Joe Iurato - Pro Blog 2

Basalted. 

It’s been a little difficult to get out climbing lately. Firstly, the summer’s swelter always puts a little stutter in my step. I usually go back and forth deciding whether I want to go grease off my projects, go to the beach and surf waist high sets, maybe bomb a few hills on my Crooked, or hang out at home, paint stuff, drink beers, and make fish tacos. Secondly, my wife and I are nurturing and thoroughly enjoying our now 6-month-old son, Hudson. The only thing is, he doesn’t do very well in this northeastern heat and humidity just yet. So, this particular summer I’m spending most of my time doing the latter of my choices: Brooklyn Summer Ale, spray paint, and cilantro are extracurricular weapons of choice.

BUT I NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR: Just because I haven’t been able to venture out much lately, doesn’t mean I’m not ready for fall sessions --- the cool, crisp loveliness of Rocktober. Nor does it mean I haven’t been climbing at all. In fact, it’s amazing the things you’ll climb (and enjoy) out of desperation. For instance, I learned of a small Basalt “crag” just 10 minutes from where I live in Jersey. Of course, I immediately ran out to check it. What did I find? I found a ton of beer bottle shards, giant man-eating spiders, some of the oddest smells I’ve ever encountered, and enough basalt to get relatively excited about, anxious even. A 150’ long, 35’ high outcropping with a few satellite boulders scattered about. The almost dead vertical face of the cliff has enough flat edge jugs to make for ALOT of easy to moderate movement. The boulders house short, overhanging 5 move problems (4 moves if you don’t want to sit on a broken Heiny). All in all I’m probably making it out to sound even better than it is, believe it or not. I mean there’s good Basalt and then there’s this Basalt. It’s dirty and chossy, but I’ve never been one to turn down a free meal when I’m hungry. It’s rock. It’s close to home. I’ll probably wind up making enough contrivances to have an actual circuit. And I don’t really care if you live in Palm Springs or Boulder or El Paso or Chattanooga or Salt Lake or New Paltz or wherever you’re “world class” home crag is. I’ve got mine. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be ok ... I hate you. 

Best,

Joe

PS- There are no photos or detailed information because I want to keep this place top secret. If the location gets out, I’m afraid hordes will flock from every corner of the globe and steal my thunder. A guidebook would mean devastation! Actually, I decided to leave my camera in the car. Some things are just better left to the imagination.