The Bouldering Contest (Bouldering Part 3)

Around summer of '86, buddy Rob Goodman and I, after spending considerable time at the excellent 'Bellefonte Quarry' near State College, PA (more later), had decided to visit some climbing spots in Central PA that we had been hearing about, hoping for similar experience. At the time, 'bouldering' was going through it's initial phase of prominence - they even had recently started a major competition outside Phoenix, Arizona devoted directly to the "sport" - drawing the "best of the west" (meaning 'world' back then) to compete....

... stopped in Fred Gunthers's Monroeville, PA 'Exkursion' store to pick up some "stuff" about a week prior to departing - I'm checkin' out the 'bulletin board' - there were no Personal Computers > Internet > email > Facebook > and on > and on >.... back then ya' primarily had telephone or tell-a-friend - how'd people manage? - Hey! - what's this poster tacked to the 'board'? - someone's having a 'bouldering contest' somewhere in SCPA! - and the weekend of our "trip" - I grab a copy and later shove it in Rob's face - "We're goin!" was the reply (that I expected)...

... we arrive at the "site" (these days a popular bouldering "destination") the day of the "competition" - we're the only "visitors" of all the "contestants" - us and about eight "local" guys (in climbing parlance - "they got everything wired")...

... can't remember exactly, but I think that I dropped out after about the third "problem" - I got probably thirty pounds of solid muscle on the biggest guy in the competition - and have yet to get two feet solidly planted off the ground - had the "heavyweight division" wrapped up (Ha) - anyway - Rob's beginning to "put on a show"...

... about ten climbs or so, and Rob's "on-sighted" all the "problems" scheduled for the contest (unbeknownst to us as I was told by one of the local guys who "scratched" early on as well - was a 'stonemason' by trade - as was I at one point in time - damn good climber with a "vice-grip" - so we immediately "hit it off")....

... in typical fashion, Rob's pissed everyone off - he's cruisin' all their "stuff" - then verbally "downgrading" most of the difficulty "ratings" as well... they're perplexed as hell... "we can't let this guy waltz in here and win"..... so we continue...

... moved on to another problem or two - both had only seen one or two ascents - many tries by many climbers I'm told by my new "stonemason" buddy... Rob continues his onsight onslaught  - "You guys sure thats 5.11?... felt like....."... the competion "big boys" clearly pissed...we're dyin' and enjoying the show - chuckling in the background...

... last problem - only (top)rope climb of the day - and clearly a "wired sandbag" - the local, "jock hot-shot" (excellent climber and good-guy ta'boot - not demeaning any of these guys), cruises it "on sight" - Rob fumbles for two or three attempts and "relents".... wound up in "2nd Place"- with a brand new chalk bag as prize...

.... he deserved a million bucks for the entertainment alone...

... the "big boy" - 'High Rocks' boulder...? (Goodman photo)...

... or maybe this is 'High Rocks' (Goodman photo)....

... "conventional climbing" at the 'New River Gorge' - buffed - and with an impressive "ape index" ta' boot..!.... (Goodman photo)....

... this is the 'bouldering wall' at 'Bellefonte Quarry' - another "buff dude" -  Hey (OT) - see that (Timex) watch - paid $10 for it - had it for over twenty years - never lost/gained a second of time, and put maybe three batteries in it - before it finally died (minute-hand fell off - now "buried" in the "drawer of good old stuff")....

... here's the above guy workin' out on an old, home made, "Bachar Ladder" -  (30,000 beers ago) -"Campus Board" now'days, I guess...

... nice "portrait" shot...

... well... out of stuff...