planetclimbing.org - entries tagged with category:the-climbing-life

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - More RockClimberGirl.com than you could ever want to read...

2010-07-01T16:05:00Z

As I neglect rockclimbergirl.com pending an upcoming redesign and relaunch (Wordpress, here I come, baby!) I've been getting my typing in, other ways... here are a few links to recent stuff I've done for sites other than rockclimbergirl.com...

Climbing Lessons, on The Clymb. I don't usually write for free anymore unless it's for my own blog, but when the folks at The Clymb asked me a very good question, I couldn't resist answering it. I kind of love this post, if I can be so self-indulgent.

Dave McAllister recently interviewed me for his blog, PumpFactoryRoad. Here's the interview, in which he managed to get more out of me than people usually do. Criminy.

Finally, a few weeks ago I resumed my Reader Blog at Climbing Magazine. Here's that little one, about my new found love of projecting.

Enjoy!

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - More RockClimberGirl.com than you could ever want to read…

2010-07-01T16:05:00Z

As I neglect rockclimbergirl.com pending an upcoming redesign and relaunch (WordPress, here I come, baby!) I’ve been getting my typing in, other ways… here are a few links to recent stuff I’ve done for sites other than rockclimbergirl.com…

Climbing Lessons, on The Clymb. I don’t usually write for free anymore unless it’s for my own blog, but when the folks at The Clymb asked me a very good question, I couldn’t resist answering it. I kind of love this post, if I can be so self-indulgent.

Dave McAllister recently interviewed me for his blog, PumpFactoryRoad. Here’s the interview, in which he managed to get more out of me than people usually do. Criminy.

Finally, a few weeks ago I resumed my Reader Blog at Climbing Magazine. Here’s that little one, about my new found love of projecting.

Enjoy!

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Rock climbing: the sexiest sport

2010-06-30T19:48:03Z

During my time on the road lately, I have been catching up on some reading. Continuing my quest for self-improvement reading that doesn't suck, I picked up a copy of "59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot" by Richard Wiseman.

It's a great little book... quick, specific strategies for living a more happy life.

When I got to the chapter on "Attraction," I was quite amused to find a study assessing the "attractiveness" of various sports and activities to members of the opposite sex.

Apparently, women find climbing attractive. Climbing is "the sexiest sport from a female perspective," according to the study, as reported in 59 Seconds. 57% of women find climbing "attractive" in members of the opposite sex.

Perhaps, such women don't actually have exposure to the reality of extended periods of time without showers, the wounds we all incur from jamming our way up and stumbling out way down, and the particular loneliness that can come with being in such a stark, intimate setting with another human being who doesn't seem to care much for you, other than as a weighted object that can hold a rope...

There are definitely unsexy times in climbing.

But, I digress...

According to the study:

"Women’s choices appear to reflect the type of psychological qualities that they find attractive – such as bravery and a willingness to take on challenges - whilst men are more shallow, looking for a woman who is physically fit but not challenging their ego by being overly strong."

In a bit more detail:

"The work involved over 6000 people indicating which sporting activities would make a member of the opposite sex more attractive. Results revealed that 57% of women found climbing attractive, making it the sexiest sport from a female perspective. This was closely followed by extreme sports (56%), football (52%), and hiking (51%). Bottom of their list came aerobics and golf, with just 9% and 13% of the vote respectively.

In contrast, men were most attracted to women into aerobics (70%), followed by yoga (65%), and going to the gym (64%). Bottom of their list came bodybuilding (5%), rugby (6%), and golf (18%)."

Poor golfers.

My next logical thought was... well, what do men think of the attractiveness of women who climb?

The author was kind enough to point me to the full study results, indicating that 41% of men find a woman more attractive because she climbs. That makes women who climb about as attractive to men as women who cycle (39%) and hike (41%).

I found that interesting. I've been privileged to spend a fair amount of time in the last few years around men who find big biceps and broad, strong backs attractive, at least when I'm among men who also climb.

On occasion, though, I find myself in settings with non-climbers. I've been asked, incredulously, while on a massage table or wearing a back-baring summer dress:

"What do you DO?!?!?!" ... where the sentence would logically be concluded with "to have such a beautiful, strong, back and arms?" but never actually was.

Or, there was the time that I found myself at a New Years party, chatting weight training with one of my guy friends. Another man interrupted our conversation and suggested something to the effect of "Honey... you don't need to weight train... you need to get on the cardio machines!"

My muscles make me feel slightly more testosterone charged than I felt as a non-climber... and we're both lucky that I restrained the flash of a thought of cocking back a fist and punching him in the nose.

Based on all of that, I'd developed the theory that there may be a very small percentage of men who are actually interested in dating climber girls, in reality.

I like the idea that 41% of men would say that climbing makes a woman more attractive to them. Despite the overall study finding that men prefer women who participate in activities that leads to physical fitness but not overall strength, 41% is a pretty substantial number of men who actually find a woman more attractive for being strong, than find strength unattractive.

