smooth shift. I am happy to be vegetarian. It was a personal decision dictated by ethical reasons.<br />
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The supplementation and eating habits makes me feel good, my body regenerates really well and I can't wait to be done with my post accident recovery. Trying to stay humble and patient which is much easier with a help from <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/" target="_blank">SZTUKA ŻYWIENIA</a> as well as my mental-coach <a href="http://www.zapotoczna.pl/" target="_blank">Dominika Zapotoczna</a> <i>(check <a href="http://www.zapotoczna.pl/" target="_blank">Dominika</a>'s project <a href="http://extrememindgame.com/" target="_blank"><b>Extreme Mind Game</b></a>)</i>.<br />
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My life is different and definitely better. Even when I am down I am happier then I was before. I don't want to get into details now but as a sneak peek here is what's new:<br />
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<b>- I am keeping habits and training logbook which helps me to monitor my progress and health <i>(that includes measurements and pictures)</i>,</b><br />
<b>- Have to do some bigger tests from time to time <i>(like a big physical test, complex blood tests to monitor my health)</i>,</b><br />
<b>- In every meal I am eating a portion of fats, double serving of source of protein and veggies,</b><br />
<b>- I eat most of my carbohydrates during training days,</b><br />
<b>- I take my supplements everyday,</b><br />
<b>- Everyday I am trying new recipe or variation of some meal I already know,</b><br />
<b>- Every single day drinking at least 2 liters of water,</b><br />
<b>- I keep up with my training and rehabilitation.</b><br />
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I am hoping that was somehow interesting. I will try to share more practical info about training, recipes, nutrition knowledge useful for slacklining and climbing purposes as well as some ideas for slackline training I've been developing. Can't wait to put them to use.<br />
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Big thanks to <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/" target="_blank">SZTUKA ŻYWIENIA</a> and all of my friends and followers for a great support!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jangalekathlete" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-11940986917124588642014-03-01T06:30:00.002-08:002014-03-01T06:30:23.009-08:00Faith Dickey - take on free soloingLast but not least I have a fist female in my blog-series about free-soloing. It will be hard to introduce <a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a> because she did so much, doesn't stop to continue pushing the limits and pretty much is an icon in the sport. She is holding the female records for longest waterline, highline, highline free-solo and longline since few years already. <a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith</a> is also really experienced highliner and one of the most persistent highline free-soloist on the world. There is also no other girl which is nearly experienced as she is in walking highlines leashless <i>(or just highlining in general)</i>. The great thing is that she shares that experience and tries to push and motivate female slackliners for example by organizing first <i>"<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girls-Only-Slackline-Festival/113176072114528" target="_blank">Girls Only Highline Meetings</a>"</i> <i>(taking place in beautiful Ostrov in Czech Republic)</i>. She is a strong character and badass chick. I am proud I could help her a bit on her slackline-path. Well, I feel like there is not enough words to introduce her, I had a pleasure to get to know here quite well and she's always been a great friend to me. Now enjoy some words of wisdom about 'no-safety art of walking' from <a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith</a> her self.<br />
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<b><a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a></b> <i>(25 years old)</i></div>
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<i>"I thought free soloing was stupid when I began highlining. It was so beyond my understanding, and I gleaned so much transformation and fear confrontation with a harness on, I could not imagine why anyone would take the leash off. It seemed reckless, attention grabbing and irresponsible. At that time I had barely skimmed the surface of climbing, and while I was vaguely aware that free solo climbing existed and was traditionally rooted in the sport, I did not make the connection. Somehow scaling a rock wall without a rope seemed more logical than traversing a thin piece of webbing between cliff edges without a leash. The old saying 'Never say never' has proved true, as I have become one of the few soloists in the sport of highlining.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv5QHNjyS16GQdkMdE1tUPf2AJVpnTiycFOyI5IQIZbcw7-eST4fG_ot0pYikQ80zO2gSax-P0USYM9AjrztGBN7qlx2N7Gzyd9aDCIHriEio0jUNvd031GNkHPvQs4tb1dl8ql9AfBQ/s1600/DSC_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv5QHNjyS16GQdkMdE1tUPf2AJVpnTiycFOyI5IQIZbcw7-eST4fG_ot0pYikQ80zO2gSax-P0USYM9AjrztGBN7qlx2N7Gzyd9aDCIHriEio0jUNvd031GNkHPvQs4tb1dl8ql9AfBQ/s1600/DSC_1115.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith</a> bouldering in Joshua Tree in 2009 (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i>My highline beginnings were slightly more condensed than the average slackliner-turned-highliner. I was fortunate enough to take my slackline skills up high with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jangalekathlete" target="_blank">Jan Galek</a>, who was a great climber and knowledgeable highline rigger, not to mention an accomplished walker. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>, the other stooge in our trio was a great climber and therefore understood the concepts of rigging far more than I. Knots, gear, equalization, redundancy and heights were all knew to this Texan. I experienced longlining, highlining and climbing all for the first time in the middle of a German summer 4 years ago, while my face was still round and my body a bit plump from four months of drinking in London. My decent slackline skills were put to the test on my first highlines and I threw myself at them full force. Finally my stubborn nature was paying off; I ignored the map of the world imprinted upon my thighs in bruises, the utter exhaustion of learning to climb up the leash after many falls, and the uncertainty of my knot tying abilities, all in order to take some steps on a highline. It's doubtful that any witnesses to my highline beginnings would have thought I would make it this far.</i><br />
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<i>After 4 or 5 highlines I finally managed to cross one; and all of a sudden the world was a much different place. I was officially a highliner. The following months were jam packed with walking. I learned that to save energy, time and prolong the life of the equipment, I should grab the highline when I fell rather than whipping into the leash and dangling six feet below. Climbing up a six-foot rope repeatedly did give me some nice guns but it wasn't worth the extra power I lost in doing so. Soon, I was catching the line almost every fall. A highline expedition to the US solidified my abilities; not only did I break my own personal records in distance highlining but I established a new female world record in the sport as well. This was a surprise for me since I had never intended to do so; however within three months I had broken my own records twice more. By the end of our trip, I was a proficient highliner and was starting to understand rigging.</i><br />
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<i>The idea to walk without a leash was not premeditated. I had watched my teammate, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jangalekathlete" target="_blank">Jan Galek</a>, walk free solo a few times and if anything it caused me to realize that solo could be safe. His stability and mental strength was a testament to this. I had recently graduated from a climbing harness to a swami belt; which is virtually a harness with no leg loops. A fall would be life preserving but painful as the thick band would constrict around my waist. Catching is ever more important when a highliner dons a swami, and it serves as a great mental training tool. Thanks to the swami-belt, I was very sure of my ability to catch the line and have to this day never fallen off a highline in anything less than a climbing harness. At this point, catching the line is second nature and I have taken no more than two unintentional whipper's in the last four years.</i><br />
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<i>My first solo was hardly spectacular. A favorite of beginners, the 25ft long highline in Joshua Tree, California lacks any exposure (sense of height), you might even survive if you fell and hit the ground. I had cruised it in a swami easily, and suddenly I desired to push my comfort zone a little more. I untied the leash and walked both directions, and was overcome by a very similar feeling to walking my very first highline. This wonderful euphoria left me beaming. My teammate Janek had very solid advice for me then, to control that happiness and excitement like I control my fear; in other words, not to get trigger happy with soloing because that’s when it can get dangerous. I still follow this advice.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith</a></i><i> free-soloing her first highline - "Chongo Gap" in Joshua Tree back in 2009 (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i>Explaining why I free solo (a common question) is very similar to explaining why I highline at all. The general public often considers obscure or unusual activities that involve adrenaline “daredevil, adrenaline junkie” sports. These labels have the same effect most labels do; they put highliners in a box, one that is often synonymous with "crazy." When given the opportunity, I enjoy giving some insight as to why I highline including soloing, and why some people find value in walking thin pieces of webbing high off the ground. We can all agree that facing our fears is a healthy exercise, combine this with an incredible community, traveling, and adrenaline, and you have an exceptionally self-transformative sport. The first highlines I walked taught me more about myself than anything I had encountered prior. I was able to compartmentalize my mind and see just how complex it really is. There are a number of chemical processes in our brains when we walk highlines, however the mental and spiritual side of the sport is often overlooked.</i><br />
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<i>I believe we all have different comfort zones and while pushing them is how we expand our consciousness, not everyone will push those limits at the same pace or in the same way. This is exactly why I would never encourage someone to solo. Though I swore I would never walk without safety, eventually I came to a point where I felt I needed to push my limits to that point in order to see myself more clearly. I've realized that fear is very multi-faceted, and it is not always an obstacle even if it is ever present when I am high off the ground. On a highline, I almost have tinges of schizophrenia where my mind splits into these different dialogues, often battling each other to be the strongest. What I've come to understand as ego are those voices that tell me I will fail, that I am no good; that I am too tired to succeed. By the same token, ego tells me I am great, that I am the best in the world, that everyone watching me is thinking about how good I am. Then there is the voice telling all the others to shut up, the one that reminds me why I highline, it tells me to focus on the beauty and the moment. All of this dialogue goes on for minutes at a time, sometimes the duration of the walk. Being naked to myself signifies seeing all that is inside of me, good and bad. A meditative mindset is one I constantly strive for; no thought stream, just pure focus. Moments like these remind me that the dialogue in my head does not necessarily represent who I am, and that I don't need mental words streaming in order to experience something amazing, achieve what I set out to do and be fully aware during the experience. Those moments where I achieve that clarity, be it solo or with a harness and leash, are ultimately what pushes me to keep highlining. Fear and intuition are difficult to decipher, but soloing brings me closer to understanding the difference.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith</a></i><i> perfectly balanced on the line above Ostrov (CZ)</i></td></tr>
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<i>Highlining is a sport, an art, a lifestyle and a spiritual experience all wrapped in one bundle. I found that walking highlines without safety took me to my outermost limits and forced me to stare my fear, my flaws and the clutter of my mind right in the face. There might be a scientific, chemical process that explains what and why it feels the way it does; however the benefit of the experience is far beyond any brain patterns. Highlining is how I collect myself; center my ego, my intuition and my body. Walking solo is the concentrated form of what I seek.</i><br />
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<i>Ego can be like a friend that grabs your hand and takes you on a fun but destructive adventure. Though I truly feel I started soloing for the right reasons, I am not immune to cameras or praise. Since I entered the world of professional slacklining, I have to be ever more in tune with my mind, body and intuition in order to make choices based on my own reasons and not for attention or fame. Free solo seems so crazy and ethereal to the general population that it easily becomes a focal point of highline media coverage. It is entwined with what I am passionate about and I will not hide it from the public, but I aim to express it truthfully and not to mislead people as to why I do it. I jump at the chance to explain the diligent mental and physical training that goes into being a soloist, as well as the ethics I believe in, rather than accepting media's false labeling. I am no daredevil.</i><br />
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<i>Free solo has it's own energy. When I've been raging in a group of people who were all soloing, I almost lost myself in the power of it and was unable to adequately estimate my own ability. I pushed my limits at a faster pace than I might have normally. Being in a group like that can be far more dangerous than publicity, in my opinion. While I do believe it is mostly all in my head, soloing is dicey and the risk is not broken bones, it is death. The risk is part of the motivation, and accepting that is part of pushing my limits.</i><br />
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<i>To write about soloing I feel lost in a sea of words and thoughts and it is difficult not to end up on novel-length tangents. How funny to describe an experience high in the air as something so very grounding. I am no junkie, but highlining is a healing medicine and to spend a few minutes in that magical dimension of focus has addictive qualities. It has to be in moderation, like anything else. There are no free solo competitions and for good reason; it is a very personal endeavor, not something to be done for anyone else.</i><br />
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<i>Learning who I am, who I want to be and how to improve myself is quite an endeavor. I could work on it on the ground, but frankly it is way more fun a few thousand feet in the air. I often say "One man's sane is another man's crazy," and to some (like my mother) I might never be able to truly explain the why of soloing. As I continue trying to peel the layers of the onion down till I can see my soul, I hope to also keep a pace at which I can live a long and happy life."</i><br />
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Well, I'm hoping you enjoyed that read as well as I did. There will be couple or few more in that series and if you liked that article you might be interested in other insides from <i>(click on the name to go to the article)</i>:<br />
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- <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/andy-lewis-take-on-free-soloing_25.html" target="_blank">Andy Lewis</a>,<br />
- <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/jordan-tybon-take-on-free-soloing.html" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>,<br />
- <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2014/01/spencer-seabrooke-take-on-free-soloing.html" target="_blank">Spencer Seabrooke</a>,<br />
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... and <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/highline-free-solo-free-soloist-mindset.html" target="_blank">myself</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jangalekathlete" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-80005538885533535782014-02-01T06:37:00.002-08:002014-02-01T06:47:57.276-08:00Negative to PositiveThree days ago I was celebrating three-month anniversary of my climbing accident in which I broke my lover right leg. At first it was quite shocking and brutally painful. Then by the time I was in a hospital dominating feelings were fear and uncertainty. After two surgeries and almost two weeks spent in a hospital I was noticeably weaker, my stomach was wrecked by four different types of painkillers but slowly I was becoming myself, feeling happy. I think I avoided the stage of resignation and indifference. Instead I started planning, dreaming about what I can achieve, trying to distance a bit to myself and laugh about some things in a hospital which at first seems a bit depressing. I think I am quite lucky. It could be way worse <i>(for example if the force would crush me knee or ankle)</i> and I can not thank enough all of my friends for being there for me. Literally, everyday I had at least one visitors. I totally didn't expect that and I am really thankful for all the support. Now I think about that whole accident situation as a blessing. I am not saying it was enjoyable and I have some financial problems but in a way that was a lesson I needed. Let's start from the beginning though ...<br />
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After <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/ostrov-in-autumn-shocking-end-of.html" target="_blank">amazing long weekend in Ostrov</a> with friends spent on highlining and climbing I came back to Berlin. On Monday I worked a bit doing rope access stuff and because I still had a lot of time I decide to do my standard training routine. I was extra motivated after climbing in Ostrov on a natural rock.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Route setting at <a href="https://ostbloc.de/" target="_blank">Ostbloc</a> together with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wol.fchen.9" target="_blank">Wölf</a></i></td></tr>
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I got on my bike and charged my casual route to <a href="https://ostbloc.de/" target="_blank">Ostbloc</a>. I love pretty much everything about that place. I started with route setting with friends and put up new grays I couldn't do right away. That was a good sign and I was quite happy to project that thing later. Soon, my good friend <a href="http://slacklineproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Helmar</a> arrived. I decided to warm up and then try my project again. I did few easier problems and decided to work a bit on the other gray problem put up by my buddy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/werner.bernstadt" target="_blank">Werner</a>. He's quite taller then me so it is always fun to climb with him and try to figure out beta for myself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq3xi0STmIVhOYTdIKYkWDphbPstAMD3O0pp_uEBexqDc2Sz3axR-e4Qv_kxPRmADaRm-_S9I7gBlSDTYi-NZDOwrgJHc0RLnTlw16OGgX6xqmfd8s7SsFshKWStY70Bb7dLuH2ZnZu0/s1600/IMG_20130901_150036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq3xi0STmIVhOYTdIKYkWDphbPstAMD3O0pp_uEBexqDc2Sz3axR-e4Qv_kxPRmADaRm-_S9I7gBlSDTYi-NZDOwrgJHc0RLnTlw16OGgX6xqmfd8s7SsFshKWStY70Bb7dLuH2ZnZu0/s400/IMG_20130901_150036.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Training at <a href="https://ostbloc.de/" target="_blank">Ostbloc</a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEXx4ahEtrUsn_aK2Uc__okklfPmugom2N-1QSRBjaEi0E-f9N8oPEYJjUoouQ88b3SbIejIzCpnTHhNBeGeIK_YL0Lbro1Ayifbk7qDoanxZvb3dSDANTZpIDT9eAwaRxGYAlyFFe-g/s1600/IMG_20130720_215111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEXx4ahEtrUsn_aK2Uc__okklfPmugom2N-1QSRBjaEi0E-f9N8oPEYJjUoouQ88b3SbIejIzCpnTHhNBeGeIK_YL0Lbro1Ayifbk7qDoanxZvb3dSDANTZpIDT9eAwaRxGYAlyFFe-g/s400/IMG_20130720_215111.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Home gym ...</i></td></tr>
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It was a fun problem but on the last move from the triangle volume I was missing 2cm to even touch the top hold. I was too short but I love dynamics moves so I made my mind and tried it dynamically. To do the move you had to jump more to the side then up to quite a good top hold. On the last try I thought I got it, gripped as hard as I could but my hands slipped just when my body was swinging away from the wall. I fell out of control, under weird angle, spinning around and I couldn't stop it. Right when I hit the crashpad I heard really loud noise. I thought to myself that I broke the mattress outside material. My next thought was; <i>"damn it, <a href="https://ostbloc.de/ostbloc/#team" target="_blank">Jacob and Lutz</a> will be pissed!"</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Jacob and Lutz are the owners of <a href="https://ostbloc.de/" target="_blank">Ostbloc</a>)</i></span>. Then I saw all the girls screaming and running away. Pretty much everyone around twitched as something really bad happened. That was when I realized something is wrong. I wanted to stand up but I couldn't. I looked down. My right leg was totally fucked. Both tibia and fibula were completely broken. It wasn't straight anymore either. The bones poked through my skin on the inner side of my leg and were sticking out of my leg. The rest of the limb and a broken piece formed together 90 degrees angle with the toes pointing up in direction of my head. Seeing that triggered the pain instantly. I lied down on a crashpad and focused on staying calm and breathing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mark.paetzold" target="_blank">Mark</a>, <a href="http://slacklineproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Helmar</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wol.fchen.9" target="_blank">Wölf</a> and one more guy I don't know <i>(he is apparently a doctor, I am really thankful for his professional help)</i> took car of me. The pain was overwhelming but I was able to talk a bit. It was hard to focus. The cold compress on my forehead helped a lot and I didn't feel any nausea. The guys were joking around: "just think about something nice, what about some nice tits?!" I had no idea but the 'doctor guy' straightened my leg during first 2 minutes. The pain was so constant I didn't feel any difference. Fifteen minutes later the ambulance arrived. I got an iv and morphine injection before I was even moved onto a stretcher. I don't remember the way to the hospital so well, I was high on drugs, relieved from pain. Drifting away all I could think about was <i>"I fucked up ... shit, what now?!"</i> ...<br />
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I arrived in a hospital, called my father and tried to reach <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> before the surgery. Waiting was way longer then I expected - apparently there was a guy after some heavy car accident and naturally he had to be take care of first. I had to time to worry if my insurance will cover everything, what's about work, slackline, climbing, my future ... At 2 a.m. I didn't have to worry anymore, after signing surgery papers the anesthesia shot was injected to my bloodstream and I fell into a dreamless land.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokMi1aNSKG-NNe49EYSeXkVrN2_9k4qNexSUZU5RqO4ME2l_oJl3HKDT_SjrJPTTOaJeyBge8eQYIWPLdmqF-Jez2ptoYAJvvwNbj0aoFS6SpgqmKa-s4hS2Gdvp9svEdXAeYRKvXwG4/s1600/IMAG0548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokMi1aNSKG-NNe49EYSeXkVrN2_9k4qNexSUZU5RqO4ME2l_oJl3HKDT_SjrJPTTOaJeyBge8eQYIWPLdmqF-Jez2ptoYAJvvwNbj0aoFS6SpgqmKa-s4hS2Gdvp9svEdXAeYRKvXwG4/s1600/IMAG0548.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Iron Man 1.0</i></td></tr>
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I woke up discovering weird structure sticking out of my leg. It had to stay there for next few days before next surgery. It was surprisingly heavy and awfully unpractical. I used to forget it is on banging against the toilet door frame. Now it is quite hilarious to think about it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVUByfZHxe6_TwDlvQTh6ELLDTmWz6hzbsBEu1kDs_9iUonTbpzA-sUUcDkmbp2Tnt37ntHvOvuiRDMuvGJ5_cYZdZ_Sl2f0r6IAkpNvLHVVRkezlzJS2bvwdNls9nG4RVmj9harvB7U/s1600/IMG_20131110_144941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVUByfZHxe6_TwDlvQTh6ELLDTmWz6hzbsBEu1kDs_9iUonTbpzA-sUUcDkmbp2Tnt37ntHvOvuiRDMuvGJ5_cYZdZ_Sl2f0r6IAkpNvLHVVRkezlzJS2bvwdNls9nG4RVmj9harvB7U/s1600/IMG_20131110_144941.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>X-rays after injury, first and second surgery</i></td></tr>
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Another surgery was noticeably longer but I was relieved to have my leg without metal sticking out of it. Although that time the metal was inside. I had an intramedullary rod pounded inside my tibia and fixed with three small screws at the top and bottom of my leg. I left the hospital knowing I will have to remove the small screws in a few months + I will have fourth surgery during which the inner rod will be removed completely. The bad news was I will have to wait for it another year and the good news I can be active with the rod inside my body.<br />
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The first two weeks after leaving the hospital were the worse. I never felt so week and challenged by the smallest things. I couldn't sleep and digest well. Carrying a cup of hot tea from the kitchen to my room was my personal mission impossible. Right after getting out of the hospital I stopped taking all the painkillers because of big problems with my stomach and it slowly got better but I also started to feel more mostly painful signals from my body.<br />
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I don't want to describe the rest of my injury and recovery details because it might be quite boring. All I have to say about it it learned me a lot of good things and I am amazed and overwhelmed by amount of love I experienced from my friends, family and people who support me.<br />
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I spent hours on my computer working on the articles, planning my goal, talking with friends, watching slackling and climbing videos and dreaming about running.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVQ3C_By1KP3pJ65sy_5WXa5kFwJgZJI-kyE0mPG2n7UcWybdpyKCM_oQpks98zw_gnXqbWrmMVAgls5zADUa5bhIZqT0B1z1OkK7mi6Ur8t5R7iX13zDRweaDV64oC3owDoeck2Cjo8/s1600/IMG_20131121_021208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVQ3C_By1KP3pJ65sy_5WXa5kFwJgZJI-kyE0mPG2n7UcWybdpyKCM_oQpks98zw_gnXqbWrmMVAgls5zADUa5bhIZqT0B1z1OkK7mi6Ur8t5R7iX13zDRweaDV64oC3owDoeck2Cjo8/s1600/IMG_20131121_021208.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My first month activity ...</i></td></tr>
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I have to say - I was going crazy without any physical activity. It definitely made me appreciate more the days I had and hopefully will have soon. I will cherish every moment on the line, taking next step on the mountain path, taking a walk with a friend ... man, I miss that so much.<br />
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After one month I was able to slowly start training and rehabilitating my body. I was so exited to do pull-ups, push-ups which normally seem kind of boring to me. I felt like a small kid which was allowed for some crazy trip on a bike. I got my second chance. I feel really motivated and I think that state was triggered by this accident. I never felt so motivated to get on with my life ... In a way I am thankful I broke my leg. It let me understand better myself, others, put amazing people on my path and showed me my friends in a new light.<br />
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Nowadays I can already walk a bit, yesterday I did my first 7a lead at the climbing gym at the end of my second week during second training cycle. I feel stronger and healthier everyday. The entry wound is almost healed and my broken leg feels stronger too. I think in time I will be able to realize climbing and slackline goals I put for myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Tkbu3OG8z7wiF5iniWHc6wjzfiGIDM4zdGZDvqg7R-VCCRCgx_oTw1g-YQ4Sz-Z_Jm3T6TiRlOw3RXS8i0YMbF_fjEqViQ9eQXKDA4JsRHkF7bWw1Zofj_jbFLbQ6uH1xjeJEqq7jlA/s1600/IMG_20131227_150110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Tkbu3OG8z7wiF5iniWHc6wjzfiGIDM4zdGZDvqg7R-VCCRCgx_oTw1g-YQ4Sz-Z_Jm3T6TiRlOw3RXS8i0YMbF_fjEqViQ9eQXKDA4JsRHkF7bWw1Zofj_jbFLbQ6uH1xjeJEqq7jlA/s1600/IMG_20131227_150110.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnFTycQoHhQ4-eIpTI-camUP-MJ3_4M-iqFqB3LjC_-w3CGg00s_uQ-HQzOIgL3hn4dBBTGi4bgEOR1eHOJbnrHezaVIGJPya-PyxScRolDidzemDfTHs6Et99cuFlwcXWrEi-cowNbI/s1600/IMG_20131227_151006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnFTycQoHhQ4-eIpTI-camUP-MJ3_4M-iqFqB3LjC_-w3CGg00s_uQ-HQzOIgL3hn4dBBTGi4bgEOR1eHOJbnrHezaVIGJPya-PyxScRolDidzemDfTHs6Et99cuFlwcXWrEi-cowNbI/s1600/IMG_20131227_151006.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I focused on a lot of different things too. I have time to learn German, read books. I studied a lot about training, nutrition with a great help from my personal trainer and nutritionist from <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/" target="_blank">SZTUKA ŻYWIENIA</a>. I made some important decisions of what I want to do after I'm back on two feet and what might sound funny I miss my work. I did re-think some other aspects of my life and I am surprised I didn't take care of it before. It seems like I was just lazy avoiding some issues. I also decided to stop eating meat again but now I am going to do it responsible way. I think it will allow me to feel better physically and definitely will reduce the guilt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeBPfRdkAvAtkoGcIwExGmoPr_tZvhqhWiNBocZHxF44KaMexeJF7eKGfeY5srBVZEwR4C-xzM9fEGZMLYymjfA86OjgpffBqNTfBV4usw2GQcKM6-UO6zJqLqY5lofl1zgOBL_UZMAE/s1600/IMG_20140104_013052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeBPfRdkAvAtkoGcIwExGmoPr_tZvhqhWiNBocZHxF44KaMexeJF7eKGfeY5srBVZEwR4C-xzM9fEGZMLYymjfA86OjgpffBqNTfBV4usw2GQcKM6-UO6zJqLqY5lofl1zgOBL_UZMAE/s1600/IMG_20140104_013052.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>After first training cycle - HUGE thanks to <a href="http://www.sztukazywienia.com/" target="_blank">SZTUKA ŻYWIENIA</a>, <a href="http://www.zapotoczna.pl/" target="_blank">Dominika Zapotoczna</a> as well as <a href="http://zerwa.pl/" target="_blank">Zerwa</a> climbing gym for letting me train!</i></td></tr>
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I can't wait to get back home to Berlin, to be back on the line, but I am more patient and organized right now so I know I can wait the time needed. I am hoping that will be enough to evolve and my goal is definitely not to be as I good I was before - I want to be better person.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php" target="_blank">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-45542528016962656022014-01-17T06:29:00.003-08:002014-01-17T06:34:22.593-08:00Spencer Seabrooke - take on free soloingA while ago I started a series on my blog dedicated to the topic of free-solo highlining. I already featured athletes like <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/jordan-tybon-take-on-free-soloing.html" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>, <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/andy-lewis-take-on-free-soloing_25.html" target="_blank">Andy Lewis</a> and also presented my view on that topic. All three of these posts got published in large article inside <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/G%C3%B3ry-Polish-Climbing-Magazine/370102740245?fref=ts" target="_blank">GÓRY climbing magazine</a> <i>(of course in Polish though)</i>. Picture of <a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a> sending <i>"Erotic Narcotic"</i> Highline in a swami-belt with a beautiful background of Fisher Towers was chosen for a cover. That's the second slackline cover in a history of this great magazine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh_UBI-MEZFsV-ZWSkDcNSnqw57gx7rVzjQuUkTTKHEFcc947CC_OI5BprbFHYwTbFZnaDC1pbb4LF0A5MvTEsjrWz393UarKKChZ8KbwX_tP2lF6PAgjDWgs-zQyiguRHPSubhmhh4U/s1600/gory_slack-cover_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh_UBI-MEZFsV-ZWSkDcNSnqw57gx7rVzjQuUkTTKHEFcc947CC_OI5BprbFHYwTbFZnaDC1pbb4LF0A5MvTEsjrWz393UarKKChZ8KbwX_tP2lF6PAgjDWgs-zQyiguRHPSubhmhh4U/s1600/gory_slack-cover_02.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith</a> on the cover (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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This time I am adding next profile to the free-solo series and there will be more to come. For today I have an athlete which caused a bit of controversy with his bold full-on free-solos. And I am talking HIGH, BIG and EXPOSED. The person I'm describing is Canadian representative <a href="https://www.facebook.com/spencer.seabrooke" target="_blank">Spencer Seabrooke</a>. His leashless sends on the North Gully at the Stawamus Chief left me speechless. Spencer is quite a special case in the highline free-solo world. Even though he doesn't have that many years of experience as other highliners he's doing amazing projects and is presents mature style of free-soloing. Here is a piece by this amazing slackliner which will give you a bit more insides on 'what, how and why':<br />
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<i>"My name is Spencer Seabrooke, and I have been slacklining since May 2012. This is the story of my journey to walking free-solo.</i><br />
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<i>After watching "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diA6sFnPDi8" target="_blank">Sketchy Andy</a>" video on the Reel Rock tour, without having ever even walked a slackline I dreamed of walking a highline. As soon as I had the money, I went to the local climbing shop and picked up a gibbon classic. I immediately started slacking. The weather is sometimes an issue in the spring in Vancouver so we would setup the line in parking garages or under any other covered area with two solid anchors.</i><br/>
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<i>As soon as was able to walk the line I had already set my eye on my first highline - The Camel. I was obsessed. With my climbing experience and some research on safe rigging, I hiked up to the location twice, both times with plans to drill and prepare for the highline, but the weather and mountain conditions made it unsafe.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me drilling my first bolt on the 'Camel' Highline</i></td></tr>
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<i>After 3 months of slacklining, having walked the slackline high in the trees, we set out one weekend to rig my first true highline. The weather did not go as planned, but with a clear break on Sunday, we managed to drill and bolt the new line. After a few shaky steps, I was able to do the first FA of the Camel.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>My first highline</i></span></div>
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<i>Walking the highline sparked something in me. The feeling euphoria I got form walking in the clouds. I was hooked. On the hike down, we started talking and thinking about locations that we could highline.
