This year’s holiday print design is of a local rock climbing area known as the “Gunks”. Short for Shawangunks, this ridge consists of solid quartz conglomerate that was formed about 350 million years ago when a collision between the African and North American tectonic plates created an uplift of rock. It is a unique area with lots of great hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and cross country skiing in the winter months. It is a special place to many and I continue to be amazed by this wonderful cliff every time I visit. Depicted in this scene is a huge boulder that has detached from the main part of the cliff. I was inspired to design this scene when a climbing friend sent me a few winter photos of the area known as the “Trapps” while he was skiing. Each color in the image has its own woodblock that is hand carved and then printed separately. This print was made using seven blocks, nine impressions, and three gradations. All of the tools and materials used are handmade in Japan by fine crafts people.