When you're a broad backed, strong armed climber girl, those men can seem rare. It's nice to see a statistic that indicates that they may be out there.

I could go on all day... about whether the survey respondents have any idea what the reality of climbing is... about my own experiences... and about how the responses of actual climbers may vary (or, may be a red herring, because many of us daydream about finding a romantic partner who climbs, but the reality of a happy climbing romantic partnership has proven elusive for many).

Rock climbing IS sexy.

Strength is sexy... nature is sexy... beautiful places are sexy... and the mental calm that climbing requires (on its best days) is incredibly sexy. I didn't need a study to tell me that.

Most of us climber girls love our muscles. We may joke about our man backs, or how we look like manimals in our swimwear... but we also love and cherish our muscles and the strength that climbing brings us. It's reassuring to know that somewhere around 41% of men agree.

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Rock climbing: the sexiest sport

2010-06-28T22:12:00Z

During my time on the road lately, I have been catching up on some reading. Continuing my quest for self-improvement reading that doesn’t suck, I picked up a copy of “59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot” by Richard Wiseman.

It’s a great little book… quick, specific strategies for living a more happy life.

When I got to the chapter on “Attraction,” I was quite amused to find a study assessing the “attractiveness” of various sports and activities to members of the opposite sex.

Apparently, women find climbing attractive. Climbing is “the sexiest sport from a female perspective,” according to the study, as reported in 59 Seconds. 57% of women find climbing “attractive” in members of the opposite sex.

Perhaps, such women don’t actually have exposure to the reality of extended periods of time without showers, the wounds we all incur from jamming our way up and stumbling out way down, and the particular loneliness that can come with being in such a stark, intimate setting with another human being who doesn’t seem to care much for you, other than as a weighted object that can hold a rope…

There are definitely unsexy times in climbing.

But, I digress…

According to the study:

“Women’s choices appear to reflect the type of psychological qualities that they find attractive – such as bravery and a willingness to take on challenges – whilst men are more shallow, looking for a woman who is physically fit but not challenging their ego by being overly strong.”

In a bit more detail:

“The work involved over 6000 people indicating which sporting activities would make a member of the opposite sex more attractive. Results revealed that 57% of women found climbing attractive, making it the sexiest sport from a female perspective. This was closely followed by extreme sports (56%), football (52%), and hiking (51%). Bottom of their list came aerobics and golf, with just 9% and 13% of the vote respectively.

In contrast, men were most attracted to women into aerobics (70%), followed by yoga (65%), and going to the gym (64%). Bottom of their list came bodybuilding (5%), rugby (6%), and golf (18%).”

Poor golfers.

My next logical thought was… well, what do men think of the attractiveness of women who climb?

The author was kind enough to point me to the full study results, indicating that 41% of men find a woman more attractive because she climbs. That makes women who climb about as attractive to men as women who cycle (39%) and hike (41%).

I found that interesting. I’ve been privileged to spend a fair amount of time in the last few years around men who find big biceps and broad, strong backs attractive, at least when I’m among men who also climb.

On occasion, though, I find myself in settings with non-climbers. I’ve been asked, incredulously, while on a massage table or wearing a back-baring summer dress:

“What do you DO?!?!?!” … where the sentence would logically be concluded with “to have such a beautiful, strong, back and arms?” but never actually was.

Or, there was the time that I found myself at a New Years party, chatting weight training with one of my guy friends. Another man interrupted our conversation and suggested something to the effect of “Honey… you don’t need to weight train… you need to get on the cardio machines!”

My muscles make me feel slightly more testosterone charged than I felt as a non-climber… and we’re both lucky that I restrained the flash of a thought of cocking back a fist and punching him in the nose.

Based on all of that, I’d developed the theory that there may be a very small percentage of men who are actually interested in dating climber girls, in reality.

I like the idea that 41% of men would say that climbing makes a woman more attractive to them. Despite the overall study finding that men prefer women who participate in activities that leads to physical fitness but not overall strength, 41% is a pretty substantial number of men who actually find a woman more attractive for being strong, than find strength unattractive.

When you’re a broad backed, strong armed climber girl, those men can seem rare. It’s nice to see a statistic that indicates that they may be out there.

I could go on all day… about whether the survey respondents have any idea what the reality of climbing is… about my own experiences… and about how the responses of actual climbers may vary (or, may be a red herring, because many of us daydream about finding a romantic partner who climbs, but the reality of a happy climbing romantic partnership has proven elusive for many).

Rock climbing IS sexy.

Strength is sexy… nature is sexy… beautiful places are sexy… and the mental calm that climbing requires (on its best days) is incredibly sexy. I didn’t need a study to tell me that.

Most of us climber girls love our muscles. We may joke about our man backs, or how we look like manimals in our swimwear… but we also love and cherish our muscles and the strength that climbing brings us. It’s reassuring to know that somewhere around 41% of men agree.

