Bouldering Indiana yet again...

It's close to home so what do you expect?  I did take some good photos this go around too and attached Muscatatuck's aerial of the bouldering areas so there is some valuable pieces here.  Additionally, I made some climber friends and got into some behind the scenes of the park.

I'm one of the people that gets recharged by being out in nature; particularly if there is a physical challenge tied to it such as climbing, hiking, biking, etc.  My wife, and go to partner for climbing, hiking, and traveling in general, has been laid up with health complications this entire year so our adventures have been of a different nature these past months.  But she also understands my needs to get out of Dodge to keep myself in balance and she encouraged me to take a little solo weekender.

Plan A was to grab Pancake and hit the highways on the motorbikes but he's been going full-speed on his art ventures (www.davidpancake.com) and his weekends have been booked with festivals and showings and such.  So instead I tossed my crash mat in the Jeep and headed to 'old reliable', Muscatatuck Park in North Vernon, IN.  It was blazing hot so I headed over to the Peach Wall (see bouldering aerial view) that is nicely shaded at all times.  Worked some routes there and then explored down Tangerine Wall running along the Muscatatuck River and worked problems here and there but mostly enjoying the solitude, the sounds of the flowing water, the sunlight streaming through the leaves, and embracing the beauty that was all around me.

I headed back to my campsite in that afternoon and recharged on snacks and plenty of water and then headed over the park maintenance are to see if Greg was in.  Greg Martin is the director of the park and a notoriously passionate climber; just the kind of friends I'm looking for!  I did get to chat with him for a few minutes in between his busy schedule and also met another climber named J.C. that I look forward to climbing with next time I go back.  

I have friends from Colorado that tell me it is actually harder to meet people that don't climb (slightly exaggerated I'm sure!).  Indiana is a different story and I really embrace the opportunity to befriend local climbers.  The weekend bouldering was good though I felt out of shape and sloppy on the rock but the friendships gained made it one of my most enjoyable weekend trips.