Climbing

Climbing Log

Aleya bouldering in Utah

I enjoy the technical aspect of learning to use ropes and gear, the athleticism and grace required to complete a climb, and the spectacular view from the top. I've heard it said that climbers come in two kinds: The "Runs with scissors" type and the "Nerd with a loud inner voice" type. I definitely fall into the later category. Climbing has become my escape from myself, all the while bringing me more in touch with my limits and frailty.

Here is a running list of my outdoor accomplishments:

Blogs of Note:

November 12-15, 2010

Joshua Tree, CA

My first time in JTree! Amazing tweetup and climbing with amazing folks. Lead at Atlantis wall, and followed Patrick on the Horseman.

November 6-7, 2010

The Gunks, New Paltz, NY

This is the only pic I have from this weekend since I dropped my camera off the edge of a cliff in the dark. It was a great trip though, lead Rhodedendron and Easy V again. Met Laurel and AJ and Dave.

October 9, 2010

Seneca Rocks, WV

My first Trad Lead at Seneca! I placed a grand total of 3 pieces on the first pitch of Old Man's, then followed George up the rest of the way.

September 24-26, 2010

Nor'Easter Fest, Rumney, Rainbow Slabs, NH

Eastern Mountain Sports' Nor'Easter Music/Climbing festival in NH. Bushwacked through to Rainbow Slabs, climbed at Rumney as well.

September 4, 2010

The Gunks, New Paltz, NY

My first Trad Lead EVAR!!! I lead Easy V on Arrow wall, after having the crap scared out of me on High Exposure.

August 21, 2010

Mt. Washington, NH

Summitted! After 10 hours. I'm actually faster hiking up hill than down. Patrick and I ended up hiking out in the dark, making things even slower. Next time we take the bus down.

August 15, 2010

The Gunks, New Paltz, NY

I know this trip happened... not sure if I have pics or not.

August 9, 2010

Devils Tower, WY

Followed Patrick and Bill up the Durrance Route (5.7) on Devils Tower. Took 12 hours total, lost time due to thunderstorm and rope eating cracks. I fell asleep on the belay ledge the size of Canada. Awesome day.

August 6, 2010

Flatirons - Boulder, CO

Followed Patrick up the Matron in the Flatirons. Approach took 2 hours. Lots of poison ivy and scree scrambles. First two pitches are well protected, third is a smooth 5.2 with NO gear. Sat at the top for a long time enjoying the view.

July 4 -5 2010

Seneca Rocks, WV

Holiday weekend trip to Seneca with George, John, Phil and Patrick. Day 1 we did a mostly bolted 5.9 by accident, day 2 did Con's West with the direct, kind of scary finish.

January 8 - 10 2010

Lake Placid, NY

EMS 3 Day Accelerated Mountaineering Course. The most hard core and badass weekend ever. I loved it. I was cold, I was hot, I wanted to die, but when I reached the top of Algonquin it was all worth it. We learned ice climbing, mountaineering techniques, and safety precautions.

October 11,
2009

Seneca Rocks, WV

This trip was to celebrate Mike's birthday. George, Mike, Katie and I drove in Saturday night, camped over and climbed all day Sunday. George and I started on Skyline Traverse (scary!) and ended up at Windy Corner. Beautiful day!

September 29, 2009

Seneca Rocks, WV

Went on a whim on a Tuesday with Matt from Earth Treks. Matt lead Le Gourmet and I followed. The day started off cold and blustery and ended up wet and blustery. We rapped down around 3pm and mad it back to DC by dinner!

September 13
2009

Stinson Beach, California

Bouldering! I went to San Francisco for work and met up with three awesome chicks from Climb Find. We all went to Stinson Beach, north of SF, and spent the day bouldering next to the Pacific Ocean. It was cool and damp and raining by the time we left, but it was an amazing day. We worked on Old Man and Old Woman boulders mostly, finding the good V0-V4's. Did a V0 R/X as a warm up (eek!) and left on a high note after making progress on a chalky V4.

Click Me

September 5-7 2009

Linville Gorge, North Carolina

FAIL! Fail. We got lost hiking to the crag and decided to go back home and play in the water instead. The next day I sprained my ankle on the FIRST MOVE. I give up. Well, not really...

July 25
2009

Summersville Lake, WV

FIRST SPORT LEAD!!!

Eric and I made this trip rather last minute. We camped in a super sketchy location near the New River Gorge and drove to the lake in the morning. We made the approach and set up on Hippie Dreams (5.7). After practicing a few times I lead my first sport route. We climbed a few others before heading to the lake to swim, including Jeff's Bunny Hop and Sniff the Drill (both 5.8)

Elation after first lead

June 27-28
2009

Seneca Rocks, WV

First time trad climbing!
Went with George and did Conn's West (5.5) the first day and the first pitch of Skyline traverse the second day. Sat on the summit, wrote in the log, had a small panic attack while looking down... the usual stuff. The south summit is the only summit east of the Mississippi requiring technical climbing to reach.

At the South Summit

Various trips in
2009

Carderrock, MD

Local Crag!

Carderrock is a dearly loved local climbing area. Eric and I visited a few times the summer of 2009. The area is worn smooth from all the love and years of use, making it home to the hardest 5.8's in the world (in my opinion).

Belaying at Carderrock, July 2009

May 22-30
2009

Big Bend, Moab, Utah

This was more of a hiking trip. My brother James and I decided it was time for an adventure so we drove from DC to Utah to see Arches National Park and a few other sights. We brought the climbing shoes and a crash pad just in case... We found big bend and this gorge only accessible through a culvert. Love sandstone...

Bouldering at Big Bend

April 17
2009

New River Gorge, WV

Climbing trip with George, Mike, and three others. We camped at Mike's employer's cabin and climbed around "The Brain" the next day. Mostly 5.9 and 5.10. Difficult but do-able with a patient enough belayer. George lead a 5.9 sport and took his first real fall. Mike's friends ate mystery veggies out of a glass jar... Good trip :)

Climbing near the Brain

February 13-15
2009

Lake Placid, NY

Some girls get flowers...

I get taken Ice Climbing. My first time on ice - The trip was lead by George. Sara, Christine, Chris, Julie and I were all there. We slept in one hotel room, stocked up on hand warmers and carbs, and set off across Chapel Pond to climb Positive Reinforcement and Quin the Eskimo.

Aaahhhhh!!

September 20
2009

Harrisonburg, Va

Astronomer's beginner climbing trip. Also first time climbing with George. We did a climb called "Chickadee Corner" (5.4), and a crack called "Doublecrack" (5.5). If you only use the right crack, then the climb is called "Epileptics Only" (5.6)

At the top