Everything but a Free Solo

Well hey there! Another rest day means this bloody knuckled lady has the opportunity to catch y'all up on her climbing adventure! So this adventure can start with...

So it has been 10 days since I've taken a shower. Patrick approved of my new lifestyle (probably because he doesn't get the honor to smell how wonderful Blair, Aaron, and I smell). It's okay, you're not missing much in that department! Thankfully, I got to take a shower last night, get most of the smoky scent out of my hair, shave my armpits (that hair is something else after 10 days, let me tell you), and realize that my tan was just dirt. Anyways, now to the more fun part: climbing stories.

So Friday, Aaron and I climbed Cat In The Hat (5.6, 7 pitches). After some bush-whacking, retying a rope backpack way too many times, getting stabbed by some holly-bush-esque plant one too many times, we made it to the bottom of the climb. I got the highest honor there possibly is: carry the pack up the pitches! The first pitch irritated me only because we had what felt like 400 pounds of water in the pack. The second pitch went better but then the straps started rubbing and I wasn't too psyched on that. The next three pitches went smoothly and were really enjoyable. Then came about 400 feet of fourth class scrambling. I spent a solid 7 minutes trying to get the rope untangled from one of those prickly-ass holly-bush-esque plants. Anyways, that pitch went fairly well and we made it to the bottom of the 7th pitch which was a chimney. After much struggle with the pack and removing gear, I decided to ditch the chimney and climb the face. Aaron and I had lunch on the summit. We were doing pretty good on time and started the descent. At first it wasn't so bad, but then came some (in my opinion) terrifying downclimbing which felt way harder than the stuff we ascended. I'm pretty sure the carins/zen stone/pile-of-stones-used-as-directions were pointing us in the hardest way down possible. There was one point I was ready to just sit and anchor to a tree and never come down. A panic attack, an almost death-sentence-down-climb (okay not really, but that's what it was in my head), and two unplanned rappels, we made it to the bottom. It was dusk and we hiked out in the dark. Poor Blair had gotten lost in the bouldering area but we found him starting the hike back to camp and we picked him up. Let's just say I don't really want to to do that again any time soon.

Meditation View

View from Tailpipe and Muffler

 Saturday was awesome! We all hiked to the Gateway boulders. Aaron and Blair worked Tailpipe (V9) and I projected Muffler (V4). Aaron send Tailpipe and I dialed in the beta for the bottom moves on muffler. Hopefully one of the two post a photo or two of me climbing so y'all actually believe me. After a solid session, we headed to their project ($500 V8). Aaron sent it and Blair looked super solid on it as well! I was on a nearby boulder which had two V3s (Butterfly Kiss and ??). I worked most of the moves on Butterfly Kiss but couldn't stitch it together. Next time.

Sunday, all three of us climbed Geronimo (5.6, 4 pitches). Aaron lead the pitches and Blair and I each climbed up after him. It was jugs upon jugs and had rappels much to my happiness. It was an enjoyable climb (although the desert wandering to the climb not so much). We set up rappels and I had the honor of going first and continually untangling the rope which got stuck on every chickenhead there was. I think I got more of a workout doing that than the climbing itself haha.

Monday, we went bouldering the Red Springs area. Blair sent his project (Monkey Wrench V7). Then we went up to Ultra Violet (V10). They worked the moves on it and I proudly hauled my butt a whole 4 inches off the ground! They kept working at it and I wandered off to go meditate. Then we hiked on over to the Tsunami boulder. I sent The Offering (V2) and worked the moves on Amazing Grace (V4) but didn't stick a big move to a crimp. Cough, cough: project. Blair and Aaron worked The Prayer (V5/6) and Aaron sent it and Blair is bound and determined to get it. So therefore, we must go back solely for my selfish purposes on getting Amazing Grace and for Blair to get The Prayer.