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Rock Climbing, Periods and Peeing

2010-04-09T13:42:24Z

April fools!? you may be thinking...

But, nope. I'm actually going to hit post on this one. I kinda can't believe I am, because I've been in a "be more careful about what I say online" phase since last fall... but after another round of chats with girlfriends this week, I figured... hell. This is a climbing blog for girls, so why not actually talk about this stuff out loud. Not to mention, if I kick it off, you ladies can respond anonymously in the comments, and we may all just learn a thing or two.

Dudes... I swear to God... especially dudes I know... please, do me the favor of closing this page right now and coming back in a few days. You don't need to read, know, or see any of this.

For you girls who play outside, though... these are a few issues that I get asked about again and again, and here are my answers.

Periods

And no, I'm not talking about the dot at the end of this sentence. I get asked by camping / hiking / climbing / trekking women fairly regularly how I handle mine when I'm out for extended periods (ha) of time. It depends on the situation for me, but here are a few tricks that have come in handy over the years.

When I'm in an all day out scenario, but I have access to sanitary conditions, running water and soap in the mornings and evenings, I use a DivaCup. The DivaCup is made of latex-free, BPA-free plastic, and can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time (per the manufacturer). Being able to wash your hands well before and after inserting, and being able to wash your hands and the device before and after removing is critical, but once it's in, it's no muss, no fuss, easy. I like that the DivaCup generates less waste than other solutions, also.

Based on my conversations with friends, they're easier to insert and remove for some women than others. A trick for removal, if you can't quite reach the stem, is to squat and bear down... the little stem for removal can be slippery, but a little practice and you'll be a pro.

If the DivaCup isn't an option, or if you prefer a "disposable" product, you can try Instead Softcups, but personally they don't fit my anatomy.

If you're in conditions where handwashing isn't possible, then pack a little "period kit." Disposable gloves, tampons, pads, wet wipes and extra ziplocks come in handy. When a tampon change is necessary, don a glove or two depending on the situation, do your business, then the glove can be used for disposal... fill with the garbage and pack it out. In conditions where you can't get your hands really clean, that's the best solution I've found.

For backup, it depends on conditions for me. I find disposable pads / liners to not hold up to hiking and harness-wearing, although some do better than others. Natracare products are my first choice for disposables, since they wear better and don't irritate delicate skin zones as much as conventional pads and liners.

More durable are reusable, washable pads. Having tried a variety, my favorites are Lunapads. I find the Mini Pantyliner adequate backup or great for lighter days, way more durable for long days on the trail or in a harness, and way more skin friendly than conventional pads and liners. They do require washing, but they're relatively quick drying if you do need to wash them while you're out. I'd highly recommend the "pink poodle" print just because it makes me giggle.

Two more period thoughts. If you're on oral contraceptives, and your doctor's on board, consider continuous dosing (or, fewer withdrawal days than the typical 7 per pill pack). It's not an option for everyone, and there are risks, but cutting down the number of days a year you have to deal with all this can be pretty fantastic for those of us who play outside a lot.

Also, my first couple of years of climbing, I noticed that around PMS time, my climbing was strongly affected. It's almost like my survival instincts kicked up to 11. That impact on my climbing, for awhile, became my early-PMS-warning system. I felt weaker, less confident, and way more afraid for a few days a month. Somewhere along the line that changed... I don't experience that phenomenon anymore. But, I have girlfriends who do, big time, and I just wanted to mention it, since you're not crazy, and you're not alone. Whatever the cause, some days we're just a little bit more biologically girly than others... somedays, that's the kickass kind of girly, and somedays it's the snuggle in with a pint of Ben and Jerry's kind of girly.

With that so solidly covered, on to a few words about peeing.

Peeing

My dear friend Jenn Fields is the unofficial blog queen of pee funnels, so I'm not going to invade her turf. I'm not a pee funnel girl myself (sorry... Female Urination Device girl, or FUD girl, as manufacturers of such devices prefer), but during my expedition last fall I had to learn a new skill... using a pee bottle. A FUD comes in handy when you have to contend with layers and layers of clothes, but a good old wide mouthed plastic bottle (I'm fond of ones in yellow plastic, just so there's no confusion about what it's used for) will do in situations where you can drop trou. There's no real art to it, but I would recommend practice in non-mission-critical situations (e.g., the first time to try peeing in a bottle isn't when you're bivied with your beloved down sleeping bag since an oops could be HORRIBLE). Position the bottle accordingly, then leave a little bit of a gap for air to escape, then pee away.

Best case, you're on semi level ground and can lightly squat on the bottle while holding it with one hand to prevent tipping or spillage. Worst case, you're not, and you have to just be incredibly careful since this type of spill makes a typical party fowl look like child's play.

If you don't know where to put the bottle, then we have a bigger issue... but I'll leave that up to you and Topeka (I mean, Google).

