Monday, December 7, 2009

23 degrees at Coopers Rocks...

At least, that's what Lena's car said - but it was sunny.

If it were any warmer, the snow on top of all the boulders would have melted and the problems would have been wet, but it didn't and they weren't.....

One thing I learned yesterday - you need SOME moisture for good friction - the friction was actually terrible - the chalk wouldn't even stick to my fingers - it was crazy!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Making holds again...

So - I've been hanging out in Pittsburgh for the past week and will be here for another week, before heading on a four day trip with Matt - to who knows where - then to Charleston for the winter season.

I've started making climbing holds again.

The motivation came from climbing at Climb North here in North Park, Pittsburgh.

I bought some pottery clay at the craft store. Now - the mold is the hardest part.

I got a request from Bob for a type of hold that I've made before. So I made a cast out of clay (though this one is a big more positive than the requested hold) - and I used All Purpose Silicon.

To get the viscosity down, I boiled it (in its tube) - it took a whole tube for one mold - and its tough to not get air bubbles.

Its "drying" right now - I'll let you'all know how it turns out and if it works, I'll make another hold (using my other tube of Silicon) - if both of those turn out, I'll get some expoxy resin and color sand and go from there!

Now - to get a really GOOD mold - you need to get a $100.00 per gallon rubber molding...if I get my hold thing going again - I'll start using that and go big time with it.

I've been thinking about several cool hold ideas....

Stay posted =)