We started setting up new lines over the canyons on the north shores where for many days I trained with the exposure and thoughts of going bigger, higher and longer.</i><br />
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<i>Having walked my longest highline at 50', 90' in the air, I decided I was ready to try the 100', 900' high line across the north gully of the chief.</i><br />
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<i>In Dec 2012, I went out and bough a 60m piece of climbing spec tubular webbing the day before we found ourselves rigging a 100' primitive setup. We knew it was a little bit sketchy, but still completely safe using bomber climbing rope back up. I knew I was safe. Doing this like this has truly helped me feel comfortable with my rigging and learning to trust our rigging and the systems, which we have in place. It’s the key to getting beyond what you are doing and just focus on walking the line.</i><br />
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<i>Taking countless whippers, almost decking out, loosing my shoes to the gully and only making it 20 feet, I felt defeated. I knew I had to start training on longer lines on the ground before I could just rig one and start walking high in the air.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyblZH5jM0WqrxHv27DdTNAWwpKIeRYRaMZYQ-B7q-GAaA_sTn6YnQ3JOt2f-Ct8yyg_P7chxHMjSH9nALT7bQWNxATmDS92BxDHAs8lIjXq_JLtjAvc9TirX-Yd4YBjfBNQY8EYSH1ng/s1600/spencer_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyblZH5jM0WqrxHv27DdTNAWwpKIeRYRaMZYQ-B7q-GAaA_sTn6YnQ3JOt2f-Ct8yyg_P7chxHMjSH9nALT7bQWNxATmDS92BxDHAs8lIjXq_JLtjAvc9TirX-Yd4YBjfBNQY8EYSH1ng/s1600/spencer_03.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Checkout the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVE58GIBp0" target="_blank">VIDEO</a> </i></td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>The next day in the pouring rain I rigged a line approximately the same length between two trees and walked it back and forth. I couldn't understand what held me back the day before.</i><br />
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<i>At this point I needed gear. Gathering all the money I had, I started my slack rack with the few climbing pulleys I already had and some static rope, I managed to tension up to a 200' line. After walking 200' I knew I was ready to go back to the North Gully and get a real taste of exposure.</i><br />
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<i>In January 2013, with some friends to help rig, I returned to the North Gully. Shoveled 4' of snow to find the anchors, we managed to get the line setup on some much improved rigging - no more primitive setup. Still backed up with a climbing rope, I crossed the line taping it and I knew I was ready but the line was still very lose. Giving the line a few more pulls - BAM. The 1" tubular webbing snapped. I was choked. The wind had caused the line to rub on the snow and wear a weak point where it eventually snapped.</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>
<i>The next weekend with my new weblock and new flat nylon webbing I picked up from a local rescue store. I hiked up with the one friend who was available. After a long battle, I was able to send the line half man. The thought of walking something like this free-solo was so far out of my mind. Even the thought of walking with a lease was still crazy</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FyMqEggNSb8" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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<i>Over the winter, the slack rack continued to grow with the addition of some Slackline Brothers pulleys and a ton of steel. Starting to work with Absolute Slacklines, a local slackline company, I now had enough gear to rig multiple highlines.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In march 2013, we started setting up new highlines at Cypress Falls canyon in West Vancouver. I began to experiment with swami, shackles and ball and chain. I felt I started to understand the thought of walking free-solo. After walking back and forth on a the "Back Seat Driver" (70' long, 60' high) with swami belt, I dropped the harness and stepped on to my first free-solo of a 50', 45' high "Fourst Timer". It felt so good, and I knew I could take it a lot further. Read more <a href="http://slacklifebc.com/cypress-falls-highline-playground/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Continuing to rig new lines I started to feel more comfortable on the line. Having walked and attempted many highlines, some outside my ability, I never once took any leash falls. Being able to walk the line with less and less protection is as much about being confident in knowing you will catch as it is important to know you walk the line.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>After soloing a few of the lines I had rigged in the canyons in the spring of 2013, I decided I needed to solo something that was truly exposed. I set the goal of returning to my first highline "The Camel", with 1000' exposure. Walking several times with harness then swami, dropped the harness and walked it free-solo full man. At that point I truly felt in control of my fears and emotions.</i><br />
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<i>Arrival of the Swiss crew, with some new longer pieces of webbing, I returned to the North Gully and without any trouble, walked the line back and forth. The thought of soloing the North gully started be something in the back of my mind. At this point my friend Brent Plumely and I started a group SlackLife BC. Through our social media, we were able to get out 7 highliners and rigged 2 100' lines across the North Gully. Walking both lines back and forth for a whole day, experimenting with swami and thoughts of soloing - Still scared the shit out of me.</i><br />
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<i>Waking up Sunday morning, I felt bored of walking back and forth tied in safely. I knew I was walking these lines solid enough to solo them I just needed to get past my fears. I tied in with on shackles and truly felt free on the line. I knew I was ready, I have never felt more in the zone. I stepped over to the highline and waited for Joseph to step off. The anticipation killed me. The energy I was getting from the people around me was amazing, they knew what I was about to do. The line was free, I tied the leash back, I stepped on free-solo.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The first 10' there is a small ledge underneath and feel relatively secure. The second I felt the exposure, and dropped to my butt. I slid back to the begging of the line. I let out a scream - my built up nerves, and stepped back on the line. I was completely in the zone and every step felt solid. This is where all my training and mental preparation had led me to. I cruised across the line, and exploded on the other side. It took weeks for the high of walking the line to go down. To truly overcome your fears and being in complete control is the most amazing feeling someone could feel.</i><br />
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<i>I went back and soloed all the lines less than 100' that I had previously rigged. Setting up long lines and constantly training I had to return to the North Gully for the free-solo of "Dean's Line". It is relatively the same as the line I had soloed previously, but its much more exposed and you walk onto a spire. I was always inspired to free-solo this line because it was Dean's video that first sparked my interest in the North Gully.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I went up, walked the line many times with swami and shackles not taking a fall all day. Having just finished walking the line full man with shackles, I knew I was ready to solo the line. There was a slight hesitation on my mind so I stood on the end of the line still above the ledge and thought about the solo. After taking two steps forward, I felt a slight shake and felt it was not the right moment and jumped off safely to the ledge still below. After a few grunts and shaking out my nerves, I immediately stepped back on the line. I felt solid step after step until suddenly I found myself in the middle 900' in the air with my legs shaking. After one sketchy step, and seeing the line shake in front of me I knew I had to catch and grab the line. Still in control I dropped and caught the line. On the way back the ledge I was thinking about how much easier it would have been to walk to the other side than shimmy back and start again. Having fallen and caught in the middle free solo, I had faced my biggest fear. Now it was all about walking to the other side. I stepped back on the line and felt like I was only a few feet off the ground walking in the park. I no longer felt the exposure.</i><br />
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<i>People always ask me why I free-solo. It’s fun. It’s the ultimate test of my skills. It’s being able to over come my fears and execute on something I know I can do and have practiced 100 time before. It’s about being in control. I don't want to die, or have a death wish. I want to continue to slackline and highline for a long time to come. If I ever thought I was not completely safe and in control, I would never step on the line. It’s that simple. I am going to continue to train, push myself and the sport with longer and higher free-solos.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Check out <a href="http://slacklifebc.com/">SlacklifeBC.com</a> to follow me on all my adventures.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>SlackLife!!!"</i><br />
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I am hoping you enjoyed that read as much as I did. Next time I will be presenting thoughts of the amazing and versatile athlete, amazing woman and a great friend <a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a>. Stay tuned!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-75630267102062320892013-11-28T07:33:00.002-08:002013-11-28T07:39:50.509-08:00Highline Free Solo (free soloist mindset, that is to say about motivation, preparation and the way)Lately I posted two full interviews about free soloing featuring <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/" target="_blank">Andy Lewis</a> <i>(click <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/andy-lewis-take-on-free-soloing_25.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</i> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a> <i>(click <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/jordan-tybon-take-on-free-soloing.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</i>. Together with my my part it was going to be featured in a new "Slackline Corner" section in <i>"<a href="http://www.goryonline.com/" target="_blank">GÓRY climbing magazine</a>"</i>. The main editor after reading the material gave me a call. It was a good news. The full interviews together with the pics will be published on 4 to 6 pages and probably the picture on a cover will promote the article. I am pretty psyched about it and keep my fingers crossed that everything works out. Down below you can find my take on free soloing and the story how I got into it. Sometimes in the nearest future I will also publish interviews with Faith Dickey, <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Michael Kemeter</a>, <a href="http://lajny.cz/petr-peeto-kucera" target="_blank">Petr Kučera</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/slacklifebc" target="_blank">Spencer Seabrooke</a>.<br />
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<i>"I took my first steps on a highline back in 2006. I walked my first line during first slackline competition '<a href="http://wspinanie.pl/2006/05/slackline-masters-2006/" target="_blank">Slackline Masters</a>' organized in Sokoliki Mountains. I remember on the way to this event my imagination was kindled by the thought of trying first highline in Poland ever. I was trying to convince myself that I am capable. I calmed myself down; 'Yet, in the end I am a climber so the high is nothing new', 'I am pretty skilled slackliner and every piece of equipment on a highline is doubled'. But as soon as I tied in and set on that short line strung between two peaks, all of these rational arguments were erased and instantly replaced by incapacitating irrational fear and the will to escape.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBuPM-nk5JqdgiMB3Gwad8z9OdT9kDFx2XGS-ZG5-Ya_5U3zD9BfBy_SGWg5ksCWBcP9PggWZ1VyVi1rAszZpd6lKlllrTNLw86avlAQHgamssVKw2Qo0h47djyWrZiwQxydtu7y4lbI/s1600/On+the+highline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBuPM-nk5JqdgiMB3Gwad8z9OdT9kDFx2XGS-ZG5-Ya_5U3zD9BfBy_SGWg5ksCWBcP9PggWZ1VyVi1rAszZpd6lKlllrTNLw86avlAQHgamssVKw2Qo0h47djyWrZiwQxydtu7y4lbI/s640/On+the+highline.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sending my first highline in Sokoliki back in 2006</i></td></tr>
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<i>I was lucky enough to send this line first try. I named it 'Little Boy'. I remember exactly how I felt after sending it and this memory is still quite vivid. In general I am not a type of a guy, which looses it every time after sending a highline. That day though, I screamed so loud I am pretty sure people heard me in a village down below in the valley. My body kept shivering for the next half an hour powered by adrenaline, complete euphoria and pure happiness. I could not calm myself down. In retrospect I know that achieving my goal, defeating myself and most importantly feeling of relief induced that state of mind. I felt safe again and the fear was washed away when I got to the other side. Though at that time I was free soloing some easy climbs already, the thought of walking a highline leashless was just surreal. I promised myself I would never do it. The feeling of being suspended in space, the impossibility to grab and hold on to something like in case of climbing, lack of self-confidence and control over my body and mind excluded that option.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwrB9bOCkzSlfirasI86TLPcqdTiDUXTux-vUlOFw5XMKQ2KPWly70NB25ZFetDGiYz3OJ0NxPEM6f4C22bZxOxYtvhgWSAcdY6Krh-keGFYUIEhg7OONrlIUIT2abAnKYb3NVNW8YlQ/s1600/sokoliki020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwrB9bOCkzSlfirasI86TLPcqdTiDUXTux-vUlOFw5XMKQ2KPWly70NB25ZFetDGiYz3OJ0NxPEM6f4C22bZxOxYtvhgWSAcdY6Krh-keGFYUIEhg7OONrlIUIT2abAnKYb3NVNW8YlQ/s640/sokoliki020.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Full circle, after 6 years of constant adventure free-soloing my first highline (photo by <a href="https://vimeo.com/ayoy" target="_blank">Dominik Kapusta</a>/'Little Boy' 2012)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLz2IuscIKNdek7sDG6wj9amCGi4grZmQz2iy4n5rC3RIc38tMwoXfNdhoBGwYhcGOg3LgPuO6Fw5qKXP9fbtgbQgy-0c4MU2XbHq_r0LDTSBaotu8KkW2gfquJrZqY8jRhlbDhK0DTI/s1600/DSC_5117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLz2IuscIKNdek7sDG6wj9amCGi4grZmQz2iy4n5rC3RIc38tMwoXfNdhoBGwYhcGOg3LgPuO6Fw5qKXP9fbtgbQgy-0c4MU2XbHq_r0LDTSBaotu8KkW2gfquJrZqY8jRhlbDhK0DTI/s640/DSC_5117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Free soloing five pitch "<a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/regular-route-higher-cathedral-spire/105956387" target="_blank">Regular Route</a>" up the Upper Cathedral Spire (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>/ Yosemite, 2013)</i></td></tr>
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<i>Next three years passed and slackline managed to take over my life entirely. I gained some experience, walked hundreds of highlines around the world and eventually together with Somewhereelseland made it to Joshua Tree National Park in California. During that trip I realized few important things. I was way more aware of my body and mind reactions. I was also much better highliner then three years ago. The other things changed too. The moment of stepping off the line didn’t bring me the feeling of relief anymore, quite opposite actually. Sending highline from beginning to the other side wasn’t that important to me anymore. What matter was the process of walking the line and being in a space was bringing me most joy now. If only it was possible I would like to stretch this moment indefinitely.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE4f_AII5Ggy0CaB6lycfIi9eWp6gGXqiHrLnTfI3fGbBFRqNLafE8Pwl87EQicN61yVYz7ZkAY_MDcs4FATZL11k5DlHgPQv0Y6EUNGq8j5AVkEdhouUgy6_y6sUJfVHNrtQFh76f-g/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE4f_AII5Ggy0CaB6lycfIi9eWp6gGXqiHrLnTfI3fGbBFRqNLafE8Pwl87EQicN61yVYz7ZkAY_MDcs4FATZL11k5DlHgPQv0Y6EUNGq8j5AVkEdhouUgy6_y6sUJfVHNrtQFh76f-g/s640/IMG_0837.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Enjoying the exposure (photo by Lidia/ Ostrov, 2013)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cCwcw4PFsFV18QrKsM7NNobyGlZ49J420s4BfE-eFouuuJXXcnAkXYyRigsqTcSHl0eWN-Dfp4OiOqaYorxfU03W_liKaC2clSJd_9feT17th55V3cLmSgccX4QPtZK2-RKV8od0rHg/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cCwcw4PFsFV18QrKsM7NNobyGlZ49J420s4BfE-eFouuuJXXcnAkXYyRigsqTcSHl0eWN-Dfp4OiOqaYorxfU03W_liKaC2clSJd_9feT17th55V3cLmSgccX4QPtZK2-RKV8od0rHg/s640/DSC_0231.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Free-soloing at Mt. Lemmon (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i>I knew I was missing something and it was a bit hard to admit to myself that something was free solo. Still, during these last three years I was constantly looking for new challenges, moving my boundary of fear. I was sending more exposed highlines, the lines which were on my limit soon became doable in a “swami-belt” and the in an “ankle-leash”. After some thought I knew all these challenges were just the search of that moment I felt after sending my first highline.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Free solo is an ultimate test of you skills. The choice you have to make is identical to the one you had to make before sending your first highline. You can face your fears or escape. That doesn’t change although the intensity of the experience is always the same. There is no trying, no “maybe” or time for uncertainty. Once you step on the line you have to leave that behind you. For potential mistake you will have to pay highest price - with your life.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQexaEf0v6-4m4Y-nAVIxONIiAmsdblzQq-JF6-_MhQXRrqXnyADp77Lq7TR51MK2Gh2xYzaKvoGR3RXGQYfxYaR4sjxgmyzmeJNwiohnubHLAtoR_itHPgyjgwzGdNwlBcBZixQQPP8/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQexaEf0v6-4m4Y-nAVIxONIiAmsdblzQq-JF6-_MhQXRrqXnyADp77Lq7TR51MK2Gh2xYzaKvoGR3RXGQYfxYaR4sjxgmyzmeJNwiohnubHLAtoR_itHPgyjgwzGdNwlBcBZixQQPP8/s640/DSC_0057.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Swaming "The Shenis" on the Lighthouse Tower (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>/Moab, UT)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXIrRTQ9FMpFO4Dej1aHffvgNwmsUud2qoiM0Kh6pdky-wxOkHZqRjfQDx9DD5etHVE23BSpR7VTshayMIZkXnkZglxTlzobPYBS0XT1NARK-wuHv6jDiiqCzEwqCifTdtX1-I_eNvok/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXIrRTQ9FMpFO4Dej1aHffvgNwmsUud2qoiM0Kh6pdky-wxOkHZqRjfQDx9DD5etHVE23BSpR7VTshayMIZkXnkZglxTlzobPYBS0XT1NARK-wuHv6jDiiqCzEwqCifTdtX1-I_eNvok/s640/DSC_0019.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Ankle leash" send on the "In Had to be Snakes", just before soloing (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>/Moab, Fisher Towers, UT)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<i>Naturally I had to answer the question if this is something really worth the risk and contemplate possible repercussions of my own death. I continue to think about it everyday. It cannot be denied, free solo is pretty egoistic activity but so is any extreme sport and to some extend every human being. Believe me when I say I don’t want to hurt my friends and my family by my death. I appreciate every one of them, but if I don’t do it I wouldn’t be truly happy. I think they do understand me at least partially and I try to do the same. It is hard to understand it if you don’t do it yourself. I watch my friends, people I love free soloing and I am scared for them too but I also feel what they feel and I get it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In terms of height and length, my first free solo was almost identical copy of the line in Sokoliki. As it turned out after sending it was also really similar emotionally. Feeling of pure happiness and euphoria came back. Though this time the form was manifestation of perfection, composure and mastery. I was fully in control of the situation and myself.</i><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7CwiteLjp76Ba5SzeUYjob7HLGH0v4y6XyQECFUDsGhXsk6j7nKl7-c54wqM4gb2wgYfNLkNLThk3vtm7oCgMfK7s0CyWB3ogyn3rUFOpz8Z6MCDfELtsciNgny6AqFq7XlkBHTR5-0/s1600/DSC_0140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7CwiteLjp76Ba5SzeUYjob7HLGH0v4y6XyQECFUDsGhXsk6j7nKl7-c54wqM4gb2wgYfNLkNLThk3vtm7oCgMfK7s0CyWB3ogyn3rUFOpz8Z6MCDfELtsciNgny6AqFq7XlkBHTR5-0/s640/DSC_0140.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My first free-solo "Chongo Gap" Highline (photo by Jordan Tybon/Joshua Tree, CA)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrtBOx_rPi5Hk_1DIq4j4P8B5SgZJ7ylKvfunEQdx1NO0oGk72vZ6rbLqxm_MRqh_uoGOpSMagA5XU5khxDoNr6G9qx0Q8_OlY3F3owuIG0hjrK82rHjrQN3oxvITKCf3sDTzWGKi-fM/s1600/Hall+of+Horrors+FS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrtBOx_rPi5Hk_1DIq4j4P8B5SgZJ7ylKvfunEQdx1NO0oGk72vZ6rbLqxm_MRqh_uoGOpSMagA5XU5khxDoNr6G9qx0Q8_OlY3F3owuIG0hjrK82rHjrQN3oxvITKCf3sDTzWGKi-fM/s640/Hall+of+Horrors+FS.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another freesoloco in J. Tree. Here on the "Hall of Horrors" Highline (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i>Even if tried really hard it is impossible for me to fully describe the free solo state of mind. It is equally difficult to answer to the question “why” in a logical to a normal person way or explain rationally what really drives me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Free soloing is something special to me. It is almost magical. When I am leashless on the line I feel truly free. I can escape from myself and met my true self, experience primary fear. After every free solo I can’t stop smiling and enjoy every moment of it as a baby.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Nowadays everyone tries to hide under security cover, elongate their lives, don’t do risky and rash moves and invest well in their selves. Personally, for me the moment, when I stand up on the highline completely free, I leave that scheme. For the moment I live fully, I live in a moment. My mind is clear and only present counts. There is no past and no future. I am levitating in the air on the one inch piece of webbing and my fear and meditative calmness melts into one. This feeling and this moment are liberating.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/80550995" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<i>That doesn’t mean I play Russian roulette with death. I also don’t seek the worse, but I am trying to enjoy my life. Free soloing can teach you a lot. I try to apply these lessons in everyday life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The preparation process as well as free soloing itself is way more complicated then it seems. I’m always trying to choose the best decision and I believe I am aware of the risks around me more then, lets say, a person commuting to work be car every day.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe6wrHwyKu0Hr_gu_JDPuAlRBh5VzE5o0KLWPgJsyURgGKq2FxgUpaY6kXpyRGkZ0DU2vNDP8ZQFkhK0kdukJlPD3bLy4m3Mt-bBwcJJ-DXBx0bAPyFZf9rcDKiA2sByUScKlHRze6vw/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe6wrHwyKu0Hr_gu_JDPuAlRBh5VzE5o0KLWPgJsyURgGKq2FxgUpaY6kXpyRGkZ0DU2vNDP8ZQFkhK0kdukJlPD3bLy4m3Mt-bBwcJJ-DXBx0bAPyFZf9rcDKiA2sByUScKlHRze6vw/s640/DSC_0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Freesoloco on the industrial line in Hamburg (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DWZPSX0SIuY9xwZ1tdWfOF7n9K8D4k0FJviR93NLKWmH-FZ_QdTBf_2wIasFpq571LLXcwGG6EkIYvJzmnZUP1yLtyGnuQInMVJz3WmYWT3VmDF0VjSq72qoyPVl33vboDaQA0jDoYI/s1600/DSC_1177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DWZPSX0SIuY9xwZ1tdWfOF7n9K8D4k0FJviR93NLKWmH-FZ_QdTBf_2wIasFpq571LLXcwGG6EkIYvJzmnZUP1yLtyGnuQInMVJz3WmYWT3VmDF0VjSq72qoyPVl33vboDaQA0jDoYI/s640/DSC_1177.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Free solo double knee drop (photo <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>/Ostrov, CZ)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<i>In decision making process I take into account things like my physical and mental preparation, frame of mind, mood, weather, technical difficulty of the line (to which also consists of many elements). And if I have any doubts I just back off. I can come back any day but I have only one life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Physical preparation covers training, which is focused on proper technique, endurance and automation of motor skills. It is essential to master catching technique and to sustain 100% effectiveness. For example I didn’t take unexpected leashfall in more then three years now. I like to keep it that way just to build my self-confidence.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq44U6OouUTo-pZQaNBi0OaiGF92CDkFr490XLF3j9cKtOa60jT_Glli3_nuIpZLvmESWILKcu4xRrFZmhxQQS5pEJXkKxj7O7sBITC91LDnUI2HKOCyAikevYWZHsh-zSQ1CB9YSkIU/s1600/DSC_3124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq44U6OouUTo-pZQaNBi0OaiGF92CDkFr490XLF3j9cKtOa60jT_Glli3_nuIpZLvmESWILKcu4xRrFZmhxQQS5pEJXkKxj7O7sBITC91LDnUI2HKOCyAikevYWZHsh-zSQ1CB9YSkIU/s640/DSC_3124.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Free soloing "Hole Rock" Highline just before dark (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EQPqGVLw2YbJ7qda4Lk4ct_6AsC2uu5pfG8sCu5Jnpmtx4ASQZs11k3GvEs0BJN_TLbTDzWNztGZIqv96akyrN85Sub5G1nzfzym9hQ8C0yyBRePmcsvbcw4J5ibGB6fJHrgDNx92L8/s1600/DSC_4076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EQPqGVLw2YbJ7qda4Lk4ct_6AsC2uu5pfG8sCu5Jnpmtx4ASQZs11k3GvEs0BJN_TLbTDzWNztGZIqv96akyrN85Sub5G1nzfzym9hQ8C0yyBRePmcsvbcw4J5ibGB6fJHrgDNx92L8/s640/DSC_4076.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>First freesoloco ascent on the "Mongol Invaders" Highline (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>/Castle Crags, CA, USA)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<i>For the mental training you can use any limited protection methods, as well as free soloing it self. As far as creating good training methods focusing on the physical aspects is relatively easy, that is not a case with mental training. Even though I learned quite a lot on my own, I did not understand everything completely and a lot of situations, my own reactions and feelings were complete mystery to myself.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>That is why I decided to start cooperation with a sport psychologist <a href="http://www.zapotoczna.pl/" target="_blank">Dominika Zapotoczna</a>. I will not reveal detailed exercises or exactly how our cooperation looks like. It would be no use for others because it is highly personalized. What I can say is that it helped me a lot already to better control my emotions, concentration level, use my body in a proper way and introduce appropriate actions long before achieving my goal. Everyday I learn something new about myself.</i><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSPHPBdmz2aIpIS0FE8j5dNI_jvv1eybGJ3mL9HWJMkD51cd3ay6CwEXROSEejQGD6hNGesT2C7dwXwpGPCSE6zsJaivRYabIhZRdzUfkM5BJ933zqES2pVvp1BEe7Q-eAPPkfTh-sNk/s1600/DSC_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSPHPBdmz2aIpIS0FE8j5dNI_jvv1eybGJ3mL9HWJMkD51cd3ay6CwEXROSEejQGD6hNGesT2C7dwXwpGPCSE6zsJaivRYabIhZRdzUfkM5BJ933zqES2pVvp1BEe7Q-eAPPkfTh-sNk/s640/DSC_4155.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mostly it is bunch of work (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>/Castle Crags, CA, USA)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisntstrtRE9tntG18tqwPX4fkGb7fBzH7jKMJ8tkfmpEvRSwZDCJ4ODWKV1P0hJo4PTgayELxQ_wLFFHgwoZmI39MGm6_xeWGwayapaBiZcXJmbKVKDFyhi07r35I49t7wSXvuL3X-z3k/s1600/1239738_10202129126260391_1677917937_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisntstrtRE9tntG18tqwPX4fkGb7fBzH7jKMJ8tkfmpEvRSwZDCJ4ODWKV1P0hJo4PTgayELxQ_wLFFHgwoZmI39MGm6_xeWGwayapaBiZcXJmbKVKDFyhi07r35I49t7wSXvuL3X-z3k/s640/1239738_10202129126260391_1677917937_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With <a href="http://www.zapotoczna.pl/" target="_blank">Dominika Zapotoczna</a>, most positive person I know (photo by <a href="https://vimeo.com/wojtekozakiewicz" target="_blank">Wojtek Kozakiewicz</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
<i>I am hoping, by sharing my story and thoughts with you, I made the topic of free soloing a bit more understandable. I wanted to show it is not something irresponsible, reckless or just completely inexplicable. Though I cannot recommend it to anyone because of the high risk. If you want to know if it is something for you or not, you have to find the answer like anybody else, that is in your self."</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace &<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u> </u></span>SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-77435408788867725582013-11-26T04:23:00.000-08:002013-11-26T04:40:16.507-08:00Jordan Tybon - take on free soloingYesterday I published <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/11/andy-lewis-take-on-free-soloing_25.html" target="_blank">a full interview</a> with my friend <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/" target="_blank">Andy Lewis</a> about free soloing. I'm hoping you enjoyed it. Today I am going to present a full take on the same subject by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>. This guy is not only great soloist but <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/gallerylink.php" target="_blank">great photographer</a>, versatile slackliner and climber, solid industrial climber and dear friend of mine. We met for the first time in Morocco in 2007 during a climbing trip and since then out paths started to cross more and more. Now we both live in Berlin, we are on the same slackline team <i>(<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/theteam.php" target="_blank">Somewhereelseland</a>)</i>, we work together doing industrial climbing, train together. I am sure sometimes he has enough of me already, but I couldn't ask for a better friend. Well, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> put up some of his thought about the cleanest of the styles in highlining. Since he graduated philosophy his thoughts are always well put and interesting. This time the read is quite shorter but it doesn't mean it's any worse. I wish I could show you more pictures of <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> free soloing and being awesome but usually frugally he hides on the other side of the lens. You should check some of his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJzkQJKBNp5nUbR25mrwHg" target="_blank">YouTube</a> videos for some Jedi rodeo surfing abilities or <a href="https://vimeo.com/31422625" target="_blank">Monkey Business</a> to see him after sending current world record swami highline <i>(in my mind the record still stands just because of how proud that line was)</i>. OK, to come to the point, here it is and enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank"><b>Jordan Tybon</b></a> <i>(Age 30)</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOwoGIxrxiDLa5zp8HagV2E9IycYjH5eVqZrnZLfwEoHDTjWo6l_C9YdGvPbzpIVX7qbaJhn81VgBPmOq4IUCKun9O3o7dZDmjH-6Kp37jpD50xb0UWAs9PFitTqZm43mqk1DGXuuI3w/s1600/High+Liner_0016+en+tant+qu%27objet+dynamique+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOwoGIxrxiDLa5zp8HagV2E9IycYjH5eVqZrnZLfwEoHDTjWo6l_C9YdGvPbzpIVX7qbaJhn81VgBPmOq4IUCKun9O3o7dZDmjH-6Kp37jpD50xb0UWAs9PFitTqZm43mqk1DGXuuI3w/s640/High+Liner_0016+en+tant+qu%27objet+dynamique+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> in Ostrov</i></td></tr>
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<i>"It is quite difficult to give reasons why you would free solo. That's probably because the reasons that people have are so personal and distinct.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I can only speak for myself, and I don’t want to be misinterpreted. Honestly, for me it feels like a natural progression. At some point walking with your leash loses its flavor, and your level of confidence rises to the point where you begin to search out new challenges for yourself.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhQt9TaP_YN-pD-o9gowSAcktz8kAyB_Wq_LYE0L2J2gukUyUNx9IdfVzF8QA3azDo7xtHRMtoUzrl2__c_JQEWaTmqWlyMszDzo3hIm5gFtBmsb4sa4479JUbgNEu8S0eCeJVpH09uo/s1600/DSC_0215+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhQt9TaP_YN-pD-o9gowSAcktz8kAyB_Wq_LYE0L2J2gukUyUNx9IdfVzF8QA3azDo7xtHRMtoUzrl2__c_JQEWaTmqWlyMszDzo3hIm5gFtBmsb4sa4479JUbgNEu8S0eCeJVpH09uo/s640/DSC_0215+(1).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> preparing for his first free solo ever (Ostrov/CZ)</i></td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Highlining was always for me a practice of control, of building up a tolerance for fear. And thus perhaps it becomes clearer why this felt like such a natural progression. As the tolerance for anxiety and fear grow, the challenge has to grow along side them, and thus to walk without a leash becomes the most logical consequence.</i><br />
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<i>I cannot say that I have had any really negative experience with free solo, probably the most negative thing I have experienced in my life, turned out to be one of the greatest. That is, the free solo half man of the Lost Arrow Spire. The turmoil and anxiety of that event can scarcely be described, but neither can the joy and feeling of accomplishment.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4Rl6qhsOFvfE0hhBBBLc025sc2zTNMYjT9B35Lbx_18BYlQalJILraCFXhinN4tWEqEm93AQsvgO9T3gOVHvtZPTyArAwIaTBSWn4eC5GrK8oJLL9DxDhAUUJJN80ORVYnJgqR1weCE/s1600/IMG_20130519_213136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4Rl6qhsOFvfE0hhBBBLc025sc2zTNMYjT9B35Lbx_18BYlQalJILraCFXhinN4tWEqEm93AQsvgO9T3gOVHvtZPTyArAwIaTBSWn4eC5GrK8oJLL9DxDhAUUJJN80ORVYnJgqR1weCE/s640/IMG_20130519_213136.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> topping out on Munginella 5.7 OS free solo - three pitch classic in Yosemite Valley</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy31K5tGGrXlVYqKBLYpTZAbx_U5oMsbY6RxtQZYtB1NUjtSeSpKDyZ6IMjoafS2z_3djRmMWCEBy6Z44Oev722c0aZ7yWqoyRcAk6RhDsqvPa6941XW2Cl8uUcGpletWg7SP-Ej86fQ/s1600/11739_479462845457648_567454907_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy31K5tGGrXlVYqKBLYpTZAbx_U5oMsbY6RxtQZYtB1NUjtSeSpKDyZ6IMjoafS2z_3djRmMWCEBy6Z44Oev722c0aZ7yWqoyRcAk6RhDsqvPa6941XW2Cl8uUcGpletWg7SP-Ej86fQ/s640/11739_479462845457648_567454907_n.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> is one crazy soul. Pitching during the rodeo ride together with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/julien.millot.skyliner">Julien Millot</a> (Lodi, CA 2013)</i></td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Motivation? That is a tough one. The easiest answer is to say simply, because we can. And this is partly true, it is something we are capable of doing, we are aware of this capability, and the risks are more than acceptable. It takes no more calculation than deciding whether you should drive your car across a bridge, whether the bridge will collapse. You make a cost-benefit-risk analysis, and act rationally thereupon.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a></i> latest free solo in Ostrov</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFiOHPLHILuiMilQxCZes88ezAVzW-27DCO4o_WfCZyW-2zJ2T9MAP9EGYSF6RQCwyIncUCSAwEdP7tyFsjZ_oGAwdq0i39wAwimTclJisT6qhzQ_soybj6VmxnJIr85ddR1dhsf-BKQ/s1600/DSC_3677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFiOHPLHILuiMilQxCZes88ezAVzW-27DCO4o_WfCZyW-2zJ2T9MAP9EGYSF6RQCwyIncUCSAwEdP7tyFsjZ_oGAwdq0i39wAwimTclJisT6qhzQ_soybj6VmxnJIr85ddR1dhsf-BKQ/s640/DSC_3677.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Raging leashless on some fun midlines in Humboldt</i></td></tr>
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<i>And to explain it like that makes perfect sense to me. I can completely identify with this exact thought-process, but somehow, when I describe it like this, its not why we do it. It simply explains the process.</i><br />
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<i>I think the search for free solos and in general the search for new challenges is a continuous reposing of the question: how well do I know myself? It is the search for our identity, an ability that is within us to say I can do this, I am capable, and thus to free oneself from the limits imposed on him by his environment, his education, and his society.</i><br />
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<i>I think it is also a challenge, a crying-out to those who may be paying attention, not as a spectacle or grab for attention, but rather to simply put on display the limits of human potential. Their endeavors are a search for what is truly possible, what we, all together, are really capable of, when only we are fascinated by something."</i><br />
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Also, if you want more insides on free soloing <i>"Lost Arrow Spire"</i> read this <b><a href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/blog/stories/the-doubts-and-ecstasies-of-a-highline-free-solo?utm_medium=Social-post&utm_campaign=FB+Highline+Free+Solo&utm_source=Facebook" target="_blank">FULL ARTICLE</a></b> written by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> featured at <a href="http://www.outdoorresearch.com/" target="_blank">Outdoor Research</a> website.<br />
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I actually found really interesting what <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/" target="_blank">Andy</a> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> had to say about free soloing. That is why soon I am going to feature few more athletes like <a href="http://thatslacklinegirl.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a>, <a href="http://lajny.cz/petr-peeto-kucera" target="_blank">Petr Kučera</a> and <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Michael Kemeter</a>. Stay tuned for that and more!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php" target="_blank">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-41703932874299226362013-11-25T08:01:00.000-08:002013-11-28T07:16:01.881-08:00Andy Lewis - take on free soloingCurrently I was working on the new article for <i>"Slackline Corner"</i> which will be published next month in <a href="http://www.goryonline.com/" target="_blank"><i>"GÓRY" climbing magazine</i></a>. The title is <i>"Free-soloist mind, what hides in it; motivation, preparation and realization"</i>. In that piece I will be sharing my thought about free-soloing, how I got into it, what motivates me and reveal some methods I use to prepare myself physically and most importantly mentally. The article will feature two other athletes which free solo a lot or I should say almost all the time. I am talking about <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/" target="_blank">Andy Lewis</a> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>. I would love to include all the other big names like <a href="http://michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Michael Kemeter</a> or <a href="http://lajny.cz/petr-peeto-kucera" target="_blank">Petr Kučera</a> <i>(and others)</i> but I am limited with two pages so I will have to cut a lot of material in order to make it work. I got the interviews from <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and they are quite a read. I thought it would be great to give you opportunity to read the whole thing. I enjoyed it a lot and thought you might too. After publishing the article I will post it here and translate to English. OK then, check what <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/" target="_blank">Andy</a> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> have to say about freesoloco.<br />
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<a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/" target="_blank"><b>Andy Lewis</b></a> <i>(Age 26)</i> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyjFqhc0LZ0mVbx441chUKMyyqdWkQr3GNHxpCa1hEtDpFTUPuv8zd5MUfSB9-FVzAIYsR9YiLORo0O1i5deEtJn4Eg0NRBt-mQO_t950nyahmDUF3JWNTyMeuTTFEJvdrSZPCyeU73Q/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyjFqhc0LZ0mVbx441chUKMyyqdWkQr3GNHxpCa1hEtDpFTUPuv8zd5MUfSB9-FVzAIYsR9YiLORo0O1i5deEtJn4Eg0NRBt-mQO_t950nyahmDUF3JWNTyMeuTTFEJvdrSZPCyeU73Q/s640/DSC_0115.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Raging together with <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a> and <a href="http://www.vertigirlsports.com/">Hayley Ashburn</a> in Fisher Towers (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE82kSOoLXMTEALSWd1u7sovC9sOc6OIFEyoV4TGJZzF2eGQKdknMiy_CNAYT5N_mLEkR6LLY5ARcQMA-rLDjlskmbXjvuYGj2AZ-AOP4acCb9VUy6WV_TLCevuFoN_o-in-wxvw8d4wo/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE82kSOoLXMTEALSWd1u7sovC9sOc6OIFEyoV4TGJZzF2eGQKdknMiy_CNAYT5N_mLEkR6LLY5ARcQMA-rLDjlskmbXjvuYGj2AZ-AOP4acCb9VUy6WV_TLCevuFoN_o-in-wxvw8d4wo/s640/DSC_0400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a> together with Terry Acomb and Jerry Miszewski in Moab during GGBY in 2009. You can see "Bongzilla" in a background. It was rigged then for the first time (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i>"Free Solo highlining is the act of walking across 1” wide webbing strung flat between two tall objects with no external safety. Your only safety is internal; focus, reaction speed, control. Some people think a free solo isn't a free solo unless it is a 100% chance of death in the case of an uncontrollable fall. Some people think anything over 30-50ft counts as a free solo, because realistically you most likely would die. Free solo however, isn't a number, it isn't a height, and it is complex to define entirely; because in fact - it is a mindset.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When you first start slacklining the control is hard to find. You are unsure, shaky, and the balance necessary to stay in control feels foreign. You can't even take a single step at first. This journey to control from chaos takes time and effort. The more time and effort you put in, the faster you find control. If you need 120 hours of practice, and practice 12 hours a day, you will fill your hours needed in less than 2 weeks. If you practice 25 minutes every three days, the time needed will take you multiple years. This is the exact same journey as free solo; however the journey of free solo is riddled with risk of extreme consequence around every turn.</i><br />
