OK, where were we? Oh, right, the Rocklands. OK, just so you know, this blog will be an unedited session of streaming thought. This won't be a “take to my opinions,” or “analyze my words” type-of-thought either. This is a “tag-along-with-me,” if you care to, to a most magical place for a summer (actually winter, as I will explain to the geographically handicapped later).

We'll be living in a giant farm house in Africa with a few of my fun friends: Lisa Rands, Wills Young, Paul Robinson, Sarah Owens, Daniel Woods, Laura Griffiths, Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden, Tony Lamiche and friends, Noah Kaufmann, Randy Puro, Courtney Hemphill, Cooper Roberts, Josh Lowell, and many more.  Yes, it is a big farmhouse. In fact, we have over 15 rooms with beds, three kitchens, and many bathrooms. I'm going to shoot some photographs and assist with video production. It’s what I do.

Yesterday it seemed that we started to hit our stride. Paul, Daniel, and I, headed up to an area called the Alpha Farms where Daniel finished off Ray of Light (V13), and likely opened an electric line immediately to the right called Blood Money (V13). It is impossible to explain the sheer beauty of this place, with its mass of perfect boulders, and the thought of being intertwined with it all for such a long stretch of time. Today when we arrived to Ray of Light Cave, there were fresh leopard tracks in the sand under the problem. Feel the stillness, the breeze, the sand, Africa. It is like I never left.

The previous day, we went for a tour of the new sectors that Wills and Lisa developed the previous year. The "Eight Day Rain" sector makes the North Mountain, in Hueco Tanks, Texas, cower. I came extremely close to sending Crazy Leg (V9), and would probably have pulled it off if only I could shake the jet lag from those attempts. Tony Lamiche sent Amandala (V15), at the Roadcrew Sector, making a repeat of one of the world's hardest boulders. We have been passing our time in the evening playing poker for dry pasta curls, playing chess, and drinking lots of tea (wine).

Unfortunately, today there were a few setbacks. Tony has pretty much ended his trip with a knee injury while playing around on the first crux move of Shosholoza. He had done this problem many times out of boredom and is kicking himself for it. Now, he cannot walk without assistance and most likely will not be able to climb for the remainder of the trip. What a shame, as he was really on his game. Also, I badly sprained my ankle (again) and will need a few days rest before going back out and shooting. So Tony and I have been sitting around the house shooting portraits and playing chess until the others arrive home. Paul had an impressive day today, flashing Oral Office (V12/13) and ticking a few more on top. Daniel is really close to sending his nemesis Monkey Wedding (V14/15). He fell on the last move.

More updates to come…

A big thanks to PrAna, La Sportiva, and Organic

Thanks for listening.  Cheers!
—Andy