CPOly

I've read many times people saying concentrate on your footwork, get better footwork, but what does that mean? Granted I'm not climbing 5.12 yet, but I imagine I will be in the forseeable future, especially with the new gym opening in Olympia soon. My opinion of good footwork is having the ability to use very small footholds effectively. What that means is understanding the optimal position to have your foot in while on the hold. Typically when you're talking about very small footholds, your foot will only stay on them when your foot is in one certain position. The key is keeping your foot in that position while moving the rest of your body to make other moves. So keeping that tension in your foot and the rest of your body in order to keep your foot on is crucial. This is easier said than done, but once you gain this understanding your footwork becomes much better. Also important is weight distribution between your different points of contact (i.e. hands and feet). Knowing how much weight your feet can hold is very important to climbing efficiently. The more weight you have on your feet, the less weight that you have on your hands. I believe RUMR said that climbing 5.12 in the PNW doesn't require great amounts of strength, just good technique. In my opinion that's footwork and weight distribution. Sure you need to know how to move your body in relation to the holds available to you, but that will come in time. Anyways just my $.02. Good luck and keep working at it.

Really, what was his name?

So which one's the high ball?

Are things gonna be dry enough out there tonight Off?

L-Town Baby!

Sure is! It's got me glued to my seat reading it.

I would guess the cliff is looking BEEEAUTIFUL! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again tonight.

I know you did, looking forward to seeing you guys again this weekend.

Hey, I know it was a little early when hillweasel and I woke you guys up but there's no need for name calling or armed forces.

Have fun! Off is a great guy, you guys should have a blast.

Oh the joys of moving, the first Wednesday it's dry in weeks. Have fun everyone, see you next week maybe.

I was hoping you'd say that. I've got my fingers crossed, keep me posted Off.

Raining in Oly now. Looks like I've gotta figure out something else to do tonight.

Please don't rain, please don't rain, please don't rain!

I sure hope it does. Although we might have to get out tomorrow instead as more precipitation is "predicted" to move in on Wed.

I guess either way would work, although to do it standing would require a bit of balance. If lying, tie the stretchy cord around a fixed object and lay on the ground with your feet towards where the cord is anchored. Loop the cord around your foot or ankle and bring your knee towards your chest.

I second the stretchy rubber cord. Like cman said, start slow because it really works the area. For a good stretch, get on one knee with the other leg in front of you with foot on the ground and knee at about a 90 degree angle. Stretch forward so that front knee angle gets smaller and you start to feel the pull on the front of your quad and hip flexor of the leg with knee on the ground.(hope you can picture that).

Are you getting any of this precipitation that's hitting Olympia down there in Tenino?

Such quick mood swings Muffy.

The trailhead isn't too obvious, but it's pretty easy to find. I assume you're approaching from the Jefferson Creek side. The description in the climbers guide is pretty right on at least to the trailhead. Follow road 2401 for about 2.5 miles past Jefferson Lakes and about .2 miles past the intersection with road 100 which will be on your left. Park at a little pullout on the left side of the road before you cross Jefferson Creek at the corner where the road cuts back to the right away from the north side of Mt. Washington. I believe that there is somewhat of a pond or standing water visible from where you park on the west side of the road. One trail starts out a little brushy on the south side of the creek. I think that there might be somewhat of another trail that starts from the north side of the creek also. Either way follow a trail up the valley staying at times in open forest to avoid brushy areas. I hope this gets you started. Good luck and have fun.

If you're still looking, I'm pretty sure that I saw a few pairs at The Alpine Experience in Olympia today on sale for about $100.

I've been around that area in the winter but haven't done either Bretherton or Lena. Lena looked like just a plain hike up, nothing too steep. Bretherton looked like it would require a bit of scrambling but nothing too technical. There's more route info in the Climbers Guide to the Olympic Mountains. Good luck and have fun!

Beautiful night last night. Perfect temps for some nice friction. Thanks for shooting that rope up virgins. Nice picture PP.