My first outdoor lead climb

_MAL1073.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

This morning at 9 o’clock — no, make that 3 P.M. — I hooked up with Anna for a bit of climbing at Ekoberget just outside of town. It was my first time there, and I made the mistake of thinking I could find my way based soley on one glance at the map. This was not the case. Suffice it to say that the route there is somewhat circuitous.

After a bit of driving around, we finally found the way there and even managed to get in a bit of climbing. I did my first outdoor lead-climb, and was happy to make it to the top without falling. I'll practice falling while leading some other day, and probably indoors.

Today was also the first time for me to use the some new goodies I brought from the ’States. The rope, quick-draws, and carabiners got their first taste of rock today, and seemed to work well.

It was warm and sunny when we arrived, but the clouds began to move in after about an hour or so, shortly after Matt & Lisa joined us at the cliff. We had intermittent sunshine the rest of the time there. Anna didn't get in a lead-climb this time around, but there's always next time. She did get some nice photos of me though. Thanks, Anna!

The day was documented in 13 photos.

Look who's dancing!

_MAL4339.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

My climbing buddy Anna is no stranger to dancing. She lived in Brazil for a while and picked up the samba while she was there. She hasn't danced in a while though, so Monday night she joined me for the drop-in salsa course at La Isla.

It was the first time I had been there on a Mondy. Unlike on Wednesdays and on the weekend, the club wasn't open to the public (just to folks taking the lesson). The place did remain open after the lesson, but only for an hour. Still, it's kinda nice because it's not too loud or crowded, and there aren't any drunk people.

Anna was quite impressive. After a few dances, she was really doing great, and I had a lot of fun dancing with her. She has agreed to tag along to this Saturday's installment of Djungelsalsa, so she apparently enjoyed it too! Here are the ten best photos from the lesson.

The lesson was fun, and I'm going to try to remember some of the moves when I go to the Sacuye salsa social at Chicago on Thursday!

First climb at Salveo Gym

A few days ago I went to Salveo Gym in Sundbyberg.


_MAL0567, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

Anna F. and I did some bouldering upstairs. There is a good mix of problems, and many of them are quite challenging.

_MAL0599, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

After an hour or so of bouldering, we strapped on our harnesses and walked downstairs to the bottom of the the twenty-six-meter wall — the tallest indoor climbing wall in Scandinavia.

_MAL0620, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

Here's Anna climbing a 5c-rated route up the tall wall. I managed to make it to the top in one go.

_MAL0490, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

Salveo is a big place with lots of amenities, and it's very shiny and new. I still prefer the climbing — and particularly the bouldering — at Klättercentret. KC is cozy and the folks there feel like a family. Even so, I do like Salveo and I'm sure I'll climb there again.

A bit of climbing at Karbin on Saturday

_MAL2218, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

I went climbing with Anna at Karbin on Saturday. We had a good time and I posted several photos from the day.