HPRocks Wrap-Up!

 

Every indicator said don't do it.  I had been sick all week, and the forecast called for certain rain. I awoke Friday morning to crisp air and blue skies. Spring fever got the best of me.  It was decided, the show must go on....

 

 

As Friday evening set on HP40, the perfect spring day showed signs of a tempest looming, yet the small crowd that had belittled the forecast with me gathered under the pavilion for the evening's events.  The North Face athlete Daniel Woods got things going with a visual tour of his latest exploits.  The keg was tapped, and the interest shifted to the newly constructed dyno wall.  Daniel toyed with his competitors by effortlessly springing to holds that competitors with a foot on him could not touch.  It wasn't the UBC, but I gave him $40 for his effort.  With a keg of beer, and everyone forced under the pavilion, we could only muster one lame fight.  I hoped the next day would be better...

 

 

The looming tempest swirled and spit, forcing vendors to batten down after a tent or two was lost.  The temps dropped, robbing her of the energy needed to lay Horsepens in waste as was done in Louisiana that day.  The bouldering competition was cancelled, but the music went on as boulderers mingled in and out of the rocks to listen to local talent like Strung Like a Horse.  As usual Kurt Smith was psyched and got his Evolv shoe demo going during a dry spell, trying to make what he could out of the day.  Daniel Woods wasn't going to let the weather crap out his trip so he sauntered over for a quick send of God Module just as the rain began....and stayed.  Kurt's psyche was defused as people tramped back to his tent through mud and puddles in the demos they had worn as hiking boots.  The keg was tapped 4 hours early.

 

 

Music continued till late in the night with the last band being forced off the stage to make room for the DJ.  The fog machines were kicked on, lights were strobing, and the few remaining moved their ass to the pulsing beats. On the dance floor, Matt Stark was seen grinding on Mike Schultz’ daughter Ashley, while Daniel Woods was overheard whispering sweet nothings after retreating from the debauchery hours earlier.  

 

 

I awoke Sunday to a piercing pain in my chest.  The smoke, fog machine, and moisture from the weekend had turned my ailment into pneumonia. The weather was perfect for bouldering, but the previous day's rain had scared everyone off.  The comp was cancelled, and all the vendors scurried in the swirling sub 35 degree winds to get out as quick as possible. Perhaps the event should have been postponed, but WWBBD? HPROCKS is not the "greatest show on earth" but look for exciting changes next year.  Stay tuned… 

 

-Adam Henry (Event Organizer)

 

 

Big thanks to our sponsors for their continued support:

Alabama Outdoors, North Face, Evolv, SCC, Rock Creek Outfitters, DPM, Dolomite Bags, Five Ten, Voodoo, Soill, Metolius, Friksn, Asana, Black Diamond, Blue Water, and La Sportiva.

 

 

All Photos courtesy of Alex Hooks at http://www.ahooksphotography.com/

 

 

Click here for video of Daniel Woods sending God Module (V11) in the rain.