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<i>When I started training free solo mindset I focused on catching the line. I wanted to be able to catch the line in any direction, under any circumstance, even with a blindfold on. I practiced catching in every way shape and form hundreds of times before I did a death solo. I knew that the best solution to being successful was to NOT fall ever, but that catching was the only back up I had. And I needed to train it. When I became confident with my catches I began to focus on training my mind. I started to tie into the line with a safety leash that would save my life in a fall, but kick my ass in doing so. Which was the point. If I was to take a fall in practice I wanted to be punished because I should have just died. The seriousness of the sport could not be overlooked for a single second, a single step, and ultimate focus. This was what started to draw me to free solo.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8JaKMtyHG6tT-xrrJS2EgRoLj079GKg1KVeOCP5D1xH-K_Qh6jxSqEI4_bJ1qYfAizkQzZzaLyhse6Zyh4C8-k3RccQdJD_74QlM34CDuwEd494_cpWVQroDtAPjToBgWT20eVavwjQ/s1600/DSC_0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8JaKMtyHG6tT-xrrJS2EgRoLj079GKg1KVeOCP5D1xH-K_Qh6jxSqEI4_bJ1qYfAizkQzZzaLyhse6Zyh4C8-k3RccQdJD_74QlM34CDuwEd494_cpWVQroDtAPjToBgWT20eVavwjQ/s640/DSC_0335.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Double freesoloco with <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a>. Even in a exposure turn, making silly faces ready to catch at any time (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>I continued to practice free solo mindset. A “swami belt,” a leash tied only around your waist, provides as a safety, but in a fall may break your back or your ribs. “Shackles,” tying the leash from ankle to ankle under the line, saves your life but maybe break your legs in return. A “ball and chain” is the leash just tied around 1 ankle, and most likely in the case of a fall, you may still die when your ankle snaps and falls through the leash. I never took an uncontrolled fall on to any of these leashes, ever. What was and is still really crazy to me is how much different the lines feels when u take off what minimal protection you have. The difference between walking in an ankle leash and walking free solo... seemed miles apart. Just the chance of living, changed the mental game. Bridging this gap, pun intended, was the real challenge. Convincing yourself that you could do it safely, getting the courage to try, and always being forced by your friends, colleagues, fans, random people, and loved ones to answer the only question running through everyones head: “why?” “Why do you want to do this?”</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA0cNgos6ErBU9Fqoq5bin78U-zE3EnT2HbKlVDiI5YwQPU63j25wMV8TKZMMylxhoBvBvfdok0O1-RvHbd2W_73qdZ71oik-u2HZQ0rHhVMJZTfRPwCpmKoxgRqLmyg6CFOUB2_mvOs/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA0cNgos6ErBU9Fqoq5bin78U-zE3EnT2HbKlVDiI5YwQPU63j25wMV8TKZMMylxhoBvBvfdok0O1-RvHbd2W_73qdZ71oik-u2HZQ0rHhVMJZTfRPwCpmKoxgRqLmyg6CFOUB2_mvOs/s640/DSC_0103.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ball and chain" in a bit more radical version (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Throughout 2008 - 2011 free solo slowly turned from hobby into lifestyle. Freesoloco became my catchphrase and all I wanted was to walk the longest highline in history without a leash. The hardest part was that I had no reason to do so, other than the fact that deep down inside, it was all that I wanted to do. Was it for fame? History? Respect from my fellow athletes? Was it to get sponsored? Was it because I wanted to die or that I wanted to live? Honestly, the reason why didn’t matter to me. It, and it alone, was my reason. And that was all I needed. I started to push for the record. I started to walk lines that I knew I might be forced to take a catch on. I started making it a goal to free solo at least once a week to stay current. In 2011 I had already free soloed more than 60 different highlines when I laid my eyes on “Bongzilla” Highline. I had walked 100+ feet line OS-FM free solo. I had walked 132ft free solo successfully, which was the current world record, but to me it wasn’t good enough. It wasn't long enough, or high enough. I wanted a record that I could 100% satisfyingly say, was a record. That's just about when I saw the line, and it scared me. This was it. This was my challenge. This was the manifestation of everything I had been doing the last 2 years. Trusting myself was the challenge. Continuously fighting my thoughts. Questioning my intuition. “Dying would be so easy,” I thought. Slip once off of any part of the line; and that’s it. You are dead.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yrXB13m4fELDgtIQEf1Pre-xhlulyrHj74GPdCf0kKIrGtdBU7PL8LDOCbEh9TfpuZDon4gRK4JvTgdChT0OaDP4RonGrYxHVLhQK0XO3a6QOUxBXvkQCEHinI2iytBECzpvd5ur_uA/s1600/DSC_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yrXB13m4fELDgtIQEf1Pre-xhlulyrHj74GPdCf0kKIrGtdBU7PL8LDOCbEh9TfpuZDon4gRK4JvTgdChT0OaDP4RonGrYxHVLhQK0XO3a6QOUxBXvkQCEHinI2iytBECzpvd5ur_uA/s640/DSC_0050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing current world record highline free-solo (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>I found myself sitting on the highline free solo; hovering hundreds of feet high. I backed off the line without even standing up. Beautiful. Endless. Magnificent. My confidence shrank in front of the massive red desert cliffs that fell away into the exposure. Enthralled; hypnotized by the idea of the solo walk. But, this was not just any free solo. This was THE free solo -180ft long and 200ft high. If I were to walk this line free solo, it would be longest in slackline history. No cavaleties. No net. No safety leash. It was really simple; just my slackline, the emptiness, and me. “All year,” I thought, as I paced around our base camp. I have been soloing all year. I wanted to walk 52 different highlines free solo up till this moment; 1 for every week of the year. Couple days ago I finished walking all 52 solos more than a month early. I had no need to solo this line. I had achieved my goal. I had not been thinking about walking this line specifically. Nor, would I have ever dreamed that I could walk it solo. But then it hit me. I had been walking all these lines - just for this moment. This wasn’t time to think about goals, or numbers, or what my body would sound like when it hit the sandstone hundreds of feet below the line… It was time to be me. It was time to do what I do best. It was time to show myself what I had trained all year to accomplish. Even though I hadn't planned to walk this line free solo… I had to walk this line free solo.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGgwTs38gKcEIBiQPebseiCI_unuxLBHl8Ga8A4tB7jorxfcQxUQhfxDpYLuW20Bh0Xa1jq_4i7XX8lU-T5zHIZHt9dDAZrOq21D7e5m1gSEUSeWitZWKBHPNEb4-83h4aeF3A_WkkHE/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGgwTs38gKcEIBiQPebseiCI_unuxLBHl8Ga8A4tB7jorxfcQxUQhfxDpYLuW20Bh0Xa1jq_4i7XX8lU-T5zHIZHt9dDAZrOq21D7e5m1gSEUSeWitZWKBHPNEb4-83h4aeF3A_WkkHE/s640/DSC_0017.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Double free solo with <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a> (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp0ZAg-qcvNKJ8iBaB-jkhPMKHBMguu5HtvGKfkTJ9kbOFxqAFq5C0VQ90QycdD8e7fS8us7mxSKEohieedJr4tFLOgMxsqfAR85TF3NjyOZ03lYrW7QKoZuGILUfDC_RBnLK9OcBl6A/s1600/PB280146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp0ZAg-qcvNKJ8iBaB-jkhPMKHBMguu5HtvGKfkTJ9kbOFxqAFq5C0VQ90QycdD8e7fS8us7mxSKEohieedJr4tFLOgMxsqfAR85TF3NjyOZ03lYrW7QKoZuGILUfDC_RBnLK9OcBl6A/s640/PB280146.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a> free soloing "It Had To Be Snakes" Highline in Fisher Towers (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HvoWyvrtl8uhnL9RtT_Kv1_Om4TbvtkHx8MMeIP1pCFauljMKRKrN4pfJmEJwARSJwU75_z_0cPDQE9dbpNXPcNbsboTz6NeaGH96kKCNN7pXPuRddDVZ6yNNTSuUz0PUtcgKOxncrk/s1600/PC160353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HvoWyvrtl8uhnL9RtT_Kv1_Om4TbvtkHx8MMeIP1pCFauljMKRKrN4pfJmEJwARSJwU75_z_0cPDQE9dbpNXPcNbsboTz6NeaGH96kKCNN7pXPuRddDVZ6yNNTSuUz0PUtcgKOxncrk/s640/PC160353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little and fun free solo on the "Medieval Turd Tickler" Highline (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>After 7 hours I scooted out just past the edge like the many times I had done before, but this time I stood up. I gained control and took step after step. My eyes locked on the anchor across the canyon. I was nearly half way out on the line when it happened. I miss stepped… I instantly lost control and all my worst fears came true as I fell. Being in mid air felt like slow motion. I was forced to catch myself! I screamed at the top of my lungs! Not out of anger or frustration, but pure exhilaration. I had a smile from cheek to cheek and I couldn't believe where I was! Dangling literally by a thread in the middle of space. I felt trapped and so free at the same time. I was alive, but couldn’t stand up again, and I was 100ft from either cliff edge… with no rope. It took me a few minutes but I scooted back safely. I felt so relieved to be back on the cliff, but I was ready to try again. I felt so solid; the rig was perfect, and I just new I could walk it. I wasn't scared this time, but I also wasn't as focused. I started out stronger and faster than the last time, but got about 15 steps out and fell and caught again! I came back to the ledge noticeably peeking on adrenaline. I could feel my whole body pulsing with power. I kept pacing and my mind was racing. Everyone around me could see my eyes were glazed over with something powerful. I was questioning whether or not I wanted to walk this line, but I couldn't stop thinking about the edge, the mount, the line, the tension, the focus, being in the exposure, being free, being perfect, being attentive, being alive.... I had to try again. An outside force pulled me. I was going to send this line. I just knew it.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kUhNAw8hHy4" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>I scooted out about 3ft and stood up on the line again. I forced myself to focus, take my time, and started walking. Then something started happening, something really strange. My vision started to change and go crazy, and I couldn't do anything about it. I was literally losing control of my vision but at the same time I was accessing some other higher mental state. I couldn't focus on the end of the line like usual. I was having a hard time breathing smoothly, and everything started blurring out... slowly being banished from my focus. Everything except for the brilliant white of the highline beneath my feet vanished. The exposure, the background of the hills, even the sky was absorbed into this uncontrollable blurs. I felt as if I was not fully able to control my own actions. My own brain was subconsciously controlling me. Like my heart and my lungs working without thinking, I felt as if I was being walked across this line by my subconscious. By the time I reached the end of the line I was so far gone into this mental state that I couldn't get back to normal for hours. I couldn't eat, or stop smiling. I felt like I could run miles, or climb Everest. I wanted to scream across the valley. I have never felt so alive, so in tuned, so mentally and physically effected by only 2 minutes on the line. Even later that night I couldn’t sleep. “Something powerful walked me across that line,” I thought lying in bed that night. I didn't know what it was, or how it worked… but I had never felt so potently in touch with myself. I closed my eyes, and continued to try to settle my mind to sleep."</i><br />
<br />
OK, That's it. If you want to see more crazy videos from <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/">Andy</a> check out his channel on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MrSlackline">YouTube</a> or <a href="http://www.epictv.com/media/podcast/new-base-jumps-moabs-newest-exits-|-sketchy-andys-slacklife-ep-6/261553">Epic TV</a>. Stay tuned for another athlete <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a> talking about his experience with free soloing. Coming up soon!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-71078166686282829732013-11-24T08:58:00.000-08:002013-11-25T06:43:06.051-08:00'Polizei Macht Frei!' HighlineLast month <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and I had a free weekend and decided to start ticking possible highline spots off our urban highline list in Berlin. We did some research on the internet together and found this amazing spot - old abandoned chemical factory. Looking at the pictures online we definitely saw potential of the place but it turned out to be even better then expected.<br />
<br />
We packed our haulbags full of gear and took of quite early at the morning (at least for us it was early start). After driving for a while we finally saw two big chimneys sticking out on the horizon. The excitement level reached its ceiling. We were speculating how big it is, how long, if there is a ladder to top, is it strong enough and so on. I definitely felt like a kid going to do something I should not do ... and actually it was totally justified feeling as we were going for illegal ninja highline action.<br />
<br />
We parked our car further away and started hiking. It was kind of hard to find the spot but eventually we found the right path. We had to climb over the fence and soon we could scope and play inside this amazing location. Besides the chimneys we came here for, there is bunch of outdoor and indoor highline possibilities which have to be explored. This place is so big and awesome you could organize here a urban highline festival with lines from short up to 130m or more.<br />
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To not spoil to much I will stop right now ;) ... We unpacked everything, made a plan and started right away. We tried to be fast, but being a two-person team has its limits. We also forgot few things, had to fix the gear which shifted, haul the 'pig' with whole gear up the rigging side or other things like that. At the end I don't even know how many times I had to climb both chimneys up and down. Even though it just a ladder, when it's 70m up high and you try to be as fast as you can and don't fall of during the same time it can be quite exhausting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMXbS5IB-ofulJdoqVE6WHU4bAwSMr1CpmHXUweq4HScUKw8inMqloGyT_mICPMQRLBc5aSdN36rY8EAKh0v6Yv-rZa0U-JcO-0JD90uSWOJW_zpgiS8Ybkf2VMhdmmS71pb9BpjC4uw/s1600/DSC_9801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMXbS5IB-ofulJdoqVE6WHU4bAwSMr1CpmHXUweq4HScUKw8inMqloGyT_mICPMQRLBc5aSdN36rY8EAKh0v6Yv-rZa0U-JcO-0JD90uSWOJW_zpgiS8Ybkf2VMhdmmS71pb9BpjC4uw/s640/DSC_9801.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The line is ready, getting ready to rock! (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
Because we wanted to rig the lines as fast as possible and stay as low profile as possible we decided to rig the line with single piece of VecTec and pad it really well. After a while the line was ready to go and I think both of us were getting more and more nervous. We never had a chance before to do something like this. It was our first chimney highline. It was quite a line for the first time. It turned out to be 70m high and 38m long but man, it offered some crazy exposure. As far as you could see and all around you was just space, a bit of windmills with faint outlines of Berlins architecture in the distance. I got to send first. I started my normal routine and soon I was sitting in a chongo position.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegbB7Q9odiI1rEbgHPf-aEm9kzRtVfuUJfzdZ2pUurmW6MUdwwALnqT8DKjAwsNn7IaFCg97RxMN1Rbea9zraPa6Y5EC8BhtZbJ3qx49_uLufwh2ijJo7u9UuyftBU-5liSPKGo2SMks/s1600/DSC_9804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegbB7Q9odiI1rEbgHPf-aEm9kzRtVfuUJfzdZ2pUurmW6MUdwwALnqT8DKjAwsNn7IaFCg97RxMN1Rbea9zraPa6Y5EC8BhtZbJ3qx49_uLufwh2ijJo7u9UuyftBU-5liSPKGo2SMks/s640/DSC_9804.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back (photo by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1FfciurZl8" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtN59tsBX1OKgwbsYHQii7jcmj36w2GL2HT_FFsl9Eo87NRVp_awSHfARPtyqP3K8l0wDVDyDJBaHlwh2oRfy9f7MfIlhBpHxNIyiwg8BCORP8RSZVNfHH-lzuyATM04tjSIwWP9-9_w/s1600/DSC_9806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtN59tsBX1OKgwbsYHQii7jcmj36w2GL2HT_FFsl9Eo87NRVp_awSHfARPtyqP3K8l0wDVDyDJBaHlwh2oRfy9f7MfIlhBpHxNIyiwg8BCORP8RSZVNfHH-lzuyATM04tjSIwWP9-9_w/s640/DSC_9806.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and near the end (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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As soon as I stood up everything melted together. It was a classic tunnel-vision. I actually enjoyed it a lot. It didn't happened to me for quite a while. I managed to send OS-FM. I was really, REALLY psyched. This was just pure 'epicness', together with my best friend during beautiful sunny day. <i>"It doesn't get any better then this"</i>, I thought.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCK_WWdlwpT-EzzhxjcvoDK1mdH0lniWyTMcjWduv37P7AdoWt5jW_qRz1dkTzxnVHD4u-03HFSIjBThpm4F8NVwDGEbrcFWMPLVWlLBUHI0rxqBrUes-eaNGqW5ZH3V4gmcuBFcxxkU/s1600/DSC_9809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCK_WWdlwpT-EzzhxjcvoDK1mdH0lniWyTMcjWduv37P7AdoWt5jW_qRz1dkTzxnVHD4u-03HFSIjBThpm4F8NVwDGEbrcFWMPLVWlLBUHI0rxqBrUes-eaNGqW5ZH3V4gmcuBFcxxkU/s640/DSC_9809.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PSYCHED! (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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Now it was <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>'s turn. He was quite nervous but I wasn't surprised. The exposure, illegal aspect, bunch of rigging involved, single line, something completely new. All together made this line pretty serious. We were joking about free-soloing but that would be some ultimate free-solo shit ... Maybe some day ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtySupugs02b0bezHwKPrf3r6ut8mT76qJfUUE-rLWAFzueb6EdAEul5_zIEF8XPFjIe9aY1xNXvf_wT8xAYrq4qBHvtsFkgg3BTIQ_EToKKgG0FnreTehufQ3FkWhlggByMlkzOdIYKw/s1600/DSC_9819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtySupugs02b0bezHwKPrf3r6ut8mT76qJfUUE-rLWAFzueb6EdAEul5_zIEF8XPFjIe9aY1xNXvf_wT8xAYrq4qBHvtsFkgg3BTIQ_EToKKgG0FnreTehufQ3FkWhlggByMlkzOdIYKw/s640/DSC_9819.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> sending first direction</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEn8Nm1SJywsRyPfXIbEwJpc3Ph0RmR6waNC-O-X8wjYNz-uc-DYgzWH2A1HHzZie5KcMc0gw2kQOvnUEj2qv95s1P4lMGNVAz8RfnT2Q63NV-o7rVZmYVLxMpdvQtmj5TO4D-XdyciI/s1600/DSC_9835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEn8Nm1SJywsRyPfXIbEwJpc3Ph0RmR6waNC-O-X8wjYNz-uc-DYgzWH2A1HHzZie5KcMc0gw2kQOvnUEj2qv95s1P4lMGNVAz8RfnT2Q63NV-o7rVZmYVLxMpdvQtmj5TO4D-XdyciI/s640/DSC_9835.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And on the way back</i></td></tr>
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After a few falls, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>
sends one way and returns on the fist try. We are both very happy but
also quite tired and done. De-rigging goes quite, well, besides the ropes
getting stuck all the time on the metal rings around the chimney.
Finally we are done, packed and ready to leave. No problems so far, what
a perfect day! Then we realize we left something on the top. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was
the last to leave the platform on top so he decides to climb back up.
Somewhere around 20 meters or so he freezes up and doesn't move for some
reason. Then I hear someone whistling at us and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> yelling to me
"we have company!". After exchanging few more sentences I realize the company he is talking about is the police. Shit! <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> flies down the latter, we put on our heavy backpacks and run away hiding around the old buildings. We can't climb over the fence because it is too visible. We decide then to crawl under it. The fence was pretty heavy and both our backpacks were huge. One person had to hold the fence up when the other guy was crawling underneath, then moving the backpacks to the other side. We thought we made it. We didn't follow any regular path in a park, trying to be stealth as much as possible. It was actually kind of funny. Finally we were at the street where we left our car. It looked like it's clear. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> checked out if there was no car coming and ran to open the car and I followed.<br />
<br />
As soon as we were by the car and opened the door the police car pulled out just behind us. <i>"What da fuck?!"</i> We threw our packs inside pretending like nothing happened ;) ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> took the responsibility of talking to the officer and the guy turned out to be pretty nice about the whole thing. Though the lady sitting inside the car and checking our ID's seemed to be really angry and unhappy. We didn't lie. It was quite obvious what we were up to. Long story short, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> said we though it was OK to rig the highline there and we heard it was done before, blah, blah ... Fortunately the officer knew what highlining was. He even said he thinks it's cool and also that next time we should just call the company owning the place and ask for the permission beforehand. The lady tried to give us a ticket just to teach us a lesson but the 'good-cop' responded to her; <i>"Common, they are good guys, lets let them go"!</i><br />
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We couldn't believe how random the whole situation was. If only we were there few seconds earlier. We came back home, still stressed as hell. At the end it was a great day, story and adventure. Hell yeah! In a tribute of the 'good cop' I named the line <i>"Polizei Macht Frei!"</i> which in my broken German means <i>"police makes free"</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-79723903184267443482013-11-22T14:21:00.001-08:002013-11-23T06:52:19.219-08:00Ostrov in Autumn (shocking end of the highline season)<span style="font-family: inherit;">During last weekend of November <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a>, his girlfriend Lidia and I made a short trip to Ostrov in Czech Republic. This place is magical and we always come back. You can not get bored of it, always finding new places, re-discovering old ones and during this time of the year enjoying natural painting made by nature and colorful trees all around you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u5Vyo6hcEcFUnMvehzqUuAtP8AqgRV5XBZQLkvs5IekNtsxjZq-N50RsKZjwW_hdc5mTfc5RXjklyInMKeNMN543l4Br0nPweC6MfJVimopJDzsoDCh6rnKD1tp6RtzPxgK0bSsh3jo/s1600/DSC_9959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u5Vyo6hcEcFUnMvehzqUuAtP8AqgRV5XBZQLkvs5IekNtsxjZq-N50RsKZjwW_hdc5mTfc5RXjklyInMKeNMN543l4Br0nPweC6MfJVimopJDzsoDCh6rnKD1tp6RtzPxgK0bSsh3jo/s400/DSC_9959.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> with Lidia - lovely couple :)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUwE4fuPBMFNdkfTgIX9lkpe5FxOz-JcIkPyzR1PPksSPxf8RPJilv_qnOMDkjBJNpRTfuuN7L7YL6Ca73os5v9jiDMFO_qGTG9tuE8lUmQ2FHR64-yEy6H1hmrA4HxkpeOwc6aGLV2k/s1600/DSC_9846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUwE4fuPBMFNdkfTgIX9lkpe5FxOz-JcIkPyzR1PPksSPxf8RPJilv_qnOMDkjBJNpRTfuuN7L7YL6Ca73os5v9jiDMFO_qGTG9tuE8lUmQ2FHR64-yEy6H1hmrA4HxkpeOwc6aGLV2k/s400/DSC_9846.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Autumn in Ostrov (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We thought it's going to be really quiet time but it happened to be lots of friends had the same plan <i>(or just Facebook did its job)</i>. It was actually really cool to meet again all the friendly faces, got to know some new people, highline and then enjoy some party time in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pinux" target="_blank">Pod Cisa<span class="st">ř</span>em</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Where there is a lot slackliners there is also a lot of lines. It wasn't any different this time. You had anything from short up to "<a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/Highlines/The-Master-of-the-Afrodisiac" target="_blank">Master of Universe</a>" Highline which is 96.5 meters long. I have some unfinished business with this line (have to full-man it) but both <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and I felt mostly like chilling, climbing a bit too, having good time not stressing too much on a bigger lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first day was really windy, foggy, cold and wet. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and I walked just one short highline and went down to eat delicious Czech food and consume large amount of bear and Kofola.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iAogF2hGumeFGBtJQwDxP-BrUXDzJzQzXMek5NohvajwckSeA0T7g1G_PtwaO0AmjY0nBTq6KxzJWVlUxXsmOWvlBaLXR6gLVszXCJDiwrDZt6gLcVBcbAs-9sQb7cS2QCkZ-Og2i84/s1600/DSC_9866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iAogF2hGumeFGBtJQwDxP-BrUXDzJzQzXMek5NohvajwckSeA0T7g1G_PtwaO0AmjY0nBTq6KxzJWVlUxXsmOWvlBaLXR6gLVszXCJDiwrDZt6gLcVBcbAs-9sQb7cS2QCkZ-Og2i84/s400/DSC_9866.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Petr "Peeto" Kučera (aka I call him 'Czech beast') free soloing the short line first day (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The second day started with bad weather but soon after that it got really pretty. Together with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> we decided to rig new line we saw last day. It wasn't anything big <i>(probably 25m long/25m high)</i> but it esthetically it was really pleasing. The line was located between two thin towers, perfectly leveled - just waiting to be rigged. The boulder sitting on top of one of the towers looked like half old lady and half a slug with a backpack on her back. That is why <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> named it "Old Lady Slug with a Backpack".</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxE_69GC8d-A59VggVgJu2YnwTS6qBVZd4Jre73pl3-GZDewIooz1BN4X4ki0EgISD694m0avJn851CdqRlfuq7nn9hxFP6kLUI92jrht7Cp1JjDUmcwrTxutjloj21PqL_ortpEVaHQ/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxE_69GC8d-A59VggVgJu2YnwTS6qBVZd4Jre73pl3-GZDewIooz1BN4X4ki0EgISD694m0avJn851CdqRlfuq7nn9hxFP6kLUI92jrht7Cp1JjDUmcwrTxutjloj21PqL_ortpEVaHQ/s400/DSC_0014.jpg" width="267" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Danny Menšík on one of the new highline and characteristic boulder on top of the tower</i> <i>(photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But before we had a pleasure to name the line we had to rig it, which wasn't that simple. Because the rock was still totally wet and slippery we couldn't climb it. By using combination of throwing ropes over stuff, jumping from tower to tower, a bit of climbing, scrambling and other shenanigans we were able to reach the top of both towers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8xLwzlhnQAs58EVbqVJK4rV8m2WlfOIlk3wawP8SeclRRHR_AU93SrYra1osNdnCLmUcqe67qlw2KCrmrSwuPmNroqYHVnIbkk4SaBgb67NwwLd_gAlhcqZNUPAUcBluOMoHs1WxhQ8/s1600/IMG_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8xLwzlhnQAs58EVbqVJK4rV8m2WlfOIlk3wawP8SeclRRHR_AU93SrYra1osNdnCLmUcqe67qlw2KCrmrSwuPmNroqYHVnIbkk4SaBgb67NwwLd_gAlhcqZNUPAUcBluOMoHs1WxhQ8/s400/IMG_0721.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> on the way back, definitely way more sketchy (photo by Lidia)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRjZQXiUl5KDODXXVGCD5BzvFlFVmzSR2BsPLGN5PV4xOlMOfCek4ADmn7IXq7-GykccJCzPxFjTVHfrYQdaArwUs1YfJbA3YQp3ETPOUN0twO7ttDGnhYIJ7okrzQPJ4Ombn5cM4yuw/s1600/DSC_9888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRjZQXiUl5KDODXXVGCD5BzvFlFVmzSR2BsPLGN5PV4xOlMOfCek4ADmn7IXq7-GykccJCzPxFjTVHfrYQdaArwUs1YfJbA3YQp3ETPOUN0twO7ttDGnhYIJ7okrzQPJ4Ombn5cM4yuw/s400/DSC_9888.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Flying</i> <i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgoA9V_t1saHjteoWhSgE90k-fEE4-zWGicCOMu1dgrRta4E7cLf_Afm1b_y7RnnqBRwIf-635fJH-bOW-_wGEevfz40pOVnj9wXiX67o860nD52i9u4cs4phITH5Pb8hFEd3c_nRgpU/s1600/DSC_9893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgoA9V_t1saHjteoWhSgE90k-fEE4-zWGicCOMu1dgrRta4E7cLf_Afm1b_y7RnnqBRwIf-635fJH-bOW-_wGEevfz40pOVnj9wXiX67o860nD52i9u4cs4phITH5Pb8hFEd3c_nRgpU/s400/DSC_9893.jpg" width="267" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rapping off the second tower </i><i>(photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From there it was classic Ostrov rigging; sling the towers, protect it, tension your like and send it. We rigged the line with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/slacklinebrothers" target="_blank">Slackline Brothers</a> pulleys and piece of VecTec. It was really nice to walk. Both of us sent the line free-solo and then went back down.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsenu6qiQESOvlsJXaG1X-Xm299e6VJrZTerJoEfT3zgzdkWlCJ4pxZA_MBNCWteg4hpk9g7W2IuQgwSBy_-EtdocjFOuf_xVwXQN7FUvteqK2G0FwjiVKGWCJnMgyq3DqQrDhB8bjX0/s1600/DSC_9925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsenu6qiQESOvlsJXaG1X-Xm299e6VJrZTerJoEfT3zgzdkWlCJ4pxZA_MBNCWteg4hpk9g7W2IuQgwSBy_-EtdocjFOuf_xVwXQN7FUvteqK2G0FwjiVKGWCJnMgyq3DqQrDhB8bjX0/s400/DSC_9925.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> sending like a boss</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUyzydI6BnPSEERu1lUsVajcgFWrtvFpaYP_BncsxdMOq6uAYuRynYmNAaTsPKAiHyX-Ddklk-_0mb88xjjIV3a6xJPmlQltamrgtSg2DoPIgc85WGgrkTMhyHCrOhrHpHeYJVO3KVZM/s1600/DSC_9945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUyzydI6BnPSEERu1lUsVajcgFWrtvFpaYP_BncsxdMOq6uAYuRynYmNAaTsPKAiHyX-Ddklk-_0mb88xjjIV3a6xJPmlQltamrgtSg2DoPIgc85WGgrkTMhyHCrOhrHpHeYJVO3KVZM/s400/DSC_9945.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Free solo on the "Old Lady Slug with a Backpack" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last day was even more fun. We started by free-soloing the line we walked first day and then went back to new tower line. During the day Czech guys rigged another two new highlines sharing one common anchor with the line we rigged the day before. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and I free-soloed all of them. I got to realize my stupid idea which was the 'ear-shackles' meaning the leash attached to my ear piercings going under the line. It was silly but it had to be done!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06CwYzmhU7xB8n-ftTOBhPIl8FvwhV1QpmklrTU0zj7KppsZj6xqjq47nhL6_9Efh_2adZO51Ai_fE3_7XLY5qaVRMZgQ5A523azOL1vfcmKh8KwoM_CuofIfg3swhf39lfaVc5nGPNM/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06CwYzmhU7xB8n-ftTOBhPIl8FvwhV1QpmklrTU0zj7KppsZj6xqjq47nhL6_9Efh_2adZO51Ai_fE3_7XLY5qaVRMZgQ5A523azOL1vfcmKh8KwoM_CuofIfg3swhf39lfaVc5nGPNM/s400/DSC_0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ready for some silliness (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was great time and I recommend this place to everyone who didn't visit this yet. It is amazing every time and you will definitely come back.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT6lsAp0YlV15p47znKXJkWONjogednyoRIpRgIm5IhhnDSH5Qqo6H8cOQf2fZ1Gt91L0slO3URuahE-XkXaN5ynWLHImx4sZRZeUFIREQWuqzGMwxoZoZfuQrfqMCr0pIOa6o5aQw5M/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT6lsAp0YlV15p47znKXJkWONjogednyoRIpRgIm5IhhnDSH5Qqo6H8cOQf2fZ1Gt91L0slO3URuahE-XkXaN5ynWLHImx4sZRZeUFIREQWuqzGMwxoZoZfuQrfqMCr0pIOa6o5aQw5M/s400/IMG_0837.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lately my new addiction - exposure turns for full length of the song. Here in an ankle-leash and when I'm recovered free-solo version has to follow (photo by Lidia)</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We drove back same day back home to Berlin. Back to work, back to training ... the next day I had a climbing accident at <a href="https://ostbloc.de/" target="_blank">Ostbloc</a> breaking my right leg. To make it more exciting I managed to make sure it was an open break. Lots of pain, fear, stress and uncertainty in a split of second when I slipped from the top hold on a boulder problem. On the other hand during this three weeks I already feel like I didn't do before. I can not describe with words how grateful I am to all my friends who were there for me since the day of the accident, then everyday in a hospital (yes, there was no single day when I was alone) until now ... Well, I will write separate post about it, but right now what I would like to I miss Ostrov and I really appreciate that trip which happened to be the end of the highline season for me. I had some goals for which I wanted to come back even this year and this kind of bad experience made me realize even more how wonderful is to have a place like this and play in it together with friends. I think a lot of times I took this thing for granted ... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP1UCtB7Vpk9qg1m4MzZmA7VK7xCa2V96xjFNfiHbGRBa9NlfT81JFrAG8Sde569cozuPbjd6qxdOsRl3OwUAVhd6uZk4XOViFCZvI2Xl4pQUG__FB-8QBCL6wiZbKwRLjFsOHdHHGSg/s1600/IMG_20131110_144941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP1UCtB7Vpk9qg1m4MzZmA7VK7xCa2V96xjFNfiHbGRBa9NlfT81JFrAG8Sde569cozuPbjd6qxdOsRl3OwUAVhd6uZk4XOViFCZvI2Xl4pQUG__FB-8QBCL6wiZbKwRLjFsOHdHHGSg/s400/IMG_20131110_144941.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now as an extra if you want you can enjoy a movie I made a while ago about free soloing in Ostrov. I think I might have just enough time to do something with tons of footage from that place which was never used before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-2410844956228662212013-06-28T07:58:00.000-07:002013-06-28T08:04:07.197-07:00Ukraine 2012 - Red or BlackIt has been a while since I started to post on my blog more frequently, trying to keep up to date and so far I think I am doing quite good. I will finish the last post from our USA trip quite soon but before that I thought I would write about something, which happened during last year. Lately the movie from this show was released on the Internet and remind about the whole gig. It was a great time with one of my friends, a trip to a new country I didn’t visit before and two urban highlines for Ukrainian branch of TV show called “Red or Black”. I have to say the final cut is quite hilarious so read more about it and check out the video.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Climbing up to the top of the old rusty structure supporting unfinished bridge in Kiev/Ukraine</i></td></tr>
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The story begins at the last year <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UrbanHighline" target="_blank">Urban Highline Festival</a>. I invited my friend and a great athlete <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Michael Kemeter</a> to be a special guest. He came up with this job and proposed it to me and got me on team. Soon after the festival I was sitting on the plane to Kiev wondering what to expect. I have to say the whole thing was amazingly well organized. First day was pretty chill. <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> and I went through almost our entire ‘pocket money’ dining at our fancy hotel. Soon we had to ask for more. It was good to be spoiled slackliner for once. The same day we checked the highline spot. It was an unfinished bridge in a center of the city. I have no idea if they’re going to finalize the project any time soon but it sure didn’t look like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYu4SRpK6csOp02lW98ae7jax1OpBKq0xyo-UVftxLCFxReg019yxDQDcC9I5GlOZWE9hI_Iyw1ssFLLuSdW0qx0xgeiTVFcIExMFgvL_qLXFy2QbSSn1-yWBCeM0AkkNSzojhOQj3Ak/s1600/P9070203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYu4SRpK6csOp02lW98ae7jax1OpBKq0xyo-UVftxLCFxReg019yxDQDcC9I5GlOZWE9hI_Iyw1ssFLLuSdW0qx0xgeiTVFcIExMFgvL_qLXFy2QbSSn1-yWBCeM0AkkNSzojhOQj3Ak/s400/P9070203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Location with both lines rigged</i></td></tr>
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<br />
Both lines finished to be 35 meters long, 40 meters above the bridge and around 70m to the water level. Next day we rigged the lines using <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a>’s gear. It was quite interesting set-up. We used Aeon for the main line and dynamic rope for back up. It served its purpose pretty well especially because we had to race on these lines. <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> and I split the first ascents and so one line was named <i>“Dawaj, Dawaj!”</i> (Common, Common) and <i>“Haraszo”</i> (OK) …<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu14Xo77K3vBbCNnCU_ViIt0etJMNyOZdn-7rULrMNvjxBoF_7kamFeFszViGtKSiWl4-4SHFRCnYdS4RgUWwbL_wfxU2Lx5gnp-ahOmYGI5wbxeh8hK7i_LW4honfYjZWmQvoY1qNqdw/s1600/P9070208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu14Xo77K3vBbCNnCU_ViIt0etJMNyOZdn-7rULrMNvjxBoF_7kamFeFszViGtKSiWl4-4SHFRCnYdS4RgUWwbL_wfxU2Lx5gnp-ahOmYGI5wbxeh8hK7i_LW4honfYjZWmQvoY1qNqdw/s400/P9070208.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting psyched in one of the TV-vans ...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYG9JiZt9oQ8BVzaEOSYw-ou8BWuZgR1feq7D-LIhuCI84gIpaJlFolm2t8uu7xAXy0MYA2wuEGZN_4qrPm6RKXTVHtr3JYihmSxSZdsh-3McsywSZC4eQhyzhlPxEQxlpLzlsnUysJOk/s1600/P9070202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYG9JiZt9oQ8BVzaEOSYw-ou8BWuZgR1feq7D-LIhuCI84gIpaJlFolm2t8uu7xAXy0MYA2wuEGZN_4qrPm6RKXTVHtr3JYihmSxSZdsh-3McsywSZC4eQhyzhlPxEQxlpLzlsnUysJOk/s400/P9070202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We were shocked how many TV-vans showed up at the morning ...</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We did some rehearsals and some extra shots like close ups of our faces trying to look serious, gears shots, walking with harness on and other not really interesting things. We also had to do a bit of tricks on the lines while it was raining. My conclusion was; Aeon is slippery but when it is wet can be deadly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFQa0hrkfO3t3faJGBjicDslSiNopN2367cxUTltjPExJgUsxV3e1Z6_trsXx1h84QBGVlgHWL-gu9k5Pw2ahr7rAClO6LHvNjUdxeSZvtL5QobS1dtpLK2KnfPtLY-vVgpje_uzvr-A/s1600/P9050185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFQa0hrkfO3t3faJGBjicDslSiNopN2367cxUTltjPExJgUsxV3e1Z6_trsXx1h84QBGVlgHWL-gu9k5Pw2ahr7rAClO6LHvNjUdxeSZvtL5QobS1dtpLK2KnfPtLY-vVgpje_uzvr-A/s400/P9050185.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sending time</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFStMdSRjL2o_fx-OCep3D3nhJptu1KzkqJDyYPMoLxanuiyRx-uPipH5_inR5k-KSWc5gtPGIWNHEkBp-TAf8DDqOv3K5qUxcxbdkqN9uno7TOnfosjoliD2y77IcR9Yad1hB51oqTM/s1600/P9050193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFStMdSRjL2o_fx-OCep3D3nhJptu1KzkqJDyYPMoLxanuiyRx-uPipH5_inR5k-KSWc5gtPGIWNHEkBp-TAf8DDqOv3K5qUxcxbdkqN9uno7TOnfosjoliD2y77IcR9Yad1hB51oqTM/s400/P9050193.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finish</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoo2XfG0B9lv_A622TizorF9SJ6hp3s0_lhTmnAxUeuikIPoGGT9j8zD4NTPDax6Qg2Fehnj9LdfjJ8ph1NxPaPilUqS4dAnLy6V_XiRDDCKRyPlkjI3fRRt3Iyrtbu7f38L_wEwW_KQ/s1600/P9070211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoo2XfG0B9lv_A622TizorF9SJ6hp3s0_lhTmnAxUeuikIPoGGT9j8zD4NTPDax6Qg2Fehnj9LdfjJ8ph1NxPaPilUqS4dAnLy6V_XiRDDCKRyPlkjI3fRRt3Iyrtbu7f38L_wEwW_KQ/s400/P9070211.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> as a dark-character ;)</td></tr>
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<br />
Slowly we were getting ready for our race. The day was coming soon. <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> got the black uniform and I got the red. We did some practice runs with bunch of GoPro’s <i>(to the point when it’s almost uncomfortable to walk)</i>. The rules were presented and explained to us. Each of us had to start sitting on the line on given signal, walk to the other side as soon as we could, get the key, charge back, open the big case and wave the flag - quite simple and ridiculous. The organizers wanted to have a fair race but also keep the drama. We had to record some extra falls and stuff then and after that the real deal. Watched by many Ukrainians which were betting on who’s going to win and shouting a lot <i>(I guess they were paid to, I never saw people excited so much about highlining...)</i> we started our race. Both of us were going quite fast. I got to the other side just a bit before <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> and as quickly as I could clipped the key to my harness. I guess <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a><a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/"></a> was a bit confused and I started my walk back a bit in front of him. We were running back to the other side and I could almost feel <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a>’s breath on my back. I got first, quickly opened the case and waved the red flag. That was an easy money – sweet ;).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuVj4PRiO8nSzrtZYW-jpNYKs0BXAytIm3-CpM2v6B6MAMjtoJiC1W9RgvullYhbxE_nggYo02ma3yF2OEYJjU6NDXonKo900zwoEzyEh88cpETHbotABcPYFffE8mje6Yl_zHH4isho/s1600/P9070215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuVj4PRiO8nSzrtZYW-jpNYKs0BXAytIm3-CpM2v6B6MAMjtoJiC1W9RgvullYhbxE_nggYo02ma3yF2OEYJjU6NDXonKo900zwoEzyEh88cpETHbotABcPYFffE8mje6Yl_zHH4isho/s400/P9070215.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just before the race</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR_JgF_twlJ76xN5p_5mFGebDDnvMYqruIWLbL9rcdDZaXDeOS3NIvF5Fxd1kjZvltaahVc2c61m-EplZGJqz2JtvVvIp-C6A9A8ZPKr-sXTNUzcm20AK6EP_pgUknvK8T8QjFMto6CQ/s1600/P9070219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR_JgF_twlJ76xN5p_5mFGebDDnvMYqruIWLbL9rcdDZaXDeOS3NIvF5Fxd1kjZvltaahVc2c61m-EplZGJqz2JtvVvIp-C6A9A8ZPKr-sXTNUzcm20AK6EP_pgUknvK8T8QjFMto6CQ/s400/P9070219.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cameras ready ...</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We got to hang out a bit in Kiev, saw the Russian BASE-jumper hucking off the bridge and landing in the river and even climbed at the local bouldering gym – that was really awesome. It was pretty crazy to get paid in dollar bills in Ukraine.
