A House in the Woods.

I've finally got a stamp on my passport visa pages. Approved to travel to the US. Happy days. Hours later I wander around arrivals. My phone doesn't work over here, I should've checked that. I can't see Damon anywhere, luckily he appears and we're on the way up north.

Currently I'm sitting in front of a log fire with two dogs at my feet. Bayard and Anne's house is an old hunting cabin still in the process of being converted. Its nestled in the forest. The rain drums softly on the roof. There's something relaxing about it. Its not meant to be like this, it should be cold. Currently I don't care. Its nice to be somewhere different. Beads of water are dripping off the tree branches. There's a lot of trees. I think I'm still dealing with jet lag. I'm not sure but I'd been up for twenty hours before I slept for six and got out on the ice.

The classic New Hampshire Shot at the end of day 1. I'm quite tired. Photo: Damon Clark.

Five minutes from the car and I'm swinging into a classic ice pitch. The Smear. Not really a smear and longer and steeper than it looks! I make the belay at the top with rope stretch. 'Wow I got a little pumped there.'

The Smear. A full 60m with a good steep section. Photo: Damon Clark.

Chia went next. Straight forward and enjoyable. I traversed left at the top looking to do a steeper finish but my arms were having none of it. I traversed back. I defiantly noticed the jet lag kick in. I was having to think about everything a lot more. It took me a while to set up a belay off the trees! I had to triple check everything. I was tired and that was it for the day.

Chia. Looks short but a full 50m of pleasant climbing. Photo: Damon Clark.

So as the rain continues to tip down its nice to be somewhere different and just chill out. Here's hoping for some colder weather in the next few days.