Keep Breathing

-Post 3-

You're just below the crux on that 5.whatever climb you've been working.  You have perfect gear placed.  It's a beautiful, crisp, blue-bird fall day with low humidity.  You see the moves and know you can pull them, though this is at your difficulty limit.  You move up, committed to getting through.  You start into the sequence and the strain comes on.  You're trying to move your feet up, trying to keep your hands on that thin rail.  You shift your weight and move your hands up a bit to another hold.  You can see the next hold and know you can get there but you need your feet higher up.  You can't find a place for them.  You start to panic as you can feel the exhaustion hitting you.  You scramble to find your feet, but you're not even looking down.  You're still focused on the next handhold.  You're holding on....holding on...holding on..."falling!"

What happened?  Why did you fall on a sequence you've accomplished on top-rope a half-dozen times?  Why couldn't you pull it off on lead?  The gear was great.  Conditions were perfect.  Your mindset was really positive.  But what happened?  You tensed up and panicked.  Why?  What did you forget to do?  Breathe.

A new dining room table!

-Post 2-

The new table is here! The new table is here! :-)  Yes, I'm obviously very stoked about this.  I've had a small dining room table for awhile now.  I made it myself a few years back with the help of my friend Frank.  I've outgrown it.

Awhile back I decided it was time to get something new.  I couldn't just settle for something out of a store but I didn't have the time to do the work myself back at my folks place in Winchester.  I settled on having an old family friend build it for me.  Al Murr is a professional furniture and cabinetmaker in the Winchester area.  He's been at it for decades and is still sawing and sanding away into his 70s now.  I knew that he would be able to do an outstanding job.  The question was what wood to use?

NaBloPoMo...and Falling!!!

-Post 1-

What the hell is NaBloPoMo?  National Blog Posting Month.  I read this on my friend Heather's blog.  It started in November of 2006.  She said that the rule is you have to post once each day to your blog.  And while from what I've read the actual "month" is November, she's done this the past four years in December and it's proven to be a good way to close out the year.  I agree, and have decided to give this my best shot.  I mean, seriously folks...those of you who know me probably think this won't be very difficult for me to accomplish.  Whatever.  You're reading this so apparently it's of some entertainment value.  So without further delay here's today post:

 Falling!!!

We're talking about climbing (and falling) here folks.  A fairly accurate saying for climbers should really be, "I climb, therefore I fall."  Falling is not failing.  Everyone who climbs, falls.  Whether that's on top-rope, sport bolts, or trad/aid gear all of us fall.  But the fear of falling is the #1 factor that holds climbers (particularly trad climbers) back from pushing their limits and realizing their climbing potential (and having more fun cuz that's what it's all about!). 

A Life Beyond Climbing: Music

I feel motivated to write this today in an attempt to persuade you the reader that yes, indeed I do have a life beyond climbing.  So I figured I'd cobble together a history of music's influence on me.  My earliest experiences with making music were probably banging on the old piano at my parent's house as a child.  I took piano lessons for several years when I was younger and the love of music was ingrained.

Reflections on the past year of climbing

In reflecting on this past year of climbing I know that it has had a rather profound impact on me, both as a climber and in my personal life.  This year has seen me go from a fairly confident 5.7/5.8 climber to a 5.10b climber, 3 full grades above what I was previously climbing when at my limit.  But there's something I've realized the past year that I feel I ought to bring out and share here.

Yosemite Day 8 - Church Bowl and Heading Home

15 September 2012

Our last day in the Valley started much the same as most others.  It was fairly cool, but the sun would change that in a few hours.  Breakfast went down fast and I was anxious to see what new adventure this route Bishop's Terrace would have in store for us.

Yosemite Day 7 - After 7 & Church Bowl (and mini bears)

14 September 2012

Mini bears.  That's what we called them when I first ventured out west and encountered ground squirrels.  They can be infinitely more of a problem than bears.  Bears will tear into your stuff in search of a piece of gum.  There are horror stories of them ripping off car doors and smashing windows simply because they saw or smelled a soda can or a candy wrapper.  This is why you don't leave any food in your car.  Everything edible goes in the large metal bear boxes that the park service provides at campsites and at several of the popular climbing areas.  Mini bears are another story...