http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/ After spending the first 25 years of his life in rural New Jersey, Dan packed up his truck with a few essentials and a haul bag full of gear and headed West. He has worn many hats since escaping eight years ago: tour guide at Sea World in San Diego, photo production assistant in Denver, gear slinger for an outdoor retailer, then promoted to head gear slinger and sent to Seattle. While bouncing around the country, Dan kept two things on the front seat with him: his haul bag and his camera. These two passions have driven him to take an indefinite sabbatical from the daily grind and embark on an international escapade. en-us http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/ http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/leavenworth-barneys-rubble-sq.jpg 3/7/11 - Sitting in the smoky haze of an internet café in downtown Jakarta, my girlfriend Lisa and I stumbled upon a surprisingly comprehensive website for climbing beta throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Perhaps this was the click we’d been waiting for? The Indonesian Climbing Federation (http://fpti.seacf.org/main.php) told of a hidden gem called Siung Beach. http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/daniel_holz_-_reader_blog_8 daniel_holz Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:55:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/Flo-plugging-his-way-up-Kuda-Laut-5.11a-sm.jpg Daniel Holz - Reader Blog 8 3/7/11 - Sitting in the smoky haze of an internet café in downtown Jakarta, my girlfriend Lisa and I stumbled upon a surprisingly comprehensive website for climbing beta throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Perhaps this was the click we’d been waiting for? The Indonesian Climbing Federation (http://fpti.seacf.org/main.php) told of a hidden gem called Siung Beach. 8/6/10 - India. There are few countries with such a rich cultural tapestry literally dripping with sights, sounds and smells that are so insulting and inspiring at the same time. It is truly a land of distinguished disparity, and once you have made her acquaintance you will always answer her beckoned call. And if the constant flow of spice and commotion isn’t enough to draw you back – the soulful granite of Hampi and grand sandstone cliffs of Badami certainly will. http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/daniel_holz_-_reader_blog_7 daniel_holz Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:26:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/DHolzIndia-sm.jpg Daniel Holz - Reader Blog 7 8/6/10 - India. There are few countries with such a rich cultural tapestry literally dripping with sights, sounds and smells that are so insulting and inspiring at the same time. It is truly a land of distinguished disparity, and once you have made her acquaintance you will always answer her beckoned call. And if the constant flow of spice and commotion isn’t enough to draw you back – the soulful granite of Hampi and grand sandstone cliffs of Badami certainly will. 5/5/10 - I have been obsessed with National Geographic since I was a kid. At the beginning of every month, I would sprint to the front door as soon as I heard the brass flap of the mail drop clank and the shuffle of parcels dropping to the hardwood floor to grab my newest issue. Poring over the glossy pages, I actually felt as if I swam with great whales, rode lumbering camels through the deserts of Pakistan, and trekked across the mighty Himalaya themselves. http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/daniel_holz_-_reader_blog_6 daniel_holz Wed, 05 May 2010 13:44:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/DHolz-5EasternShore-sm.jpg Daniel Holz - Reader Blog 6 5/5/10 - I have been obsessed with National Geographic since I was a kid. At the beginning of every month, I would sprint to the front door as soon as I heard the brass flap of the mail drop clank and the shuffle of parcels dropping to the hardwood floor to grab my newest issue. Poring over the glossy pages, I actually felt as if I swam with great whales, rode lumbering camels through the deserts of Pakistan, and trekked across the mighty Himalaya themselves. 10/07/09 - Tonsai Beach, Thailand - Ahh, Tonsai. While I would love to offer you some groundbreaking news on one of the world’s most beloved crags, I’ve got nothin’. Seriously, what more can be said about this place that hasn’t already been put out there and fed to the masses? While it’s true that there are few places in this world where your belayer can pull rope from a beach side bar. And even fewer places where a local known only as the ‘Chicken Mama’ serves up a plate of mango sticky rice that will bring you to your knees. http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/daniel_holz_-_reader_blog_5 daniel_holz Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/Petter-Watn-thai-tufa-sq.jpg Daniel Holz - Reader Blog 5 10/07/09 - Tonsai Beach, Thailand - Ahh, Tonsai. While I would love to offer you some groundbreaking news on one of the world’s most beloved crags, I’ve got nothin’. Seriously, what more can be said about this place that hasn’t already been put out there and fed to the masses? While it’s true that there are few places in this world where your belayer can pull rope from a beach side bar. And even fewer places where a local known only as the ‘Chicken Mama’ serves up a plate of mango sticky rice that will bring you to your knees. 7/24/09 - Harau Valley, West Sumatra, Indonesia - If you've been following this blog, you might expect this next entry to arrive from somewhere in mainland Asia - perhaps China or Tibet. We even considered heading straight to Mongolia to avoid the monsoon season in southern Asia. But one click of the Google search button changed our minds completely. http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/daniel_holz_-_reader_blog_4 daniel_holz Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EDT http://www.climbing.com/exclusive/readerblogs/daniel_holz/Ferry-Siswanto-on-a-ver-sq.jpg Daniel Holz - Reader Blog 4 7/24/09 - Harau Valley, West Sumatra, Indonesia - If you've been following this blog, you might expect this next entry to arrive from somewhere in mainland Asia - perhaps China or Tibet. We even considered heading straight to Mongolia to avoid the monsoon season in southern Asia. But one click of the Google search button changed our minds completely.