That was a great and funny trip and good times with my buddy – big thanks to <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> and the whole crew involved in a project!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ypYqCZNZoEIic_UkoE-tgHgjeVFeoUz6tifgagMoIf9_EyYZcWYTKR2ePFExojFFoACnzawIcpSc3i_hEa05mOPSZl9P0iRAMQ4B48AOyp-DvC4cKyvT2H6xT450DOnPP6NLHY0Th5s/s1600/P9050200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ypYqCZNZoEIic_UkoE-tgHgjeVFeoUz6tifgagMoIf9_EyYZcWYTKR2ePFExojFFoACnzawIcpSc3i_hEa05mOPSZl9P0iRAMQ4B48AOyp-DvC4cKyvT2H6xT450DOnPP6NLHY0Th5s/s400/P9050200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hanging out with <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/" target="_blank">Mich</a> ;)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vfofzP-hihJpgeEibA-voGXdYiDEipqlLPrI2GppU8dT8ta6iwGlCuPf1vcDZYlUmZCbxmhtxoDApwbDaB0wfCOTP-MntLpoDZRYplp4pOPTWk8rnEooqQziYNcq-21Ww57SYeg4iE4/s1600/P9050199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vfofzP-hihJpgeEibA-voGXdYiDEipqlLPrI2GppU8dT8ta6iwGlCuPf1vcDZYlUmZCbxmhtxoDApwbDaB0wfCOTP-MntLpoDZRYplp4pOPTWk8rnEooqQziYNcq-21Ww57SYeg4iE4/s400/P9050199.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monkey Business as usual ... he, he</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-21644479528217082502013-05-20T11:55:00.002-07:002013-05-21T10:04:30.488-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 9; Yosemite Epic RAGE - Part 1After short rest day in Davis caused by <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/05/us-trip-2013-take-8-castle-crags-round-1.html">sustained rage-time in Castle Crags</a>, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I were off to Yosemite Valley. The destination which consists most of our goals for the trip. It was really awesome to get back to the Valley after 3 years since our last visit. I was even more psyched because this time I was going to touch Yosemite granite and do some climbing. I mean, don't get me wrong, highlining is really cool and we had and still do have lots of crazy plans on a high slackline but climbing in the Valley was always my dream.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizObfNIclnFKZEVZSTgg8HO4Ojm5l0xMDwgeKaFdPYy0H6f21EDD41HmOK4Sy26KK2lj4a6u08yZ88LHKhUyb31qXKEyiIrtn-xmJhoz-ZHyUUCHdHyKUtfpJG7G4lVNIUlV4brzdDdxM/s1600/DSC_4193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizObfNIclnFKZEVZSTgg8HO4Ojm5l0xMDwgeKaFdPYy0H6f21EDD41HmOK4Sy26KK2lj4a6u08yZ88LHKhUyb31qXKEyiIrtn-xmJhoz-ZHyUUCHdHyKUtfpJG7G4lVNIUlV4brzdDdxM/s400/DSC_4193.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rainy welcome to the Valley (photo by<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php"> Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2OZ4U5ZfV50HBcgQEt1L8_dyp0Kz1-XRZmHxYYbVuF6yXdLcE4Bix6n2CtZtsfwppOIPqJvQBkb1KtdCQkhXSjq0KsTWiyF6-9pxcXzOtg20nrKuPRDXQeEACOWPZ2p6vSOYre7K1xg/s1600/DSC_4210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2OZ4U5ZfV50HBcgQEt1L8_dyp0Kz1-XRZmHxYYbVuF6yXdLcE4Bix6n2CtZtsfwppOIPqJvQBkb1KtdCQkhXSjq0KsTWiyF6-9pxcXzOtg20nrKuPRDXQeEACOWPZ2p6vSOYre7K1xg/s400/DSC_4210.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On the 'almost tensioned' longline at one of the Yosemite Meadows (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We arrived late in a night and luckily at the time when Camp 4 still had some space available. Next morning the weather looked pretty good but we knew there was a storm coming. Our friends Preston, <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a>, Max and Braden were up at the Yosemite Falls. Knowing that the Yosemite Falls Highline is up and ready to go we decided to pay them a visit and do some training for our "24 hour highline marathon" project. We started kind of early at the morning. I was feeling really fit after all of that hiking we did in Castle Crags and finished running up Yosemite Falls Trail in one hour. That felt really good and I knew I am ready to do the trail in 1,5 hour with the 10kg backpack I will have for the 24 hour run. I got to the Falls and surprisingly none of my friends were there. I assumed that they must be on the Spire rigging their slope highline project. I took some time to eat and drink lots of water and then got on the line and sent it on the first try both ways. That felt really good although the rigging was really unusual. Nothing like anything I walked before. It felt amazing to cross this line. I've helped bolting ad rigging it for the first time back in 2007 together with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian Cooksey</a> and Jon Ritson but even I tried lots of time I could only sent 3/4 of the line.<br />
<br />
Right after my send <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> finished their approach. The weather was changing and you could see the storm was coming fast. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> sent a line after few caches and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> crushed OS-FM. As soon as she step off the line it started to rain and hail. We packed our stuff and went back to the woods where we thought our friends set up their camp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzsHj60Id9aHMve9gx1bZT1Jfl4QPHiK28IdUWDJNUim5Lm5cfpJ7GUu6TinORZqc7cyHPI9ADkguVzenqS1i9TqftKf4_3uUA3_TQz4hfn1MkE147wZLn1FbN0Oi95lKruX-LQ7AY9E/s1600/DSC_4300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzsHj60Id9aHMve9gx1bZT1Jfl4QPHiK28IdUWDJNUim5Lm5cfpJ7GUu6TinORZqc7cyHPI9ADkguVzenqS1i9TqftKf4_3uUA3_TQz4hfn1MkE147wZLn1FbN0Oi95lKruX-LQ7AY9E/s400/DSC_4300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Epic stormy weather (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C7w4ua7vGUycFqeF9Pu1qyP9SXWucnEQ6Tm5LCP6pK7Kt4MOJr-HkFOvMK3gOM7cahaNEpvVx8Kw7wGWG2VRoK5l1gshW88aYKg5o_RBal3txZvIFpBHFqzDg2DA2jAgzk8itKyhA3k/s1600/DSC_4321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C7w4ua7vGUycFqeF9Pu1qyP9SXWucnEQ6Tm5LCP6pK7Kt4MOJr-HkFOvMK3gOM7cahaNEpvVx8Kw7wGWG2VRoK5l1gshW88aYKg5o_RBal3txZvIFpBHFqzDg2DA2jAgzk8itKyhA3k/s400/DSC_4321.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wet but happy (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We waited for a while but they weren't there. Later this week we learned they had some epic scary moments during the storm while sitting on top of the Lost Arrow Spire. We hiked down as fast as we could. After getting back to Camp 4 it rained even more. We decided to go sesh Taft Point highlines next day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY-mvzhQwY3zY6YAtxxeO7Ti1JeFr1g9UxKp6mVAfS0VSoD4oIYiRwgIa3076wYjMaAJVsWmI072BrXa_ZcQJVhynk3XR87TXBeiW7wdSLc-Tq4N2O48gKUsei-8V5GB6jQDC6ILhalo/s1600/DSC_4228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY-mvzhQwY3zY6YAtxxeO7Ti1JeFr1g9UxKp6mVAfS0VSoD4oIYiRwgIa3076wYjMaAJVsWmI072BrXa_ZcQJVhynk3XR87TXBeiW7wdSLc-Tq4N2O48gKUsei-8V5GB6jQDC6ILhalo/s400/DSC_4228.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> sending (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAISISqNIPOL0vjg8tmZFwMOm6zoP_NHwAVp9GqtqtZOdZnXSlXJ2bsumviit7ZQd4LOgqZmzw7DK8a-XkkapyUIvEGjg41b_1F8TzIl2CorBS7Byy5Mwx1rwKgNWM0adG8e1LKLvLI8/s1600/DSC_4278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAISISqNIPOL0vjg8tmZFwMOm6zoP_NHwAVp9GqtqtZOdZnXSlXJ2bsumviit7ZQd4LOgqZmzw7DK8a-XkkapyUIvEGjg41b_1F8TzIl2CorBS7Byy5Mwx1rwKgNWM0adG8e1LKLvLI8/s400/DSC_4278.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> on the way back (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Taft turned out to be pretty epic location. At first it didn't look so exposed but then you look down and you realize it is pretty damn high. We finished rigging to lines this day <i>(short one which is 20 meters and longer one 31 meters)</i>. I got the free-solo the short line and it felt really good. I was getting ready in my head for the free-solo on the classic "Lost Arrow Spire" Highline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCquVaKB_ielKDjKUlWVZp33YL6ioyBdhfjlTomleJ1cE8rO45YGVaLFA369X8TygZGCp31CpELZ5T9BiUmRuSjkAn52fz49xF5ym3BKb3z1ax2S9fN-J0SUBjhuhLOPl2sxRHalxSQs8/s1600/DSC_4368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCquVaKB_ielKDjKUlWVZp33YL6ioyBdhfjlTomleJ1cE8rO45YGVaLFA369X8TygZGCp31CpELZ5T9BiUmRuSjkAn52fz49xF5ym3BKb3z1ax2S9fN-J0SUBjhuhLOPl2sxRHalxSQs8/s400/DSC_4368.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Freesoloco on the Taft Point (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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I've also sent the longer line OS-FM in an ankle-leash. It would be amazing to free-solo this line. It is really scary and exposed. It rained on us again and we had no time to rig the big Taft Point line so we decided to return after one climbing day. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> wanted to get back to also free-solo the short line and walk the big one and I had the thought of free-soloing 31 meter implanted in my head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwDqdJCkqJ-uz6PSuBDquD_WHjXTY-6HWleSdWCKD1JeG0xwmA5BpdzSKvW5Ufc8FDZt3wFYPu8JY1wgMiRJS_EuhbDKSokJDF9zFAMH6raDLyG3qxKrU9cX8fBK-hZsXWopBpq-lf-w/s1600/DSC_4422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwDqdJCkqJ-uz6PSuBDquD_WHjXTY-6HWleSdWCKD1JeG0xwmA5BpdzSKvW5Ufc8FDZt3wFYPu8JY1wgMiRJS_EuhbDKSokJDF9zFAMH6raDLyG3qxKrU9cX8fBK-hZsXWopBpq-lf-w/s400/DSC_4422.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> getting epic send on the 31 meter just right after the rain (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZGE0vUwu7z9H1bKkrcu7mDKMJlFmWysoV-8_GeBsvc7_bZ0yDp5fwFK7UAc-MEaQnF4YCNWGwY-4L3qRUiefFApGX7VFSmz5BtVqaoZbtXqd31BZaoADitiX7Q2rJpP8cA9AvzdWLr0/s1600/DSC_4434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZGE0vUwu7z9H1bKkrcu7mDKMJlFmWysoV-8_GeBsvc7_bZ0yDp5fwFK7UAc-MEaQnF4YCNWGwY-4L3qRUiefFApGX7VFSmz5BtVqaoZbtXqd31BZaoADitiX7Q2rJpP8cA9AvzdWLr0/s400/DSC_4434.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">And it got even more epic ... (photo by </span><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a><span class="Apple-style-span">)</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />
The first climbing day was way fun. We went to really easy area just 15 minutes away from Camp 4. Five Open Books has many nice climbs from 5.6 to 5.11. Together with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> we did 3 multipitch routes <i>(most of them are up to 3 pitches long)</i>. We've started with "Commitment" - really classic 5.9 with some insecure moves on the pitch traversing under big roof, then moved to exciting and really good "The Surprise" with cool 5.10c starting pitch variation. I think <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> and Braden had same amount of routes climbed this day or maybe it was four. At the end of the day <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>, Braden and I did a group free-solo ascent of the "Munginella" - classic four-star 5.6. It was way fun and Braden's variation on top was pretty exciting offering some bummer hand jams in a diagonal crack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-g1-w-9vU30ssnl4_3NypOqUtyofE2efWiMPyQesETypxpQzpsSR1EnNjHCo689ofuewh_92Jd8uBz9eEkpWvh7eWmX-zi3RsYq-TTYKq8m1tf4grX97I4bCcm80-5JJYWGDYAHbX8U/s1600/IMG_20130519_213136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-g1-w-9vU30ssnl4_3NypOqUtyofE2efWiMPyQesETypxpQzpsSR1EnNjHCo689ofuewh_92Jd8uBz9eEkpWvh7eWmX-zi3RsYq-TTYKq8m1tf4grX97I4bCcm80-5JJYWGDYAHbX8U/s400/IMG_20130519_213136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> finishing "Munginella" free-solo</i></td></tr>
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Day after that I woke up really early and went for some free-solo mission. I climber "Munginella" again and then went for the "Commitment". It was really good although I had a exciting moment climbing through the crux. I went back to Camp 4 had awesome breakfast and because the gear was ready the night before we were off to Taft Point pretty soon. We finished rigging all three lines. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> had a bad day and didn't got to free-solo short line and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> wasn't psyched on it either. I did three more leashless full-mans just for practice and because it was to windy to free-solo the 31 meter or rather it was too much wind for me to commit for such a line ... I was super psyched about the big line <i>(53 meters)</i>. We rigged it with double Type-18 MK II and even though I placed many wind dampeners it seemed not to work really well with the brutal updrafts. I went for it in a swami and it was the most crazy send for me in a long time. I was to the point where I didn't know if the line is shaking because of me or the wind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7CffSzUze8QqjqKUGlSv4W4-OXVOIxfY31A9ri9DCd623WD6dYa4aqAXVolRrdV8LpyE1TDxH84G8QgXO1UVtp0Hxq18g62Q6l_E7V6_ahs4-owihyphenhyphenNDxyEXajuagMGICllK_TL_uMw/s1600/DSC_4500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7CffSzUze8QqjqKUGlSv4W4-OXVOIxfY31A9ri9DCd623WD6dYa4aqAXVolRrdV8LpyE1TDxH84G8QgXO1UVtp0Hxq18g62Q6l_E7V6_ahs4-owihyphenhyphenNDxyEXajuagMGICllK_TL_uMw/s400/DSC_4500.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>First direction ... (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHrz1OffMFI7QK258AnZByrYdu72flIlUOToP9DroYVc0migwFDkcq5sbxR1a4wi7jS5FASILw3WHUi_8T9y7Mph8tJjDn3AekkmBti7jzCc7hAgrC9FEL29yaZu3xzLCbAW6Y1xx2mk/s1600/DSC_4523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHrz1OffMFI7QK258AnZByrYdu72flIlUOToP9DroYVc0migwFDkcq5sbxR1a4wi7jS5FASILw3WHUi_8T9y7Mph8tJjDn3AekkmBti7jzCc7hAgrC9FEL29yaZu3xzLCbAW6Y1xx2mk/s400/DSC_4523.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And super windy and shiny way back (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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The way back was even more brutal with the sun straight to my eyes but I managed to cruise OS-FM. It felt amazing and I felt strong inside. <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> got some good condition and she cruised line nothing, of course on-sight "full-babe". Her boyfriend Andrew was with us these day and he crushed like a champ on the shorter line and the 31 meter. We all had fun even though it was a super hot day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GnnflNdDyJVN3Mo3YsFUyOSwbQrM9VVwKQQGkeko7PRYt5kNlgx_abmG2YvbsYFNj0Wp1DPYVhY3kJR6pYAYuHlIiSx4-NBGQdeB5VwoYVIKIql3-P0oyvZsrGdNVZuLKxqqxgKPfOY/s1600/DSC_4567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GnnflNdDyJVN3Mo3YsFUyOSwbQrM9VVwKQQGkeko7PRYt5kNlgx_abmG2YvbsYFNj0Wp1DPYVhY3kJR6pYAYuHlIiSx4-NBGQdeB5VwoYVIKIql3-P0oyvZsrGdNVZuLKxqqxgKPfOY/s400/DSC_4567.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> on the big line (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> had to leave to Colorado the same the speech about highlining and highlining free-solo and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I planned on heaving a rest day. When I woke up next day I decided I don't feel so tired so I can do something active but not too hard-core. I walked to Manure Pile Buttress and free-soloed on-sight super classic "After Six" 5.7. Despite long await for one team to finish the first pitch it was a really stellar route and I had lots of fun. I walked back to Camp 4 and together with Jordan did some computer work. After this I went for one more quick freesoloco run on the "Munginella". When I was back at the camp three of our friends where there. <a href="http://www.oneinchdreams.com/en/team/anatolij-maltsev.html">Anatolij</a> and <a href="http://www.oneinchdreams.com/en/team/clemens-augustin.html">Clemens</a> were taking a break from their AFF and <a href="https://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> was going to do some filming with us next day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZMj5NGRfJa7JG_m6bXOjoVJnXPySqt6Zc8sdXqicPNI9busfnEx9onSG2OObPkYdUWQzdP6a1vSXEgFA13cCx_amRvUFHsl2z1r148EM_4Agz-4BeVW4KNaHGdJJ7nfNJwNVb7wIiXU/s1600/IMG_20130513_163903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZMj5NGRfJa7JG_m6bXOjoVJnXPySqt6Zc8sdXqicPNI9busfnEx9onSG2OObPkYdUWQzdP6a1vSXEgFA13cCx_amRvUFHsl2z1r148EM_4Agz-4BeVW4KNaHGdJJ7nfNJwNVb7wIiXU/s400/IMG_20130513_163903.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heaving fun on the "After Six" 5.7</i></td></tr>
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Following morning we packed up our camping stuff at the Camp 4 and prepared our bags to be hiked up the Yosemite Falls trail. We got the bear-boxes and our wilderness permit and by the end we realized how ridiculous heavy our bags are. We had to hike all that shit in just two people? I think that was the most strenuous hike I ever had. The 50kg bags definitely slowed us down but we still managed to get to the top of the trail in 2 hour 10 minutes. We went to set up our camping in the same spot where I stayed during 2007 Spire trip. As soon as we started setting up the tent it started to rain an by the time our stuff and us were inside it was pouring like crazy ... It even hailed for a while. We had to spend 3 hours in a tent waiting for the weather to clear up but it finally got sunny.<br />
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We started rigging the Spire around 18.30 or 19.00. The line was pretty much finished at 21.30. We got back to our camp, managed to start a small fire and soon went to bed.<br />
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We slept really long but even a good sleep didn't erase the tiredness in m body. We met up with <a href="https://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> which already hiked up to the Spire early at the morning. I was kind of sceptic about free-soloing this day. As soon as I got on the line in an ankle-leash all my worries were gone. I knew I can do this. I walked the line like this four time full-man and I was planning on free-soloing later this day when the condition is perfect. Then I thought, why not do it know. I practically free-soloed this line <i>(I don't find ankle-leash safe ...)</i>. So I went for it. First steps and the walk back were a bit nervous but at the end I had a solid walk and couldn't stop myself from shouting a bit at each anchor. It felt amazing to accomplish this long time goal of mine and I must say it came pretty easy. It was not as hard as I imagined it would be ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblQqUuicxGT0Dd4AYaxxBBU20SIXvM3wM2bHDLmwIfI-5CpYtqFJ18uHHK608itf6W5pCWelr_-F4-yztFOjAsSZD1w8FhiGdaPdjhvBklCBLp0Uv44xjQrEKUJmkDY5IFIaEm2ll-3A/s1600/IMG_20130516_222330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblQqUuicxGT0Dd4AYaxxBBU20SIXvM3wM2bHDLmwIfI-5CpYtqFJ18uHHK608itf6W5pCWelr_-F4-yztFOjAsSZD1w8FhiGdaPdjhvBklCBLp0Uv44xjQrEKUJmkDY5IFIaEm2ll-3A/s400/IMG_20130516_222330.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Free-soloing the Spire FM (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> got many good walks in a harness and ankle-leash but felt too tired this day to solo. I got another one-way free-solo to the Spire and then we went back to the campsite. I collected bunch wood earlier this day so we had a raging fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooby4xonsyWAcQN6GrSGyqdykTGjj7TZPfodO9lESjWMOVIJDbfcVsSuloy2j4rJor0UqC7-eoxophVjSsopNCUm-fukZgbtxyF0NEl-EMzw601Fwkm5MBVQboJpiZs-Ay4VdYTvD68c/s1600/DSC_4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooby4xonsyWAcQN6GrSGyqdykTGjj7TZPfodO9lESjWMOVIJDbfcVsSuloy2j4rJor0UqC7-eoxophVjSsopNCUm-fukZgbtxyF0NEl-EMzw601Fwkm5MBVQboJpiZs-Ay4VdYTvD68c/s400/DSC_4600.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> practicing on the L.A.S. in an ankle-leash (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Next morning Braden showed up at our camping spot. He was going to do some shots with his small helicopter but the weather conditions turned out to be too windy for it. We went together to the Spire. It was cloudy and windy day but at least on Spire you couldn't feel too much wind. I walked the line free-solo FM again and then went back up. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was going through a mental battle so Braden got on the line. He did many walks in a swami-belt, then an ankle and I knew he's going for it and so he did. He free-soloed the line one-way to the Spire. It was a super stable and controlled walk. It was nice to watch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbh18uWcovWpCm_En4ZhrN4xbPLb-3H8j4mAdvqMSZEmFMNWKrZSbsRzNpbqcNVXrDpWP7Qx6di_OGw2-kgZauT4f25-1XVcy8k2A5UAu-iLsVkzIp0tlTYvNks_mp_CyS7ce56bMsY8/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-16+at+10.39.39+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbh18uWcovWpCm_En4ZhrN4xbPLb-3H8j4mAdvqMSZEmFMNWKrZSbsRzNpbqcNVXrDpWP7Qx6di_OGw2-kgZauT4f25-1XVcy8k2A5UAu-iLsVkzIp0tlTYvNks_mp_CyS7ce56bMsY8/s400/Screen+shot+2013-05-16+at+10.39.39+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Braden free-soloing Lost Arrow Spire</i></td></tr>
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I had to motivate <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> a bit and make him believe that he can do it so we rappelled down to the flake together. He sent the line multiple times and then switched to ankle-leash and started to feel strong. He untied and went for a free-solo. I think he was still nervous and after three controlled catches he finally walked it to the Spire. I felt really happy. I was so glad he overcame this blockade in his head. I know it was his goal to so I was just excited for my friend.<br />
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I walked the line one more time free-solo one way before we de-rigged. After quick packing we ran down to the Valley were we met up with some friends. Same day we left to Braden's place were we could stay for the last few days thanks to his and his moms hospitality.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBVMoSmfoKkpvYphHwU02y3o61yt_zM_JFlIMEiQtfbF8tvK1vHK3oplkRU88WVeQ2srV4YvG4djerOqRWNziRtCIefksEsMaaKjoBo07BRBoh9FYCA-bKl4lYQ-dyIeG8yNYc6dxnM4/s1600/IMG_20130516_225148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBVMoSmfoKkpvYphHwU02y3o61yt_zM_JFlIMEiQtfbF8tvK1vHK3oplkRU88WVeQ2srV4YvG4djerOqRWNziRtCIefksEsMaaKjoBo07BRBoh9FYCA-bKl4lYQ-dyIeG8yNYc6dxnM4/s400/IMG_20130516_225148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Happy "tripple freesoloco crew" ;)</i></td></tr>
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<u><i>Some facts about free-soloing "Lost Arrow Spire":</i></u><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- 55 meters to the notch,</i><br />
<i>- 880 meters to the valley floor,</i><br />
<i>- 16.5 meters long,</i><br />
<i>- about 0.5 meter - 1 meter off level.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<u><i>List of people which soloed this line:</i></u><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- Darrin Carter (1994, FM, multiple times),</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://www.prana.com/dean-potter">Dean Potter</a> (2001, OW),</i><br />
<i>- Sean Snyder (?),</i><br />
<i>- Corbin Usinger (OW),</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/aboutus.asp">Andy Lewis</a> (2009?, FM),</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://www.michael-kemeter.com/">Michael Kemeter</a> (2011?, OS-FM),</i><br />
<i>- Jan Gałek (2013, 15th May, FM x 2, OW x 2),</i><br />
<i>- Braden Mayfield (2013, 16th May, OW),</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a> (2013, 16th May, OW).</i><br />
<br />
I would also like to thanks Libby Sauter and Mason Earl for all the gear support. We couldn't do this line without it! Thanks a lot!! Special thanks goes to Braden to for letting us stay at his plays, climbing together and the gear. <br />
<i><br /></i>
During last couple days I did quite a lot of climbing. I went twice to the El Cap Base and did some classic splitters. The list of sends includes:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/sacherer-cracker/105945535">Sacherer Cracker</a> 5.10a,</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/la-cosita-right/105877768">La Cosita, Right</a> 5.9,</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/la-cosita-left/105877771">La Cosita, Left</a> 5.7,</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/moby-dick/105870188">Moby Dick, Center</a> 5.10a,</i><br />
<i>- <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/little-john-right/105877935">Little John, Right</a> 5.8.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzVgi9aUZqBUdm6aP_ZJNo-REupZKc5XAHbg0UNOqs31rHYp4z0nE9m7aXyTmfm2T_94XloxhBHaev7G42TXBwaXosgRJE4dmdL3ERuKj9u6KwuvvrhEspnUomqtSmsVF8ti1jThQZDE/s1600/DSC_4619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzVgi9aUZqBUdm6aP_ZJNo-REupZKc5XAHbg0UNOqs31rHYp4z0nE9m7aXyTmfm2T_94XloxhBHaev7G42TXBwaXosgRJE4dmdL3ERuKj9u6KwuvvrhEspnUomqtSmsVF8ti1jThQZDE/s400/DSC_4619.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting some good fist jam on the " La Cosita, Right" after first thin finger locks section (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTHHsMLGtI68A4EnUDx1-afJt7QToTsUWwFt7AOFZrI6XO1w4kS1cjtrTD6hfZFs5UUENdT9vzT-Kj3QBMKp9MhYHjpDwb1wk8P9vxKK5TXTy6aJkSObjjrW0Mw9FvdWuQWOB5xUM6nE/s1600/DSC_4622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTHHsMLGtI68A4EnUDx1-afJt7QToTsUWwFt7AOFZrI6XO1w4kS1cjtrTD6hfZFs5UUENdT9vzT-Kj3QBMKp9MhYHjpDwb1wk8P9vxKK5TXTy6aJkSObjjrW0Mw9FvdWuQWOB5xUM6nE/s400/DSC_4622.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Easy section on the "La Costia, Right" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPD5pj8NVhPYw5yQXp_sVs-cFwRiNwAevikYW1dSN5dF3Qr1S_M2O389hi8SzB-DVsDAcl7fXUYNdrJTZ79p2qPyhwwVb2C1yYb9_hd_1IXZTnJ2nXrE-wrU20G0eGIPhyphenhyphenKcIGG_qRow/s1600/DSC_4631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPD5pj8NVhPYw5yQXp_sVs-cFwRiNwAevikYW1dSN5dF3Qr1S_M2O389hi8SzB-DVsDAcl7fXUYNdrJTZ79p2qPyhwwVb2C1yYb9_hd_1IXZTnJ2nXrE-wrU20G0eGIPhyphenhyphenKcIGG_qRow/s400/DSC_4631.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Near the top of the "La Cosita, Right" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3WhZo6pcdhqQOHT0wmvd18uhOl-k549ElRjMcDrwzur6GIrFZnmThyx8JfYYmChyphenhyphenTfh-lnWWRMJCl7tOEryqbvt8cBBzzOG0_KbQXKctDJHPn86iMCsH5qBs7-QoJdm6W6sbZWbhRqA/s1600/DSC_4635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3WhZo6pcdhqQOHT0wmvd18uhOl-k549ElRjMcDrwzur6GIrFZnmThyx8JfYYmChyphenhyphenTfh-lnWWRMJCl7tOEryqbvt8cBBzzOG0_KbQXKctDJHPn86iMCsH5qBs7-QoJdm6W6sbZWbhRqA/s400/DSC_4635.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bomber handjams on top of "La Cosita, Right" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<i><br /></i>
Yesterday <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I climbed our first 'real bigwall' here in Yosemite. I know in terms of Yosemite it's not quite so big (when on the Nose you have around 30 pitches or so). We climbed on the right side of El Cap on the route "East Buttress" 5.10b. Thirteen pitches of glorious climbing. I was lucky enough to lead all of the because <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> just wanted an easier day. With our 80m rope after free-soloing first easy pitch I was able to link the route just in seven pitches. Whole action took us 6 hours from which 4 was just climbing. I wish I took a different T-shirt for this route. My shoulders are completely burned ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0zdlCbqv6xKGjh4rDjfn_wNOVcg6-LxfbBVZY8fxf2Tsas7AQbESEblhG74mFrfjcFVdGN6eI2cO20tp8AUL1ALAj90anAOM6Kt7bAk4ZNnmSkFyeKZhtUMq8bX5ijjgNTPQ4DP7d9U/s1600/DSC_4667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0zdlCbqv6xKGjh4rDjfn_wNOVcg6-LxfbBVZY8fxf2Tsas7AQbESEblhG74mFrfjcFVdGN6eI2cO20tp8AUL1ALAj90anAOM6Kt7bAk4ZNnmSkFyeKZhtUMq8bX5ijjgNTPQ4DP7d9U/s400/DSC_4667.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bomber handjams on the "Sacherer Cracker" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreeoxSnU6fhYJoCILTakAtHR1NOdu9VZXfHsVPTQYy5qmm1deKqBFaCxrBefJUYWSwP0ccXLhGaGSyvaydkpCR-FRCcuvGw2Q9J7NC5HRf62eM55du8XAyeQHP3XNXkQ0RFmXN32PsQM/s1600/DSC_4673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreeoxSnU6fhYJoCILTakAtHR1NOdu9VZXfHsVPTQYy5qmm1deKqBFaCxrBefJUYWSwP0ccXLhGaGSyvaydkpCR-FRCcuvGw2Q9J7NC5HRf62eM55du8XAyeQHP3XNXkQ0RFmXN32PsQM/s400/DSC_4673.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fist-jams section (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9ggufpx4iup1FjSqz-RlgZnvavsSM3bmmkzCN-HxlWyeXEiZiOfPR-1TuEPkrW-72YWp4-YZR-Ofwb_lm1kQX6JgIVZvzndZ50fm5Z_hGkCiB8Smmz0522HAM7X08hOT9ZAByxf27EY/s1600/DSC_4689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9ggufpx4iup1FjSqz-RlgZnvavsSM3bmmkzCN-HxlWyeXEiZiOfPR-1TuEPkrW-72YWp4-YZR-Ofwb_lm1kQX6JgIVZvzndZ50fm5Z_hGkCiB8Smmz0522HAM7X08hOT9ZAByxf27EY/s400/DSC_4689.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just before the last part which is ... (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXfF2LDmLK-4ALaCwDvbugZGg8fsvS969f0V-uJzcff6vKZXXBGuZ3oCetThoLiOMIbl73X51p2-14iQjfJRLKeIKEenngD7rp8ZZb4AAoihyphenhyphen-4DPNMnfYNsizB9KevNnQY0h5nQn3TM/s1600/DSC_4715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXfF2LDmLK-4ALaCwDvbugZGg8fsvS969f0V-uJzcff6vKZXXBGuZ3oCetThoLiOMIbl73X51p2-14iQjfJRLKeIKEenngD7rp8ZZb4AAoihyphenhyphen-4DPNMnfYNsizB9KevNnQY0h5nQn3TM/s400/DSC_4715.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... OFF-WIDTH - my favorite! (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Today we are going to rig and walk "Cascade Falls" Highline in a couple hours. <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> and <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> are on their way so it should be a pretty fun day (did I just rhyme?) ... Well, after finishing this post I realized I didn't have a single rest day in a while and looking on our schedule it might be that it will stay like this till the end of our visit in Yosemite. It is time to RAGE even more!! ;)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-47391325030474373272013-05-08T01:18:00.002-07:002013-05-08T01:23:25.753-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 8; Castle Crags - Round 1During our <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/03/us-trip-2013-take-1-tacoma-ashland.html">short visit in Ashland</a> were we stayed together with <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott Balcom</a> for couple days we made a plan to go explore and establish new highlines in <a href="http://www.mountainproject.com/v/castle-crags/106053028">Castle Crags</a>. He recommended to us using words like; epic, beautiful, unexplored, forgotten or remote. Just two of these coming out of <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a>'s mouth was enough to get our immediate attention. Even though the schedule of our trip was already pretty tight we were stoked to re-organize our schedule for this exciting adventure. I was a bit afraid it might be a bit too ambitious because as we learn establishing new stuff is always way more work then repeating existing spots but it is also way more exciting, rewarding and besides we are pretty experienced and good in it already. It was decided then, we were going to storm the Castle!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideOmwhaG8BSbJQZ9uxHxgNhzepRWY6qxptiFOJbn2p-CUgxB_C2hnvVXACYVD6LGDRmPfUrNaohW0Nk1J60uBo07MYiZRBl5YJzmLX_Xr_kPcvtNy_cY7KCr_3617NSSbCDYlsXdcp-Q/s1600/DSC_3890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideOmwhaG8BSbJQZ9uxHxgNhzepRWY6qxptiFOJbn2p-CUgxB_C2hnvVXACYVD6LGDRmPfUrNaohW0Nk1J60uBo07MYiZRBl5YJzmLX_Xr_kPcvtNy_cY7KCr_3617NSSbCDYlsXdcp-Q/s400/DSC_3890.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our second day in Castle Crags. In search of new possible lines. Psyched in front of the Castle Dome!! (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I went to Castle Crags after <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/05/us-trip-2013-take-7-humboldt-madness.html">our visit in Humboldt</a>. We had lots of problems finding bolts and bolting equipment. It seemed like there is no store in Northern California which carried them at the time. We were getting really frustrated but then finished ordering glue-in bolts from <a href="http://www.fixehardware.com/shop/">Fixe</a> online and buying 8 expansion bolts from a really nice guy we met at the <i>"<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/110520895785113/">Humboldt Highline/Longline Festival</a>"</i>. We thought the problem is solved until ... ;)<br />
<br />
We finished leaving on Monday <i>(29th of April)</i> and after stoping to get even more supplies we arrived on the campsite which happened to be really expensive <i>($25 per day!)</i>. We spent there one night and at the morning drove to Vista Point from were we thought we could start our hike to the Crags. Unfortunately the info we had was wrong and you can not leave there your car overnight. Damn it! This part of our trip started to be more and more 'cowboy style'. We drove to Mt. Shasta to the <a href="http://www.thefifthseason.com/">local outdoor store</a> planning on getting more info about good spot to park and start hiking and buying a climbing guidebook. The owner of the shop happened to be really nice guy and provided us with some info although the climbing guidebook is out of print (new one is in preparation process right now). We finished with little info about the whole area which was pretty much just a confusing hand-sketch of the trail system and few black & white photocopies of the biggest walls in the area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRne_qIhMOn_YAn7FHlbuAHqh1Z5SV6t6m9JGNHzoOi3DK0IlLjUMP-H9pbJE8b1DoqowQao0ZFNQfRkbiZhVMcNnUqD-XeOB8gTkDliHWFQZ3TJOzcizx_3ebLRAYL9DHMML1PoSvgs0/s1600/IMG_20130507_145138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRne_qIhMOn_YAn7FHlbuAHqh1Z5SV6t6m9JGNHzoOi3DK0IlLjUMP-H9pbJE8b1DoqowQao0ZFNQfRkbiZhVMcNnUqD-XeOB8gTkDliHWFQZ3TJOzcizx_3ebLRAYL9DHMML1PoSvgs0/s400/IMG_20130507_145138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pretty much whole info we had for our trip to Castle Crags</i></td></tr>
