The Madness

The Madness was omnipresent from the moment we left the airport. Three dudes in a squat, silver car just bigger than a toaster packed to the hilt with crashpads, bags and French chocolate. I signed the contract line so that made me the driver for the trip. I haven’t driven a stick shift since I was probably 18 and haven’t driven on the left side of the road on purpose ever. The first thing that you learn on the road in South Africa is that the average driver is exceptionally courteous – like nearly everyone here – and that they’re equally bat shit fucking crazy. Enter the Madness.

Shosholoza

Search For New Boulders

The past week has been a lesson in both humility and culture. To be specific I’ve had to learn to deal with Ethan flashing nearly all of my projects – except one. More on that later. The real lesson being handed down by the elders here is how to be a Neo in the program they call the Madness. In America if you have two lanes then you have a general idea of the flow of traffic. In Africa, they scoff at the idea of dividing lines. If you have a two-lane road – which you do – what you’re really dealing with is a five-lane maze of traffic fury. The trick is to fall into it with vigor and split lanes like a hot knife through butter. Chicken isn’t a game, it’s an African way of life.

Meat Eater at Dinner

Clanwilliam Barlife

I took what I could learn from maniac French four-wheelers, Julia and Clemont, – our roommates for a stint – and applied it to Ethan and my journey to Cape Town last night. The general rule is that if someone is top-gunning your ass you pull left and let them and their Frankenstein pick-up/Delorean ride on by. Well, I picked up a few things from these Frenchies and began to understand the middle lane. The middle lane is not exactly a lane, per se, but a concept. Essentially, you have your two regular lanes. Then you have the shoulder on both ends that you bounce to if a back to the future mobile is creeping up on you. If you, on the other hand, are trying to blaze past some North American gumbies cause they’re still dancing to Gaga when you’re trying to get with the shit, blasting Robyn from the rental radio, then you just take the dotted line and those in touch with the Madness will spread like you were Moses parting the sea and you will birth through the canal of lightness – glory be yours.

Just Getting Psyched to Hike

Sassies

So the Madness in full effect, we picked up Ethan’s German via France friend Lisa today from the airport. In an effort to preserve some sense of brevity, I’ll sum the week up shortly. We’ve had mostly good days and some rainy. The projects are still standing, but I’ve sent a climb before Ethan and Ethan sent some harder shit than I will ever send. Cape Town involved surfing for Ethan and reading/sleeping on the beach for Lisa and me. Here’s a video of the only rock climb I have/will ever sent before Ethan. He’s is not a big fan of finishing boulders unless there is an audience – preferably of the internet variety. Prim Donna Pringle is what he likes to be called around here.

Jason – Hole in One (7C+) from Jason Crase on Vimeo.

Ethan – Hole in One (7C+) from Jason Crase on Vimeo.

Minki (7B)

I hope you’re all well. We’re psyched and going at it. We miss you. If you’re interested in numbers that extend beyond ten fingers, check out Ethan’s blog. I’m not here to promote that sandbagger. Until next time. Bye a Donkey – phonetic for thank you very much in Afrikaans.

Talkin' Shit About a Pretty Sunset

They sell wine grown on the farm so please excuse any misspellings/grammar mistakes as a precursor to drunken scholarship.

The Homestead

Julie and Sassies Horses