I just got back from Bishop. Overall i had a good trip. On the first day i warmed up, felt really good and was able to finish up Thunderbird V11, in less than 10 goes for the day. I got very close to sending it a couple trips ago, falling off matching the left hand crimp before the good holds that lead to the top. After i sent Thunderbird, the next day i went to the secrets of the beehive area to get on the Swarm. I once again was not able to make any progress on the swarm due to bad skin. I would however, say i still had a good session on it. After trying the swarm, i decided to go get on Direction V13. I was able to work out all of the moves pretty quickly, and to my surprise, fell on the last hard move! I was excited to get on it again the next day, the last day i was in bishop. Unfortunately, i felt really tired and my skin was not in any condition to try hard again on Direction. So i hope i will be able to finish it up next trip!

On a side note, i was able to make a personal high point on This Side Of Paradise (V10), a classic 40 ft. arete climb in the Bardini Boulders. I made it up to the upper crux sequence but never got a second session on it. I plan on getting back on this problem next trip! Climbing on This Side Of Paradise really motivated me to switch into highball mode, i can't wait to wrap down The Beautiful And The Damned. I want to work out the upper sequence on top rope and get it dialed enough to boulder it! I love those boulders up there!

Also, my girlfriend Tirrani made really quick work of Flyboy Arete V5. Sending it in one short session! She also, a few trips ago, sent Perfectly Chicken V5.

But for now, just going to school. i plan on making it back to Bishop within the next month or so if the weather stays good!

Giovanni Traversi