Don't get me wrong. I love summer. I love tri season and the long days. But does it have to be so long? It just seems like it has been super hot outside for the past several years (although, I could be exagerrating that just a bit). I have been okay until this week when I got hit hard with the winter bug. I couldn't help but check telemarktips.com a few times this week as well as watch some ski movie trailers. I am just over the heat. I am happy to have fall right around the corner so I can really do some climbing, but in all seriousness, I would be totally okay with it if we just skipped fall altogether and went right to winter. I love to ski.
Tonight I was reminded of how much I love to climb. Blake and I went up to Narcolepsy Wall in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This wall sits across the street from the Salt Lake Slips. It was the first time either of us had been to this wall so it was our best guess as to how to get there. We arrived at the first few climbs and decided to climb a 5.9 trad route. I have attempted several 5.9 trad routes in the past and have never once made it all the way through on the first try. I just don't have the staying power in my arm strength. I have not climbed trad enough to be super efficient when placing gear so it takes time and energy just to get my protection in. I usually run out of gas pretty quick. The story tonight was no different. I first gave leading a shot. I didn't make it. Blake then gave it a shot. He made it only one placement further. I then tried again and through a series of climbing, taking, and placing gear, I did finally make it to the top. It was a really fun climb and not terribly difficult once we had a toprope fixed. It makes such a difference to have to place gear. Especially since we just haven't done it a ton, yet. By the time Blake climbed it and cleaned the gear, it was beginning to get dark and we had time only to clean up and get out of there. I really enjoyed myself this evening. I love climbing. I love trad climbing. I love the aspect of adventure that trad brings to the table. I can climb 5.9 sport without a hitch, but the problem solving and added stamina necessary in trad climbing is just so much fun. I really want to talk someone into training with me to climb El Capitan in Yosemite. It is over 31 pitches climbed over a matter of 3-5 days (while sleeping out on the rock overnight). This is the ultimate in climbing. You can all look forward to that blog post a couple years down the road. On Rock.
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So when did you write this up? Do you work while at work?
ReplyDeleteI love you.
Stacy, 'cmon, its the outdoor industry standard, I love it. Its 3pm here and most of RnD left like 2 hours ago for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI gotta disagree Dustin, summer sucks. Climbing is fun, but the best climbing is in Indian Creek in the Winter! I check telemarktips at least 3-4 times a week. and I have been editing ski photos from winter all summer. I have driven over 4 hours, hike many miles, and suffered sunburns for snow this summer. Not because of some goal, but just because I have to or, according to some close to me, I get "antsy and not fun to be around". My work suffers, I suffer, and we all suffer from no winter.
Global warming is a terrible trend that's been going on for thousands of years. I hope it will die soon, along with tight jeans for men, crimped hair, and trans fats.
DON'T BELIEVE THE BEACH BOYS LIES! Summer is bad and everyone knows it. The only reason it assumes more popularity than Winter is because of California's domination in the 80's. With false advertising and trendy (just like global warming and as real) slogans duping everyone into thinking summer was cool.
WRONG.