The Climbing Addiction

           Here are some pics of my regular climbing area.  My girlfriend Rachel getting her shoes on and just a few of the walls.  We usually go 3-4 times a week, climbing for about an hour.  We're getting better and better every week.  I love climbing, it's challenging, rewarding, has a great community.  The technical aspects of it are intriguing.

          Today I finally ascended a harder route I've been working on the past few trips, then I finished it 2 more times for good measure.  Also I worked my way over to the intermediate area and made a couple attempts, but no successful ascents.  It's ok, though, because I finally overcame that one I've been working on for a while.  Red route, you dirty bastard, you no longer defeat me.  Rachel also ascended 3 routes she had been previously working on, so congratulations goes to her as well.  It was a great session, full of victories.

         Climbing was something I started after being inspired by a documentary the name of 180 Degrees South.  I'd been fresh out of the hospital, still overcoming gallbladder removal, and basically watch a lot of NetFlix when I came across it.  The founder of Patagonia clothing company goes along on a ride with a guy following in his foot steps, travelling to south america, surfing the coast and climbing mountains along the way.  The way it's done, you really feel the rawness of being on the rode, the tireless efforts they go through to continue to that final place.  You can feel the dankness and the humidity on your skin just watching them swat away bugs as they trek.  You can smell the ocean salt as they sail, you feel fear when they are in danger.  If you care about climbing or the environment, you'll like this.  It's good to see people aren't afraid to still go and do big things.  Maybe you can watch it sometime and be inspired to do new things.  Look for it on NetFlix.

--Hook