The Offering

Monday night it rained and today is a rest day. Feast your eyes on my posted photos :) I will be out abusing my tendons and skin again tomorrow! Oh, and Dane, still not jealous of you guys pulling on plastic :D

Red Rocks

What is up? So, many of you may guess this, but I'm in Red Rocks! And obviously I am loving it. Sunday was full of travelling (that's always an adventure) and Aaron got me from the Vegas airport. A hop and a skip and we were at the campground. We slept in the back of his truck and then the morning came. Let's just say it looked like a dream.

view from Kraft boulders. 

 Monday we climbed at Kraft and Gateway boulders. We warmed up on some 0s and 1s, I worked a 2/3 which doesn't really have a name. Blair and Aaron climbed Alexisizer and worked Timmy's Problem as I played on some 1 & 2s on a nearby boulder. Then we went to Gateway area. I tried Pork Chop (2/3) a few times but never made it to the top :(  Aaron and Blair worked Americana Exotica (V9) for awhile and then worked on The Abstraction (V8). After awhile we went to Monkey Bars and I worked the V2 Monkey Bars which I finally got after much heel-hooking and making a big throw. I would love to do that one again! They worked some V6s and V7/8 which was fun to watch them and a few others get on. All in all, it was a good day!

My men (Aaron and Blair) and I heading off to Kraft.

Tuesday, we went to Black Velvet Canyon area. We warmed up on a bunch of 1s on the Brown Warm Up Boulder. I attempted 2 V2s. I got some of the moves but didn't quite make it. Then we went to The Fountainhead (V9) that Blair and Aaron were projecting. A few attempts later, Aaron finished his project! Blair continued to work it for awhile. Then we went to American Gothic boulder where we all worked Gargoyle (3/4). I was able to pull on a few times, they got a few more moves but we decided to stop and go somewhere else. We went to the Twin Towers and I worked a V4. I think I went off route... and got scared but topped out! So that was fun!

Aaron on his way to sending his project (Fountainhead V9)

Blair projecting Fountainhead!

 Wednesday, we dropped Blair off at some boulders and Aaron and I went to do some trad! Aaron taught me about placements, top belay, building an anchor for top belay,  and a few other necessities. Then he lead Physical Graffiti (5.6/5.7) two pitch and I follow and cleaned. Then it was my turn to lead the first pitch! He racked me up, told me not to fall and die, and I was on my way. I placed a few nuts right away, I placed a cam, didn't like the placement, took it out, climbed a little higher and then placed it again, and kept going upward and placing pro. At the top, the wind started, some random people were yelling, I got out of my headspace, looked down (mistake because I was kind of running it out), took a few deep breaths, placed my last piece, and traversed over to the bolts to anchor in. It took me a bit to get everything in the proper position and then Aaron started the climb and cleaning my gear. After struggling with the rope for a bit, I finally got into the swing of top belaying. Once Aaron got to the anchors, he told me I did pretty well with placing gear (7/10!!), and then we got the rappel ready to got. We simul-rapped to the bottom, packed up, and hiked on out. Then we went to go find Blair who was working $500 (V8). Aaron and Blair worked it for awhile as I took pictures. Then we went over to The Chess Boulder and I tried Queen's Gambit and a V2/3. 

Aaron on  $500 (V8)

Blair making the big move on $500!

 And now it's Thursday, our rest day. Clearly I have internet access and phone service so I'm writing this up quickly! I'll add some photos quick, answer some texts, make a phone call, and then back away from society! Hope y'all are enjoying the stresses of 'real life' as I'm living the life!! And yes, this blog is pretty much about making Dane and Alex hate me a little bit more everyday while they are stuck in college ;)  Kidding, I miss y'all!

Live the Life You Love

Hello hello! 1028 miles over the course of 16 hours, I made it back to Elkhart Lake, WI. Yay! Oh jeez, where do I even start? How about the fact that last week it was colder in Wisconsin than Mars?! Or that it was 19F in Raleigh for a high?! Or that I didn't even hit bad traffic in Chicago?! Yeah, that's what I thought. I'll start from the top.