OK, ladies... what have I missed? Embrace the wonder of technology that is anonymous blog commenting, and share your own tips and tricks, below!

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Going Places.

2010-03-10T07:04:19Z

It's been a strange winter, but I'm starting to come out from my hibernation. Only it hasn't been hibernation... it's been a strange experience in constant motion for the last few months... very little rest, a very lot of movement, and very little of any of it within as much of my own direction or control as I've become accustomed to. The short version might be, "Shit happens."

So, whatever I'd call it, here I am. I'm holed up for a couple of days in soft-water Spokane Valley, WA, in a kinda ok hotel. Work is full, and fun, and interesting, and really a dream come true kind of setup... I get to travel, meet new and interesting people who play outside, and talk a bit about gear, but mostly play outside and talk about playing outside.

There's a strange new learning, in this kind of worktravel blend. I hang the "do not disturb" sign like other professional travelers I've observed, so that the privacy of my chaotic little sanctuary away from home is the same when I return to it as when I leave it... a universal constant I take for granted at home. My systems for keeping organized are getting better. I'm trying to make more time for phone calls to friends and family (I'm failing miserably at that one, at the moment, but hopefully I'll improve). I'm getting better about eating well, and I'm determined to get better about exercising even while I'm on the road. I can feel myself slipping into expedition mode, where I have brief, meaningful interactions with strangers I may or may not ever see again, but whose time and words and smiles I value because I miss the human interaction normally delivered by my close friends and family.

Last week I set off for Nelson, BC for a ski event (which rocked, by the way) and a big stretch of the trip from Spokane through Metalline Falls, across the border and into Nelson was brand new to me. It was ground I'd never covered before, even though it's only a day's drive from home. I'm enjoying that part of my job... it won't always be new, but when it is, it's great. I have a bit of a dormant travel virus in me... last year's big trip was a flare-up, but since then, I've been in a bit of a recovery mode. Driving through new terrain in my home state made it flare up, just a bit.

I haven't been climbing much... partly, my personal life took over everything else there for a few weeks, and I'm still digging out a bit. Partly, I've been dealing with a nagging injury from last December, and my body finally issued a stop work order a few weeks ago that even I wasn't able to set aside. Some self-care has been in order, and is in order, for awhile to come.

My harness doesn't tighten down quite the way it should... my training dropped off entirely for a few necessary weeks. During that time, life was family -> work -> family -> work ... lather, rinse and repeat. It was a bit of a blessing in disguise, since the covalent bonds that connect me to the people I love and who love me back are ... not stronger, since they're always strong, but I've been reminded of them, and now's a good time for that, since my life is even a little less conventional right now than my normal level of unconventional.

As I move through this world so close to home but not home, I'm thinking a lot about friends who are getting ready to head to far flung places. This Everest season is unlike years past for me, where I was able to lightly follow the action from the comfort of my laptop and then watch the post-season documentaries with my climbing friends as a form of entertainment, this season is closer to home. I'm thinking positive thoughts of health, safety and success for each friend headed for the mountain -- the blessing bestowed upon me during my wander through the region last fall.

I'm looking forward to the next few days of work, and then to a few days closer to home, hopefully involving friends, family, and playing outside. And probably, a whole lot of salad and trail running. Next week, if plans hold, takes me down to Red Rock for the Red Rock Rendezvous, an event that will truly blur the line between work and play for me. I'm hoping for at least a bit of cragging while I'm there... I'm not in epic, long, trad-leading shape, at the moment, but I am excited about the prospect for getting in some bolt clipping in between work commitments while I'm there and seeing so many friends (and making so many new ones) all in one place.

If you've emailed / messaged / commented / etc and not gotten a response from me, I apologize. I usually manage to keep up, but just trust me when I say that the last few months have been unusual to a degree that I just wasn't able to respond to everything. I did / do read everything, though, and appreciate all the support and encouragement and concern and love, and look forward to life returning to a more normal level of abnormal, and being able to keep in touch better than I have been.

Take good care, and hopefully it won't be a month before my next post.

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Two years.

2009-12-29T21:41:09Z

Photo by Katie Trembley, view from the top of Solar Slab, Red Rock, NV

Well... this isn't the post I thought I'd be writing today... I had a few little gear reviews, and a "Wow, wasn't it a great year" post planned, just like everybody else at this time of year.

But, last night's long winded emails with my beloved pen pals turned into this morning's long winded emails with my beloved pen pals and at one point, I was typing away, and realized...

Today's not just nearly the end of 2009. Today has a significance for me beyond just being a day partway between Christmas and New Years. This day, two years ago, December 29, 2007, is the day that I discovered my self, for the very first time.

Nope... this isn't another year in review post, though I'll likely do one of those (probably, in pictures). And I'll warn you right now, this one's likely to be light on the climbing and heavy on the life, so I won't judge if you come back in a few days when it's back to pretty pictures of wild places and more stories of playing outside.

But, if you're so inclined, keep reading.

