Cragies and Snackies

We’ve made our way to Louisiana.  Not necessarily the climbing mecca of the U.S., but also, it’s perhaps the worst place to climb in the world.  It’s tough to find any climbing at or below 100 feet above sea level.  Louisiana’s highest point, Driskill Mountain is only 535 feet above sea level.  It’s essentially a large pile of rocks on a hill.  It’s one of the lowest high points of any State in the country.

The description of Louisiana climbing on Mountain Project simply says “Possibly the worst of the 50 states for outdoor climbing. You should probably look somewhere else!”

But, when it comes to Cragies and Snackies, we leave no stone unturned.  It may be the worst climbing in the world, and you might be better off hanging from your fingertips on door-jams around the house, but we’re here to serve.  Climbers make their way through the Pelican State, they depend on us to make recommendations, and so we must deliver!

There are actually only four noted climbing areas in the entire state, and if you combine all the routes in Louisiana, you still wouldn’t even have a baker’s dozen.  Even more pitiable; of the twelve Louisiana routes, a quarter of them are just climbing up the sides of buildings.

Buildering it is!  Fortunately for us, there is a building that has some intrigue beyond the routes that makes this “climbing” trip worthwhile.

Fort Proctor!

There are only two established routes.  You can start off with Welcome to Proctor, then finish your day (90 seconds later) on Corner Right.  Both routes are rated V2, and essentially start and finish at the same spot. 

Sometimes climbing is about the destination, but in this case it’s totally about the journey.  Take a look at the approach and description of Fort Proctor Climbing on Mountain Project.   

The Approach: “From the associated park, kayak across Mr. Go and into the waterway that leads to the fort. About 0.5-mile kayak.”

The Description: “Fort Proctor is an abandoned fort in Lake Borgne. The fort is about a half mile kayak from the shore. The fort has the potential for a variety of boulder problems that can be developed. Depending on the water level, the fort may be completely surrounded in water leading to some “shallow water bouldering.” Best protection may require a crash pad to be placed on top of a flotation device such as an air mattress.”

A crash pad on an air mattress brought over on a kayak.  YES!  Sign me up!  In case anyone was wondering how desperate climbers without mountains can get, look no further than Fort Proctor.

After you burn all the calories sending the proj. at this long-abandoned fort, it’s time to paddle on back and get ready for some snackies.

Luckily, what Louisiana lacks in cragies, they more than make up for in snackies.  I love New Orleans, the spirit of the city is unbreakable, the residents (despite dealing with annoying drunks from out of town on a regular basis) are welcoming, and the food is among the best in the world.  Every restaurant I’ve ever been to in New Orleans has been a winner, you can’t go wrong when it comes to food and The Big Easy!

Dry off, change shoes, put on some jazz music and head west.  In less than 45 minutes you will be dining in one of the best vegan restaurants in the world.  In the Treme neighborhood, less than a mile from the French Quarter, you will find local favorite and family owned I-tal Garden.

The unassuming green and yellow exterior cannot possibly prepare you for what treasures lie inside.

Executive Chef Ra and Executive Baker Aisaba Regina are true culinary artists, but beyond that they are community advocates who put their money where their mouth is!  Louisiana offers some of the most delicious food on the planet, but that comes with a price.  Louisiana is also among the places with the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and overweight children.  It’s one thing to make delicious food.  It’s another to make delicious food with the aim of educating and improving the health of your customers and neighbors in the community.

Chef Ra and Aisaba Regina pull of the perfect balance between flavor and nutrition.

Offering fully vegan takes on Louisiana classics, I-tal Garden might be the best restaurant in the entire state.  Not only will you get the best that New Orleans has to offer, but you’ll also get the best that mother nature has to offer.

The only problem at I-tal is that everything on the menu looks delicious, and when you add in the specials, you might suffer from indecision and a desire to try everything.

Every entrée on the menu is like a dream come true. From the Cajun Pasta to the Baja Taco Meal, you’ll be sweating with excitement.  Another option is to order as many of the delicious sides that you stomach could handle.  Creole Potato Salad, Mac n Cheese, Curry Chickpeas, Candied Sweet Potatoes, the list goes on!  Then you have a variety of salads and soups including the Raw Tacos and the Okra File’ Gumbo.  We haven’t even touched on the appetizers and desserts, all made from scratch, and all made with love! 

There are a lot of glorious options, and I wouldn’t tell you what to pick, but if you’re looking for a place to start, this is my recommendation.

If variety is the spice of life, then the Build Your Own (BYO) option is the way to go.  I-tal offers a BYO that includes 1 protein and 3 sides which you can divy up in whatever way suits you best.  Personally, I’d go with the Jackfruit BBQ Ribs, a side of Quinoa Jambalaya, Grilled Brussel Sprouts, and Candied Sweet Potatoes.  Gotta go with the Oatmeal Crème Pies for dessert, and the House special Ra Mix (lemon ginger and hibiscus tea) to wash it all down.

I-tal offers breakfast and breakfast specials as well, so if you are trying to eat before heading out to climb, Chef Ra and Aisaba Regina have you covered on that end as well.

No matter when you go, you better be ready to pass a good time, because when you pull up to I-tal, there is only one thing to say…LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!!!

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana “Union, Justice, Confidence”

Crag: Fort Proctor  

Restaurant: I-tal Garden

Distance: 45 minutes