Sunday, December 19, 2010
Rock Climbing, Nature, and Beatiful BC
Rock climbing has really been one of the most enjoyable activities I have ever pursued and is also one of the few activities that I have put substantial effort into mastering (although I realized quite early on that it would take a lifetime of hard climbing and training to accomplish such a feat).
The first time I experienced rock wall climbing was in Squamish BC during the summer of 2009 with my sister Lydia, a yogi and rock climber herself. As I stood by the completely vertical face of sharp jagged rock, I felt fairly confident that I would easily reach the top. To my chagrin, I was physically exhausted within minutes of starting the climb and had barley made any progress up the face of the wall. Arms throbbing, I asked to be lowered to the ground. Disappointed but at the same time thrilled at the challenge, I was instantly hooked.
I immediately acquired a membership to the local gym and would climb quite regularly there, meeting people who were also as excited as I am about rock climbing. As I climbed more outdoors, often by myself among large boulders out in the woods, I began to realize why I loved climbing. For some people rock climbing acts as a medium through which they can express themselves, others enjoy the pure physical nature and technical difficulty of the climb, many individuals take pleasure in adventuring and travelling to new areas to climb, also the entire process of meeting new people and adventuring is also alluring for many climbers. For me it is really a combination of all of these and the simple existence of being out in the natural environment away from the technological and fast paced world of today. When a substantial part of my day has been spent in front of a computer screen or television, getting out to climb is literally a breath of fresh air.
The summer of 2010 was the first summer where I had my own climbing gear for sport climbing. Although I was not able to go to very many places, my friend Ashley and me (also coming along at times my sister Christianne) explored some areas we had never been to before and even got lost in the process once or twice, which was fun and frustrating at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed the times we were able to go outside to climb and encourage others to try out this great activity.
The first time I experienced rock wall climbing was in Squamish BC during the summer of 2009 with my sister Lydia, a yogi and rock climber herself. As I stood by the completely vertical face of sharp jagged rock, I felt fairly confident that I would easily reach the top. To my chagrin, I was physically exhausted within minutes of starting the climb and had barley made any progress up the face of the wall. Arms throbbing, I asked to be lowered to the ground. Disappointed but at the same time thrilled at the challenge, I was instantly hooked.
I immediately acquired a membership to the local gym and would climb quite regularly there, meeting people who were also as excited as I am about rock climbing. As I climbed more outdoors, often by myself among large boulders out in the woods, I began to realize why I loved climbing. For some people rock climbing acts as a medium through which they can express themselves, others enjoy the pure physical nature and technical difficulty of the climb, many individuals take pleasure in adventuring and travelling to new areas to climb, also the entire process of meeting new people and adventuring is also alluring for many climbers. For me it is really a combination of all of these and the simple existence of being out in the natural environment away from the technological and fast paced world of today. When a substantial part of my day has been spent in front of a computer screen or television, getting out to climb is literally a breath of fresh air.
The summer of 2010 was the first summer where I had my own climbing gear for sport climbing. Although I was not able to go to very many places, my friend Ashley and me (also coming along at times my sister Christianne) explored some areas we had never been to before and even got lost in the process once or twice, which was fun and frustrating at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed the times we were able to go outside to climb and encourage others to try out this great activity.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Adventure
My sister's boyfriend is a professional rock climber. In his latest blog post he talks about being free and having a sense of adventure. One of his statemtents that made me laugh and smile was:
"But I think I know you, and you want the same as I want, more than money, and stuff, we want to feel free and alive. Freedom to roam, freedom to play, freedom to choose. And once I finish this stale cup of 2 dollar java, I’m going out to the gas pumps and I’ll put 35 bucks of guiding wages into the precious vessel which will carry me there. Anywhere. And that’s the freest place I can think of."
His latest blog post (check it out! http://sonnietrotter.com/roadlife/) reminded me that just a week ago I was driving back home while peering out my window looking for rocks to climb (as I always do) and I stopped by a little known crag near Cache Creek and solo climbed up a 35 foot near vertical 5.8 without a rope for fun and adventure, then I ended hiking up... up, and up and up to the very top of this little mountain in my climbing shoes. It was funny, I couldn't stop hiking, I simply had an undeniable urge to climb to the top of this peak and explore the rocks in the area. I also felt that I had to get the best view possible even though I knew my feet were going to pay the price for being squished in my tiny climbing shoes. Every once in a while I would take a look at the view behind me, feel the wind in my face, see cars in the distance on the highway, and let the sun engulf me and my surroundings. I felt alive and free, just like the feeling Sonnie is talking about. When I got to the top I felt accomplished and happy. I made the most out of driving back home, what could have been a boring trip turned out to be a highlight of my week all because I had a sense for adventure.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Hello
I'm starting this blog and I'm thinking: Where do I start? Why am I interested in the blogging community? Do I really want to spend more time in front of a computer screen instead of the real world? As psychologist Oliver James states, are the fundamentals of blogging really “loneliness and narcissism and the need for contact with others?"
Well to start off there are a lot of thoughts I would like to write about, for myself and others who are interested. I'm not writing to gain some kind of status in the online or real world. I'm writing because I believe that reflection is rewarding and fundamental to growth and development, and maybe my writing will inspire others. I hope to talk about my experiences as a nurse and maybe shed a light on the profession of nursing. I also want to hear what other people have to say; I'm looking for motivation and inspiration to make change in the world. However corny that sounds I've always wanted to make a difference in peoples lives for the better.
So here's to the beginning of wherever blogging takes me and millions of others.
Well to start off there are a lot of thoughts I would like to write about, for myself and others who are interested. I'm not writing to gain some kind of status in the online or real world. I'm writing because I believe that reflection is rewarding and fundamental to growth and development, and maybe my writing will inspire others. I hope to talk about my experiences as a nurse and maybe shed a light on the profession of nursing. I also want to hear what other people have to say; I'm looking for motivation and inspiration to make change in the world. However corny that sounds I've always wanted to make a difference in peoples lives for the better.
So here's to the beginning of wherever blogging takes me and millions of others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)