Two years and a day ago, I was "living the dream." Career, house, marriage, time with beloved friends and family, and more stability and security than I could have imagined. Never mind, that a few times a year I had a friend or colleague sit me down and say, "WHY are you so sad? It's not usual for someone your age to be so DOWN all the time." My climbing time was an escape... trips, and even weekends away, took me out of my daily existence, and gave me a little taste of my strength and independence, and of some fledgling happiness. By the time I had to turn toward home, each time, whether after three days or ten, at some point during the trip home I'd cry. At the time, I identified the feelings that triggered the tears as being connected to not wanting to go back to work... but really, I think now it was something deeper. Two years and a day ago, I was living a life that was not connected in any way to what I wanted, or needed, to be happy -- other than those periods of escape.

Two years ago, on December 29th, 2007, something happened. I was on a climbing trip in Red Rock, Nevada, and for the first time I can remember, I heard a voice inside my head telling me that the life I was living was not going to cut it. That I could no longer put others first, and that, at some point, I just might have to do something to take care of myself. That big changes were in store. It was a calm realization, despite its magnitude, and the consequences I feared might (and have) stemmed from that moment. There were no tears, there was no breakdown. Just a steady, calm listening to my inner voice, which somehow had always been drowned out, before.

The next year was full of big changes -- a move, a change in marital status, a new job -- and a number of smaller ones. I did a lot of work... on myself, at work, at the gym, in time spent with friends and professional service providers, and that work paid dividends in the form of a creeping sense of happiness. Increased self-esteem. A feeling of strength. Independence. Self-care. New friends, who quickly became old friends, and then quickly became family. Old friends, who continued to love and support me, even though I was evolving into a different person than they'd grown to love in the past.

I also did a lot of play. I spent more time than I ever have before outside, and that's continued right up until now. I've said this before... I do my best thinking when I'm outside, and my very best thinking when I'm high up on a multipitch climb, sitting on a belay ledge, feeling the world all around me as if I'm one big exposed nerve. I don't know what it is about being up high that helps open me up and helps me listen to the world and to myself more closely, with finer detail, but I'm thankful for the privilege.

And, somewhere along the line, I settled comfortably into this... the life I live now. This life is based on balancing care for others, with care for myself. This life is based on connecting with others, and maintaining connections with others, in a way that I think I could only have discovered by being "alone" and not distracted by the comforts and obligations of having a close partner in life. This life is a balance of work and play, although the line between the two is just blissfully blurred, at the moment. This life is about listening to my self, listening to my body, listening to the voices that point the way... because when I trust myself, and listen to myself, and follow my intuition, then it's a blessing when things work out. But, when things don't work out, at least I know how and why I wound up where I did -- and I can look back without regret, knowing that I did my best, and that's all I can ask of myself.

It's this life that's taken me to places I never would have imagined two years and a day ago. And, this life is what will lead me to places I can't imagine, even now.

None of this is because of climbing. I do think climbing may have sped up certain processes... in my first few years of climbing, I had to learn to trust myself, and to commit, and to make decisions, and to execute, and to accept and work with the consequences of my action or inaction. Once I'd learned those things in climbing, it would have been unnatural to not slowly apply them in the rest of my life. So maybe to say it's not because of climbing is too strong.

But aside from climbing, the life I live now is made possible by the love and support of my friends and family, and by the positive reinforcement I receive through my interactions with real live human beings out in the world. By living openly, and with the abundance that now is a natural state of being for me, I've gained a community of wonderful people who "Get" me, and with whom there's little to explain, and more to just appreciate.

I've gone from people expressing concern because of my sadness, to living a life where people ask me how it's possible to be so happy all the time. It's a remarkable change, and one that I can't help but savor and feel joyful about.

I talk and write a lot about being thankful, and grateful, and about feeling joy. I'm feeling all of those things, today. And, while I don't ordinarily open up quite this much in writing, today I felt inspired to do so. Thank you, for being a part of the last two years (or more). For following my adventures, and for being my inspiration, and for being inspired. Thank you for the coffee dates, the belays, the visits over dessert, the shared lessons, the advice, travel time, tent time, sofa-surfing and the time around the campfire. I have a vague sense memory of where I'd be, if it weren't for you. It wasn't bad... parts of that past life were very good, and certainly more stable in some ways than the life I live now. Despite that, I'm so incredibly full of gratitude to be where I am instead.

Here's wishing you a safe and happy new year, full of adventure and abundance of your own.

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - A climbergirl on skis

2009-12-22T02:05:40Z

For those of you who know how I've always felt about skiing -- terrified of the sport, and pretty sure that if I ever strapped skis to my feet I'd wind up perilously injured -- this might come as a surprise. For those of you who previously didn't know those feelings, it comes as a surprise in another way -- "What? Are you kidding? What do you MEAN you've never skied?"

No, I'm not kidding.