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Well, the good place to park and start your hike is Soda Creek exit of the I-5 highway and that was where we finished. After eating breakfast and packing most of the stuff (not including highlining gear) we were able to realize how heavy our backpacks were and that was just the first load. I definitely didn't feel excited about that hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU53mw8P8ONg9jyawiUD88RkYSwY3PMN_ooXcCxWLoFYaq-zEJd1jbn8Q9UcD8BVV8apMIate8zulg6z4rsdiCi1gBDi-Rqx2A-4JI_t-PbwT-X-YPorXcDNYh3_-VK4WGoTU3wQZCv_k/s1600/DSC_4166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU53mw8P8ONg9jyawiUD88RkYSwY3PMN_ooXcCxWLoFYaq-zEJd1jbn8Q9UcD8BVV8apMIate8zulg6z4rsdiCi1gBDi-Rqx2A-4JI_t-PbwT-X-YPorXcDNYh3_-VK4WGoTU3wQZCv_k/s400/DSC_4166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The gear we carried up and down way to much for almost a week (that doesn't include food and water) (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We finished hiking up in 2 hours finding our selfs confused and dodging around in order to find a right path. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> found an awesome and well hidden spot five minutes away from our water source <i>(Indian Creek)</i> which turned out to be amazing, first-class bivy. We also worked on it during next days so now it has a nice fire-pit, 4 seats, 'gear-tree' and nice flat tent spot. After quick snack and setting up our camp we went up with just drilling equipment and few cams and a rope for a scouting mission. We checked pretty much whole lower ridge where we found and bolted our first spot. It turned out to be really cool and we scrambled, hiked and climb 4-5th class terrain for the whole day. The ascent on the far sight of the potential highline spot turned out to be pretty scatchy. It doesn't look like but climbing slabby and mossy terrain in hiking shoes with 100m drop on one side was kind of challenging experience. We placed 5 bolts in total <i>(3 on tensioning side, 2 on the spire side + 2 existing climbing bolts for back-up)</i> and started our hike down to the campsite.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIO82yvNArs0n-gO55ctyqHpKhMROhZ_8JROGPHchB2a0VCz0mqtH1b_oIfybJ-MUxawbwICMovwSzKlILOnPy8iNLlcBNFVS10IIVO30nthsS_tvto_AvhlncCHPbrfzk0mfVSmn4F4/s1600/DSC_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIO82yvNArs0n-gO55ctyqHpKhMROhZ_8JROGPHchB2a0VCz0mqtH1b_oIfybJ-MUxawbwICMovwSzKlILOnPy8iNLlcBNFVS10IIVO30nthsS_tvto_AvhlncCHPbrfzk0mfVSmn4F4/s400/DSC_3886.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's nice to hike with a <a href="http://www.deuter.com/en_US/backpack-details.php?category=484&artnr=33121&title=Speed%20lite%2020">light backpack</a> (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zBZ0GH9ahyu-fDpQQK09qNYkU_OXapWujASw7Iz_9vjQagyAdunLIKJv1vuEWt0ccCvHwtDJFknx7f9uNwl7woTdHGJ89ZXSG6VVE0Pb7f7p3hcSjU0ELVbZ4UTnCtsUQxL8538vGf8/s1600/DSC_3907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zBZ0GH9ahyu-fDpQQK09qNYkU_OXapWujASw7Iz_9vjQagyAdunLIKJv1vuEWt0ccCvHwtDJFknx7f9uNwl7woTdHGJ89ZXSG6VVE0Pb7f7p3hcSjU0ELVbZ4UTnCtsUQxL8538vGf8/s400/DSC_3907.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Almost at our first highline spot (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We couldn't stop staring at the <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/the-ogre-aka-mt-hubris/105734405">Mt. Hubris aka The Ogre Summit</a> and the wall next to it. The notch between this too was calling for the most obvious and epic highline in the whole area. We decided to climb up to the top of <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/the-ogre-aka-mt-hubris/105734405">The Ogre</a> next day following region's classic <i>'<a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/cosmic-wall/105735809">Cosmic Wall</a>'</i> <i>(8 pitches, 5.6R)</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hzgVYcxKO5KBNRYblPp3BnBDYDC6T4ZTXSUNErzxSNeMRR13pbNA_d3499-pmebo92aK8P5KcNNaYKdXn-auQccuptNaGhopxfQZzBRAWOG9YD7HQMUWKLEXXeidDJiBdWJveasp8v4/s1600/DSC_3921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hzgVYcxKO5KBNRYblPp3BnBDYDC6T4ZTXSUNErzxSNeMRR13pbNA_d3499-pmebo92aK8P5KcNNaYKdXn-auQccuptNaGhopxfQZzBRAWOG9YD7HQMUWKLEXXeidDJiBdWJveasp8v4/s400/DSC_3921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fixing to leave after bolting first highline in Castle Crags ever! Feels good ... The target for our next day is just in a background (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mountainproject.com/images/24/49/6302449_large_fc1f22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://mountainproject.com/images/24/49/6302449_large_fc1f22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Route-scheme (<a href="http://mountainproject.com/">mountainproject.com</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZkTg7zo01qAdQbjaBYtn201j5XDwt9oVNBJ_SMd1yEw2uziGBRLHaZrQM38jeJrJ-S5imlkPxp4z8tR6g4TDvOS9s2207uFv68LkPQ6tHTD2huzzJq6dZYsVTdDJTm6ZtC-zL9BSjQY/s1600/DSC_3979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZkTg7zo01qAdQbjaBYtn201j5XDwt9oVNBJ_SMd1yEw2uziGBRLHaZrQM38jeJrJ-S5imlkPxp4z8tR6g4TDvOS9s2207uFv68LkPQ6tHTD2huzzJq6dZYsVTdDJTm6ZtC-zL9BSjQY/s400/DSC_3979.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chilling next to our "rager-fire" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
Next day at the morning we went up to our climb. We definitely didn't find the path and did some EPIC bushwhacking. I was lucky enough to have long pant on but <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>'s legs were fucked when we got to the place were out route starts. The climb was really fun but the day was brutally windy. It was windy to the point when it's hard to enjoy yourself but we did anyways ;) ... We couldn't hear each other on the belays and I was cursing my self for not bringing my new walkie-talkies. We finished the route in about two hours, linking it by climbing in total 5 pitches. The view from the top was definitely rewarding. Behind our spot way in the outback is even more spots. On one ridge there is probably around 8-10 rock spires alone. This place is just amazing! We were out of words. Another good news was the spot between the peak we just climbed and another wall was definitely 'highlineable' and way epic. After grueling rappel in a wind which kept the ropes horizontal making them get stuck on every each rock tooth and descend to the campsite we could rest for couple hours.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkZJvayMqZaQBhmtdP6U7s8g4uC5Wa2Gew_nb95MxIL6_VfKYH_DWAmsWSrgKTGb36d50XcdOnnc4wnSxN_aDsfnzzJyfJvdQnmDkppvKsJV_vMMtUNv0Fab74HWoqwqNVXobfnNQpbw/s1600/IMG_20130502_021909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkZJvayMqZaQBhmtdP6U7s8g4uC5Wa2Gew_nb95MxIL6_VfKYH_DWAmsWSrgKTGb36d50XcdOnnc4wnSxN_aDsfnzzJyfJvdQnmDkppvKsJV_vMMtUNv0Fab74HWoqwqNVXobfnNQpbw/s400/IMG_20130502_021909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Psyched on top of <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/the-ogre-aka-mt-hubris/105734405">The Ogre</a>, and behind us spires, spires, spires ...</i></td></tr>
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<br />
Because it was still light and we had not enough bolts we decided to hike down, re-charge our stuff, sleep in a car and get the bolts and <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/10mm-Delta-Maillon-Rapide">Delta Quicklinks</a> from the post office next day. We finished stoping to do all of this while eating delicious burgers at the local brewery in Dunsmuir and that is when ... the plan changed again. Jordan realized he had a voicemail from <a href="http://www.fixehardware.com/shop/">Fixe</a>. It wasn't good - basically no bolts. We realized the only solution was to drive back to Davis to pick up 9 glue-in bolts from <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> and then go back to Castle. We arrived in Davis at 2am after 4h of drive and immediately fell asleep. Well, we did sleep only 6 hours and then hang out a bit with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> and convinced <a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> to go back with us. It wasn't to hard though. He was filming and sending with us and in some time there will be a movie coming out which will also promote one of our great sponsors <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/">HippyTree</a>.<br />
<br />
We were back at our parking spot late afternoon and hiked up again, this time with highline gear and more food. The time was way better too. I got up in 1h 10min and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> made it in 1h 35min. Lots of hiking was definitely paying off. We will be in shape for Yosemite!<br />
<br />
Next day our first mission was bolting the big line. We decided on climbing both sides from the notch even though we had no beta of climbing routes but it looked doable.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HfbrOdmk9TvjuRa2nMkDDWy-FH2l485Rvgstv4al62GKUh3vXf5JPmPqTXVMJ4rryJdEr2fIxNORmBL17PWYS6uCsikfNjNgwBhu1-FsQvILfW7gJTsGPyU5rVsGUZzBykPt8RT5r-A/s1600/DSC_4146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HfbrOdmk9TvjuRa2nMkDDWy-FH2l485Rvgstv4al62GKUh3vXf5JPmPqTXVMJ4rryJdEr2fIxNORmBL17PWYS6uCsikfNjNgwBhu1-FsQvILfW7gJTsGPyU5rVsGUZzBykPt8RT5r-A/s400/DSC_4146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Big spot visible from the Caste Dome area (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We had kind of a late start and manage to climb some fun terrain between 5.10a/b, bolt the highline anchors + rappel bolt on the side opposite to <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/the-ogre-aka-mt-hubris/105734405">The Ogre</a> in about 4 hours. Finding a good place to bolt on both sides wasn't easy task. We finished placing 4 glue-in bolts per each side <i>(3 per main anchor + 1 for back up)</i>. Afterwards we hiked down to Castle Dome. It was already quite late and everyone seemed pretty tired but surprisingly I still had lots of energy so we went to rig the shorter line which was already bolted. The gear was already stashed there. I did brought everything there during the hike to <a href="http://mountainproject.com/v/the-ogre-aka-mt-hubris/105734405">The Ogre</a> at the morning. Together with approach and rigging, after exactly 1h 10min <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was ready for the FA. He walked it like a champ OS-FM in a swami and named it "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongols">Mongol</a> Hordes". The line finished to be 23m long and 20m high with 100m to the bottom of the high side and around 800 meters of exposure and the view on the snowy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Shasta">Mt. Shasta</a>. Pretty epic ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8piM0FXfc5NG28idmOewJM9HrOe_7rDeb0vx_cHblsFwR89z0Rfe9lOxzUn_lyrtT9PpRECHPnQ7cBfo4ysM2EiS5A2Wog45T4Oa2_l5BcFvVzwSpV0gPz9RQ4WmrFRNS4gy7U5HMQBc/s1600/DSC_4038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8piM0FXfc5NG28idmOewJM9HrOe_7rDeb0vx_cHblsFwR89z0Rfe9lOxzUn_lyrtT9PpRECHPnQ7cBfo4ysM2EiS5A2Wog45T4Oa2_l5BcFvVzwSpV0gPz9RQ4WmrFRNS4gy7U5HMQBc/s400/DSC_4038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> ready to get some (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
I got on the line after <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and send it OS-FM in an ankle leash. On the second walk I untied the leash and walked one direction free-solo. It was too late and I was a bit tired to finish the 'FM business'. Even though the line was pretty loose I felt really solid on it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-ku-QIKqEdmxQKyXrHSDlIZXnc5Ct7Fb-KDzIaMQ-vJazzvpxgNesYuCQIKBqfnN0431KY5Dm4MRLmkMAlxN__UVqZaFudKKfc46ruvXoMk_LBg6d7wrUioMOUkrKKS-iI4P5i-u6dc/s1600/DSC_4076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-ku-QIKqEdmxQKyXrHSDlIZXnc5Ct7Fb-KDzIaMQ-vJazzvpxgNesYuCQIKBqfnN0431KY5Dm4MRLmkMAlxN__UVqZaFudKKfc46ruvXoMk_LBg6d7wrUioMOUkrKKS-iI4P5i-u6dc/s400/DSC_4076.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Freesoloco on the 'Mongol Hordes' - first highline in Castle Crags (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> send the line too, even throwing few tricks on the way back. It was getting dark, so we hiked down to our bivy getting some firewood on the way down. We felt pretty crushed but we finished waiting for <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott Balcom</a>, who was hiking in a night. He arrived around midnight and soon after we all fell asleep. The plan for the next day was to sesh the short line and then move it up to the bigger spot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OcvMyvxdY46Lr6Ra1oXeYsROsCLt9widYuOmS0_xMRnLQPQnB6cxFBu4_1eOfWB1o4ebTRFfKUbPdmHqZw9BqTq5gHS62GGa5ciAMBujtJuUhgLVx0GJHelY9-oFs2Lua7a3xsTvrZg/s1600/DSC_4084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OcvMyvxdY46Lr6Ra1oXeYsROsCLt9widYuOmS0_xMRnLQPQnB6cxFBu4_1eOfWB1o4ebTRFfKUbPdmHqZw9BqTq5gHS62GGa5ciAMBujtJuUhgLVx0GJHelY9-oFs2Lua7a3xsTvrZg/s400/DSC_4084.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> sending (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
On our last day we woke up early super motivated to rage hard. After getting to the short highline spot we were faced with harsh truth. It was super windy, the weather was dramatically changing and it didn't look like it's changing for better. Jordan took some cool pics of the spot from below. I've sent the line few times in an ankle in a crazy wind. I really wanted to complete this free solo and I knew I'm ready. The line was perfect tension, good for catching at any moment the only obstacle was super hard wind. I set on the line unleashed waiting for the wind to come down but of course it never happened so I just went for it. When I was in a middle of the line the wind just went nuts. I was standing there for a few second trying to decide if I should catch or walk and that second option won. I have to say this few seconds felt like ages. Paradoxically even though I was scared the whole experience felt pretty fun at the same time. I am pretty sure <a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> and <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a> didn't enjoy it as much as I did. The footage of it looks just ridiculous - that's all I can say ;) On the way back it was still windy but nothing comparing to the walk to the spire side. I cruised really fast trying to avoid the winds and that was really nice and stable walk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErBB1yHDSX3Spuj-kNbvbe2OITIQsDHXqlg4py97xt6lhvd1hls7wMaHax3Ert9I7-pBaEhHA5s8uuYYVzqmmDg51qeTeOKHk_snURqn4m38b85nJ6KjeY_vENQ4_OlLztjZdgB6Ue2g/s1600/DSC_4112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErBB1yHDSX3Spuj-kNbvbe2OITIQsDHXqlg4py97xt6lhvd1hls7wMaHax3Ert9I7-pBaEhHA5s8uuYYVzqmmDg51qeTeOKHk_snURqn4m38b85nJ6KjeY_vENQ4_OlLztjZdgB6Ue2g/s400/DSC_4112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr6mcJiBfnWg4yUrrH632g1BCdHVooBJLxFfdvsKFfXcK4u0h9k6tnrfS_Fmg438MWdERKBWFjsSvZtS16viaVqX0-eEsKaSGA-z3C2eGDRaR9MabNElBsYji8WEIxejzoN4BMfvymlc/s1600/DSC_4122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr6mcJiBfnWg4yUrrH632g1BCdHVooBJLxFfdvsKFfXcK4u0h9k6tnrfS_Fmg438MWdERKBWFjsSvZtS16viaVqX0-eEsKaSGA-z3C2eGDRaR9MabNElBsYji8WEIxejzoN4BMfvymlc/s400/DSC_4122.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a></i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and <a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a> send the line few times. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was really bummed because I know he had the same plan to free-solo this line and the line was just perfect for it. He was really stable walking in a swami even in a wind. We de-rigged the line and went to check the conditions on the big line. We were deceiving our selfs that condition up there is good but of course after we got there it was clear it's even worse. There was no point to even rig this line at that time. Heartbroken we retrieved our ascending ropes and went down. Walking down we already made the plans for the second line. I wish we had done everything we could the first time but on the other hand I feel like it meant to happen. Now we can go back with more friends which can enjoy this line with us, we have all the beta and even a place for the third line, Jordan can get his chance to free-solo 'Mongol Hordes' and I would really like to free-solo Cosmic Wall and maybe climb something more besides highlining.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsOevjd_P7BnTTZ_lskucpx9hcWFTRHOJsGPE0Ww6RXvY4vA-yXhq6ikcqXvcPbMOC_bltxkBFJIb5QKe9X4zocc4hewYiruxlWzPj-VLLVmWxZeSqKShYeI8ea0NbD9HpH3rUzqZVd8/s1600/936932_10151572338794035_1244748222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsOevjd_P7BnTTZ_lskucpx9hcWFTRHOJsGPE0Ww6RXvY4vA-yXhq6ikcqXvcPbMOC_bltxkBFJIb5QKe9X4zocc4hewYiruxlWzPj-VLLVmWxZeSqKShYeI8ea0NbD9HpH3rUzqZVd8/s400/936932_10151572338794035_1244748222_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not this time! (photo by <a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant Thompson</a>)</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbShM6tqIdYzOXsLWSdeBw6mMmHG4K22Vs15_aqaD1oYzCQsGWgnrjsUArKpmQCtIpuidzcpVvOlho3gX0KPMDGt6hk3cb3XgGAF0C0mj6nE3a1pblbJGhF7FQkMo9VVVbWXsRFeEDiE/s1600/DSC_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbShM6tqIdYzOXsLWSdeBw6mMmHG4K22Vs15_aqaD1oYzCQsGWgnrjsUArKpmQCtIpuidzcpVvOlho3gX0KPMDGt6hk3cb3XgGAF0C0mj6nE3a1pblbJGhF7FQkMo9VVVbWXsRFeEDiE/s400/DSC_4155.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting ready for art of suffering (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Same day we packed our campsite and hiked down with all the gear in one load which was just horrendous. My body was completely destroyed afterwards. That was definitely the heaviest haulbag I have ever carried. We went together to celebrate with a nice meal and then everyone went on their way. <a href="http://vimeo.com/highliners">Grant</a>, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I went back to Davis to restore some energy and <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a> went back to Ashland. We are really hoping to see him again in Yosemite or Castle Crags (or both!) ...<br />
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We will be back for the round two and this time must to get some!! And now off to Yosemite Valley ...<br />
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Peace & SlackOn!<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-41428391453019567392013-05-06T21:05:00.003-07:002013-05-06T21:05:50.073-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 7; Humboldt MadnessLast weekend <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>, <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> and I had a pleasure to visit Arcada during first <i>'Humboldt Highline/Longline Festival'</i>. Humboldt is mainly known from the THC <i>(trickline competition originally started by <a href="http://www.slacklinebrothers.com/aboutus.asp">Andy Lewis</a>, which is on now for quite few years)</i>. It must be said even though the highlines rigged during the festival are tree-highlines they are really epic and some of them pretty exposed. Red Woods is quite magical place. Massive sequoias covered with moss, green dells coated in ferns makes it really cool experience and perfect highline spot. I had no idea that sequoias have common root system so they are one of the biggest if not the biggest living organism on our planet <i>(!)</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcBq-8lSlMP1HEfKOpBBBt1WqTHJ8mc1iRSPHsjzvEAHeeCFi8OdIip_PUJ1GA7vmxQhDT2E776FWsUzcoCQfrzOHFjUbVGMd8FAIDRaHJXEWbjMCHxKjtIw7tQ-xNUPaa-PFVbpNE6s/s1600/DSC_3428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcBq-8lSlMP1HEfKOpBBBt1WqTHJ8mc1iRSPHsjzvEAHeeCFi8OdIip_PUJ1GA7vmxQhDT2E776FWsUzcoCQfrzOHFjUbVGMd8FAIDRaHJXEWbjMCHxKjtIw7tQ-xNUPaa-PFVbpNE6s/s400/DSC_3428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> rigging (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHdARnQiYgjMdFCdmurT4lHJQowo8OmTL2ou13XUrGPDAgW7yIeWs0M0SMVNqtjzMteKxpKXra79kZMF1-ktilnvJWX_OkTc9b8hKIc0QlJ3b-8FeVW5bv91vCP29Xyjfl3Nss0ej1ts/s1600/DSC_3447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHdARnQiYgjMdFCdmurT4lHJQowo8OmTL2ou13XUrGPDAgW7yIeWs0M0SMVNqtjzMteKxpKXra79kZMF1-ktilnvJWX_OkTc9b8hKIc0QlJ3b-8FeVW5bv91vCP29Xyjfl3Nss0ej1ts/s400/DSC_3447.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More of <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> rigging (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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I drove from Davis together with my friend <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> joined us few hours later after few last skydives in Lodi at the morning. The way to Arcada was truly beautiful and we definitely saw more then few <i>'highlineable'</i> spots on the way. We arrived late afternoon and went to the forest to check some highlines and rig some more. Unfortunately the organizer of the event couldn't be there with us because of some important business so our three finished rigging 4 highlines, finishing the festival with six lines in total <i>(not bad at all)</i> ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM6ZeN_XHDxCrYa7f3dGzyzTkyD9RMa585hC6AdP1ZQ6QG16BvKbxVlcoEjrtuJnYJGf6At9XG31UpQP64EXRwC8xjdx7Kzo_MImbpjnzKOWagyGLJoqMV37RGIBgHE2Se8sTbQkkt2k/s1600/DSC_3516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM6ZeN_XHDxCrYa7f3dGzyzTkyD9RMa585hC6AdP1ZQ6QG16BvKbxVlcoEjrtuJnYJGf6At9XG31UpQP64EXRwC8xjdx7Kzo_MImbpjnzKOWagyGLJoqMV37RGIBgHE2Se8sTbQkkt2k/s400/DSC_3516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rigging on the "Over The River" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNySOSBAkL-njfHfgJZ_TSG8g2ja36oXqr4Ri8MIjt2loSGjOC9d3dOLmjp2dLsn4m4oeUTWrfhDBJ0zZl5JBA2JUE_O47rz3pBKOic-sV676MyhdrawEzrvPrjnUOZVE3TTn2yp0_7eo/s1600/DSC_3482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNySOSBAkL-njfHfgJZ_TSG8g2ja36oXqr4Ri8MIjt2loSGjOC9d3dOLmjp2dLsn4m4oeUTWrfhDBJ0zZl5JBA2JUE_O47rz3pBKOic-sV676MyhdrawEzrvPrjnUOZVE3TTn2yp0_7eo/s400/DSC_3482.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> clipping second pulley system to the back-up webbing (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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When we showed up on the spot one short line was rigged <i>("Stumpy" Highline)</i> and few people were hanging out. I met some of them during our <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/04/us-trip-2013-take-4-two-day-quickie.html">short trip to Yosemite</a> but most of them I had a pleasure to meet for the first time. I don't think I need to say it again but ... highliners are awesome people!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8JOWV986PassiDlwraksNFrByEThVSPUx8WiPtse6ezwST_GRTwTrBOy1gbdZIQ7qfF9C300SUAG48-GqlJqt2iD0Fr8Aksq1hB3CbmwORfHYbDzN-7XEarVsA8-MIRYh5NKw4FPgY/s1600/DSC_3495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8JOWV986PassiDlwraksNFrByEThVSPUx8WiPtse6ezwST_GRTwTrBOy1gbdZIQ7qfF9C300SUAG48-GqlJqt2iD0Fr8Aksq1hB3CbmwORfHYbDzN-7XEarVsA8-MIRYh5NKw4FPgY/s400/DSC_3495.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> sending the "Over The River" Highline (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4phdKTIZ0ua7TicUKj_ei5tPhdJE4qKAGuxwWnwYolQNS2IK6-e6YqgGIagq0kZPGIpunmsllakk7gbCojHjSS04lZR8gn0zcuFwudY6cR_9bajcx71-eWx0ADniWKZB0PCFDFjdB9OU/s1600/DSC_3521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4phdKTIZ0ua7TicUKj_ei5tPhdJE4qKAGuxwWnwYolQNS2IK6-e6YqgGIagq0kZPGIpunmsllakk7gbCojHjSS04lZR8gn0zcuFwudY6cR_9bajcx71-eWx0ADniWKZB0PCFDFjdB9OU/s400/DSC_3521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> on the 41m line (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Together with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> we rigged another fun highline <i>(41m length on double <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a>)</i> and cruised it after rigging. I got a nice relaxing freesoloco on the <i>"Stumpy"</i> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> send it pretty much at night in a beltloop-swami <i>(that was pretty scary to watch)</i>. After that we went to eat and crush to rage next day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsfAQsJSV_YDr-1nOKq39mcgN5X3ONoDpFSmX0T-1w2CgObT5m-YmjFlA-Xy3kxgwOUfGnJJEJsp45rLsbi7Yfr07NaVE2Gis9vVJghFkupDfClN3TjP57TfiJ1NVcBs5H63ESX1hrPY/s1600/DSC_3579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsfAQsJSV_YDr-1nOKq39mcgN5X3ONoDpFSmX0T-1w2CgObT5m-YmjFlA-Xy3kxgwOUfGnJJEJsp45rLsbi7Yfr07NaVE2Gis9vVJghFkupDfClN3TjP57TfiJ1NVcBs5H63ESX1hrPY/s400/DSC_3579.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On of many free-solo sends on the "Stumpy" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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We spent most of the Saturday rigging next free-lines. We got 65m <i>"Over The River"</i>, 23m <i>"Through The Woods"</i> and 50m <i>"To The Grandfathers House We Go"</i>. Both 65m and 50m were rigged on double <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a>. BTW I love my new highline set-up which is green and dark blue <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a> taped together. It looks just beautiful. <br />
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Still we managed to squeeze in a few walks. After an ankle leash got to free-solo 23 meter line which was reasonably high and exposed as for a tree-highline. It was really nice experience. It is kind of weird that you can not step of the line, so as you walk towards the tree (which is your highest point) you need to gently grab it at the end and turn around to walk balk. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> sent the <i>"To The Grandfathers House We Go" </i>late afternoon and when I was walking it was almost completely dark but the line felt so good and with nice tunes it was no problem to send.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoZHS5pYDaNNlAC-EI7GVqS1wQP6r7BG7qcNx5QanZOd4tvt93gFqC8_MyAKZgYQBEoH5Mx3hj9Jk1nlcZ56SpF-E2z0u15901OMWnYdbcJfWD-0Bcdd_yEBPzLAFna1phKqdN79boxY/s1600/DSC_3657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoZHS5pYDaNNlAC-EI7GVqS1wQP6r7BG7qcNx5QanZOd4tvt93gFqC8_MyAKZgYQBEoH5Mx3hj9Jk1nlcZ56SpF-E2z0u15901OMWnYdbcJfWD-0Bcdd_yEBPzLAFna1phKqdN79boxY/s400/DSC_3657.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Freesoloco on the "Through The Woods" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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To set up <i>"Over The River" </i>and <i>"To The Grandfathers House We Go" </i>I had to climb these huge trees for even 25 meters up high. I used my 2 slings method which worked great, trailing the rope behind to rappel down and work freely on the highline anchor when I got to the right spot. I will describe this method in a future post on rodeolining here on my <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/">blog</a> as well as in <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Slack-Science/Latest">Slack Science</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV_mH_uC5gHRpN1XyM67i3xt7XsRM5IqhHzO8rCIq6uOW1u2B89q7qbH6AxaRUwn4iqXSYI7ErQ88wLonx6ek00bt7O9PpLV1AByF1vmlUd0oT58M8bAHd_XdEnCb2kKU1Lht_4nSmcE/s1600/DSC_3412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV_mH_uC5gHRpN1XyM67i3xt7XsRM5IqhHzO8rCIq6uOW1u2B89q7qbH6AxaRUwn4iqXSYI7ErQ88wLonx6ek00bt7O9PpLV1AByF1vmlUd0oT58M8bAHd_XdEnCb2kKU1Lht_4nSmcE/s400/DSC_3412.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Climbing huge sequoias was challenging but fun (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosKRZsaQiBnw2GKwNlkJlqj_CzFp85mO0wiyFrBm67c28wts-YpWV7iZj5SlQSIp-u0DcZbm-vmwzPAgNp422SEGyWsPjvq5iUY8QvygQR_LpxvhYDQaiyl3LYayeAcgMATFhhFoNhMU/s1600/DSC_3417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosKRZsaQiBnw2GKwNlkJlqj_CzFp85mO0wiyFrBm67c28wts-YpWV7iZj5SlQSIp-u0DcZbm-vmwzPAgNp422SEGyWsPjvq5iUY8QvygQR_LpxvhYDQaiyl3LYayeAcgMATFhhFoNhMU/s400/DSC_3417.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Switching to higher spanset (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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On Sunday we could finally have all day designated for sending. <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> raged hard trying some crazy korean butt-bounce combinations on the loose 65m highline, followed by bunch of rad and really long exposure turns presenting as usual amazing sense of balance and control on the lines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqenSCn354izzSli5Q3v_URTxGs3R0zlYDRSHEa_0lv595M7MpXKHFOE2YCsSzVLs31OGMtGfuIgUW8JxOBCVkaYkA0cgTEMXZwN4hSB5p-cf6pkxBhqgRd0UVEJ20-OE5zw0zC8Xx6wQ/s1600/DSC_3601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqenSCn354izzSli5Q3v_URTxGs3R0zlYDRSHEa_0lv595M7MpXKHFOE2YCsSzVLs31OGMtGfuIgUW8JxOBCVkaYkA0cgTEMXZwN4hSB5p-cf6pkxBhqgRd0UVEJ20-OE5zw0zC8Xx6wQ/s400/DSC_3601.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1429530687&fref=ts">Chris</a> performing double exposure turn (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I started a day on the 41m line. I got an ankle leash send and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> followed in a swami. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> continued crushing in a swami and presented some amazing skills surf-walking the 50 meter line. It was impressive. Surprisingly, I got solid ankle sent on the 50 meter line. We had a also nice free-solo sesh on three short lines <i>(all in range of 21-23m length)</i>. It was really positive experience which built our confidence. I did a bit of walking looking straight down, exposure turns, double knee drops and other stuff. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> got some nice free-solo walking with hands in his pockets. It was bunch of fun!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL74ILnlQyAd5pehodU23QUYiEamEKo7sa3-igJUBi7dwbv38UScvn4sdxbpF2eqI9wzX1vDL8EXKR4IEV36Ar7mSXMmd0jmJwqoEUODZdfwCITM5yiBA5qC-HMfIQQKaMr7_d-2FZyPI/s1600/DSC_3625-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL74ILnlQyAd5pehodU23QUYiEamEKo7sa3-igJUBi7dwbv38UScvn4sdxbpF2eqI9wzX1vDL8EXKR4IEV36Ar7mSXMmd0jmJwqoEUODZdfwCITM5yiBA5qC-HMfIQQKaMr7_d-2FZyPI/s400/DSC_3625-2.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> being super psyched after good free-solo session (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3wzdnZ4Um0WAT5L_jBSOG33PsGgf5RD-Z4cbcHESBtpT_sdSFRa5Y2xU85jszAdU73R6F10x04nZRflv-bPb_QlJBmm4ofVMxY8QDXD0hLEqeScQgx6Fy__NIL9ZhkOM1j1yt6hQipU/s1600/DSC_3640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3wzdnZ4Um0WAT5L_jBSOG33PsGgf5RD-Z4cbcHESBtpT_sdSFRa5Y2xU85jszAdU73R6F10x04nZRflv-bPb_QlJBmm4ofVMxY8QDXD0hLEqeScQgx6Fy__NIL9ZhkOM1j1yt6hQipU/s400/DSC_3640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> free-soloing 'like a boss' (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-81mae7k4dt00TgdzmU5woIOjQqIUYrHz2mQy1mIxRLLxyNSm4crJu8BJYXN679utLkbxusb7uQWI_zw2fvowZ7Igww1-HZ-75SPkZcW9FEh2_Q8T5LP9cyBE2Rm9heYINv1W3tMQw_E/s1600/DSC_3649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-81mae7k4dt00TgdzmU5woIOjQqIUYrHz2mQy1mIxRLLxyNSm4crJu8BJYXN679utLkbxusb7uQWI_zw2fvowZ7Igww1-HZ-75SPkZcW9FEh2_Q8T5LP9cyBE2Rm9heYINv1W3tMQw_E/s400/DSC_3649.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Session on the "Stumpy" Highline (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ6qND2bHstlJyXn6Lsss7yXlP72NG8MU7Jo2f35Mf9rNMRZU1nNBcTMt8u2z5nu33cOq0vEzYHc7wNWXhJGEOAVVbvRgVGKYJxEK4V_1A770qrcirlpdjkPWSwevbOsCNCPMfauWWrs/s1600/DSC_3677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ6qND2bHstlJyXn6Lsss7yXlP72NG8MU7Jo2f35Mf9rNMRZU1nNBcTMt8u2z5nu33cOq0vEzYHc7wNWXhJGEOAVVbvRgVGKYJxEK4V_1A770qrcirlpdjkPWSwevbOsCNCPMfauWWrs/s400/DSC_3677.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> free-soloing the "Through The Woods" (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
By the time we got to the biggest line we were already pretty tired. After re-tensioning the line I got on it and managed to send OS-FM. I was really happy that I don't have to fight to much. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was really close to send both ways but you could see he's body was not there anymore. We both exhausted our day energy limit. With help from bunch of others de-rigging went pretty fast and I was really glad my 'escape method' worked well enough to retrieve both <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Rope-and-Slings/Spansets">spansets</a> and rope from high end highline anchors.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb4aW8Bo8PtWl1oAslyJwaDDh12z0n4WOz34TSYqi2fbUDKsjefQVd99DzPGkUQm1KL7UXQ81UgU6RqiIayo1w_F1fGDI9auIV2HLjfhY-z5NcOe023oBP3_q_fXBsm0sRHxi1XeVeAE/s1600/DSC_3696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb4aW8Bo8PtWl1oAslyJwaDDh12z0n4WOz34TSYqi2fbUDKsjefQVd99DzPGkUQm1KL7UXQ81UgU6RqiIayo1w_F1fGDI9auIV2HLjfhY-z5NcOe023oBP3_q_fXBsm0sRHxi1XeVeAE/s400/DSC_3696.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sending the 65 meter OS-FM (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPD5n2SdOUrKfW-L9WOF4HmC74BUhf5H5mBJjQe3r-9-fOD-_pX-EgWk-okOWaqJFVHNzT-pZGCljvI06omx3n0e8GHAkEDzLKFW_W80N2xonM7m0C91vkdGtsm1Onxw57BVyGiNXTtM/s1600/DSC_3767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPD5n2SdOUrKfW-L9WOF4HmC74BUhf5H5mBJjQe3r-9-fOD-_pX-EgWk-okOWaqJFVHNzT-pZGCljvI06omx3n0e8GHAkEDzLKFW_W80N2xonM7m0C91vkdGtsm1Onxw57BVyGiNXTtM/s400/DSC_3767.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> on the 65 meter looking good (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Jan Gałek</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To top out great day we went to restore our energy by eating delicious pizza and of course ice-cream. I wanted to say thanks to everyone who was there, people which let us stay at their homes and I'm hoping to see you soon in Humboldt or the other occasion!<br />
