Photos by booger

Climbing in the Alps just north of Bolzano, Italy, New Year's Eve, 2006-2007. Pitch 3.

That may seem like a smile beneath my ninja-scarf, but it's more likely a wince of terror. Nah, I loved every minute.

Christmas in Fontainebleau; so very, very cold. Problem 1 of 3 completed before my toes turned into popsicles.

This is "Spaghetti & Meatballs" (Paolo75) and myself. Putting this up so all the random dirtbaggers who stay with us will know I'M A GIRL booger, DAMMIT.

To start off the Eurofreaks Spandex Photo Challenge... I hereby submit an (ahem) unknown (ahem ahem) climber wearing spandex.

Paolo follows the very last pitch of this easy, exposed climb with big holds and outstanding views.

Paolo leading up the third pitch on this wonderful classic.

Paolo, on the most beautiful approach in the world...

Yuck. Day two of wetness in Valle del Orco. Is there ever sun here?!

After the most stressful 18 pitches of 5.7 imaginable, my day is almost over... yioupieeee! Now gimme some food.

Paolo75 leads up the drier of the two waterfall pitches on La Fedele. He is acing the art of screwing the second (moi), who must remove various nuts while water runs down their arms and their feet slip and slide. Grrrrrr.

Why, oh why, doesn't the sun shine on the N. face? Huh?! Brrr. Photo by steve-o

Here's the view from the first belay station. Unfortunately, you are looking from the cold, shady valley into the sunny valley. So close, and yet so far...

Here (see the lower left-hand corner) is the refugio for the Val Màsino area. 3+ hour approach, though it feels hella-longer. From the refugio, most of the climbing is accessible within 1-3 hours further approach.

Somewhere along the 5-hour hike up to our refugios we saw this wonderful collection of butterflies. Unfortunately, what they are feasting on is a little log of scat.

Standing up amongst the clouds, it looks rather mighty for something named The Old Lady's Tooth.

Just before the 9th pitch on Dente della Vecchia... lots of air and clouds beneath my feet.

Paolo leading up pitch 1. (Pic uploaded for TR)

What a bunch of (mad buggers) troopers! I stayed nice and warm in the car.

My first tape-gloves. I may look like an ass, but I feel like a bad-ass! :-)

Cold, miserable, hungry climbers waiting for daylight...

Heiko on the beautiful 7th pitch, well worth the wait for both the perfect climbing and the view.

Heiko following Pitch 3 on Luna Nascente.

We're next in line, finally, to climb Luna Nascente.

Heiko and I getting ready to cross the waterfall on the ascent. Picture by Paolo75

The last of a German party ahead of us tops out on the 9th and last pitch of Luna Nascente. After 8 solid pitches of lie-backing, this 50-metre unprotectable and featureless slab comes as quite a shock.

The 3 shameless gearhounds compare racks in VDM and call it a draw with a hug. After all, friends share! From left to right - bellaitalia, heiko and booger.

Yeah, just re-submitting my profiile pic since I changed my handle...