it's been a while since i've updated... since then, it's been interesting. lots of things. but i don't go into that right now. the only part that i'll start with is this. i've been working part-time at mason for a little over 6 years now and only NOW have i been given the opportunity to work there full-time. here's the catch though, i had to ( Read more... )

ever since the catalyst, i've been traveling, almost non-stop, constantly on the road almost every possible weekend since spring. i've been to many locations on my trips, some new and some familiar. it's been an amazing adventure where the traveling aspect of climbing has basically taken over my life. in my journeys, i have met so many people ( Read more... )

as one gets into the higher echelon of climbing difficulties, one finds that there is so much more subtlety to the placement (hand/fingers or foot), balance, body tension and position. i am by no means close to those higher levels, but i believe i am just starting to get a taste for what is to come in my climbing future ( Read more... )

i've been on this journey for the past six months. a quest, if you will, to search for/learn new things about myself, to train both physically and mentally, to finally find myself in a place where i am content with myself and life in general. the past few months i've been picking up lots of little bits of knowledge that pointed me in the right ( Read more... )

just one for today.


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at the start we are ok. make the next move. still ok, "we've only climbed a couple feet of the ground." keep moving further and further. we start to think, "ok, a few more off the ground. but at least it's a flat landing." movements start to become more difficult as we get closer to the top. "can we do it?" yes. we push through and then we ( Read more... )

walking to the store, my friend and i were approached by a woman holding a card. on the card, written in what looks like a child's handwriting, "i do not have much money, please help by sparing a few dollars," and so on. neither of us had cash on us, we told her. she then asked if we could purchase something for her at the dollar store. i said ( Read more... )

i recall the last time i went sport climbing outside. in fact, it was almost a year ago; memorial day weekend. it was Sean, Krissie, Albert and i at the Red. that trip, i made it a point to lead everything i got on, which i did. but at the time, i wasn't feeling very confident in anything i did. every route had to be stick clipped for peace of ( Read more... )

"Desire may lead to suffering,
but it is in suffering that one can learn most about oneself.
And when you actually do your project,
you may just notice that the key to success was,
in fact, to be in the moment, free of desire."
-Mike Call (Bouldering in the Shawangunks)i was supposed to go to coopers rock again this past weekend, but the ( Read more... )

this past weekend, a couple friends introduced me to a classic Coopers Rock problem called Electric Avenue. the guide book says it is a super highball. looking at the climb and seeing my friends work on it, it doesn't look that difficult, but it is tall. very tall. the crux is mental. the height and the potential for things to go wrong is what ( Read more... )