<br />
<i>P.S. Come to Lublin for the 5th edition of the legendary <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/438516309571269/">Urban Highline Festival</a> ;)</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-21650723134397950092013-04-24T15:27:00.000-07:002013-04-24T15:27:16.512-07:00How to thread your lineI have been slacklining for almost 7 years right now and still some of my favorite webbings are threaded models. I think my all time favorite is <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1-Threaded-Slack-Spec">1" Threaded Slack-Spec</a> which is improved <i>(stronger and more dynamic)</i> version of classic 1" threaded tubular webbing. Recently I expended my slackline pile with other threaded models like <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/RAGEline">RAGEline</a> <i>(<a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/RAGEline-Outer">1.25" polyester tubular webbing</a> with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a> inside)</i>, <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PowrLine">PowrLine</a> <i>(<a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1-Slack-Spec-Tubular-Webbing">1" Slack-Spec</a> inside <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1-1/4-Tubular-Webbing">1.25" Tubular</a>)</i> and VecTec <i>(<a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/7/8-Spider-Silk">7/8" Spider Silk</a> inside </i><i><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1-Slack-Spec-Tubular-Webbing">1" Slack-Spec</a></i>)</i>.<br />
<br />
There is quite few other threaded lines on the market for example <a href="http://www.landcruising-slacklines.de/en/shop/2-slackline-band/29-polyamid/276-t-wave-25mm-meterware">T-Wave</a> or <a href="http://www.slackshop.cz/obchod/produkty/lajny/eqb-element">EQB Element</a>. <br />
<br />
There is lots of reasons why I do like these lines but redundancy, round edges and good dynamics and strength are most important to me. If you didn't get the lines in one piece nice and threaded you are going to have some fun. Over many years I threaded quite few lines but never had too much experience with it. I also tried different tools and methods but just recently learned a really good method from <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry Miszewski</a> him self. This guy has tons of experience with threading the lines in huge amount as he runs his own slackline company <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/">Balance Community</a>. I had a chance to test this methods by myself. In less then one day <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> and I threaded over 4000 feet of <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/RAGEline">RAGEline</a> and my new 55m piece of VecTec. Obviously both of us were tired afterward but we had a good rhythm and everything worked really well. Naturally normal users will thread one line at the time so we'll focus on this (we can skip organizing multiple lines in boxes etc) ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLor8O9BCy0vR-MMvm9xvRjv8xl0KxYV1r83vGTqEQAYlARdMc9YhyrpJYBoyRG6-nz6Rg-7ALiH-K_7ibZLWZRvcXxwPlPNyX0rfVB6z6CaAfHObGySypBvauPjJ3s9SN74DsVZCDVco/s1600/IMG_20130422_190329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLor8O9BCy0vR-MMvm9xvRjv8xl0KxYV1r83vGTqEQAYlARdMc9YhyrpJYBoyRG6-nz6Rg-7ALiH-K_7ibZLWZRvcXxwPlPNyX0rfVB6z6CaAfHObGySypBvauPjJ3s9SN74DsVZCDVco/s400/IMG_20130422_190329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More then 4000feet of <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/RAGEline">RAGEline</a> and 180 feet of VecTec</i></td></tr>
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<br />
There are two main methods two thread your line:<br />
<br />
<b>1)</b> First method is when you thread the webbing directly by using a metal stick (this method works pretty much for most situation despite VecTec and really long pieces of <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/RAGEline">RAGEline</a> or <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PowrLine">PowrLine</a>),<br />
<b>2)</b> This method involves threading first long piece of cord inside your tubular webbing and then pulling the inner webbing through.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: red;"><b>Method 1</b></span></u><br />
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
- 2 Tree-Protectors,<br />
- 1-2 slings,<br />
- 2-3 carabineers,<br />
- threading stick (best is around 2 meters length) with a piece of thin cord <i>(best option I found is <a href="http://www.samsonrope.com/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=811">lash-it cord</a> from <a href="http://www.samsonrope.com/">Samson Ropes</a>)</i>,<br />
- <a href="http://www.samsonropecatalogs.com/lg_display.cfm/page/F14/catalog/Commercial_Marine_2012">splicing fid</a> (optional),<br />
- pliers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RxHkcsN2UYRmKZjSO9MQpDiXLjvfxZXoP0kDZ8pb7hnNdu0pnj4ZT_zSY937fhTTPkh4nQmbX0DMKLLQbuC2wvfrFP8aa_BogEFaH1UBwTMjbwNfqz73RaWzJuyM5bKQ8i7EUL3GpJc/s1600/3242013151019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RxHkcsN2UYRmKZjSO9MQpDiXLjvfxZXoP0kDZ8pb7hnNdu0pnj4ZT_zSY937fhTTPkh4nQmbX0DMKLLQbuC2wvfrFP8aa_BogEFaH1UBwTMjbwNfqz73RaWzJuyM5bKQ8i7EUL3GpJc/s400/3242013151019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>HOW TO</u><br />
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a) cut the beginning of your outside tubular line along the length. The cut should be around 20-25cm long in middle of your webbing width. When you are done slightly melt the edges of the cut to prevent it from too much fraying,<br />
b) stuff your inner line inside you haulbag, box or <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/LineBag">BC line-bag</a>, while doing that try to remove all the twists from your line,<br />
c) pack your outside and inner line and the rest of your equipment and go to the park,<br />
d) find shaded spot <i>(it is better to thread your line hidden from a sun so it doesn't hit up; this leads to more friction in between the lines making whole process harder)</i>,<br />
e) find a nice tree and put two Tree-Protectors around the same height as your waist,<br />
f) attach your threading stick to your inner webbing <i>(in order to do that use your splicing fid or something similar to thread the thin cord from the threading stick through your inner webbing. Best is to have it 2-3cm away from the end of your inner webbing)</i>,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ehs0sTSEV_2ONteIys9yPz_LYcli4CbKUVsrxznlkqQraX5YTtMeMmlTY8DFpuFbVZh7ruuz7vZIO9vqcVSQKf7zHAEqNYi91k2opJVGoDLDUPglk2_AzJJE__VNC2pLZJKJmWVuNDM/s1600/324201315855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ehs0sTSEV_2ONteIys9yPz_LYcli4CbKUVsrxznlkqQraX5YTtMeMmlTY8DFpuFbVZh7ruuz7vZIO9vqcVSQKf7zHAEqNYi91k2opJVGoDLDUPglk2_AzJJE__VNC2pLZJKJmWVuNDM/s400/324201315855.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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g) put your threading stick inside the outer webbing and thread your inner webbing through the short distance (2-4 meters),<br />
h) rap the first sling around the higher Tree-Protector and tight the ends of your split outer webbing to the sling ends as shown on the picture below,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohcAPJ04BI_JyuPLuTOoZnhAMxqosFib-SXPHWJcaX3xVE7wnF2uj5cuFFPFApyDgu5nYWLjlIPdtxr5nN3aXjTAOHr5HznuHeDDxauYLOpAByH6sA7EFBOCVV0qs6Z3znCW8zdBHU9A/s1600/IMG_20130422_101513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohcAPJ04BI_JyuPLuTOoZnhAMxqosFib-SXPHWJcaX3xVE7wnF2uj5cuFFPFApyDgu5nYWLjlIPdtxr5nN3aXjTAOHr5HznuHeDDxauYLOpAByH6sA7EFBOCVV0qs6Z3znCW8zdBHU9A/s400/IMG_20130422_101513.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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i) stretch your outer webbing on the ground making sure it is in line and has no twists on it,<br />
j) clip your webbing through the carabineers place on the Tree-Protector and the sling as shown on the picture below (this should prevent the twists),<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HRZnwo3LNDZdSrybyTyzm0VzXoUAioS2oDXml3Q1TRfYAHmoTAK5t6q3OwZwI6vbH-zCVA9LxgXpeedG4P3ZcLw0EHL8xywhSZFZ15QUC3VCFJbzrgX25iMSrs5s0b0FxfhRpeadmMM/s1600/IMG_20130422_190937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HRZnwo3LNDZdSrybyTyzm0VzXoUAioS2oDXml3Q1TRfYAHmoTAK5t6q3OwZwI6vbH-zCVA9LxgXpeedG4P3ZcLw0EHL8xywhSZFZ15QUC3VCFJbzrgX25iMSrs5s0b0FxfhRpeadmMM/s400/IMG_20130422_190937.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
k) start threading your webbing <i>(what works best for me is to support the end of the threading stick inside the outer webbing on my foot or the ground and then push the outer webbing down while making sure you don't get any twists until the threading stick is full of creased webbing and then slowly pull on it. If there is lots of friction and you have problems pulling your threading stick through, make a small bend at the end of it or even full bend which creates a handle and then pull again)</i>,<br />
l) continue that process until you thread whole inner webbing through. If you're planning on melting the ends of your webbings together first pull the outer webbing with pliers. If you want to leave the ends free tie a water-knot on each end of outer webbing.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Method 2</b></u></span><br />
<br />
This method works best for long distances or in situation where there is a lot of friction in between webbings. If the friction is really bad (like in case of VecTec) depending on your cord strength you might want to double or even triple it and then pull the cord through with a pulley system!<br />
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
- 2 Tree-Protectors,<br />
- 1-2 slings,<br />
- 2-3 carabineers,<br />
- threading stick (best is around 2 meters length) with a piece of thin cord <i>(best option I found is <a href="http://www.samsonrope.com/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=811">lash-it cord</a> from <a href="http://www.samsonrope.com/">Samson Ropes</a>)</i>,<br />
- <a href="http://www.samsonropecatalogs.com/lg_display.cfm/page/F14/catalog/Commercial_Marine_2012">splicing fid</a> (optional),<br />
- pliers,<br />
- long piece of cord <i>(a bit longer then your threading webbing length or double or triple if you need stronger option)</i>. <br />
<br />
ADDITIONAL:<br />
- pulley system,<br />
- ascender,<br />
- sling + Tree-Protector,<br />
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<u>HOW TO</u><br />
<br />
a) cut the beginning of your outside tubular line along the length.
The cut should be around 20-25cm long in middle of your webbing width.
When you are done slightly melt the edges of the cut to prevent it from
too much fraying,<br />
b) stuff your inner line inside you haulbag, box or <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/LineBag">BC line-bag</a>, while doing that try to remove all the twists from your line,<br />
c) pack your outside and inner line and the rest of your equipment and go to the park,<br />
d) find shaded spot <i>(it
is better to thread your line hidden from a sun so it doesn't hit up;
this leads to more friction in between the lines making whole process
harder)</i>,<br />
e) find a nice tree and put two Tree-Protectors around the same height as your waist,<br />
f) attach your threading stick to your threading cord,<br />
g) put your threading stick inside the outer webbing and thread your cord through the short distance (2-4 meters),<br />
h)
rap the first sling around the higher Tree-Protector and tight the ends
of your split outer webbing to the sling ends as shown on the picture
below,<br />
i) stretch your outer webbing on the ground making sure it is in line and has no twists on it,<br />
j)
clip your webbing through the carabineers place on the Tree-Protector
and the sling as shown on the picture below (this should prevent the
twists),<br />
k) start threading your webbing <i>(what works best for
me is to support the end of the threading stick inside the outer webbing
on my foot or the ground and then push the outer webbing down while
making sure you don't get any twists until the threading stick is full
of creased webbing and then slowly pull on it. If there is lots of
friction and you have problems pulling your threading stick through,
make a small bend at the end of it or even full bend which creates a
handle and then pull again)</i>,<br />
l) continue that process until
you thread whole cord through,<br />
m) attach the inner webbing to your threading cord and if you can pull it through just with your hands do that <i>(If there is too much friction what you need to do is to find another tree in line spaced a bit further then the end of your webbing, attach your pulley system and then your threading cord to your pulley system with a knot. Next pull the cord through until your pulleys system is shortened and the reset the knot on the cord and repeat until you thread whole inner webbing through. Try to pull slowly and consistently without an rapid pulls which can increase the force and break your threading cord which can happen and then you have to start over from the beginning)</i>,<br />
n) If you're planning on melting the ends of your webbings together first
pull the outer webbing with pliers. If you want to leave the ends free
tie a water-knot on each end of outer webbing.<br />
<br />
I hope this post helped you to understand and mastering the threading technique. Next tutorial coming soon! This time on: how to set up rodeo line.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jan-Galek/bio"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span> </a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-69616204253853751452013-04-24T10:00:00.002-07:002013-04-24T10:00:52.070-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 6; Bay Area Chillout Part 1; 'Hole Rock' HighlineWe had a lazy start after the day before when we rigged and seshed <i>'Unicorn Graveyard'</i> Highline. It took us long time to wake up, eat breakfast and so on and when we showed up at the Bridges Rock Gym it was almost 2pm. Damian was ready to gave up on us, but we spoke for a short moment and decided to go on a REALLY fast run.<br />
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We were getting ready for the <i>'Hole Rock'</i> Highline <i>(23m L/21m H/1219m of exposure)</i>. The line with which I had unfinished business since my first trip to USA in 2007. After our Yosemite trip <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian Cooksey</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok3r0nERGA">Jon Ritson</a> and I went to bolt and rig this line on Mount Saint Helena. It was a really hot day, the hike is not so short and the last part of it is brutal scramble through sharp and spiny chaparral. The time in Yosemite had us in the mindset that we didn't need to carry water. Unfortunately on Mount Saint Helena there is no springs and we had 1/2 liter of water in between three of us. We finished finding and scoping the line but we had no power and time to bolt, rig and walk. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok3r0nERGA">Jon</a> and I were so dehydrated we almost passed out.</div>
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Soon after that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> went back to finish the line together with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Pierre-Carrillo/bio">Pierre Carrillo</a>, <a href="http://www.gibbon-slacklines.com/en/team/pro-team/andy.html">Andy Lewis</a>, Jenna and others. I always wished I could be there and during that trip I could finally get a second chance.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/damianrc/Hole%20Rock%20Highline/DSC04235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/damianrc/Hole%20Rock%20Highline/DSC04235.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>From the left; The Hole Rock and The Hailstone Rock</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/damianrc/Hole%20Rock%20Highline/DSC04309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/damianrc/Hole%20Rock%20Highline/DSC04309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian Cooksey</a> putting up FA of the 'Hole Rock' Highline (Jan 19, 2008)</i></td></tr>
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<b>More info about the line:</b></div>
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- <a href="http://forum.slackline.com/archive/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=839&highlight=hole+rock">link 1</a>,</div>
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- <a href="http://forum.slackline.com/archive/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=69&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60">link 2</a> (go to the 7th page).</div>
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This time after chaotic but really fast gear preparation <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a>, <a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a>, <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a>, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I were off for a late afternoon adventure. We were unaware it's not such a fast drive and approach but we knew we can do it if we are fast. The way there was really funny. Swearing at bad traffic, talking stupid stuff and joking all the way to our destination. The talking was over as soon as we started hiking. Deadly pace killed all conversation and everyone was focused on just going fast and catching a breath. The bushwhacking and loose rock sliding at the end was kind of funny experience but I wish I had my long pants on for that. We were under Hailstone Rock exactly after one hour - not bad!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenglP9mzi4FDctiyN1PDb7JWIHiDujaQQJ1xznWl7-MuPxgmcoZAMe35-96pa-wwYatFKin5iUDR_84QOx_nMgEvRiTMfGvyG0nOxNvXpn8sAl5Dxe2xLu4ohQA4DcZZzmoACon5bkZw/s1600/DSC_3044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenglP9mzi4FDctiyN1PDb7JWIHiDujaQQJ1xznWl7-MuPxgmcoZAMe35-96pa-wwYatFKin5iUDR_84QOx_nMgEvRiTMfGvyG0nOxNvXpn8sAl5Dxe2xLu4ohQA4DcZZzmoACon5bkZw/s400/DSC_3044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a> almost at our spot (photo <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJeo_FEbh-7lfLERZX_HS_JuY2UELCJJdwHoO3lu-BBaO_AZaBopdlTVEQFq5EQhuPcwI81LaLgWs6JLir-3iRpinfVCEcXjzCin3G43NcpUqL0dZLLt_2cgi2qwVfNLESzi-pQhwlqg/s1600/DSC_3048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJeo_FEbh-7lfLERZX_HS_JuY2UELCJJdwHoO3lu-BBaO_AZaBopdlTVEQFq5EQhuPcwI81LaLgWs6JLir-3iRpinfVCEcXjzCin3G43NcpUqL0dZLLt_2cgi2qwVfNLESzi-pQhwlqg/s400/DSC_3048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rock-Skiing ... (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY69F-wg7ZrW_fdLSOhYV0XCMM_42WULp_TBBB4AUzHso_nO7YBNsC8zHWUbFtyydnBYbidS-fzQIFF3ELOSi4UDxDoxVkEQCAU99FxNoM0xHKfM0FNWKXu0Yg_R0Aj08jE12u0SXGRg/s1600/DSC_3055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY69F-wg7ZrW_fdLSOhYV0XCMM_42WULp_TBBB4AUzHso_nO7YBNsC8zHWUbFtyydnBYbidS-fzQIFF3ELOSi4UDxDoxVkEQCAU99FxNoM0xHKfM0FNWKXu0Yg_R0Aj08jE12u0SXGRg/s400/DSC_3055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Re-packing next to the Hailstone Rock (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Immediately we started setting up the line. I forgot how beautiful this place was and about red ants too ;) ... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> went to not tensioning side and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I accompanied by or small monkey <a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex,</a> finished the rest of rigging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPOjqJdy6eBs8n4C0UZLEzP612-my6g4_TkAfaUOQOo-LIMVQWD5M1mPHM99P_U0TuKQcQtB3zxGw_eytSmw_UK7M-3DdrR5gG-CS-NXfCxPDF3WbP0omecJGaXganHASpkh19P1t3I0/s1600/DSC_3061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPOjqJdy6eBs8n4C0UZLEzP612-my6g4_TkAfaUOQOo-LIMVQWD5M1mPHM99P_U0TuKQcQtB3zxGw_eytSmw_UK7M-3DdrR5gG-CS-NXfCxPDF3WbP0omecJGaXganHASpkh19P1t3I0/s400/DSC_3061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rigging the Hole Rock side (photo by </i><i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a></i>)</i></td></tr>
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Together with unpacking, sorting gear and rigging we were done after another hour. I got the privilege of going first so I did and sent OS-FM in an ankle leash. It was a great feeling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f5TEuKjHkOqSvql9ev7XKufTOvSb0UkjXk_1BzHz8D2Iy8KDSIDtxFdbvoVMXKZy-_Nh7bOWRTFhJFSoYsxQN6YoJFQrtShkewMKaZutJ6WOfBdjhMiuZ_ii4gpFRplVwzyD9oILYZs/s1600/DSC_3068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f5TEuKjHkOqSvql9ev7XKufTOvSb0UkjXk_1BzHz8D2Iy8KDSIDtxFdbvoVMXKZy-_Nh7bOWRTFhJFSoYsxQN6YoJFQrtShkewMKaZutJ6WOfBdjhMiuZ_ii4gpFRplVwzyD9oILYZs/s400/DSC_3068.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ankle-leash OS-FM (photo by </i><i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a></i>)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> went next in a swami sending the line same style with no problem. <a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a> was next in line and put some great effort. We were all supportive and I must say <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> is a great mentor for this young man. Even though this young, amazing slackliner didn't get it this time he stood up and walked it few steps the way back to anchor. Congrats <a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a>! I am sure you will send your first highline really soon. Keep on believing, get on something short and exposed and after you get it, everything will be all of the sudden way easier and different ;) ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGPEfVuyv1Vgn1CO6r4nms4NhOdyGIkjAkdJFbUDGzVomhlc4cS1KWbsbXMZCnFNKd0B5T7_g6y7WLNKvjJObbiwUJB3HpyJzpAWpGDxccnCvAGejosYMKfPo_os2XszjkEmd3MHbtmI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-24+at+9.54.35+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGPEfVuyv1Vgn1CO6r4nms4NhOdyGIkjAkdJFbUDGzVomhlc4cS1KWbsbXMZCnFNKd0B5T7_g6y7WLNKvjJObbiwUJB3HpyJzpAWpGDxccnCvAGejosYMKfPo_os2XszjkEmd3MHbtmI/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-24+at+9.54.35+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> as a swami-ninja</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd_rTKJ7GPnGKIo7sQkXgjsR9cSu1QqO3sckJfLA6e4ECOEWpR50VAGN1TMQ_E0JFblvqP379_7zSNvOUCNaChKc-WrnCcK-DjNF-REp9RCMTa-dfsBYDfuBZr030kq7EIYpLS8FLjIQ/s1600/DSC_3074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd_rTKJ7GPnGKIo7sQkXgjsR9cSu1QqO3sckJfLA6e4ECOEWpR50VAGN1TMQ_E0JFblvqP379_7zSNvOUCNaChKc-WrnCcK-DjNF-REp9RCMTa-dfsBYDfuBZr030kq7EIYpLS8FLjIQ/s400/DSC_3074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a> getting ready ... (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsqTJvd-7P6N38RwIEpc7bCILHbMjMQAc8ZMle_h5OGWaWGr3Duk0eXMAw_QGiPl0KdEdOmZK7Mxteg5-W6z7Wv0ZKYVg4dcQ7H-nEhU7zQjKOFX_zOkvDi9bx-L1MZqUmWroXh2ZDBA/s1600/DSC_3096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsqTJvd-7P6N38RwIEpc7bCILHbMjMQAc8ZMle_h5OGWaWGr3Duk0eXMAw_QGiPl0KdEdOmZK7Mxteg5-W6z7Wv0ZKYVg4dcQ7H-nEhU7zQjKOFX_zOkvDi9bx-L1MZqUmWroXh2ZDBA/s400/DSC_3096.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a> on the line ... (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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It was almost already dark and a bit windy but I felt good so I walked the line freesoloco-FM. It was already after 8pm and we had to leave as soon as possible. Bushwhacking in a dark was a bit dramatic and painful at the times but finally we made it to the main fire-road and could switch of our headlamps hiking down in a bright moonlight. We got back to Berkley, rode <a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a> back home <i>(we're hoping his mom wasn't too angry that her son was so late)</i> and went to crash in Oakland at our friends place. Next day at the morning we left back to Lodi/CA.</div>
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That was some amazing times. I am really glad that I had a chance to meet an old friend and some new people too. BTW I think <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> will be coming to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UrbanHighline">Urban Highline Festival</a> this year for the 5th edition of our event. He'll have some cool presentation and a movie to show. Get excited!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a></div>
KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-12790483004128339872013-04-21T13:43:00.000-07:002013-04-21T13:54:13.991-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 5; Bay Area Chillout Part 1; 'Unicorn Graveyard' HighlineAs soon as we got back to Lodi from our <a href="http://balance-is-key.blogspot.com/2013/04/us-trip-2013-take-4-two-day-quickie.html">2-day quickie in Yosemite Valley</a> the weather decided to get windy again <i>(sigh!)</i> ... Faced with non skydiving conditions we were forced to continue the rage ;) <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> unexpectedly had to leave to Austin because of the important personal reason so we couldn't enjoy this time together. Short conversation with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> made everything clear and after a quick call to my old friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian Cooksey</a> we were on out way to San Francisco. Sitting in a car I was excited about meeting him again after almost 3 years. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> has been an mentor and inspiration to me for a really long time, we shared some amazing times during our trip in 2007 and other places. Actually he never stops inspiring, lately establishing and sending long 'Yosemite Falls' Highline which is double length of original line ...<br />
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While sitting in a car I was wondering how he is now and going through the old memories. We arrived in Berkley at the <a href="http://www.bridgesrockgym.com/">Bridges Rock Gym</a> late afternoon, met up with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> and <a href="http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=209:alex-mason&Itemid=235">Alex</a> and spoke for quite a long time. I was glad to see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> being happy and full of energy. We made some plans for next visit in Yosemite and I am truly glad <a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> will be there with us. Next we went quickly to pick up <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxwell.s.silver">Max</a> and <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a> from Oakland and rode back to the <a href="http://www.bridgesrockgym.com/">Gym</a> to slackline and boulder for the rest of the day. <a href="http://www.bridgesrockgym.com/">Bridges Rock Gym</a> is such a fun place to play. We climbed bunch of problems from V1-V7, tricklined, slacklined and even set up small and fun rodeoline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd4NseHYTS3hTDWmJ9m-ZEtJPlDrCECwcUMwlLBp1Hz2crCEiqMQEHdCuEIHxnbLZOhkPYyy4yTf3hBva06BhzzEVYgQfSEfxGz37Z-XENOg9902EZIts2RzbgQoVoPwdKIkEQRYysdw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.45.23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd4NseHYTS3hTDWmJ9m-ZEtJPlDrCECwcUMwlLBp1Hz2crCEiqMQEHdCuEIHxnbLZOhkPYyy4yTf3hBva06BhzzEVYgQfSEfxGz37Z-XENOg9902EZIts2RzbgQoVoPwdKIkEQRYysdw/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.45.23+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rodeo surfing</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH-wbiI44cWhDzOzMrDil2lYEXUhVMZrj1Iqf3P57xu4l3cM9Vy6xOqmmtXVO4QJkz8WDjzWgK5goQ4K_EfreubKx2qvgj1DY42QEYsLldQHKRwzGcO_Ls2Gpkd1asKTTwT2OldmL0iE/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.46.48+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH-wbiI44cWhDzOzMrDil2lYEXUhVMZrj1Iqf3P57xu4l3cM9Vy6xOqmmtXVO4QJkz8WDjzWgK5goQ4K_EfreubKx2qvgj1DY42QEYsLldQHKRwzGcO_Ls2Gpkd1asKTTwT2OldmL0iE/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.46.48+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting close to the wall ...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk6mA-1y0IvOlR0WT81AVOUQITIQc-Q16ZgbWkPttMGE3YFFeUCxLwppuqSDPtT1vXO3KWftEs4Ky5o4-xXkN68E4TVW2qiNZSrJP8C74tEeBSmu9xeXyFKeXdS4GrBRW2-mIYdCThMk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.47.33+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk6mA-1y0IvOlR0WT81AVOUQITIQc-Q16ZgbWkPttMGE3YFFeUCxLwppuqSDPtT1vXO3KWftEs4Ky5o4-xXkN68E4TVW2qiNZSrJP8C74tEeBSmu9xeXyFKeXdS4GrBRW2-mIYdCThMk/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.47.33+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxwell.s.silver">Max</a> on the fun V4 arete</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEnAoGsM90Fjg0KUxCxxaIlxbVM1bb_RmjPC42EMQObqaKnceyJP3jCMSpCWComG9dS9DEm8LVXSSOxLFPieYI086zkGJPmZZCvLXZvQyjK_omtK8uORiDHGWz-oE9OlkOv_z5r4YMPs/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.48.20+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEnAoGsM90Fjg0KUxCxxaIlxbVM1bb_RmjPC42EMQObqaKnceyJP3jCMSpCWComG9dS9DEm8LVXSSOxLFPieYI086zkGJPmZZCvLXZvQyjK_omtK8uORiDHGWz-oE9OlkOv_z5r4YMPs/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.48.20+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>V3 ...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLlaTy9Rtt92e_DZBrN9wMijtU3Zrb0Si-n6z2bqhdyZ1AXjm2zst82dw5DKueBiObPCdTX6IPAzMK0n09r6NqfQQ_5JCbXmpKIn_Wf9vq82Md7-zFXMZeQUqKzPKt1rs2O-LKQtueDY/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.48.42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLlaTy9Rtt92e_DZBrN9wMijtU3Zrb0Si-n6z2bqhdyZ1AXjm2zst82dw5DKueBiObPCdTX6IPAzMK0n09r6NqfQQ_5JCbXmpKIn_Wf9vq82Md7-zFXMZeQUqKzPKt1rs2O-LKQtueDY/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.48.42+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... fun dyno</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDu_o1rRkc-2ySq-wtFPIpFPuNs6d0HXjZWk6fc_Cb-I_eTKXStrPJbiVSufJo-koEV8DfPuprZQ95y7CbilXidmwvhWgzaXjjiAt0SnztSgID88Z01LnkTfP36B5YQajTBkouapTZ-k/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.49.40+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDu_o1rRkc-2ySq-wtFPIpFPuNs6d0HXjZWk6fc_Cb-I_eTKXStrPJbiVSufJo-koEV8DfPuprZQ95y7CbilXidmwvhWgzaXjjiAt0SnztSgID88Z01LnkTfP36B5YQajTBkouapTZ-k/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-20+at+12.49.40+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> crimipin' on a hard V7</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/damiancooksey">Damian</a> and his fiancee Gail invited us for dinner. We enjoyed amazing home made pizza, had a good conversations, played with two adorable dogs and made plans for the next couple days.<br />
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After I've seen video of <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> and other peeps sending <i>'Unicorn Graveyard'</i> Highline I immediately put it on my 'to do'list. Now we had a chance to repeat that amazing line laying next to the Pacific Ocean with the overview at Golden Gate Bridge.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/62294136?portrait=0&color=e62e84" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
