Showing posts with label rock climbing. Show all posts

El Capitan, Yosemite

How cool is this?!? You can explore climbing the many pitches up Yosemite's El Capitan via Google maps! I grew to love rock climbing last summer and going to Yosemite gave me a newfound respect for the many amazing climbers who ascend those granite heights. What an amazing project and I love that those stunning views are no longer limited to the climbers (although I'm sure they are even better in person and from the edge of a rock after completing a difficult pitch).

a love letter to fall


[this is just a continuation of my love letter to fall.]


I spent much of my weekend in the canyon—between some catering events at Sundance, rock climbing, and a Sunday drive—and I was on cloud nine for all of it. These perfect crisp fall days can't last long enough for me.

rock on


The above photos are from a Saturday morning of rock climbing in Rock Canyon a number of weeks ago—my first successful/complete ascent while climbing in the wild! I'm posting these now because this week I took the plunge and invested in rock climbing gear and a membership at a local climbing gym! Tonight was my inaugural climbing session as a new member and it was really great; no buyer's remorse here.

I am still getting the hang of things (puns for Lauren, always) and still working through my characteristic, continual anxieties but I am better learning to keep calm under pressure and keep on going—good lessons for me to reinforce time after time. There is something so cathartic and satisfying in overcoming challenges while doing something you enjoy. I love hobbies that come easily and naturally to me, like reading and photography, but this (similar to running) is becoming one that I love too, because I have to work harder for it.

Also, those mountains. I really love being in the mountains.

outdoors-y


Because sometimes it's good to remember places you've been.

[Zion National Park, a couple summers ago]

 . . . . 


I have posted this quote before but it is coming to mind now:

"That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." --Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, p. 69

I can see a very clear, although gradual progression which started on one such day with a visit to Zion National Park. I had the most wonderful weekend with this group of friends and it opened up a whole world for me of the beautiful outdoor experiences to be had right in the state and the very valley where I live.

On Saturday I went rock climbing in the wild for the first time in Rock Canyon. I was a little exhausted from having gone on a long hilly run that morning (shaky, fatigued arms and legs are not the best foundation for great climbing) but I got a taste for things with a couple partial climbs. I loved it, I loved that it was a beautiful day (the photo is Jess climbin!), and I loved the feeling of becoming more comfortable outside of my comfort zone.
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