Look what book I found at Epic!! Never been so excited before!

 Alright, so after winter break, I had one more week in Raleigh. I worked my last three shifts at TRC, ate some delicious Nepali food, climbed until my fingers ached, and soaked in all my friends' "love" in my last days. So Monday, I went to work, ate some dinner super quick, raced out to TRC MV, climbed with Dane and Alex and whoever else showed up. Yay climbing! Tuesday, I went to work, ate some dinner super quick, raced out to TRC MV, climbed with Dane, Patrick, and Alex and whoever else showed up. Wednesday, I went to work, ate some dinner super quick, raced out to TRC NR, climbed with Dane, Manish, Alex, and whoever else showed up. Thursday, I ran errands, climbed at TRC NR, the power went out, children screamed, I chatted with the route setters, power came back on, crushed some boulders, said goodbye to my coworker Evan, and had a lovely dinner at Nepali Himalayan Cuisine in Cary with Alex, Dane, Kate, Geoff, Manish, Eric, and Patrick. 

Friday, early afternoon climbing session with Dane, Alex, and Eric, watched Harry Potter (?), ate some dinner super quick, raced out to TRC MV, climbed with Dane, Alex, Andi, Eric, Ryan, Olivia, and whoever else showed up. Alex and I then left for Charlotte. He had to coach the team kids on the ABS Divisional competition and I promised Miss Kelly I would go and cheer her on and all the other team kids. After a good night's sleep and sleeping through all 3 coaches getting up and making noise at 6am, a cup of coffee that slipped all over me, getting lost on the way to Inner Peaks, I made it to the comp. I'm going to try and remember everybody's name I went to support: Kelly, Dorrit, Ashley, McKenzie, Kai, Caleb, Hannah, Alisha, Henry, Mark, Josh, Charlie, Emma Grace, Alexa, Hollis, Jason, Paxton, Luke, Rowan, Teya... maybe that's all of them?? And dare I mention that Team TRC is Divisional Champions!!! That's my kiddos :)  Also, I want to send all my love and healing to McKenzie - I hope you heal quickly!! So that was my Saturday! Sunday, we packed my car (all thanks to Alex for playing tetris within the confines of the trunk) and watched Harry Potter. In the afternoon, we went to TRC NR for one last climb. I got to see all my climbers one last time. I got many hugs, I'll miss yous, come back soons, we must meet up and climb together soons, and even a 'behave yourself, Megan'!! Then Andi and Dane came over for pizza. Way too soon I was waking up and hopping into my car.

Alright, here comes the fun part. In 16 hours, I drove 1028 miles from Raleigh, NC to Elkhart Lake, WI. Here is one big perk for leaving at 4:30a EST: you miss morning rush hour :)  And the second perk (if you don't stop often or for very long), you only get caught in the beginning of rush hour in downtown Chicago! Yeah, that's right. I took I94 through downtown Chicago and didn't even have to fully stop my car. I rolled along at 2mph but never was at 0 :) Skill or luck? At 7:30 central time, I rolled into good old Elkhart Lake. I even managed to stay up until 10pm woohoo! This morning I went to Gma and Granddad's for breakfast! Then I emptied the contents of my car into the entryway (expecting a good reaction from mom when she came inside but DIDN'T). She forced me to move everything I own into the living room. Want a pic? Good, because I just took one.

Alright everyone. This is everything I own (besides a bin of clothes). Yup. Everything I own is right here in this picture. Well, besides my car that is. Everything....