Thanks to a very nice instructor at Crystal Mountain, and Candace who came with me with the important side effect that I then couldn't chicken out, I tried skiing for the first time yesterday and neither died, nor perilously injured myself.

I chose Crystal over the other local mountains partly because I have friends who ski there regularly, and partly because when I compared the various resorts' "beginner packages" I felt Crystal's offered the best value. $180 gets you three days of lessons (one full day, two half days), rentals and lift tickets if you're a new skier, through their 1-2-3 package.

The short version? I had a blast.

The long version? I definitely think those of you who encouraged me to try skiing to increase my comfort while mountaineering were right.

The whole story?

Candace and I got up to the mountain in the morning, just in time for me to register for my class, pick up my rentals, and report to the "First Timers" signpost. I had two other classmates for the morning, and a very friendly and warm instructor. We got a feel for our skis, learned the basics of duck walking uphill and pizza-ing downhill, then talked through the chairlift basics and before I could chicken out we headed awkwardly for the chairlift.

The lift turned out to be less scary than I thought it would be, and I managed to de-lift without biffing. Sweet. We spent several runs building confidence in our pizza stances, basic turns, and I learned quickly that falling is a part of learning to ski, but it's not as bad as I thought. I went pretty quickly from not-sure-I'm-going-to-get-the-hang-of-this to smiling and beaming as I pizza'd down the slope in a series of easygoing turns. Holy crap... I was skiing.

I also enjoyed getting comfortable with how stopping works on skis. At first, I was completely uncomfortable with the lack of a sudden "brake" to stop myself, so resorted to wrecking to stop myself.

I wrecked. A lot. A LOT a lot. But what fun would it be to not push it at all? It was a refreshing change... wrecking, in most of the things I do in my free time, ranges from dangerous to deadly. I learned, quickly, that while there are dangerous and deadly wrecks in skiing, the average yard sale just isn't that bad. I did have one good wreck that resulted in a slightly twisted left knee and a good lump on my right knee. It's turning all sorts of pretty colors.

Anyway, after getting more comfortable and competent with stopping, I really started to have fun. When I got the hang of it all enough to stop thinking, and to just go with the flow, I had a blast.

The two hour morning lesson flew by, and after re-calorie-ing and hydrating at lunch, I met up with my instructor again for the three-hour afternoon lesson.

I wanted to build my confidence before taking on anything more serious, so we kept at the bunny slope... introducing "french fries" and tigher turns, and more speed... and more continuous skiing with better speed control rather than having to stop all the time. I tried a run or two with poles, but that had two drawbacks... one, I seriously couldn't figure out what to do with them... I think my instructor was trying to teach me "plant turns" or something, but I just wound up turning the same way I had been all day and dragging a pole behind me in the snow. Two, I kind of liked the "Watch out, I'm an out of control newbie" appearance that comes with not carrying poles.

All afternoon, my instructor had suggested that perhaps I'd like to try something other than the bunny hill... I was nervous, but I did feel confident with what I'd learned, and we talked through what to expect on the other run she had in mind, so we set off for a different beginner run.

After getting off the lift and going slowly down a slope that was quite a bit more steep than I felt ready for, we worked our way down through an easier section to what I can only describe, in my beginner eye, as a precipice. Well, not really. I guess, in fairness, it was a beautiful long slope, which was probably only slightly steeper than the steepest sections I'd done that day... but much longer. To my climber brain, the exposure was scary, and the risks too high given my relative inexperience.

My instructor was wonderful... she worked through about ten different strategies for trying to go down, before I finally melted down entirely and it became clear... I was not going down. She suggested that ski patrol could come up and bring me down, or, we could pop our skis off and hike back up to the chairlift for a ride down. There was no way short of broken bones that I was going down in a sled.

As soon as my skis were off, and my boots loosened, and my toes turned uphill, I was a happy, happy camper. I was out in the mountains, on a lovely rainy day, I'd learned a ton of stuff, I'd not broken myself, and I'd finally tried skiing. The hike up was fantastic... familiar, comfortable, and happy. Once back at the base, I got in one last bunny hill run to remind myself how much I'd learned, and it was just great.

If you're a fellow member of the "too scared to ski" club... find a good lesson, and get out there. I'm so glad I did, and I can't wait to give it a try again. Candace and I chatted through how to transition from the bunny hill to that big scary hill the next time I go up, and I've got a plan. I've got a whole big toolkit of ways to cope with a big scary hill, and all but two of them involve keeping my skis on. I'm excited to give it another try now that I have some ideas of how to prepare.

How have you been enjoying the snow, this winter?

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Pitiful

2009-12-14T03:25:34Z

I've been told that it's pitiful how infrequently I'm blogging right now... so here's a quick update.

