Monday, January 7, 2008

1.07.08

Well, my Hueco trip came to an abrupt close today after a serious ankle sprain left me completely immobile. Lame. I'm glad to have had good friends there to help me. Anyway, overall the trip was amazing. Yesterday Kevin Jorgeson established what may be the most serious highball at Hueco Tanks, "The Duel." V10/E10. The crux move, a hard low-percentage stab to a shallow pocket, comes at a daunting and very overhung 30 feet. A fall from almost any move on the problem would likely end very badly, and the 17 crash pads were hardly comfort. I feel lucky to document such a bold and beautiful line, despite being overwhelmingly concerened for a good friend.

Below: Kevin on another first ascent hidden in West Mountain. The roof, named "Sticks or Stones." climbs 20 moves on the belly of a giant suspended boulder over bad landings before topping out. At the reasonable grade of V8, it is a likely the best problem for the grade in the entire park.

4 comments:

sock hands said...

very sorry to hear, andymann! i remember that you had difficulties with an ankle sprain last trip as well... correct? recuring injury?

anyway, i'm super psyched to check out your photos and hopefully you can tape up after a day or so to keep harvesting your cash crop of INSANE jorgeson piks.

i'll mail you the boot of doom complete w/ xsv rubber sole if you need! in all seriousness, that should allow you to thunk-step all over hueco without causing more damage to your ankle...

IT'S CLIMBED V8 SO I'M SURE IT WOULD LET YOU GET SKETCHY ON SOME DOOM SLABS TO TAKE YOUR PHOTOS !!

yesh.

i'm kinda serious. if you need me to mail it i will.

Mannphoto said...

Thanks JJ. I 'perciate it. I actually decided to leave immediately after the injury. Last night I shacked up in a beater hotel outside Las Vegas, NM to avoid a nasty storm over Raton Pass. Some luck 'eh.

Empty beer bottles, pizza boxes, ibuprofen, and ace bandages -Andy

Ryan Brazell said...

Ouch, jeez, sorry to hear it. Here's to wishing you good booze and a brief convalescence. Heal up, friend.

chuffer said...

that sux. heal up beaotch.