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We started next day repeating the session at the <a href="http://www.bridgesrockgym.com/">Bridges Rock Gym</a> and then together with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxwell.s.silver">Max</a> and <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a> went to set up this gorgeous line. Both sides offer natural anchors. You just have to sling some boulders and it is ready. The line it self is 41m long and around 20m high. We rigged the line with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a> and dynamic rope back-up (8.5mm diameter). It turned out to be perfect set up and the tension we got was just right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6C7Tp9P8u4jqQCZSRiDQfsH3a6BgaPj56F-nA_GZ_aSySlGDFiwd9Ubzuo9B8E90uIUpbwxATTvwUohG_ysHFsLeINb0isOgemsxXJYKyl84flzy84loia6RBFrbTieR6OLZDdOuy08/s1600/DSC_2852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6C7Tp9P8u4jqQCZSRiDQfsH3a6BgaPj56F-nA_GZ_aSySlGDFiwd9Ubzuo9B8E90uIUpbwxATTvwUohG_ysHFsLeINb0isOgemsxXJYKyl84flzy84loia6RBFrbTieR6OLZDdOuy08/s400/DSC_2852.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The way down ... (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7dfI6Hax2ujZwHov_NuX-qXWDiHMq7DgBAhHm0yHcCygHx1bsCMG8q8ef5O3lhNJYvwcQHYYz__12sZot6p1UNrOyoX-ZgvmjSUQ6N5zwuEGWOLOZmuW8ZAxonHRaN0h16_oAO9SNFk/s1600/DSC_2862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7dfI6Hax2ujZwHov_NuX-qXWDiHMq7DgBAhHm0yHcCygHx1bsCMG8q8ef5O3lhNJYvwcQHYYz__12sZot6p1UNrOyoX-ZgvmjSUQ6N5zwuEGWOLOZmuW8ZAxonHRaN0h16_oAO9SNFk/s400/DSC_2862.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The spot (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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Before I had to send the line I realized I forgot my mp3 player from a car. It actually turned out to by really nice experience. Surprisingly it was calming to hear the power of the ocean, waves smashing against a coast underneath your feet. It was unforgettable sensation and it brought me lots of joy and smile on my face.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVsJ2qdn861Q4GicBXTiIojEAT0xKRWk71qpIeQ7D5z5liKwNSZ6112FvpveI7-Z1j7nl11S3nLQzy2e2w9BaVMgg3RF-BsorbEMxefVN7cIKDIhIroUktpPIVnhXRONIUMwhzF5x2WI/s1600/DSC_2868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVsJ2qdn861Q4GicBXTiIojEAT0xKRWk71qpIeQ7D5z5liKwNSZ6112FvpveI7-Z1j7nl11S3nLQzy2e2w9BaVMgg3RF-BsorbEMxefVN7cIKDIhIroUktpPIVnhXRONIUMwhzF5x2WI/s400/DSC_2868.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rigging the tensioning-side anchor (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSgGPx7q5mkZ15RCdDZOTK7RD8ecCiCxci4PqLjuHSVXoxMUrEfWZjAUehOc036yjzTujWmDFtTTHeI2ak2X4bVYiR2BzPZa2uY1ra7CiJc3ACOjHzsjNjSeGKAMQ3yPRUZBmuDqcE18/s1600/DSC_2872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSgGPx7q5mkZ15RCdDZOTK7RD8ecCiCxci4PqLjuHSVXoxMUrEfWZjAUehOc036yjzTujWmDFtTTHeI2ak2X4bVYiR2BzPZa2uY1ra7CiJc3ACOjHzsjNjSeGKAMQ3yPRUZBmuDqcE18/s400/DSC_2872.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Windy day on the coast (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CH9izD_96HNZ28h6A2paomuGfMg37e8T9_UFH3z47Tn0ynoxob3fip2k6bS1KivArMCSF5vpp9kcAu8sltIc577FvgBd-T_PREX9GWqoOVQ1E-MUWZFNJy1cCLroaezTdUsQ8Ifw2mU/s1600/DSC_2878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CH9izD_96HNZ28h6A2paomuGfMg37e8T9_UFH3z47Tn0ynoxob3fip2k6bS1KivArMCSF5vpp9kcAu8sltIc577FvgBd-T_PREX9GWqoOVQ1E-MUWZFNJy1cCLroaezTdUsQ8Ifw2mU/s400/DSC_2878.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Back-up?! (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjICQREqy61SkqtgqWHnrwk_BeqbgcdeXQimy2NPse7k9g5gJI4JIfIWY-rCbEUFF6tKyfaTp55VuXwxkpnp3JUBVU0luYT0gMZpXDx4K72BMrz2CrdQKCqSfxgE06vNjcDZpf_iN41JA/s1600/DSC_2884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjICQREqy61SkqtgqWHnrwk_BeqbgcdeXQimy2NPse7k9g5gJI4JIfIWY-rCbEUFF6tKyfaTp55VuXwxkpnp3JUBVU0luYT0gMZpXDx4K72BMrz2CrdQKCqSfxgE06vNjcDZpf_iN41JA/s400/DSC_2884.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tensioning our beauty (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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I crushed the line OS-FM and so did <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>. <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxwell.s.silver">Max</a> cruised the line afterwards. We spent whole day playing on the line and getting more walks on it. Both <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I sent in a swami-belt, then just before the day was over I had a walk in an ankle-leash. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> got some cool exposure turns in direction of setting sun. That was just amazing. I love the sunsets in this place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AkRaEH6oxikUrVuNcgR30xNHoZU1vpM3BSJroXjkO7aeFZfEObN0EA-uc07teeMUSQjoSTbvlLYF0iSP3TP0RU4v1_32rAyxvuaY3QJH1-XTGkJA8-BzLQ4CwE11VaVtCp6wFFi9Hyw/s1600/DSC_2889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AkRaEH6oxikUrVuNcgR30xNHoZU1vpM3BSJroXjkO7aeFZfEObN0EA-uc07teeMUSQjoSTbvlLYF0iSP3TP0RU4v1_32rAyxvuaY3QJH1-XTGkJA8-BzLQ4CwE11VaVtCp6wFFi9Hyw/s400/DSC_2889.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a> just before stepping off the cliff (photo by Jordan Tybon)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKyXjNd1slpqQuNFR739_E6u-yyN3BrPL7RLQXBJqMz0QsOWnxcFr94S33y3XJaP6vtTDjhghFBzicrT0BzYNEAN9JnOyUjPcJ77-wIweGLrxq1p-Rdr0nP_dCsPBw_pFGa5FXqF0BLI/s1600/DSC_2900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKyXjNd1slpqQuNFR739_E6u-yyN3BrPL7RLQXBJqMz0QsOWnxcFr94S33y3XJaP6vtTDjhghFBzicrT0BzYNEAN9JnOyUjPcJ77-wIweGLrxq1p-Rdr0nP_dCsPBw_pFGa5FXqF0BLI/s400/DSC_2900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a></i><i> sending (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeS-whTsNbBgXKkqf5IBjPAneHK4yidDYqNfY23uxha7Qduqyc73tM91Hbql9piv4J218oVajReXpaGz4YHFyoX2zMgAXNOnWck_v-Tz-ru3QX5XWYBk9cPEKmJkiwqeWwUpHFne9AWs/s1600/DSC_3016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeS-whTsNbBgXKkqf5IBjPAneHK4yidDYqNfY23uxha7Qduqyc73tM91Hbql9piv4J218oVajReXpaGz4YHFyoX2zMgAXNOnWck_v-Tz-ru3QX5XWYBk9cPEKmJkiwqeWwUpHFne9AWs/s400/DSC_3016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sending the line in an ankle-leash (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWjZl9MEbKmOa7Oft9_d4Xs6bZKcTyq-XRif-9c9B_iBVG08T0ilJ4mIBIOFzc7MU3qNbHwF-QomT8rUZB-z5fH8tuW9Efw5UQt0q7wm3Xdyb69cpwg3ceSW8b0ATwywWbbDEryOKrTw/s1600/DSC_3039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWjZl9MEbKmOa7Oft9_d4Xs6bZKcTyq-XRif-9c9B_iBVG08T0ilJ4mIBIOFzc7MU3qNbHwF-QomT8rUZB-z5fH8tuW9Efw5UQt0q7wm3Xdyb69cpwg3ceSW8b0ATwywWbbDEryOKrTw/s400/DSC_3039.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ankle-leash FM walk (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qi4vxdErGSy5Np1Wlvsy71BOEB4AQOulcwvR1izRSzmi5e11vkHgBtAku8-f7AvhKbuoFwe6PKodK4vkJg3B5lMX70XVBF4r8yRyAvr0s-7sX0G07ph36krNpUrqPlhb4njv4Sr4Dlo/s1600/901536_4899620736009_450048567_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qi4vxdErGSy5Np1Wlvsy71BOEB4AQOulcwvR1izRSzmi5e11vkHgBtAku8-f7AvhKbuoFwe6PKodK4vkJg3B5lMX70XVBF4r8yRyAvr0s-7sX0G07ph36krNpUrqPlhb4njv4Sr4Dlo/s400/901536_4899620736009_450048567_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and the epic sunset exposure turn (photo by <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared Alden</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJWN8CMx7b8zId4I-v6MBuJZsBDVRatMxBZPnQzfQuHbu2EUoTuWyVmcEwT8EXeMP451tUhoFNgtE8T_L5bvHHuhMCNp2zL1zjXavCxC5unwwF4jxElFfLr0v0v8r7R3Z__YmGIbEi9g/s1600/902828_4899618895963_692912346_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJWN8CMx7b8zId4I-v6MBuJZsBDVRatMxBZPnQzfQuHbu2EUoTuWyVmcEwT8EXeMP451tUhoFNgtE8T_L5bvHHuhMCNp2zL1zjXavCxC5unwwF4jxElFfLr0v0v8r7R3Z__YmGIbEi9g/s400/902828_4899618895963_692912346_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxwell.s.silver">Maxwell</a> heaving fun on the line (photo by <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared Alden</a>)</i></td></tr>
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We finished the day stuffing our stomachs with delicious mexican food and chilling at really cool house together with <a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxwell.s.silver">Max</a>.<br />
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Stay tunned for a full photo gallery on our teams <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/gallerylink.php">WEBSITE</a>!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-20157221369075965612013-04-20T00:16:00.000-07:002013-04-20T00:54:11.112-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 4; Two-Day Quickie with Yosemite ValleyIt has been already a week since <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a>, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>, Andrew and I went together to Yosemite for a two day adventure. The plan was to send <i>'Yosemite Falls Classic'</i> Highline and set-up and get some practice walks on 'Lost Arrow Spire Classic' Highline. We decided for that quick weekend action because of the super-windy weather in Lodi/CA which made it impossible to jump and land safely at the <a href="http://www.parachutecenter.com/">dropzone</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8V77fTZTpr8gwWxDT09EpTjsBazIffNm0WsT3STTMN9C-FPJ7YzGV6oCjOjeyIubye_B6XwXM6fWZQtUI3uaVNJeCGLyUWCVS_ufYNrWGTr-KyMuZ5D4xJJ0kP1XBBi4K3s2QcGgoT8/s1600/DSC_2602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8V77fTZTpr8gwWxDT09EpTjsBazIffNm0WsT3STTMN9C-FPJ7YzGV6oCjOjeyIubye_B6XwXM6fWZQtUI3uaVNJeCGLyUWCVS_ufYNrWGTr-KyMuZ5D4xJJ0kP1XBBi4K3s2QcGgoT8/s400/DSC_2602.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our car 'Karl' ready for the Yosemite adventure photo by</i><i><i> <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a></i>)</i></td></tr>
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I have unfinished business with <i>'Yosemite Falls Classic'</i> Highline since 2007 when <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI05AhSwDbw">Damian Cooksey</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RjzxC0OIPI&list=PL3DE2159698CA81B9">Jon Ritson</a> and I bolted and established this line. During this trip I've sent the 'L.A.S. Classic' becoming 1st Pole to walk it and 4th person sending it OS-FM. Although, even I tried really hard, and got 3/4 of the line I couldn't send the Falls line. At that time my longest highline was 20 meters long. Heavy <i>'Yosemite Falls'</i> Highline rigging (threaded tubular + tubular + 11mm diameter dynamic rope back-up) and massive exposure stopped me. The only people to send at the time where Damian Cooksey <i>(FA, OS-OW&FM)</i> and Corbin Usinger <i>(OW)</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sending the 'L.A.S. Classic' Highline back in 2007</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Compilation of Damian Cooksey sending the 'L.A.S. Classic' in 2007</span></div>
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We arrived in Yosemite pretty late and missed closing hour of Wilderness Center by just like 10 or 15 minutes. We registered that day but couldn't get the bear-containers without which we couldn't start hiking up the Yosemite Falls trail. Having no choice we decided to camp one night at legendary Camp 4. It was nice feeling to be back again together there after three years. After setting up tents we cooked amazing dinner to get the power needed for the next day battle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AYeCUpLvkhk9f6qM4oXJyRW2rIwqUUkhJjCo3d6EJ90uYQTgd-U7RDB06PzubuvTkldT8enoRSWddalCv6olciexQNgyENL0tIbXCs7OaP0VU6iQTDVctZiEqtwAOMiCr3OS53nZPdI/s1600/DSC_2610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AYeCUpLvkhk9f6qM4oXJyRW2rIwqUUkhJjCo3d6EJ90uYQTgd-U7RDB06PzubuvTkldT8enoRSWddalCv6olciexQNgyENL0tIbXCs7OaP0VU6iQTDVctZiEqtwAOMiCr3OS53nZPdI/s400/DSC_2610.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Organizing and packing gear at the morning (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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I woke up at 7am, ate quick small breakfast and started organizing and packing the gear. Our common friend <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave Meyers</a> arrived in a middle of the night together with his girlfriend and few other friends. The plan was to get the bear-boxes at 9am when the office opens but of course we finally it took us way longer and eventually started hiking up the trail at 11.30am.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jwnsCmvPHRIyH4jLwCuwXwHpuyAB3AwQUvKnmX7NOdVAz6xmDu1HU69Gm6je1__Wuhh7US8Lj2Y8shzt4jIveZwq0xx2hETkjUSeD00y2ot3ZURQ6NpZQFhR4g6BjITvyd8X_Ax88Dw/s1600/DSC_2632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jwnsCmvPHRIyH4jLwCuwXwHpuyAB3AwQUvKnmX7NOdVAz6xmDu1HU69Gm6je1__Wuhh7US8Lj2Y8shzt4jIveZwq0xx2hETkjUSeD00y2ot3ZURQ6NpZQFhR4g6BjITvyd8X_Ax88Dw/s400/DSC_2632.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> hiking the last brutal part of Yosemite Falls trail </i><i>(photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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I always forget that Yosemite Falls trail is no joke with a heavy haulbag. On the way back met bunch of other slackers I never seen before. The last part of the Yosemite Falls is brutal switch-back in a full sun and on a shitty annoying trail. I was slowly moving forward and finally reached the top after 1 hour an 50 minutes. Not bad considering that was my first hiking in a long time. I went down to Yosemite Falls line to say hello to everyone and see how is the line and the conditions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVHIqZz54cmCL3r30dSDv2eWbHxRO4o7BXZ5GwsNjiesuuf0Q5sX98iE2BBvcnxK94bvxLAmot3C4SeKEpa0vRlseL9RzjNF8hxta3hlfAae6lNFhWSCRcPz54dzn7VdFO3vbKHWZstU/s1600/DSC_2639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVHIqZz54cmCL3r30dSDv2eWbHxRO4o7BXZ5GwsNjiesuuf0Q5sX98iE2BBvcnxK94bvxLAmot3C4SeKEpa0vRlseL9RzjNF8hxta3hlfAae6lNFhWSCRcPz54dzn7VdFO3vbKHWZstU/s400/DSC_2639.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>'s best friend ;) ... (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
I always forget that Yosemite Falls trail is no joke with a heavy
haulbag. On the way back met bunch of other slackers I never seen
before. The last part of the Yosemite Falls is brutal switch-back in a
full sun and on a shitty annoying trail. I was slowly moving forward and
finally reached the top after 1 hour an 50 minutes. Not bad considering
that was my first hiking in a long time. I went down to Yosemite Falls
line to say hello to everyone and see how is the line and the
conditions.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQwybzR43a4noMLr5Zx2GHYlVkfDJ8W_Z9jm__ZCHMFSHXZOpHdx7QNNORZzcul2GEt3HVwsPeiAeUbWmvHlTYStfofyLltoRqWWIG45xuqCmXMz_3ElP1HjQuzeffTvKOllNu99HBts/s1600/DSC_2647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQwybzR43a4noMLr5Zx2GHYlVkfDJ8W_Z9jm__ZCHMFSHXZOpHdx7QNNORZzcul2GEt3HVwsPeiAeUbWmvHlTYStfofyLltoRqWWIG45xuqCmXMz_3ElP1HjQuzeffTvKOllNu99HBts/s400/DSC_2647.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On top of Yosemite Falls trail, but hiking is not over yet (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Unluckily the reality was SUPER-windy.
<a href="http://www.jaredphotography.com/">Jared Alden</a> was rigging the 1st Yosemite Falls space-line which later he
sent (4 time into exposure and twice on the way back). <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a>, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>
and the rest of the crew got to the top soon after me. We set up the
camp, left the camping stuff, re-packed again, snacked on something and
went straight away to rig the <i>'L.A.S. Classic'</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicswp3rNd966KGDteg50MmXjwcGYPlhQFKKLfZqdo2UW13qM_3HAgCUT0d-8E7TQ8ZKT7cUCRD5rVo6LoPej2cmikyZwMqVzGQ3IkwBrmI6E_1cA3uhPJ_4sm-q1x0tw5dgEaz8-mOmkM/s1600/DSC_2655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicswp3rNd966KGDteg50MmXjwcGYPlhQFKKLfZqdo2UW13qM_3HAgCUT0d-8E7TQ8ZKT7cUCRD5rVo6LoPej2cmikyZwMqVzGQ3IkwBrmI6E_1cA3uhPJ_4sm-q1x0tw5dgEaz8-mOmkM/s400/DSC_2655.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"It's right there!" (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80OFDHVP0wei-LxckF2Ri7dQ5BTE6i5CA9f2GHsrr0u56ZGH4hXaHg3x_g7Xam5Oqv8R-2o85RvQbl9phSkmDzFOoi3lWWRYlT97sV8NbDyZABUK0iUw6p_LQhZZ3P1jUywsWKwzhiJk/s1600/DSC_2706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80OFDHVP0wei-LxckF2Ri7dQ5BTE6i5CA9f2GHsrr0u56ZGH4hXaHg3x_g7Xam5Oqv8R-2o85RvQbl9phSkmDzFOoi3lWWRYlT97sV8NbDyZABUK0iUw6p_LQhZZ3P1jUywsWKwzhiJk/s400/DSC_2706.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Almost ready ... (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It's always really cool to see Lost Arrow Spire emerging while you walk down the slab. I love the view from there. I teamed up with <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave</a> to climb and rig this highline. Faith helped us on the flake side. After organizing the gear we rappelled down building the flake anchor on the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHP80kiC-79kiZbxkPopDpKot5SMGA8xTj3cXTq-jzDkcQxYGpRiAzazTu7fk6XflIoaNWmKJv18SoOwPQH_WdVwbrGA6cIz3Ro99Q25-5l1gvihXgF2JFB1-UdqqINI5BJxEQrdFGXw/s1600/DSC_2731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHP80kiC-79kiZbxkPopDpKot5SMGA8xTj3cXTq-jzDkcQxYGpRiAzazTu7fk6XflIoaNWmKJv18SoOwPQH_WdVwbrGA6cIz3Ro99Q25-5l1gvihXgF2JFB1-UdqqINI5BJxEQrdFGXw/s400/DSC_2731.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Building the anchor (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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Climbing went pretty fast. I lead all three pitches mixing free and aid climbing on the way up. It was really fun experience and now I have a beta to do it MEGA-fast for the our 24 hours highline run in Yosemite Valley. On the last pitch <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave</a> had to fight a bit with the trailing rope which got stuck somewhere around the corner so we finished rigging the Spire in a dark.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqsbMqvRP-3dOBBRnFJSFOjZchZXdl2jEXAyemGOZnWVCpIBS5vNT2RpQxKgme7RMvueGtWrYmocbJHfJDiwKsgXT2lNp7jixiE3JUYhajKnmgE8TmZIa8gvL6QL7pO6AAmgADfCBVuE/s1600/DSC_2737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqsbMqvRP-3dOBBRnFJSFOjZchZXdl2jEXAyemGOZnWVCpIBS5vNT2RpQxKgme7RMvueGtWrYmocbJHfJDiwKsgXT2lNp7jixiE3JUYhajKnmgE8TmZIa8gvL6QL7pO6AAmgADfCBVuE/s400/DSC_2737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>First anchor (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sJAJ63X9aCHH6wR3WOHyLu2OBppRIHvpqsZhVJW1_8zmSeFnu3cEV_wRfqwBkPgUq8MnP0xy_6qlIYYHiTWUlPxSX2VseNM5uJid60FnXTthXC6MOAfwcJ71OWKWDWly64VmLZB1nhk/s1600/DSC_2741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sJAJ63X9aCHH6wR3WOHyLu2OBppRIHvpqsZhVJW1_8zmSeFnu3cEV_wRfqwBkPgUq8MnP0xy_6qlIYYHiTWUlPxSX2VseNM5uJid60FnXTthXC6MOAfwcJ71OWKWDWly64VmLZB1nhk/s400/DSC_2741.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Second anchor (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got to the camp around 9.30-10.00pm ate as much as we could and crushed right away. We also came to realization we didn't bring enough food ...<br />
<br />
After long and healing sleep we got up, ate breakfast and slowly starting hiking up to the Lost Arrow Spire. Bunch of people woke up at the morning and sent it already but I was feeling pretty destroyed after really intensive day before. Bunch of friends send the Spire for the first time. Andrew crushed it sending OS-OW and FM, <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave</a> also sent FM, and another girl <i>(Sara)</i> sent the '<i>Lost Arrow Spire'</i> OS <i>(OW)</i>!<br />
<br />
I got on the line and sent it twice in a belt-loop swami. It was amazingly windy. The gusts where coming from all directions making the walk pretty challenging and exciting at the same time. It was an interesting experience that's for sure. I wanted to ankle-leash it really bad to get that free-solo feeling but conditions weren't even close to good enough.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGj5QQCpKdJDqSgYb0hd7bc3sk5R5sUIo3IkeXZomxbXV7rhzs2Omsshpa60Q-n7JQHU5XToTvEdNpdbWqFPMUhcCtrEKoS1bxFCH3qfdYsDs7iHFkzB5Y3msJKFb7aNJ9vJzKOwfc3o/s1600/DSC_2773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGj5QQCpKdJDqSgYb0hd7bc3sk5R5sUIo3IkeXZomxbXV7rhzs2Omsshpa60Q-n7JQHU5XToTvEdNpdbWqFPMUhcCtrEKoS1bxFCH3qfdYsDs7iHFkzB5Y3msJKFb7aNJ9vJzKOwfc3o/s400/DSC_2773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Belt-loop swami on the Spire (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> crushed the line in a swami walking amazingly stable <i>(but that's casual for her)</i> and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> sent it few times too trying some exposure turns (scary stuff) ...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTxGQOQl99NUM_-0GkRw7g6SZmn53Zm9Ww66WZCO2aOjZB2-exELI2jqpE3Z58OkZ5IJbiSsXkCyGUK53L9-aBNv20ycZVzbKiKlge3jxigoHsvj5zQCH_6pEYWPfMhAD7ZKw6dlcpj8/s1600/DSC_2845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTxGQOQl99NUM_-0GkRw7g6SZmn53Zm9Ww66WZCO2aOjZB2-exELI2jqpE3Z58OkZ5IJbiSsXkCyGUK53L9-aBNv20ycZVzbKiKlge3jxigoHsvj5zQCH_6pEYWPfMhAD7ZKw6dlcpj8/s400/DSC_2845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Crushing it! (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan Tybon</a>)</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXY3XOHnfq1PZL8pjBaxIRRJGuThwpWitj-aKDOhroCIjlKMzPCWUsCm93EXBsFFSlxUPOw00-J2OzFw-fuRVKww392YhWi4GAoBlzjLm-gmKaYKEUMg66eZEtP6k40nCmuJsEunxBRE/s1600/DSC_2804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXY3XOHnfq1PZL8pjBaxIRRJGuThwpWitj-aKDOhroCIjlKMzPCWUsCm93EXBsFFSlxUPOw00-J2OzFw-fuRVKww392YhWi4GAoBlzjLm-gmKaYKEUMg66eZEtP6k40nCmuJsEunxBRE/s400/DSC_2804.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The photographer is amazing highliner too!!</i></td></tr>
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<br />
We went back to campsite for lunch and then to Yosemite Falls. Again the wind was completely crazy, the line completely loose and Nathan had to go down soon. We didn't see the point to push it especially because we'll be back in Yosemite in 2-3 weeks for a longer period of time. I would like to get on Falls line only in a swami ...<br />
<br />
Because Falls line was not going to happen I went back to the Spire ready to de-rig. I rappelled down to the Flake anchor and squeezed in couple ankle-leash walks which just felt perfect. It wasn't so windy anymore and it felt really quite and peaceful. I think after few more highlines during this trip I should be ready for the one of my main goals for a long time which is to free-solo L.A.S. Classic. I will see, it is definitely not worth it to push it too much.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave</a> also got on the line again and cruised it like a Jedi ;D After that we de-rigged the line as fast as we could got back to our campsite, packed, cleaned-up and started to hike down in a dark. Again, despite Mike who took our webbing no one waited to help us carry a bit of gear down even though so many people sent the line. I just think it is a bit funny thing ;)<br />
<br />
I was hiking down together with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>, my headlamp was almost dead and I was surprised how tired I feel just hiking downhill. The part next to a fall was straight torture; slippery annoying path, bad light and the only thought in my head - FOOD ...<br />
<br />
Eventually we all got down, packed our car and went back straight to Lodi arriving at 3am to sleep whole four hours before everyone at the dropzone wakes up and makes bunch of noise. Big respect for <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> for staying awake and driving us back safely when all of us immediately fell asleep ... I feel bad about it.<br />
<br />
That was a good adventure, I can not wait to go back to Yosemite and RAGE and hang out with more friends! Thanks to you all!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-63271107273781128692013-04-18T13:23:00.003-07:002013-04-19T16:09:31.305-07:00Lost Arrow Spire (Classic) - RIGGING BETAYesterday, I got back from a fun, short trip to Yosemite Valley with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>, <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> and Andrew Craig where we met up with bunch of friends and some new faces. That was really condensed trip. In two and half days we had to drive from Lodi to the Valley, hike up Yosemite Falls trail, climb and rig the Spire (finishing in a night), de-rig, pack, hike down in a night and drive back to Lodi. I will publish a post from this trip as soon as <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave</a> is done editing some of the pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvtizHZaA0kKr32jT4wqnyR9x-r3_FfYpw777AlOo1aM-ihzZkCuR8bLDqEgL4q85GVbnwkIjbirE4z-OAQornYFYSqbteOLKYarFNCGKqbIFavjPqFMeV1VCpOjMblBwifAHGOo56GY/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvtizHZaA0kKr32jT4wqnyR9x-r3_FfYpw777AlOo1aM-ihzZkCuR8bLDqEgL4q85GVbnwkIjbirE4z-OAQornYFYSqbteOLKYarFNCGKqbIFavjPqFMeV1VCpOjMblBwifAHGOo56GY/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yosemite Falls ... You can see Lost Arrow Spire in a top-right corner of the picture </i><i>(photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<br />
For me it was the third time rigging the L.A.S. Classic. I teamed up with <a href="http://www.hippytree.com/2012/02/david-meyers/">Dave</a> to climb and rig on the Spire side and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> helped us on the flake site. My last visit in Yosemite was three years ago and I didn't remember lots of important details about climbing and rigging. Even though the line is only 17m long (70m H to the notch/880m to the valley floor) it is one of the most complicated rigs in the Valley. During this trip lots of friends sent the Spire for the first time and I thought it would be great to share the knowledge of how to rig the line so more people can get this amazing experience <i>(not only of walking but also rigging it, which is way awesome!)</i> and so I do not forget again ;) ...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBOcrJGsEITq7hZ4m4mugnABEGbTp1WWCDIAc6OnEy6RghDmAfa3nvpEqz-R6F-YbcxTE5uRC5sB9luvOsKxGy3ZaRvLKqvjt1Gk1XDTrch7MvxnzXWjTlUt4i63VjZgPLxof0MP0JkM/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBOcrJGsEITq7hZ4m4mugnABEGbTp1WWCDIAc6OnEy6RghDmAfa3nvpEqz-R6F-YbcxTE5uRC5sB9luvOsKxGy3ZaRvLKqvjt1Gk1XDTrch7MvxnzXWjTlUt4i63VjZgPLxof0MP0JkM/s400/DSC_0201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wpiachu.blogspot.com/">Damian Czermak</a> on the L.A.S. Classic in 2009 (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1557843823"></span><span id="goog_1557843824"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8z-Qz9gTnW7hudIOOl_eL3JPJ8ifsY5QNKQsfnjwve-Rkr0lj5MzNvlrski63Lx48w9it5_m4CRvOUtTgRgzWtJ9ROK5DQxWz1nU-yZuXjIRdUw7HG90AnkeC19KKQkq_lZosrJrKU8/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8z-Qz9gTnW7hudIOOl_eL3JPJ8ifsY5QNKQsfnjwve-Rkr0lj5MzNvlrski63Lx48w9it5_m4CRvOUtTgRgzWtJ9ROK5DQxWz1nU-yZuXjIRdUw7HG90AnkeC19KKQkq_lZosrJrKU8/s400/DSC_0271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Author walking L.A.S. in a swami/2009 (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
OK, let's start with what gear will you need:<br />
<br />
<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">HIGHLINE GEAR:</span></b></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- the line + back-up <i>(I can recommend <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1-Threaded-Slack-Spec">1" threaded Slack-Spec</a> + <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a> or dynamic rope as a back-up or just double <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18 MKII</a>; it walks really nicely on this length!)</i>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- anchors materials; DOUBLE WEBBING: 4 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Alpine-WebLock-30">WebLock</a> <i>(together with bow shackle)</i> or 2 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Alpine-WebLock-30">WebLock</a> <i>(together with bow shackle) </i>and 2 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/5/8-and-1/2-Shackline-Line-Locker-Kit-Combo">Line-Locker Kit</a> <i>(if you use <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/5/8-and-1/2-Shackline-Line-Locker-Kit-Combo">line-locker kit</a>, fix it on the non-tensioning side --> Flake side)</i>, WEBBING + ROPE: 2 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Alpine-WebLock-30">WebLock</a> <i>(together with bow shackle) </i>+ 2 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/7/16-Bow-Shackle">7/16" bow shackle</a> or 1 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Alpine-WebLock-30">WebLock</a> <i>(together with bow shackle) </i>and 1 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/5/8-and-1/2-Shackline-Line-Locker-Kit-Combo">Line-Locker Kit</a> <i>+ </i>2 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/7/16-Bow-Shackle">7/16" bow shackle</a> <i>(if you use <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/5/8-and-1/2-Shackline-Line-Locker-Kit-Combo">line-locker kit</a>, fix it on the non-tensioning side --> Flake side)</i>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Threaded-Highline-Leash-Kit">leash rings + leash</a>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 4 x cam # 3 + metal connector (don't use aluminum carabiners!), you can use for example 12mm <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1/2-Delta-Quicklink">Delta Quicklink</a> or <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Omega-Pacific-7/16-Modified-D-Steel-Carabiner">steel carabiners</a>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 8 to 9 tree-protectors which you can easily rap around spansets and stuff,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- light pulleys system with <a href="http://www.slackpro.de/en/linegrip/linegrip.shtml">lineGrip</a> works best (+multiplier),</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 3 x 12mm <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1/2-Delta-Quicklink">Delta Quicklink</a> or <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Omega-Pacific-7/16-Modified-D-Steel-Carabiner">steel carabiners</a> + 2 x <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/1/2-Quicklink">Oval Quicklink</a> or <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Omega-Pacific-7/16-Modified-D-Steel-Carabiner">steel carabiners</a> (for back-up bolts) for the Spire side,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 2 x 2m <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Purple-Spanset">purple spanset</a>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- tape,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- highline-roller. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">CLIMBING GEAR:</span></b></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 70-80m static rope or better 30-40 and 50-60m static ropes <i>(ascending/rappelling ropes)</i>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- <a href="http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/belay-devices-0/grigri">gri-gri</a> + <a href="http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/ascenders-2/ascension">ascenders</a> + <a href="http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/climb/big-wall/dynex-daisy-chain">daisy-chains</a> + helmet + harness + climbing shoes/chalkbag,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- cams: 2 medium size <a href="http://www.fixehardware.com/shop/cch-aliens/">Aliens</a>, 2 x #2, 2 x #3 & 2 x #4 <a href="http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/climb/protection/camalottm">camalot</a>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 2 x <a href="http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/climb/big-wall/etrier">ladder</a> + thin wire stoppers (<a href="http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/climb/protection/stoppers"># 1 or #2 from BD</a> is perfect) for adding on bolts without hangers,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 1 x <a href="http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/climb/big-wall/fifi-hook">fifi-hook</a>,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 1 x 70m dynamic rope,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- 10 to 15 quickdraws,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">- slings and carabiners to built the anchors.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8e0hSS8ZC5rNVEEs2NvQsBaGzs2TdAR1arHvgILY9mT7lwo2zm6n6wk7jkNBSHdPnXRBnb71_xxaryRkxDWWMxTJuK1I4Cy8bJ_ZbNN2kNgYbmeBnowNMOtHzf3IAHZHl32i_LZMzZQ/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8e0hSS8ZC5rNVEEs2NvQsBaGzs2TdAR1arHvgILY9mT7lwo2zm6n6wk7jkNBSHdPnXRBnb71_xxaryRkxDWWMxTJuK1I4Cy8bJ_ZbNN2kNgYbmeBnowNMOtHzf3IAHZHl32i_LZMzZQ/s400/DSC_0114.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wpiachu.blogspot.com/">Damian Czermak</a> ready to rappel to the notch (2009, photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Rigging info:</b><br />
<br />
<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Approach:</b></span></u> You want to start hiking Yosemite Falls Trail from Camp 4. If you're fast and you have a heavy haulbag you still should be able to do it in 2 hours <i>(although more reasonable time is between 3-4h)</i>. Before you start hiking get your wilderness permit and the bear-box from the Wilderness Center. After getting to Yosemite Falls follow the trail to Yosemite Point. Soon after getting out of the woods turn right and start hiking down the slabs to the Spire. This last part will take you 15-30min.<br />
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Getting Down:</b></span></u> In order to rig and climb the Spire you need to rappel to the notch which is around 80-90m below you. Make sure you have all the climbing gear with you and highline gear if you're planning on building the flake anchor on the way down. Attach your 30-40m static rope to one of the trees and rappel to the flake and climb your second (longer) static rope to a bolt (it's good to back it up to the first rappel rope) and rappel down to the notch. You can also start rigging the highline on the way down if you don't have someone who'll do it for you when you and your partner are climbing the Spire. If you do want to rig that anchor take 4 cams #3 with steel connectors, 2m spansets, 4-5 tree-protectors, webbing and back-up, 2 anchoring devices and a leash.<br />