I haven't blogged about Nepal more because I just, honestly, don't know what to say. Someday, I'll get around to "tactical" posts... where we stayed, what we ate, who we met, where we went, how we got there. But so far, I haven't been super inspired to write those. I usually write about climbing, here -- obviously -- and since I didn't actually climb in Nepal, there's nothing to say about climbing there. Instead, the trip, for me, was about things that I don't care to write about here -- and, frankly, which wouldn't be of interest to people reading a blog about rock climbing. As a result, I'm writing... but not here. Just for me, for once. Hopefully someday I'll have time to sit down and write those tactical posts... but not yet.

I also haven't been climbing as much as usual... I started a fantastic new job a few weeks ago, and have been full steam ahead on those commitments to get off to as good a start as possible. The upside: I am having a blast, and I am completely excited to go to work every single day. The downside: it's going to take me awhile to figure out a schedule that will let me train and climb as much as I want to, while still performing my job.

On the other hand, I got into the gym for only the second time since Thanksgiving on Friday... and I feel like I've turned a corner as a climber. Now... celebrating my fifth year of climbing, I seem to be able to take breaks without taking as many steps backward as I used to. When I return to the gym after a few weeks off now, I can tell that I've lost some endurance -- but I can climb at my typical training level without overdoing it. I'm pretty comfortable with being a moderate climber in terms of difficulty -- I'm just so happy to get to climb, that I'm also happy to not push difficulty too hard right now.

I had a great session down at Edgeworks in Tacoma today... my goal was to boulder until I couldn't boulder any more, and I did just that. I'm super tired... big muscle fatigue... which feels completely awesome. The vibe at Edgeworks was fantastic... very friendly people, great routesetting, and holds that were new to me, so the field trip was well worth it.

Otherwise, I've mixed in an irregular yoga practice at Samudra Yoga and Dharma Yoga here in Bremerton... I go when I can, which means I've been twice in about a month. The yoga just FEELS good... it feels good for my body, and it feels good for the rest of me, too. Being in a space with a singing bowl, and the word "Namaste," and breathing, is about the closest I can get to Nepal without packing my passport. Yoga is bringing up all sorts of wacky feelings and emotions for me... it's not easy, but it feels valuable to me both as a climber, and for me outside of climbing.

So, that's the pitiful update. I'm -- for the first time in years -- considering not taking a trip in December, and instead staying home to deal with some "real life" stuff that has to get ... well ... dealt with. I'm not terribly good at passing on climbing invitations, though, and I have a few possibilities, so we'll see.

How about you? What's going on in your non-pitiful climbing life? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - Dry tooling, new job, and where are you eating turkey or Tofurky on Thursday?

2009-11-24T03:58:41Z

So, my Nepal post plans have fizzled for the moment... re-entry continued to be a challenge, and I decided to try to immerse myself in the present for a bit to see if that helped give me perspective on the trip, and whether it might help with the adjustment back home. I think it did, mostly... so one of these days, I'll start writing. Just not yet.

In the meantime, I've started my excellent new gig with Waypoint Outdoor as a Field Service Rep, and I'm having a great time getting settled in there (or, as settled as you get when "Field" and "Service" are in your job title).

I have been climbing strong in the gym... not quite at my personal best, but better, happier and with more confidence and increased bold than before my trip. I feel strong, which feels really good. I also invited myself along with some friends going dry tooling at Squak Mountain this weekend (that's new #kickassgirl friend Genevieve in the photo at the top of the post) and had an awesome time.

Seriously, dry tooling in pouring rain with temps in the 40s felt like about the single most bad ass thing I've ever done outside. I'm super sore today, and getting more sore as the day goes on... it was a workout even on toprope. The pictures didn't turn out fantastically since -- obviously -- conditions were wet and super muddy. But, a few are up on Facebook just because it was too funny and fun not to memorialize. Highlights...

First, out of five initial RSVPs "Yes," four of us actually showed up. In my experience, that's unheard of even when it's sunny and 65 degrees.

Second, I completely enjoyed the technical nature of dry tooling compared to regular climbing... I learned early on that my movement had to be very deliberate, my axe placements incredibly careful, and that balance was a key. It was fun to get to work on different skills than just pulling hard -- by halfway up each pitch, my core was worked from how much balance and care was required in my movements.

Third, at one point while I was climbing, I'd worked my way through the crux up onto a muddy ledge near the top of the pitch. Dan, on belay, called up

"I can lower you from there!"

I yelled down,

"WHY?!?!?!?"

Jeremy laughed, and I kept climbing. I mean, seriously -- this time of year, I'm not going to pass up even six feet of mud climbing, if it's outside, and it's climbing, then it's precious.

Anyway... tonight I'm pining for Nepal, so I'm going to go exercise a little self-care and have a good dinner (I'm STILL harvesting potatoes from my backyard stash... awesomeness) and get some rest. Looks like plans are holding to get out of dodge for turkey day, so then I'll be even more behind on trip reports.

Where are you headed, this upcoming play-outside ... I mean ... holiday weekend?

Rock Climber Girl - blogging by Sara, a pacific northwest woman who rock climbs - WTF, Nepal?!

