Craggin Classic in Rumney, NH

Had to stop on the climb to take a picture of this crazy hold!

Underdog 10a, Rumney

It's yo boy Felix agan.

After saying good bye to Boston we headed back up north to check out one of the bigger climbing areas that we didn't have a chance to see yet. Rumney, NH.

We timed it with a climbing festival called the Craggin Classic and had the pleasure of meeting up with friends Nick and Lindsey, as well as spend some great time with one of our favorite people Steph, as well as her new partner, Ash.

The Craggin Classic is a climbing festival that moves all across the country at some of the best climbing spots. It starts in Rumney, NH, and ends in Bishop, CA. For the last 7 years or so I have attended the Bishop one, and it was very exciting to come to the same festival in a different place. This all happaned a little more than a month ago so I'll try and keep my memory fresh.

Before we made it to Rumney we stayed a night with Steph at the house she grew up in.

During the day she took us to a place called Level 99. It felt like a combination between escape rooms and squid game. There were tons of rooms where you entered as a team and had to complete certain challanges.

Unfortunatly I don't have any pictures from it.

It was incredibly fun and I still think about it almost on a daily basis.

In the evening we went to Steph's house and she serenaded us with her incredible piano skills.

The next morning it was off to Rumney and the Craggin Classic.

Favorite part of Vanlife is parking next to other vans?

Nick and Lindsdeys van on the left.

Felix, Megan, Steph, and Ash.

Picture of the festival area, taken from where we parked/camped. The climbing was only a few minutes walking from here. Pretty sweet!

Basically unlimited beer is included in the ticket.... so we take advantage of that haha.

First day we did rope climbing.

Ash had never climbed on ropes, and Steph mostly boulders, so we had great time showing them the ropes.

Nick is showing us his signature "mono bolt jug haul" technique.

Steph is a natural climber and climbed all kinds of things, like this weird resverse chimney.

Ash got on the wall too!

Can you spot Megan in this picture?

I was able to climb some too.

Steph and Ash were mostly fascinated by our belay goggles that allow you to see upward without having to look up.

This is what it looks like when you're climbing and everyone is looking at you.

It was impossible to seperate Megan and Steph.

Megan showing off her muscles.

Felix showing of his muscles.

This was a climb to remember. Started off with a short pitch of incredible weird(fun) blocky climbing. Second pitch continues up, until you traverse out on a horn and then get lowered 30 meters in the air all the way to the ground. In the picture I'm dangling at least 10m off the ground, fun and spooky!

After a good day of climbing we hung out at the festival, ate good food, drank good beer, watched movies and listened to talks, visited booths and played games.

We bought some raffle tickets even though we don't really need anything except a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag. Good thing somehow we won a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag!

Once the night came alive.... Steph doing the worm front and center.

Other rest day activities included:

Yoga

Morning coffee in the sun

Daily "Worlde" challenge (a word puzzle game)

We couldn't get enough of the game.... So we showed them our van whiteboard version

Can you guess what word Steph picked?

Next day we did some bouldering.

The first boulder we stopped at looked super cool and had different levels that we all could try

This boulder tested Nick's physical and mental strength

Steph was the first one up this boulder, it look fun so I had to follow her!

We're enjoying the views and basking in the good feelings of our accomplishment.

Next up was Megan.

Look how cool this line is!!

Note how high it is too, thats the top of my head, I'm 6ft when I wear thick shoes.

Sometimes topping out is really scary... Megan hesitated here for a while.. But she managed to overcome her fear and trust in her ability! Way to go!

Of course I had try it too!

Here's the dream team getting ready... Too bad these problems were incredibly hard and we couldn't even pull the first moves. 

Nick making upwards progress.

Nick making downwards progress.

After an incredible weekend in Rumney we were getting ready to switch gears and head to NYC.... but first we stopped in at a great friend of ours for a couple of days, Judy Starr. She has been a role model in my life since I moved to Amerika.

We know each other from Paso Robles, but every late summer she visits Lake George in upstate New York and it worked out that we were in the area at the same time.

The weather was a little gloomy and rainy at times, but what a perfect time to park the van outside and go sleep in an actual room in a house!

We enjoyed some great times together there. Swimming in the lake, eating great food, talking, drinking wine, helping build the deck, and getting a tour of the family compound.

Here's the view from our room

I really enjoy finding peaceful morning coffee spots.... This one was an incredible addition.

Felix, Kurt, Judy, Eric, Megan

We left Lake Geroge early in the morning and started heding towards NYC. Most of our time in the van has been spent in serene nature.... time to change gears and explore the craziness of New York city.