Joekindkid.com

The Blue Mountains offered pretty much everything we were looking for.  Great weather, towns to chill in and lots of different cliffs.  We spent a whopping month there cyphering from different crags and projecting the inspiring lines.  I got close on a mega 8c called Tiger Cat, which is at the newest crag called Elphinestone.  I fell off the last move and then continually suffered from cuts and skin issues.  Goofy climber problems, but a reality.  The majority of the Blueys was spent climbing 5.13′s until we decided one day on a whim… to roll out and head back to the Grampians and the Arapiles.  Our rationale was based on the famous areas that Australia offers we were ready for them.

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Don’t miss this one guys… if you are in the Telluride area  or interested in making a trip out of it this could be great.

Cliffhanging to Stargazing: Tools/Tricks to Elevate Your Outdoor Imagery Instructors: Ben Herndon Photo Editor: Julie Ellison – Climbing Magazine Dates: September 30, 2014 – October 2, 2014 Fee: $750 Signup: https://kiosk.eztix.co/kiosk/29987

Learn climbing AND night photography tricks and get free prAna gear during my three day clinic this October at the 2014 Telluride Photo Festival. Climber and prAna athlete Rannveig Aamodt will be posing for shots. Sign up before July 15 and you’ll receive a 20% discount and a free pass to the whole festival.

This workshop will cover a variety of entry level techniques/tricks to help enhance your adventure images, emphasizing climbing photography and basic rope ascension as well as an intro to off-camera lighting techniques for adventure lifestyle imagery (including tent and star photography). A prior familiarity with basic climbing safety is highly recommended and high level of familiarity with your camera’s controls. This course is not to be considered a substitute for comprehensive climbing instruction. Photo Editor, Julie Ellison will be sitting in on the last day’s session to review images during the workshops as well as portfolios.

Ben is a freelance photographer and writer based in the rugged Northwest. His work has been used by National Geographic Adventure, Climbing, Rock & Ice, Trailrunner, Lonely Planet, Red Bull Adventure, Adidas, Evolv, Mystery Ranch and Black Diamond Equipment, among others. In June 2012 Climbing Magazine selected him as one of the top 7 young climbing shooters in the world.

www.benherndon.com www.telluridephotofestival.com

Week 1 Heading To Blue Mountains

Our first week climbing was a bit challenging as every day was spent in the rain. It felt great being in an entirely new country, but at the same time we were hiking to the cliffs in the rain, climbing in swampy clouds, and even having to drive through flooded roads. It was a bit of a rough intro. The one thing I have learned while on a trip is that there is no time to waste. If the conditions are better elsewhere and you are in a bad place… MOVE ON! We made the decision to head 10 hours north to the Sydney area and climb in the Blue Mountains.  Land of a million sport routes and easy access.

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I have written a few posts and tried to get them up, but with a bit of less-than-speedy-internet it’s been challenging.  Allow me to get ‘em going now as a little retro-blogging.  Thanks guys.

The Arrival and Back Story

This is pretty cool because right now I am sitting at the cliff with my computer running a timelaps, writing this blog, and enjoying a ridiculous view at the cliff. For the past 3 weeks (kind of crazy to realize) I have been in Australia. The entirety of this trip will be two months and probably most of the time will be spent in the Blueys (Blue Mountains) and the Gramps (Grampians). These two areas are some of the most famous and well-known spots for someone with my similar interest which are sport climbing and bouldering. It is a total shame however that the North Grampians climbing is closed due to heinous fires. My main goal when booking this trip was to try the Wheel Of Life, which looks like a dream problem/route as I absolutely love sandstone roof climbing. Then there is the infamous Taipan Wall… home of some of the boldest and most beautiful sport routes according to many climbers. Well, that’s closed too… ugh. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how the cookie crumbles and plan B isn’t bad at all. It’s funny because my boy Dave Graham kept claiming that I am psyched the Taipan wall is closed because its” terrifying”. He claimed, “Its so terrifying, but it calls to you and you still want to climb it.” Well, hells-bells… I’m going to have to return I guess…

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I hope I don’t sound too much like a dork here… jeez.  More than anything I hope people can relate to my thoughts.

Thanks for checking in guys.

A Question of Risk – Episode 4 – Joe Kinder from Black Diamond Equipment on Vimeo.

Enjoy this little brand video I made for Gregory Mountain Products.  For the weekend warriors out there… I hope this speaks to you.
“Weekends are a time to recoup from the week of work, let all life’s stresses pass away, but may be the only time for the working class to fully live their passion. The time is short, the thrills are big, and the days not enough. Because when the week ends, real life begins.”

Weekends: When Real Life Begins from Gregory Packs on Vimeo.