2009-09-25T00:55:16Z

So, for those of with whom I'm not connected on Twitter or Facebook, a little bit of news...

I'm leaving for Nepal in approximately twelve -- yes, twelve -- days, to support the Expedition Hanesbrand climbing team.

Since the news actually broke on Tuesday, I've gotten a deluge of support from my friends and family, and a puzzled comment or two from folks who don't know me as well.

Here, the short version of the whole story of how my imminent departure came to be, and what you can expect during my trip.

It all started on Twitter.
I'm not kidding. It did.

Early this year, a woman named Elizabeth Castro and I connected via Twitter. We chatted outdoors stuff a bit, then in April, when she was planning a speaking tour for a Canadian mountaineer, she asked if I'd help spread the word about his Seattle stop. I'm asked to do this frequently about climbing events, but I can only attend a small fraction. I didn't plan to go to this one, but at the last minute (literally) I decided... aw, I could use a mountain story and some pretty pictures today... so I went.

I met Elizabeth and Jamie Clark, a Calgary-based climber, at my alma mater, Seattle University. We had a nice chat before the event, and then I settled in for Jamie's talk. What he does is very different than what I do -- I climb big and little rocks, and he climbs big mountains. But as he talked, his story of "failures" and "successes" resonated with me, as did the little details of his life as a climber. I was struck by how much we have in common as "mountain people," and really enjoyed the evening.

Jamie and Elizabeth and I all kept in touch via Twitter and email, and after a couple of months, my phone rang and it was Jamie.

"I have a crazy idea..." Jamie started... and he asked if I'd be interested in participating in the project in some way. I didn't hesitate, and responded, "There's no way I could say no."

Jamie started to explain his thinking, I interrupted him to say something like "Oh - no - you don't have to convince me ... ultimately, you're going to come to your senses and find someone more qualified ... but until you tell me I'm not needed, I'm in."

And, that's how we proceeded. Through a visit to Winston-Salem earlier this summer where I got a preview of the project, to meet the team at Hanesbrands, during which I learned some of the finer points of North Carolina culture ("Bless yer heart" doesn't mean what you think it means). Through a summer of dividing my training time between rock climbing and conditioning for mountaineering, JUST IN CASE he didn't come to his senses. There was the acquisition of a small mountain of climbing gear, and the scheduling of basic mountain skills training. There was replacing my lost passport, and starting travel immunizations, and phone call after email after phone call with Jamie and Sheila in his office, and Elizabeth and her staff. And then, this week, the slip during the press conference that announced the project, that I'd be one of the climbers on a R&D and training trip taking place this fall to Pumori.

At this point, we're about twelve days from the date of departure, and I just chatted with Jamie the other night... nobody seems to be coming to their senses.

I'm going to Nepal.

Why?
A part of this project is a contest, called Climb Everest With Us where a lucky winner will receive $10,000 to help pursue their answer to the question: "What's YOUR Everest." This fall trip is also a practice run for Jamie's return to Everest next spring.

Hardened climbers and those who have seen sponsored Himalayan expeditions in the past will have their take on all of this, but the way I see it is that mountains do still have the power to inspire. If, in some little way, I can learn and grow through participating with Jamie and his team, and inspire others to get out there and play outside, then this is all time incredibly well spent.

You don't have to be planning to climb Everest to play outside. I like that the brands behind this project are accessible to "normal people," not just people who think of REI as a home away from home.

But seriously - what are you going to be doing over there?
From Jamie and the project's point of view, I have skills to offer -- I'll be writing and communicating on behalf of the climbing team while we're in Nepal, as well as hopefully assisting the team's photographer a bit (since I'm super excited about the opportunity to do some serious learning in that regard).

And, to borrow a comment and my answer from my blog, earlier today:

Do you really think you are ready for the Himalayan mountains after one trip to BC? And a training trip at that.

I think I'm ready to trek to Pumori basecamp with the group that I'm traveling with, yes (at least, once I get my flipping trekking shoe issues worked out, but that's another story). I've spoken with a number of folks who've been to Pumori, some of whom have climbed on Pumori, and I have felt encouraged by their stories of the trek to basecamp.

I don't have any illusions about my mountaineering skill or lack thereof, once we're actually on the mountain. Neither does the team I'm traveling with.

I'm not going to Pumori with a specific climbing goal; I'm going to learn from, and to support an incredibly generous team of climbers that does have the experience and skills to climb in the Himalayas. I'm very much looking forward to the trek to basecamp, and to supporting the climbing team to the degree I'm able.

I'm excited to travel with this wonderful group of people who I've come to know over the last several months, and am looking forward to seeing a part of the world I've only ever read about in books (lots, and lots of books) and seen in pictures. I hope that I'm able to help bring the trip's story home. And, if my participation happens to help another girl decide to sign up for Mountain school (or, an intro to climbing class, or to try interval training (my secret weapon -- more on that in an upcoming "training" post)) then sweet. But aside from all that...

How could I say no?