Memorial Day

Memorial Day should be an important day for all of us in America.  It's a day we remember those who have fought and died for our freedoms.  Although it may hit a little bit closer to some than others, let's all observe it, and say a prayer that some people have been willing to pay the ultimate price that hopefully we'll never have to live in chains.  At 3 PM Monday your local time, make sure to pause for a minute and think about those who never made it home. 

--Hook

The City. Or...

How Moving To The City Woke Up My Inner Outdoorsman.

When I was younger, growing up in Small Town, Texas, I spent a fair amount of weekends in the woods with my dad, uncle, and cousin.  We camped, made fires, told ghost stories, and generally caused a ruckus.  My uncle worked for a big international paper company which gave us a lot of room to roam because he knew the best plots of land and had keys to them all.  It was awesome.  We saw all sorts of forest.  So forest is pretty much where my time was spent.  When I wasn't out with my dad and uncle, I would learn a few things from a few short stints in boy scouts, but that was more of a place to be babysitted than anything.  Our troop never really went anywhere.  It was pretty small with a lot of older kids, so I lost interest as a few years went by.

The New 'Reactions' Rating System

Ladies and Gentleman,

Just to give you more incentive to give feedback, I have added the following three 'reactions' to the blog posts. "Conqueror," is the rating you give if you loved the article and agree with it.  "Explorer," means you like the article but you thought there could have been more said.  "Green Horn," means you think I totally missed what you think I was aiming for and should try harder next time.  So feel free to leave me all sorts of 'reactions' because it's what makes my writing more enjoyable for you! 

Thank you fellow Conquerors!

--Hook

My Awakening

This isn't happening. This can't be true. It'll go away soon:  Things we've all said to ourselves plenty of times.  We just can't deal with something so we deny it exists or think it'll be fleeting.  That's what I was saying to myself at 14. My freshman year I fell out in the middle of lunch time, hit my head hard on that cold brick floor, and, apparently, had a seizure.  My first of many.  My first visit to the doctor told me I had seizures, but according to my MRI, EEG, EKG, and everything else, he didn't know why.  But that it would be ok, I'll just have to take expensive medicine the rest of my life in such high doses that it will take a large toll on my kidneys.  Hell if I was lucky I might even 'grow out' of my seizures in my 20s.

For Starters

www.thecleanestline.com/2011/05/big-boy-and-the-pink-tape-route-.html

I really liked this article because of this author's sincerity. Although I might have to hold it against him for the mullet. The author talks about an attitude a lot of us may take in any of our favorite hobbies or careers: the ace of grace or the enthusiasm of the beginner. Sometimes we look down at those who are just now starting out at something we've been doing forever, and it's time to realize that everyone starts out somewhere. Eventually, that person may catch up and outdo you. So don't be that jaded veteran.

Some Basic "Don'ts" of Climbing, as Provided by Trail's Edge.com

Skimming through updates of my favorite sites today, I came across a link at Alpinist magazine to a short but informative article on things not to do during climbing. As a beginner in this sport, sometimes I find it easier to learn what NOT to do than the million other things of what to do. Not making a silly mistake in the first place will help everyone out. Though most of it is common courtesy and common sense, some of us being completely new to it might not realize that.

Enjoy

http://www.trailsedge.com/blog/the-donts-of-climbing/

--Hook

Blue Water, Grey Rock

This is a very cool video that starts a small series of 5 videos with guys from the outdoor clothing company Patagonia. They combine blue water sailing with rock climbing first ascents(in plain speak, the first recorded time someone has reached the summit of a certain rock formation).

It really combines the brotherhood of climbers(of ages young to old). It starts with an introduction of a crazy group of guys, deemed "the wild bunch." And their captain Reverend "Bob." The old soul of the group and the one whose vessel they'll be sailing on. Sounds like a typical guy movie, huh? Maybe. But these types come together and make interesting stories because they're not living typical lives.

Introductions being done, they get up to 'ship shape' and sail out. I really love the folksiness of the music in this, it really brings it all together. There are many beautiful shots in all of this, and some pretty amazing camera work. This little series is sure to inspire.


Check it out and remember, watch all 5 episodes!

--Hook

Such Great Heights

So I finally got the chance to climb at Austin Rock Gym. I've had a couple gift certificates for the belay training class plus one day of free climbing since my birthday, but since gall bladder surgery had recently put that out of range for a while, I had to take a couple months off. But I finally got the chance. When I scheduled the training, the guy didn't have anyone available for that day so I pushed it to the next day and he got us in for 7 pm. A late class, unfortunately, but the guy told us we could come in and boulder before our class, for as long as we want.