So my plans for the rest of this week? Tomorrow, get breakfast again by Gma, go to walmart and pick up shipping supplies, sort my stuff into three piles, and take over the living room. Thursday I plan on reading a book all day long and causing trouble with the bro. Friday, get everything in boxes and ready to be shipped. Saturday, don't know, don't care. Sunday, get on that plane and be in Vegas by 10pm local time and start climbing to my heart's content. And now, a sappy little interlude for my climbing friends in NC:

Manish and I

You guys and gals know who you are. The ones that made my life here in Raleigh a great time of my life. When I first moved over 1000 miles away from everything I've ever known and loved and didn't know I single person, I was scared and lonely. Soon my labmate, Megan Sexton, and I started hanging out. When classes started, I began climbing at State's wall where I met Dane, Patrick and Kate. One day, Dane brought me to TRC and I was hooked on climbing. Shortly after I became a member and met new people every day. A few months later I started working at TRC and met even more amazing people. Members became familiar happy faces I looked forward to seeing. Climbing partners became extensions of myself and best of friends. When Dane or Alex or Patrick can be climbing and I could practically belay them with my eyes closed because I know exactly how they climb and like their slack. When Dane can tell me to "man up and just do it" and I just sign and do it. When two people can "peer pressure" me into doing I climb I think is stupid (and then actually really like it) and take my peer pressure right back. When it's okay to give slack when Dane says take. When it's okay to poke fun at Patrick because he is tall and can't give me short-person beta. When it's okay to tease Alex that his warm-ups are sometimes my projects. When Kate boulders halfway up the tall walls or forgets like 4 clips. On top of that, coworkers became my backbone when I was caught in a tornado, hurricane, and blizzard all at once. When they gave me unexpected hugs at exactly the right time. When they listened to my worries and joys. When they became my close friends. When I looked forward to work because it meant hanging with the coworkers. I love y'all sooooo much!!

Life in the Fast Lane

Hello hello! So I realize I haven't posted anything in awhile. That is likely because life took me in the fast lane for a bit. Let's see... from roommate drama to grad school disasters and everything in between, I've been in a tornado that is finally slowing down. Now I get the honors of trying to remember what all happened since my last blog post. That is always fun.

Every once in awhile, something catches my eye and I just have to stop and stare. 

Alright, so first things first. I am no longer a graduate student at North Carolina State University. I have decided that it is best for me to put that on pause and find a program better suited for my interests. After 18 months of grad school, I've come to realize that lab research is not meant for me. I cannot and will not sit inside 60+ hours a week doing the same thing every single day. Yes, I learned a lot but I also learned that labwork is not for me (which I kind of knew beforehand but was willing to give it a try). What gets my blood racing and my heart pumping out of my chest is working with plants in their natural environment. Yes, I get sunburned, stung by unknown insects, get pollen in my eyes, cut by leaves, hauling hefty bags of supplies around, things never go as planned, but I can't imagine doing anything but that. If I don't have dirt under my nails by the end of the day, that isn't a fulfilling day. So yes, go ahead a judge me for putting grad school on pause. But if you have not spent a day as a graduate student, please be nice in your judgement.

A sunset like this over a frozen lake makes me realize how lucky I was to have spent all that time in Madison, WI. But like everything good in this world, it comes to an end. So long farewell. May the future shine as bright as this.

So, that being said, there is something else going on. I have moved out of my apartment, am crashing at a friend's place for a bit, am moving my belongings back to Wisconsin, and then peacing out to go rock climbing for about 2 months. My TRC friends and family have heard me go on and on and on and on and on about this trip (which I'm super psyched for). I will be starting at Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, NV. That's about all I know for sure because the rest is still up in the air. I am most likely going to be going to Joshua Tree, Bishop, Yosemite, and maybe Zion? Yes, I'll take photos. Yes, I'll make my TRC friends jealous. Yes, I'll have the time of my life.

These pictures aren't showing the true beauty of the sky. It ranges from the faintest of blue to the color of jeans.

In the meantime, I'm looking for jobs in the Seattle area and applying to them. I'm also looking at tentative graduate programs for the future. I guess I'll see what happens. On the other hand, I had a wonderful winter break back in Wisco! I got to see all 3 sides of the family plus Aaron. On top of all of that, I get to make more life-altering decisions. But I better get back to application and resume fixing. Hopefully Aaron makes it safely to his destination, I get my shit done, I can play in the snow, and life will ease up on the stress. Oh and Happy New Year!