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...