Losing Momentum

Back when we worked full time, getting to spend a day at the crag on a sunny Saturday was a treat. We would climb as hard as we could, and finish the day sore and exhausted.

Fast forward to now and our attitude is completely different. It turns out that when you have the opportunity to climb every day, the drive that encourages you not to waste your precious free time fades away and you end up taking a more leisurely pace.

Case in point: We visited six different climbing areas in North Carolina in the span of five days… and I only did three total climbs. They were either too wet, too windy, too cold, the bolts too far apart, or my finger hurt too much (despite splinting it in a straight position). Excuses aside, we have possibly had too much of good thing and are ready for a change of pace.

Stone Mountain is a beautiful 600 foot granite dome notorious for runouts. It’s not unusual to see only 1-3 bolts on a 150 foot climb, necessitating the Stone Mountain Running Belay.

John atop the only well protected climb at Stone Mountain.

When storm grade winds hit, John rigged up a system to block them while still allowing for enough ventilation to cook.

In fact, all the highlights of our last week – staying with friends, visiting Congaree National Park, playing paintball, and going to a trampoline park – have nothing to do with climbing.

Wading through the flooded boardwalks of Congaree National Park.

Just a few of the welts John receiving playing paintball

This winter should – hopefully – give us the opportunity to find a balance between climbing, working (consulting and personal projects), visiting friends, and other activities, so that climbing is still something we look forward to.