Tree in The Wall - Castle Rock Bouldering

Mike and Ryan have discovered a new bouldering area at Castle Rock. The parking lot is about 2 miles from CR parking lot, south on the 35. The routes descriptions can be found on rockclimbing.

Route 1: Trailblazer Arete V0 and route 2: Crustacean Transformation V3

Route 3: Tree Trouble V5

Route 4: Gym Rat Mantle V3

Route 5: Barbed Wire V4

Route 8: Shit Stain V3

Route 6: Unnamed V0, Route 7: Bee's Nest V6

Big Sur's Molera State Park

We decided to head south to Garrapata Creek in a bouldering hunting trip. The road does not have many access to the coast since most of them are private properties. Driving about 10 miles south, we stopped at the Rocky point restaurant but found only loose rocks and fishermen.

After Rocky point, the road never gets close to the beach anymore for many miles. The access to the sea is limited since it is getting really steep.


The next time the road reaches the beach, we could not access it either because it belongs to the Naval Army. What a bummer, stretch of pristine beaches left to military!
Further south, we stopped at the Molera state park and walked to the beach. Plenty of rock could be found there, but the sandstone rock is too fragile for climbing.
Nevertheless, the kids had fun making and fixing their house beach.

Nice Fire Place.

Lucas Broke His Arm

Lucas broke his arm falling off the fence on Saturday. At the emergency, the doctor fixed his arm very well , and after a few days with a temporary cast, he got his final one in red.

His arm should be back, fully operational in 8 weeks, just on time for the ski season.

Red Cast, Red Shirt.

Next time, Benoit will spot Lucas...

Claire

Lucas Gardening

Lucas is preparing new plants for the garden.

Big Sur Garrapata Bouldering

Garrapata Creek has some decent granite and sandstone bouldering. It can be found about 9 miles south the Rio road cross light.

Carmel Bouldering

Since Castle Rock is too warm, we headed down to Carmel for some kick ass beach bouldering on decent sandstone.
We spotted that overhanging line which freaked us out since it was probably about 18 feet tall.

Crab Town Bouldering

Near Garrapata state beach, we stopped at Crab Town for some great bouldering on solid rock.

Nice warmup route. Benoit cruzed it as well, which was not to Rob taste!

Shouldery and powerful moves.

Nice easy arete.

WOW! So much better than the gym.

High ball quality problem.

John showing the slab technique.

Carmel Meadows Bouldering

On Sunday, Rob, Brian, John, Benoit and Estelle went to Carmel for a fun bouldering session. We first stop at Carmel Meadows for some exciting sandy bouldering.

Estelle and Benoit cruzing.

Nice slab. We were not bold enough to do the direct line right in the middle. Next time.

Too few boulders on the beach, but that one was great! Ask Rob, he took home a large chunk.

Brian posing.

Estelle art of work.

Mechanic Time

My motorcycle has not been working too well lately. Benoit and I decided to check the carburetor. We got the ramp out of the frame and were wondering what to do next!

It is a bit messy.

Apple Tree

Lucas is hiding somewhere in the garden. Try to find him!

Bath time.

Benoit and Lucas Scooting Derby Park

We are spending more and more time at Derby park since it is just a few blocks from our house.

Benoit & Lucas Visiting Rebecca & Emily

This video was taken by Keith probably 2 years ago. Check Benoit taking control of the water toy.

Benoit and Lucas Going Down the Snake

De Young Museum

Claire and I went to the city to visit the De Young museum. We had a great time until the fire alarm ringed causing an evacuation.
We will be back with the kids.

Golden Gate Bridge

New Guinea Artifact

Turkish carpet (1800)

Cowell Sunrise

Cowell is the perfect place to learn to surf, especially at low tide.

Bear Valley Summer Time

Claire and I spend the 4 of July at Bear Valley . We visited Bear Valley Resort and Mosquito lake.

Nice stream north Mosquito lake.

A patch of snow left from the winter.

Mokelumne from Bear Valley.

Claire posing near Alpine Lake.

France Vacation at Pelleloup

For our first stop in France, we spent few days at Pelleloup.

Lucas is ready to go to bed.

Bread Oven

The horse and its new house.

Lucas looks tall in the old barn unless the ceiling is really low.

Indian Rock Bouldering

It has been too long since the last time I climbed at Castle Rock. Rob, Joel and I wanted to do that scary arete with a very poor landing but we chickened out , next time may be.

Carter showed us how it is done.

Benoit Surfing Cowell at Santa Cruz

Benoit is surfing for the first (and second) time at Cowell and he is cruzing. Big thanks to Isabelle who is Benoit's dedicated surf instructor.