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Climbing:</b></span></u> Free-climbing the Spire is not too hard although the protection is not always the best and it takes way longer. I usually split the first pitch into two smaller ones because of the huge ledge in a middle. Your belayer can't see you and if you do fall you will definitely hit the edge (too much rope stretch). So, I think the fastest way is to free-climb the first half of the 1st pitch to the edge <i>(the is one tricky spot, but you can pull on quickdraws - you will only need quickdraws for that part)</i> and then partly aid and free-climb short off-width section <i>(you will need few quickdraws and cams: 2 x #2, 2 x #3, 2 x #4 and aid-ladders)</i>. The last pitch is the longest one. It can be free-climber although again fastest way is to free-climb and aid-climb partially. It starts to the left and then follows up the tower edge. You will need all your quickdraws, two <a href="http://www.fixehardware.com/shop/cch-aliens/">Aliens</a> and your ladders with two small stoppers (you have to use their wires to hook your ladders on the bolts without any hangers). You can really charge fast on this pitch using this method.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">IMPORTANT!:</span></b> The second has to trail the end of the static rope you rappelled on and make sure it doesn't get stuck on the way up. The best way is to have it clipped to the harness through Gri-Gri so you can add or remove slack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs49XBIl-2c9f6pkfwz0bmPKkkfduihbCxW3BXVjtQS69CSv7Y_qDkc621XV70Wl2YjjEbCSEGzilkrCTZljjjOqG41cYDOXQ7htwmHf1Yz_x-w5Z-QxabHp2_XQtJYkphcQCDZcwbJc/s1600/Lost+Arrow+Spire+Direct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs49XBIl-2c9f6pkfwz0bmPKkkfduihbCxW3BXVjtQS69CSv7Y_qDkc621XV70Wl2YjjEbCSEGzilkrCTZljjjOqG41cYDOXQ7htwmHf1Yz_x-w5Z-QxabHp2_XQtJYkphcQCDZcwbJc/s400/Lost+Arrow+Spire+Direct.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route beta from web <i>(look at last three pitches)</i></td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><u>Rigging:</u></span></b> After getting to the top of the Spire you will need a person on the flake site with a haulbag filled with the rest of gear you will need <i>(pulleys system + multiplier and extra sling, 4 tree-protectors, spanset + 5 metal connectors, your anchoring devices)</i>. You have to get the haulbag and the webbing across the gap. To achieve that give the person on the flake side a bit of slack, then the haulbag and the end of the webbing should be attached to a knot on the static rope - pull it across. Now you can built your anchor. For the main you have to use 3 10mm diameter bolts (they all do have hangers) and 2 behind for back-up. Equalize all 3 bolts with your 2m spanset and clip your anchoring devices <i>(don't forget to protect rap your spanset with tree-protectors)</i>. When you have your anchor ready you can pull the haulbag with gear and the webbing using the static rope you were trailing behind you while climbing. Then it's easy - tension your highline, back it up, taped if it's not pre-taped and it is time for epic sends!<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>RIGGING FLAKE SIDE:</b></span> This anchor is not so easy to rig. You will need for cams #3 and if you want to have your anchor a bit lower <i>(sitting in a vertical crack)</i> also couple BD stopper to place in a vertical crack. What I like to to is to place my four cams on the left side of the vertical crack (looking on flake from a Spire side), equalize with my 2m spanset, protect with tree-protectors, clip the line and drop it down so it hold the anchor in place <i>(so the cams don't 'walk' inside the crack)</i>. Remember to use steel connectors <i>(not aluminum carabiners which usually are connected to the cams!)</i>.<br />
The other option is to place couple cams on each side of vertical crack and two stoppers in a vertical splitter and then connect each two point and finally equalize all three with 1 meter spanset. This way the anchor is a bit lower. Back up your anchor to the bolt above the flake and the rappelling rope!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjairXA85gCXTCb2HByTIIOaV3lLc7tzMw9oiK_vmbrkNzSqTyZsTWbu0m9IjKCfPYrLYt552OE8mhWqb-DvjHagcyZqxaQGCE81bDtsIUSKOk0_-QlM8UJt9rN9MTkIOQiRG8S-kqBR9w/s1600/DSC_0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjairXA85gCXTCb2HByTIIOaV3lLc7tzMw9oiK_vmbrkNzSqTyZsTWbu0m9IjKCfPYrLYt552OE8mhWqb-DvjHagcyZqxaQGCE81bDtsIUSKOk0_-QlM8UJt9rN9MTkIOQiRG8S-kqBR9w/s400/DSC_0212.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wpiachu.blogspot.com/">Damian Czermak</a> on the L.A.S. Classic in 2009 (photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXsJlJIHxQ2q8TP0UZgr0BwdG0Bplo-qViKNEnSwCdmLuO97IU3yt4WUiqHIMohqPpXtH3f9YobYRvx4dqSfRkRcujayrS3kuFIrPmH9U2apMcHe3HfRINC1YJjTnp70zB5KLfMtdflE/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXsJlJIHxQ2q8TP0UZgr0BwdG0Bplo-qViKNEnSwCdmLuO97IU3yt4WUiqHIMohqPpXtH3f9YobYRvx4dqSfRkRcujayrS3kuFIrPmH9U2apMcHe3HfRINC1YJjTnp70zB5KLfMtdflE/s400/DSC_0132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Michał Korniewicz sending in 2009 </i><i>(photo by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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<u><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span></u>
<u><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>De-Rigging:</b></span></u> Before you start de-tensioning the line make sure you bring the static rope to the Spire side. What you want to do is to clip one end of the static rope to the bolt above the flake, then run it through two bolts on the spire <i>(they are usually carabiners from the rappelling anchor)</i> and then back to the bolt above the flake clipped through the Gri-Gri <i>(so you can tension it a bit to tirolean easier across the rope)</i>. When you have your ropes ready back the bolt with the rappelling rope and start de-tensioning your line and the drop it. Pack the rest of your gear to the whole back and tirolean across the rope <i>(clip to both strands!)</i>. After you're on the flake side secure your self and release the static rope. Pull it through and it is done. Ascent up the rope to the tree, clean-up and organize your gear and you can start the fun part - hiking down the Yosemite Falls trails <i>(which usually takes place in a night)</i> ;) ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtAHd7McKQ4cHJCGq97E4lJhyphenhyphenNVEfnjmxzh5uLA33CWVpuyoeKDj8VkRvMBLOcyOFGzz0-b6m1cWOab3-J4rp8A382QlWddM57t4beS0bAWp6RkyGBaxOduhV4fb3yPyVE0rtWWNzsqY/s1600/DSC_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtAHd7McKQ4cHJCGq97E4lJhyphenhyphenNVEfnjmxzh5uLA33CWVpuyoeKDj8VkRvMBLOcyOFGzz0-b6m1cWOab3-J4rp8A382QlWddM57t4beS0bAWp6RkyGBaxOduhV4fb3yPyVE0rtWWNzsqY/s400/DSC_0288.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Author after a swami-belt ascent back in 2009 (photo by </i><i><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">J. Tybon</a>)</i></td></tr>
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I will be back in Yosemite in about 3 weeks or so and I will rig the Spire lines at least twice so I promise to take some rigging pictures to make everything more clear. I am also adding 'Highline Guidebook' <i>(look on the right side)</i> section to my blog whee you can rigging info about some classic lines. I am hoping everything is clear. Comment here if you don't understand something or need more info/advice.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a></span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-81965356096227371512013-04-10T17:59:00.002-07:002013-04-15T14:35:41.478-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 3; Davis Slacklin'; fun with Jedi Jerry M.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I spent last couple days in Davis hanging out with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry Miszewski</a> <i>(founder of <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/">Balance Community</a>, world record holder and great friend)</i> and his wife Susan. It was really fun times and I'm looking forward to repeat it pretty soon!<br />
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First day after we arrived we had a pleasure to visit <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/">BC</a> warehouse and were just amazed by amount of the slackline gear we were faced with ... Slackline Porn to the maximum in a best quality available!! Of course we touched every piece on a display, had endless conversations about slackline rigging methods and did other interesting things slackline nerds like us do.<br />
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We went together to do some abrasion tests on the new <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Mantra-MKIII">Mantra MK II</a> and <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18</a> webbings and it turned out to be lots of fun. After setting up slanted line I had a pleasure to zip-line on it hanging on the haulbag filled with 50kG of shackle. Adding to it my weight (which is around 65-68kG) and small ring on which all of that weight was sliding on the webbings should be destroyed. Both <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Mantra-MKIII">Mantra MK II</a> and <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18</a> took this beating really well presenting only small abrasion, leading to important conclusion - the webbings are beefy and definitely suitable for highlining purposes. We decided to test both webbings further more next day in real life. After enough testing action we set up nice rodeo line and surfed as hard as we could.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZS-VCoEWEQxuuEqUKbaS7oNFa_6wiXY44TIjtjitKfK96fIKOViabsvPC3xsYbTmT28-fOF8Ir8YGPnv7UvT12gzoUbuvu3l7QRa9Zx-5a0ttoQOi0ge8B9yfSXaSFQxuh8gs9QAmrw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-10+at+4.35.10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZS-VCoEWEQxuuEqUKbaS7oNFa_6wiXY44TIjtjitKfK96fIKOViabsvPC3xsYbTmT28-fOF8Ir8YGPnv7UvT12gzoUbuvu3l7QRa9Zx-5a0ttoQOi0ge8B9yfSXaSFQxuh8gs9QAmrw/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-10+at+4.35.10+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>trying to pull 50kG haulbag up on the slanted slackline ain't easy ... ;)</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL7XKR5bACtFd5NUBpjz4wRKu2LggjsM5Xy7Naq4azS_oQtrbizNKnAvv8IXs6oFB0KN53hdaLljzVyIJPOl40qtmRGp-U8nsMtzMkT9lo4jGtRzq8Th1ru8VtvEadHPZJleohx_zAmI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-10+at+4.36.36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL7XKR5bACtFd5NUBpjz4wRKu2LggjsM5Xy7Naq4azS_oQtrbizNKnAvv8IXs6oFB0KN53hdaLljzVyIJPOl40qtmRGp-U8nsMtzMkT9lo4jGtRzq8Th1ru8VtvEadHPZJleohx_zAmI/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-10+at+4.36.36+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>hardcore zip-lining/line testing ;D</i></td></tr>
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After nice skateboard sessions <i>(BTW <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a>'s dad was pro-skater - that kind of explain <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a>'s phenomena - must be the genes :P)</i> we went to <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a>'s and Susan's house were we had a nice pizza party and lots of good conversations - good times!<br />
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Next day we went to Nimbus Dam Recreation Area (close to Sacramento) where we set-up 73m long and 10m high 'The Next Step' Tree-Highline. The line hangs above really nice grassy creek. The spot is perfect offering nice corridor with no obstacles in a beautiful surrounding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpriN7j5M1dxiFcAHQJdxoanelf68rDvxuspm50XoFm0pkRWxQi4rkFJ2hA6_iWhIY3mvNvA_6ph-sRtoF695ZKwYSTv9Ub87SSAKO5gAPqKx-ozXdC_bLvIkvFambxdcJ-sWNMvyduw/s1600/IMG_9170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpriN7j5M1dxiFcAHQJdxoanelf68rDvxuspm50XoFm0pkRWxQi4rkFJ2hA6_iWhIY3mvNvA_6ph-sRtoF695ZKwYSTv9Ub87SSAKO5gAPqKx-ozXdC_bLvIkvFambxdcJ-sWNMvyduw/s400/IMG_9170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Read what is on the pulley ... Well, to late! It works great (prototype of the swivel pulley with braking cam)</i> <i>[photo by J.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Tybon</a>]</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wI74TMrGRcD2RgOd6zr3NVl255J1nXCSfhxVu9uwmqNQ1C-wlnLsPSdVT9VgGWeBnNAIwRhPHWwLPmiB00faDJbf7yhNBp0jCNE1zZ_NG69ARL2DNvKLc3OIJEjgLaQI_ZeVJENGHCE/s1600/IMG_9184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wI74TMrGRcD2RgOd6zr3NVl255J1nXCSfhxVu9uwmqNQ1C-wlnLsPSdVT9VgGWeBnNAIwRhPHWwLPmiB00faDJbf7yhNBp0jCNE1zZ_NG69ARL2DNvKLc3OIJEjgLaQI_ZeVJENGHCE/s400/IMG_9184.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Master Rigga' [photo by J.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Tybon</a>]</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHG1_ZIoaQwlgPMXWezbl36KRwzjAgMQEvdHGuohrxke2J8egfeOGOxn7isXCr00-HbXfu7OQZK9EM-RpkQXpoYi14FnNszKPaGZANMrkgrJUOW7yiCbSG2Bvqal1N3Mm_qLSDbOW2LI/s1600/IMG_9258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHG1_ZIoaQwlgPMXWezbl36KRwzjAgMQEvdHGuohrxke2J8egfeOGOxn7isXCr00-HbXfu7OQZK9EM-RpkQXpoYi14FnNszKPaGZANMrkgrJUOW7yiCbSG2Bvqal1N3Mm_qLSDbOW2LI/s400/IMG_9258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our set-up [photo by J. <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Miszewski</a>]</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3-A-Pzp0r1UQ8ZDLQxNHEoYkhlmsr1nltmEAx8s3ATSLks4mByA_787MVIxIfY40bd75OkZb_ka1CWC7w5rz51nLuC0cQnAL4fXJw1Q7LARqEGaXD5nEYEzGMdAWBAjSC3lrp8q63us/s1600/IMG_9166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3-A-Pzp0r1UQ8ZDLQxNHEoYkhlmsr1nltmEAx8s3ATSLks4mByA_787MVIxIfY40bd75OkZb_ka1CWC7w5rz51nLuC0cQnAL4fXJw1Q7LARqEGaXD5nEYEzGMdAWBAjSC3lrp8q63us/s400/IMG_9166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rig it, rig it!! [photo by J.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Tybon</a>]</i></td></tr>
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It took us about 20-25min to set up. We used <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Mantra-MKIII">Mantra MK II</a> for the main line and <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18</a> for back-up. The lines where tensioned with two separate pulleys systems which makes it supper easy to adjust the tension when you need to. We had the line tensioned and walked with 7 and 8kN of tension. <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> sent it of course with no problems at all, doing nice bouncing sit starts in a middle of the line, bounce-walking and even, bouncing-turning sit-start <i>(which is just crazy)</i> ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnZiMyVvNUcj6RIvxCvIeQO_dqwzPp-NHAUUrTQ1WaYOZuEUYuIjs3buZp5l-2lCvq1gGoAW1YHvZUeugWnrXEhq1hk8goFj10fG70x4d-JFq7Hnob6VjdBh9fP6yK_QcswXhtUblWs8/s1600/IMG_9278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnZiMyVvNUcj6RIvxCvIeQO_dqwzPp-NHAUUrTQ1WaYOZuEUYuIjs3buZp5l-2lCvq1gGoAW1YHvZUeugWnrXEhq1hk8goFj10fG70x4d-JFq7Hnob6VjdBh9fP6yK_QcswXhtUblWs8/s400/IMG_9278.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio">Jerry</a> crusing it! [photo by J.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Tybon</a>]</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>'s wrist is hurt he decided to take it easy and focus on getting some pictures and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> couldn't come at all - she had to take care of broken car. It was all up to me. I didn't believe I'm really in shape to do this. Even though the line wasn't exposed it was still heavy, loose <i>(as for my standards)</i> and quite long. Although after fe tries I was able to cross the harder direction for me and send it OS on the way back. I've sent it again one way with 7kN of tension and then we had to de-rig and drive back to Lodi.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finishing the line carefully above 10m long 'no fall zone' [photo by J.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Tybon</a>]</i></td></tr>
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I have to figure out what's going to happen with my AFF and the plans due to my new unexpected financial problems but I'm still positive. It was a great day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>[photo by J.<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Tybon</a>]</i></td></tr>
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Stay tunned for more updates from a trip and short video coming up soon!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Janek</span></a>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-74942351545745988402013-04-07T17:56:00.004-07:002013-04-10T16:45:02.048-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 2; AFF in Lodi; 'things ain't always as easy'I have spent last few days together with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith</a> at the world famous dropzone in Lodi, CA. I have to say all the jumpers and the crew have been really nice to us sharing lots of knowledge and helping us to understand as much as we can in such a short period of time. The weather was mostly good, sometimes a bit rainy and windy. I did my tandem jump and 4 of my 7 AFF jumps, although I stopped at the 3rd level which I had to repeat.<br />
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My friends already finished their AFF and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> has another 7-8 solo jumps after today. For me the situation is a bit more complicated. I have to admit; skydiving is way more difficult then I thought. I definitely have some problems to relax while falling but I wasn't doing bad. Still deployed my chute on time, performed my tasks and landed at the dropzone. My last fourth jump during first day of AFF wasn't ideal, after my second turn I had a spinner and got stressed and de-arched a bit my body position but managed to pull on 5500 feet and landed safely. Even though my instructor would pass me after repeating the jump, Bill, the owner of the dropzone, wasn't quite happy with me. I heard he is quite character but now I had a chance to experience it on my own and it wasn't quite nice.</div>
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Basically I heard I am a climber and this is not for me, I am too tense and so on. Well I am just a student and it feels like I have been picked for a stupid reason. I did 6 min of practice at the <a href="http://sfbay.iflyworld.com/?gclid=CLi_w77tubYCFQjznAodMSMAhw">iFly</a> wind tunnel in San Francisco working on my AFF elements and it felt pretty solid. I just have to remember to arch and relax and enjoy my flight. </div>
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Bill is pretty negative but I will try to talk to him tomorrow after weekend and if the answer is still no, I will have to finish my course at the different dropzone. It has been pretty demotivating and depressing experience and it made me question myself and my motivations. It is not easy to stay positive all the time. Last few days I felt pretty down actually and it was hard to motivate myself to do anything. I will do my best and I know I can skydive. To have a friend here like <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> is also a huge support.</div>
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Yesterday <a href="https://www.facebook.com/huerblitzme">Nathan Huerta</a> came do Lodi together with his girlfriend Brittany to do their first tandem jump and afterwards we went together to the park to do some slacklining. We had a 350'ish longline and 22m rodeoline with around 6m of sag. Both lines rigged with Type-18 - it is such an amazing and dynamic line! I had bunch of fun slacklining, skateboarding and practicing my handstands. I know I did not have enough of these things during last couple months because I did not give myself even a minute of rest. Rage full on, all time ;) At the end I enjoyed some beautiful colorful sunset and drove back to the dropzone. So, tomorrow is the day of truth but I am trying not to worry too much - if not that's not the end of the world ;)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jan.php">Janek</a></span></div>
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KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-28713858571202995582013-03-31T11:42:00.003-07:002013-03-31T11:42:46.415-07:00US Trip 2013 - Take 1; Tacoma & AshlandI am here in US for few days already and so far the trip was really nice even though <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> and I didn't make it yet to one of our main targets, which Lodi/CA. After arriving in Tacoma/WA we had a few chill days. <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> got a bit sick so it wasn't as active as we planned (meaning no bouldering or climbing) but we managed to organize few important things for our trip, pack and we even went for a short slacklining session. It was kind of weird to slackline after almost 2 months brake but it helped me to realize how much work I have to do. It is time to get back on it!<br />
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Together with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> we went to Chambers Bay Park to set up a line on this amazing structure. I think <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was thinking about setting this line for quite a while but apparently someone already did it before us and he was in EU for really long time too. It was really nice to do this line together at his home spot. I wish the park had some big trees - it would be such an amazing longline location. We had only few hours to sesh the line but <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was able to take some nice pictures. We also used my fresh green <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18</a> webbing from <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/">Balance Community</a> for the first time and I must say it's a great line. You can check few pictures from or session ...<br />
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We left Tacoma on Friday stuffed with delicious food cooked by <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a>'s parents and drove straight to Ashland/Oregon to meet up with slackline protagonist <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott Balcom</a>. I would believe every slackliner knows or should know who he is. If you do not know, he is the first guy to walk a highline <i>(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6RYJFz1tqI">Lost Arrow Spire</a>)</i>, publish a slackline book and he pretty much 'invented' our sport and bunch of slacklining gear.<br />
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We were really psyched to meet <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a> again. It's been a while since the last time we saw each other. We knew he is really psyched on the videos of rodeolining we were posting lately on the web, so the plan was to go to the park rodeoline together. I was speaking with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> the other night and he said; 'would you ever think we will be teaching <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott Balcom</a> how to rodeo line?!'. The answer was no. Slacklining takes you in really unexpected directions sometimes ...<br />
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After restful night we had an amazing day in Ashland. At the morning went longboarding a bit, then a visit to <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a>'s shop and a 'slackline history class'. We had a chance to see all the prototypes, evolution of slackline gear as well as some other projects <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a> is working on. Some cool footage was taken for sure (if you're a gear nerd as we are) ...<br />
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We went to Triangle Park ans set up two rodeolines and one old-school slackline with <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a>'s gear. We had 15m rodeoline set-up with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Type-18-MKII">Type-18</a> webbing and about 3-4m of sag, 25m rodeoline set-up with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/Aero">Aero</a> webbing with about 5-6m of sag and 5/8" tubular webbing tensioned with <a href="http://slackline.net/?page_id=10&category=2&product_id=3">SlackJack</a> - true old-school set-up great for playing around and surfing. It was a great day and we all had fun. I was getting back in shape and got few really good sideways surfs, <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php">Jordan</a> was going big <i>(or I should say HUGE)</i> and <a href="http://slackline.net/">Scott</a> was playing around on still new to him rodeoline. Here is few GoPro snapshots for you ...<br />
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Today is a bit rainy and we are packing up and leaving soon to Lodi, CA where we'll stay for 2 - 2,5 weeks. We are going to meet up with <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/">Faith Dickey</a> and then tomorrow do our first jump (tandem) and then our <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_freefall">AFF</a> course. After this we'll continue to jump with bunch of friends and do around 150 jumps with some highlining and bouldering in Bay Area in between. Stay tuned for more adventures!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-395053920355282252.post-3745215141968217472013-03-27T22:46:00.001-07:002013-03-28T10:37:06.347-07:00Changes, Plans and Updates for 2013I had no time to keep up with my blog posts lately. I was busy working as an industrial climber in Rivera <i>(Switzerland)</i> assembling membrane roof over new aqua-park. I will not get into details because you would be definitely bored. It was a pretty cool job and cannot complain. I was working with really nice crew; got lots of experience and hours in my <a href="http://www.irata.org/" target="_blank">IRATA</a> logbook and learned new things ... Sometimes this work can be really hard on you. I had to work 10 hours per day. It was really sunny for one week but I survived whole spectrum of weather. It does not matter if it is windy, snowy, icy or rainy, you have to work. Now when I am already in US, feeling excited and a bit scarred at the same time about my next adventure, I can honestly say I miss that great group of people I had a pleasure to work with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My life in Swiss for last 1,5 month ...</i></td></tr>
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Well, you might find your self asking why I am writing about working on my slackline based blog. The reason why I do this is due to some changes in my life which are quite important in terms of what, how and why do it.<br />
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For last few years I evolved a lot as a slackliner, human being and I learned a lot about myself and others. Now I came to realization that it is right time to change some things in my life. First of all I am sure I want to continue living the slacklife but at the same time I do not want to be dependent so much on sponsors, other people and I do not want to be broke every time I go back from a trip. I spent last 3 - 4 years leaving to the max dirtbag style and it was a great experience although I know now I wouldn't be able to continue this lifestyle much longer.<br />
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Adding to the picture my plans for next 2-3 years, I knew I had to come up with a new plan. Together with my best friend and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/theteam.php" target="_blank">SWEL</a> team member <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan Tybon</a> we figured out that our best option is to make proper papers (<a href="http://www.irata.org/" target="_blank">IRATA</a> and <a href="http://www.fisat.de/en/fisat_news/" target="_blank">FISAT</a>) to work internationally as a industrial climbers and safe up money for our plans. It was a bit expensive to do all the training and get the experience, but soon after that it paid off.<br />
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With the sponsorship I had it would be impossible to realize all the plans I had. I wanted to do lots of new stuff I was putting off for too long. I want to do <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_freefall" target="_blank">AFF</a> course, then between 150-200 skydives from 4000m and hopefully start BASE jumping. Add to this gear, flights and leaving costs and it becomes pretty expensive thing. I would also like to start ice climbing this year and in 2 years realize my main goal which will combine 3 different outdoor disciplines in one epic project.<br />
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I will definitely continue to be semi-professional athlete but it is nice to know I can totally support myself and still have time to do what I love to do. Now the plan is to balance this two ways of making a living and to find good proportions.<br />
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After three years I have finished my co-operation with <a href="http://www.gibbon-slacklines.com/en/index.html" target="_blank">Gibbon Slackline</a> as a <a href="http://www.gibbon-slacklines.com/en/team/pro-team/index.html" target="_blank">PRO-Team</a> athlete. It was a really good experience and I could write a separate blog post about it. I made lots of friends at <a href="http://www.gibbon-slacklines.com/">Gibbon</a> and will always have many good memories. Unfortunately, I think my plans were not so interesting to the company policy and we were going in a different directions. So, finally I decided it's better to finish the co-operation. It's a long story ... Anyways I am not even going to try get any financial support from a slackline company anymore. I do not see the point.<br />
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At the end it is much better for me to spend couple months working and training at the same time and then go do my thing. I do not have to stress about many things I did before which didn't let me focus so much on my projects or things I would like to do. Now I have more time to do what I want to do and when I am doing, I am less distracted and I can enjoy myself more during the trip. So, I am still a dirtbag ... just with a better plan and a bit more organized (which is probably a good thing) ;)<br />
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Since beginning of this year I started co-operation with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/" target="_blank">Balance Community</a>. I always liked their gear and company's philosophy. The company was founded by a friend of mine and amazing slackliner <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jerry-Miszewski/bio" target="_blank">Jerry Miszewski</a>, known from his world record breaking ascents on big longlines, highlines and his passion to create amazing slackline gear. <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/" target="_blank">BC</a> offers high variety of slackline gear; anything from tricklining, through longlining and highlining. It is always top quality, super safe and made by slackliners for slackliners. I could not ask for more and I feel really glad I can represent them with my next projects. You can check my <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team/Jan-Galek/bio" target="_blank">profile</a> on the <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/PRO-Team" target="_blank">PRO-Team</a> page.<br />
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There might be other sponsorship opportunities but I do not have to stress about it too much. I will be on the trip in USA for next 2.5 months together with <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a>. <a href="http://www.idratherbeslacklining.com/" target="_blank">Faith Dickey</a> will join us for a part of the trip. We are also going to rage with <a href="http://www.balancecommunity.com/" target="_blank">Jerry</a>, <a href="http://www.gibbon-slacklines.com/en/team/pro-team/andy.html" target="_blank">Andy</a>, <a href="http://www.scottyrog.com/" target="_blank">Scotty</a> and others. I can not wait! We will be doing some epic projects in Smith Rock, Yosemite and some new area from <a href="http://slackline.net/" target="_blank">Scott Balcom</a>, do our AFF, 150 skydives and then BASE-jump at the end of the trip from Perrine Bridge. You will find more info about my trip in US in the next blog posts. I have some nice projects for the rest of the year too, but I can save writing about it for later.<br />
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I am here already and <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> and I are getting ready to RAGE! We're leaving to Lodi, CA on Sunday. Hopefully <a href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" target="_blank">Jordan</a> gets better soon (he just got sick, damn it ...).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="userContent">Of course, first thing I do after arriving in USA is play with new skydiving rigs together with <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1238856364&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="http://www.somewhereelseland.com/jordan.php" id="js_7">Jordan</a></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace & SlackOn!</span>KudŁATYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04039886082330435976noreply@blogger.com0