BAMA BAMA BAMA

So it's been a few days since we got back from HP 40, Alabama. I drove down with a few friends of mine (Mark, Jill, and Matt) 26 hours each way and we definitely had an epic time. Alabama was exactly how I pictured it, crazy slopers to the best BBQ chicken I've ever had in my life (and pretty much everything else in between, including a possibly racist store clerk).

        Jill on Mulintino V5

I had heard that the problems at HP 40 were quality... but I really had no idea. The rock is incredible, so sticky, featured, and with the best slopers I have ever witnessed. I've heard people knock the area because of how slopey the problems are, but I really think it  made things more interesting and forced me to man up with my top outs.

The only thing that I felt was odd about the area is that all the problems are not graded in the same way as everywhere else in terms of the V grade, which doesn't really make sense to me, why not just keep things simple? Anyway, the problems there are graded based on intricate  knowledge of the route before hand, perfect conditions and it fitting your style of climbing. Maybe they are just trying to be modest.... but I was shocked to be easily dominated by some of the V2's... it just isn't consistent with the rest of America.. but ill forgive them because the problems were epic.

Here is a list of the favorites that I sent on the trip (not too many since I spent a lot of my time on my project Hammerhead)
                                                                                                                       Mark on Skywalker

Hammerhead V5
Uni Ball V4
Spirit V3
Bum Boy V3
Genesis V3
Red Arrow V3
Panty Shields V3
The Stranger V2

It was also great to witness the competition that was going on the last day we were there. It wasn't too crowded because it had gotten rained out the week before, and the weather couldn't have been better.



Overall, besides loosing a few days of climbing because of headlight troubles and rain, it couldn't have been a better trip. We had a solid crew and we all ended up slaying our projects. Definitely the refresher that I needed for spring break.
                                                  
                                          Me sending my project Hammerhead V5