Rock & Sky: A blog about a bunch of stuff.

 
You hear that word over and over in climbing. “Yo bra! You just gotta commit to that move!” or “That 14 pitch 5.11 trad climb in Canada is super committing.” If you climb, you know that feeling, that moment - when you HAVE to commit. If you don’t, you fail.
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I love road trips...

I've written about long road trips before. This past year I've taken five 14 hour or more road trips. There is something about hitting the road, especially alone, that clears my head and makes room for all kinds of possibility. 

I am blessed to have to drive down to Prescott, AZ twice a semester for grad school colloquium. The trip is usually great, but this last one was particularly amazing...
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Good Bye 2011 12/31/2011
 
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Summit of the Grand
I thought this is an appropriate title for this post, since last year was "Hello 2011." I've said good bye to many things this year - comfort, security, people and my idea of "normal." Good Bye seems fitting. 

This post is a bit more serious than the last yearly reflection. It might just be the place I'm in at the moment, but I hope that my look inward helps you do the same in a way that goes beyond trite resolutions and into the kind of person you want to become. 

My goal for 2011 was to learn balance. Instead I ended up throwing myself farther over the edge of what I thought was possible, pushed my limits and learned more about myself in one year than I have in the last 5. Lets see what this year taught me. 
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Gratitude 12/14/2011
 
I haven't posted anything in over a month. In the two years Rock and Sky has been live, I have never gone that long without posting. As I was explaining to a friend today, when I write, it's like I'm giving out a piece of myself. There is no such thing as "just a post" for me, not really. Each thing I write takes effort, has emotion and inspiration. When I write, it's my gift. But what happens when you just don't have anything to give any more?
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If you know me personally, you know that I am loyal to a fault and constantly hand out the benefit of the doubt. I'm more like a 10 strikes and you're out person, rather than three. That's why I'm a bit hesitant to write this post. The intent isn't to bash anyone, but to post an experience that I hope will be a lesson learned for some people. 

So here it is: How my 15 minutes of fame came and went without me knowing. 
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1,300 Spectators at the World Cup in Boulder
That. Was. Incredible!!

And also the first official climbing competition I've been to.  As a volunteer and spectator, I got to see all of the work and effort leading up to the showy and brightly colored finals round. Climbers and crew alike worked to create tonight's final event, and it was awesome. 
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Angela Eiter
It's been a busy day at Movement. The weather is great, and the crowd is growing. The finals lists were just posted outside the gym. Here is who will be competing tonight:

Men:
1. Sachi Amma
2. Ramon Puigbianaque
3. Sean McColl
4. Jakob Schubert
5. Jork Verhoeven
6. Romain Desgranges
7. Manuell Romain
8. Matty Hong

Women:
1. Johanna Ernst
1. Mina Markovic
3. Momoka Oda
4. Charlotte Durif
4. Maja Vidmar 
6. Angela Eiter
7. Sasha Digiulian
8. Akiyo Noguchi 
 
And a quick look at the rules: http://ow.ly/6S0wg 
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Qualifiers are done! 

The unusually grey and rainy day here in Boulder did nothing to curb the action indoors. It did, however, make sitting outside in a tent suck. 

Here are the results.
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THIS weekend the World Cup Lead Climbing Competition comes to Boulder, the first Lead comp in the us since 1991. I scored the sweet gig of volunteering for the American Alpine Club in their sponsor tent, so I'll be up close and personal with all the action. I'll be posting pictures and video of the events this weekend, but in the mean time, here is a little info about the competition. 
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