On Saturday I went bouldering at the Gunpowder with Em. This was my first time ever really bouldering outdoors: meaning the first time I’ve ever taken a crash pad along with some climbing shoes and given something my all without regard (or much regard) to falling. It was exciting.

I don’t think the Gunpowder is really considered much of a hot spot for bouldering and I’ll admit from other videos of places like Bishop on YouTube this doesn’t really compare. Gunpowder is just a small 20ft cave with a 45 degree roof that is about 12 or so feet high. Still, it’s really fun and I can see myself going there a little more once the weather gets cooler. It was super hot and humid — 88F with 90% humidity.

Since the area isn’t all that popular, I actually can’t find any information on what climbs are there. That means whatever we do there we’re just making up. That part was actually quite fun. I found what I thought the easiest route would be and figured it out in a couple tries. It’s not that serious of a route and would probably rate something along the lines of a v3. My parents came along, which meant extra spotters so one of us could videotape.

One of the trickiest things was the first time I got to the top I realized it was entirely covered in leaves. My parents threw up a brush and I cleaned it off, but it was a little dicey hanging on to the top and cleaning everything.

After losing interest on the first route I made up, I moved on to one that starts at the back of the cave. Hopefully I’ll work that out and get a video on that one.

Videos: The first is Emily trying the route with a few little modifications of her own since she’s shorter than me. The second is me doing the route for the 4th or 5th time.

I just have to say, my friends and family are great. I got some sweet gifts for my birthday, including a backpacking/camping hammock from Eagle’s Nest Outfitters (Emily) and a brand new black 80gb iPod (Adam). My grandfather gave me a cedar chest my grandmother had years and years ago, so now I can be a bit more organized with my not-in-season clothing. It’s big and smells great! Dom and Jaimie, knowing me so well, gave me some animal crackers and other knick-knacks, but it’s probably the animal crackers that made my evening.

And so it is that I turn the big quarter of a century, or half a half of a century today. I’d like to point out that I’m wearing jeans with holes in them and still feel quite young, although my body is feeling a little ragged from climbing rather extensively last night. I’d also like to point out that 5.8’s have begun to seem easy, whereas 5.9’s are impossible to complete. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s annual gala was last weekend, and to make myself seem older I wore a tux and pretended to be important. I have pictures and promise to see them soon, although who here actually cares what I look like in a tux? You all just come here for the pictures of my hot girlfriend anyway. Admit it.