Day 10: I Can't Believe This is Our Last Night!!

Posted by Tayler Mitchell | Filed under:
Aug 12 2011

Chill is the best word to describe today. We woke up around 10:00 and were eventually ready to roll out to the wall around 11:40. We had three groups today: Kyle and John going to Drive by for one last run on John’s project Easy Rider, which I’m sad to report that he fell on the last holds again, Morgan, Ellen, Peyton, and Peter who went to Purgatory; all had a good day but no sends there either, and the last group Alex, Ashley and I took all the other kids to The Shire wall to climb 4 super fun routes: 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, and 5.10. So while we may not have had the hardest day of climbing there was no shortage of fun being had up in the shire. (Which by the way I am super excited because I now understand the reference to The Shire since I recently watched Lord of the Rings for the first time!). Any who, we ended our climbing day early to go to Little Wittleton (our old campsite area) to play some good ‘ol football. It was a great game filled with catches, tumbles, and a fair bit a victory dancing. As for tomorrow I’m not sure if I’ll be able to post or not so here is our general plan (as all of you know any plan made with in Team Texas is subject to change). We hope to the up and moving by 10:00, eat lunch at Miguel’s one last time, go to Mammoth cave, then if all drivers are feeling up to it (as of now they are) we will drive all night in hopes of being home around 6:00 or 9:00. *This is a theoretical plan, do not hold us to this.* If this is in fact my last blog for the trip; thank you all so much for reading, and all the wonderful feedback! I hope you enjoyed hearing about all of our shenanigans!

Day 9: Sorry for the Late Post!!!

Posted by Tayler Mitchell | Filed under:
Aug 12 2011

Goodness! I can’t believe that tomorrow is our last day of climbing! This trip has absolutely flown by. Today was yet another great day at the Red; there was lots of climbing, laughing and hiking. We split into two groups: Kyle taking Ashley, John, Peyton, Gentry, and Maggie to Drive By wall, and Alex, Morgan, and I took the rest of the crew to Muir Valley. The Drive By crew had a hattrick of sends on Check Your Grip (12a) done by Peter, Maggie, and Peyton. John got super close to sending his project Easy Rider (13a) he is sooo close! As far as our crew went, we had a day of firsts. Maddie strung up and cleaned her first route today, along with Chris, Ian, and Erica cleaning their first routes successfully! Today was a good day for Ellen and I too, we were happy to not die on the insanely long and steep hike. We got to the van a solid 10 minutes after everyone else, but that’s beside the point. We are thinking about having an early day and playing football tomorrow, so keep your fingers crossed it works for us! Another note on sends, Maxime sent his first outside routes today they included a 5.8, 5.9, and a 5.10 we are very excited for him! Sorry I posted this a day late, but I got caught up cooking a late dinner and helping with chores last night. Have to give those kids food, because they eat a TON! Check back later tonight for todays post!

Day 8: Clean Cabin + Ale8 T-shirts + Cliff Jumping= Pretty Sweet Rest Day.

Posted by Tayler Mitchell | Filed under:
Aug 10 2011

Today was started off with Maxime singing Kyle’s wake-up song in French to all the late sleepers, and breakfast tacos for a scrumptious meal. Then phase 2 of our day was commenced: Cleaning the barn, porch and vans. The kids were split into groups and all the work was done. The guides are quite happy for the cleanliness; it’s a nice change. Upon passing Kyle’s final check over we loaded up into the vans and headed to Winchestertonfieldville. Along the way the van I was in including Carson, Ellen, Peter, Gentry, Ian, Chris, Peyton, Maxime, and Ashley, had a very intense dance party to varying techno and dance songs. Those kids can move it like no other; it was an entertaining site to say the least. After a successful trip to Wal-Mart we stopped by the Ale8 Factory to get t-shirts and other memorabilia. With bags and bottles in hand we headed back to the cabin to change into swim suits and head to the reservoir. We are proud of Maddie for facing her fears and jumping off the medium cliff this trip, along with Chris for making it off all three jumps today. Another fun note, I’m happy to say that I made one of the dynos today after only missing it 3 or 4 times. For those that don’t know I literally cannot jump to save my life so this was momentous. Besides Franny thinking he busted his eardrum no injuries were obtained while jumping off the tall cliffs. The team has now left me at Miguel’s after a delicious meal of pizza and Ale8. They are off to shower and get all the mud off them from the reservoir. So I will conclude todays blog with hopes of lots of sends tomorrow! Goodnight everyone!

