Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Birth of an Obsession

I have been trying to become a better climber since I started climbing seventeen years ago. At times, when the circumstances of life have allowed, I have been very focused on this goal, and, at other times, when life's circumstances were not so generous I have been less focused. Recently, the circumstances of life have allowed me the opportunity to focus on climbing in a way that I have not been able to for over a decade - and I am grateful for that. Since February, I have been climbing, a lot and enjoying every minute of it. I have been pushing myself both on and off the rock, and the effort has rewarded me with regular PRs for a variety of climbing styles. Things have been going very well, and I am having a great time climbing, but my quest has been lacking one thing that I enjoy...a long-term project.

I have been considering, at lest in the back of my mind, Whiskey a Go-Go (5.13a) for most of the season, but it seemed a bit aggressive. At least until I did Peyote Blues (5.12b) a couple weeks ago after only two days of effort. So I decided to make the drive up to Necedah and give Whiskey a shot. I am a fool for having waited this long. The route is amazing, and I am in love. At this point it is my sole climbing focus, everything else be damned - it is just that good! So now I have my long-term project, I am psyched. It is hard, and it is going to take me a long time, but I am looking forward to the process.

My initial 8/14/14 attempt (weight 170.8, AMRHR 56):
Fun!

Techy! 
Hard!

Laughing-at-the-world fun!

This is where I am going to be for a while


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