Buildering

Nouvelle Vague

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Allez! Allez! This is amazing.

German Buildering Vid

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german vid

Thanks to Stephan for pointing out this well produced German buildering video, made for the 2008 Buildering (European and not World) World Cup.

After a month in Germany, I recognized "mit", "scheisen", and "beware of limbo dancers." I'm a regular James Bond.

Urban Climber Interview Online

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urban climber

Hey! That's me!

The ArdArvin Urban Climber interview is now online, with a whole bunch of stuff that didn't make the print version -- like dodgeball, scrabble, and Kevin Rose.

Urban Climber Magazine

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be stupid

Titties. Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin.

Urban Climber interviewed me for this month's magazine, but I'm in Germany for a month and haven't seen a copy. I have seen a lot of titties though. Not real ones sadly, but in magazines, TV, and billboards -- including this gem of an ad in Berlin. Germans certainly aren't ashamed of their mammary glands. And why should they be? Tis a beautiful thing.

The only things affordable here are beer and sausages, which I'm at peace with since I like both and it's the only two things that Germans do well. I spend every free moment in a pub founded in 1509 -- senselessly trying to make my existence matter to this ancient building. It's also bloody cold here, atypically so. Lakes and rivers that never freeze over are frozen, to the delight of the locals. They run out onto the ice in droves. One man died trying to save his dog who fell through the ice. (Heavy dog, light man?)

Anyway, go pick up a copy of the mag. And skate safe. We here at buildering.net promote brains and balls. Having only one will make your life either very boring or very short.

University Wall(s)

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u wall

Ivan Hughes, the local filmmaker who put together the University Wall short film, has written a new article for Gripped Magazine entitled University Walls. It describes the pioneering exploits of the 1968 Cragrat's Guide to UBC builderers, both on campus and on Squamish rock -- the latter with a detailed first-ascent description of the aid/free climbing classic University Wall.

Confused yet? Don't worry I'm keeping track. University Wall(s) is now:

1) A classic aid/free route in Squamish.
2) A short film re: UBC buildering.
3) An article in Gripped magazine detailing the above two.

Featured Route: Music Building

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See: http://www.buildering.net/guidebooks/ubc#route703

Robin Avery recently sent a new variation of a classic route on campus, the Music building. In the past the chimney was the only practical way of climbing the building, as the crack in the back offered the only protection. However some large air ducting pipes were placed (haphazardly slapped?) on the outside of the building in the last few years, offering some new points of protection. Robin tackled the right rib of the left chimney, i.e. "the arete".

Read more...

Tampa Bay Area Buildering Guidebook

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tampa screen

Chris Brown, aka the_alpine, has been working hard on a new buildering guidebook for the Tampa Bay, FL area. It looks phenomenal, with class A photos all the way. It makes me a bit sad that the photos had to be squished down to fit everything on the screen, but check Chris' website highexposures.com for the bigger versions, plus other great shots. He's been updating the guide daily, so expect more routes and more photos.

Owen, the trusty buildering.net programmer, has plans for a bunch of new guidebook features. Some ideas we've been throwing around:

- a better indication on map of current route
- links to multiple pictures
- commenting for routes
- iPhone GPS interfacing including a "you are here" pin
- an option to submit a route from your current location

Comments and suggestions welcome. Also, if you want to get in on the action and create your own guidebook let me know and I'll set up your account.

UBC Buildering Nights

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With working on the UBC guidebook and the weekly outings, there's been a lot of buildering happening on campus. Here's a video from a couple weeks ago. Of particular note is a route that Grant sent, Chemistry Drainpipe, which I originally described in the new guidebook as:

Chemistry Drainpipe
For legitimacy sake I've either climbed, or in the case where technical difficulty exceeds my crap climbing skills (see Belkin North Drainage), witnessed the ascent of every route in this guide.

This route is the exception.

Chemistry is the oldest permanent structure on campus. "The Barn" coffee shop is older, but was never intended to be a permanent structure and has been heavily renovated. That drainpipe was attached in 1925 and hasn't been refurbished since. I'll let you come to your own conclusion on how sturdy it is.

It's pretty much a solo until the spout. You could probably slip a sling behind the drain-pipe, but should you really be testing a pipe to hold a fall when it's questionable whether it would hold body weight?

Congrats to Grant who sent it in style. Turns out the 1968 description of "fairly firm" still holds true. Now that there's no fire escape on Chemistry this is the easiest access to the roof. Since we were up there we had to take the opportunity to climb Chemistry Cracks, which subsequently kicked our asses.

Email me if you'd like to come out as see what it's all about.

POTW: No Shortcuts

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no shortcuts

(c) Simon (p) Jeff Chrisler

This photo of the week is courtesy of Jeff Chrisler. From Jeff's Flickr page:

Simon again on the crimpy holds that the Shady Grove parking garage has to offer.
Simon climbs for Team .Deadpoint, evolv and placed 13th at the 2007 ABS US Nationals and 10th at the 2008 ABS US Nationals

Click Read More for big pic.

Flakes of Wrath

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