Day 7: La Di Da Di La Di Da... Here's Another Questionnaire!

Posted by Tayler Mitchell | Filed under:
Aug 9 2011

Since we are a good way through our trip talk of “home” is starting to be heard here and there, so I decided to do another little questionnaire of the kids thoughts about the matter. So I asked: What are you looking forward to most when you get home?

Peter- Having free time/ down time again.
Drew- Sleeping until noon or later again.
Sammi- Seeing my sister before she goes off to college.
Ellen- Climbing inside again, my fingers hurt!
Maddie- Having something other than cereal for breakfast.
Jess- Going to Gulf Shores the day after I get home!
Maggie- Seeing my family, I really miss them.
8lyn- Nothing, I want to stay here, but sleeping in my comfy bed!
Carson- Starting Drivers Ed!
Erica- Eating lots and lots of fruit.
John- Spending the most time possible at my house before I move.
Chris- Playing my Russian video games.
Peyton- Seeing my pig, dog, and parents, I miss them. (Editor’s Note: Hopefully not in that order!)
Gentry- Dicky’s Barbeque. There is no other answer.
Ian- Being back in my house and seeing my family.
Maxime- Taking a REAL shower.
Morgan- Fro-Yo. That is all.
Ashley- Having coffee again, I miss caffeine in the morning.
Alex- Seeing my Mommy. I miss you!
Tayler- Moving into my dorm at Texas Tech five days later. Wreck ‘Em!
Kyle- Convincing the Rules Committee to not be dumb heads. And seeing my beautiful wife and son of course.

Just a quick update of todays sends: John crushed Check Your Grip (12a) and came super close to sending his project Easy Rider (13a)! Also, Maggie on-sighted Spirit Fingers (11c), and dominated her project from last year (Breakfast Burrito) with no problems at all. Lastly, Peyton on-sighted Fire and Brimstone (10c), and Breakfast Burrito (10b). It was an amazing day and we are really psyched for getting to go to the Ale8 Factory tomorrow (it was closed on Sunday), and getting our swim on at the reservoir. Good night parents! We miss you.

P.S. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for Brendan this week he is competing in a European Youth Cup at the worlds gym in Imst, Austria. Kick some european butt little brother! We are all cheering for you from back home!

Day 6: Can't You See That it's Just Raining, Aint No Need to Go Outside. Oh Wait.. Nothing Keeps Team Texas from the Rocks

Posted by Tayler Mitchell | Filed under:
Aug 8 2011

With a late night ending around 1:30 in the morning the barn voted as a whole to sleep a little later than normal, this meaning about 10:15. Which was splendid for me, and most the other kids were happy to get the few extra hours of beauty rest (as if we need it, we’re the best looking team there is). Well rested and ready to climb, we made our way to return to Military Wall. It was a fantastic day of rock wall climbing! We had a handful of exciting sends and too many great runs to count. Our sends included: Ellen sending her project, Tissue Tiger (12b), John crushing Gung Ho (12b), Maddie sending her 10a/b project, and Ashley sending Opossum Lips (10c). We are so thrilled for all four of these climbers; sending projects always makes for a good day. Other notable climbs included: Alex almost sending his project Reliquary (12b/c), Morgan making the crux move of her project Tissue Tiger, Sammi, and Jess getting to the top of their project, Fuzzy Under-cling (11a), Gentry sending Fuzzy Under-cling after pulling past the crazy hard starting moves, and I may not have done a notable climb, but I did hang on the jug line for 3 hours getting some amazing shots of all the kids climbing! About half way through our day rain was heard in the distance, and eventually was upon us. Luckily, we were at a overhung wall so all our climbs were dry. So with the rest of the afternoon spent under the shelter of our climbs the day drew to an end. We are now back at the barn, full from the perfect rainy day food (grilled cheese and tomato soup), and clean from glorious showers. So in the words of Gentry, “So long Sticky Butt!” (sticky butt is Alex’s new nickname given by Gentry).