carolyn

so I was bouldering today along a railroad track, a fair amount of glass is in the area. I think I stepped on a piece and now I have a hole almost the diameter of a pencil in one of my shoes. It doesnt look like its going completely thru (close, tho). It is starting to rip away and the potential for a larger hole seems inevitable. Im thinking it would be helpful to glue the flap down. Any particular glue which wont eat away at the rubber? Rubber cement? gosh darn it! These shoes are becoming more high maintenance than my damn ice tools! Im truley understanding the importance of having a second pair. Hurry up pay day!!!!!!

Agree! Makes me smile. I recently had a father and 3? 4? yr old girl walking by as I was setting up some anchors. Dad eventually walked away, expecting her to follow behind. By the time he realized she was missing I had her dressed up in my helmet and a mini-sized rack hanging from her shoulders. She was ready to go! One of the best (so far, which I have already shared a while back)...sitting on top of a climb with two guys, just about to rappel. A family is above us asking questions (but never really waiting for the answer), when one of the youngsters asks, "but how is the girl going to get down?" His parents werent too thrilled when I said I would jump and asked if he wanted to watch.

Im up for a little chitter chatter, if anyone else is

Just curious, Greg_W... is that true, even with a CWP? It would seem logical to prohibit weaponry in a drinking establishment, but I just don't know what the limits are on a CWP. Your response appreciated. CWP or no, the RCW prevents guns in bars. To me, this is a bullshit move to restrict carry, but whatever. I obey the laws. The law in MN just changed where you are free to carry guns in public places. The bar i work in took down their signs prohibiting guns on the premises. Yet last night serving drinks in bottles was not allowed (per request of the band). Guess the band prefered being shot than getting mauled with glass bottles. Cant wait for the IceT And bodycount show.

THe alcohol prep pads from my first aid kit and a bit of sand paper did wonders for my shoes (and my climbing) today. Thanks again. Oldclimber...Im going to keep your idea in mind. Im sure they are going to need plenty of maintenance until I can afford a new pair. I actually live in s mpls...probly not far from where you grew up. Give me a holler if your ever out this way again. The N.shore is amazing, eh?!

alchohol?! Brillliant! I rubbed some of my beer into them last night. Should do the trick, eh? Just kidding. I will try one or the other before I climb today. I might skip dru's idea, though

I have a pair of mythos and They just dont stick like they used to. In fact, no matter how often I wipe the dirt off or rub them together they still slide out from me more often then they used to. Yes, I know my footwork probly isnt anywhere near perfect. The shoes honestly dont seem to perform as well as they used to. They arent ready for a resole quite yet. Im hoping to make it through the season, or at least until I can afford a secondary shoe. Someone mentioned taking light sandpaper to them. Is this a stupid idea? Or could it help solve the problem short term? Any other suggestions?

ya, ya, ya, I know dru. Now how do I kill this damn cricket?!?!?!

Depends One beer down, five more to go... Ive already come to the conclusion Im never gonna get the cricket. My cat is being no help, as she lounges on the couch.

Work started out kind of wierd yesterday for a number of reasons. In the evening I pitched my tent under a beautiful full moon along with a group of 6 kids who have add/adhd and a few other staff. After the kids went to bed (or into their tents at least), I went back to the office to finish up some odds and ends. I returned around 12:30am. Of course a few of the kids were still awake. Typical. Eventually start falling asleep around 1:30/2am. In the distance I hear the noise of an animal, but couldnt quite comprehend what it was. Suddenly I hear one of the girls yell out, "WHATS THAT?!?!?" I open my eyes (head at the door of my tent) to two shiny eyes staring right at me...."What the fuck?!?!" "Get outta here!" It then proceeds to the girls tent and tries to work its way under. I clap my hands and yell. It runs. Now I can go back to bed. Of course the noise is off in the distance again. One of the girls says it sounds cute...like a cat purring. Ack! I just want to sleep. Cant sleep. I know its going to come back. Kids are awake, all excited and full of giggles. Noise gets louder...louder...LOUDER! Sounds like its flying over us, running around us...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I tell em to stay in their tents as I get out of mine to see what the commotion is. Baby raccoon, not nearly the size of my cat. It tries running up a tree, makes it about two feet, slides down. Tries to fit into a hole next to the tree, screeching at the top of its lungs....dodges past me, around some tents...and meets up with its Posse. Not just one...not just two..but five fricken' brotha's/sista's. They surrounded us as we tried to get the group up and out to another location. Often times, trying to run towards us. Geezus! All the while, a number of the kids antagonizing them in hopes they will get to touch one. We eventually move to another location w/o injury . Mosquitoes are horrendous. I toss, I turn. I give up on sleep. I decide to go for a walk and have a smoke. I came accross a buck on the other side of a fence. We have a stare down and suddenly it lets out a gigantic growl/hiss, turns toward me and BAM!!!!!!!!!! Smacks into the fence. It runs away unharmed (or so I hope). At the same time jack the rabbit and his friends are out hopping around me.....off in the distance I spot a fox lounging in the grass. It was like 'disneyland in hell'!!!! Its now been nearly 36 hrs with maybe an hour or so nap. I was stoked to pass out as soon as I got home. That is until I heard this unfamiliar, yet familiar noise.... A damn cricket. In my apartment. I cant seem to catch it...and it wont shut up! I think its just time to start drinkin myself silly. Eventually ones body has to give in despite its surroundings, eh? Hail to the full moon and all the wierdness it brings our way!

I swore last night I was done with this post, but...but...but... There seems to be quite a bit of noise in the room, so I dont know how much of what I have to say will be heard. I dont even know if I will make sense. I will give it a go, anyway. I was chatting with one of my coworkers who has been climbing for close to 25 yrs. He has been around the block a couple times and has some amazing ascents under his belt in every aspect of climbing. I was telling him about my sport climbing experience...and boy did he go on and on about it! So, I shut up and listened carefully. He talked about the importance of learning to fall. If not for the knowledge of how to fall "safely", to help you become less afraid of falling. If you are afraid of falling, you tense up and the climbing becomes harder than it should be. Granted, he made it very clear that you have to understand when it is Okay to fall and when it is Not. He told me about a climber (whose name and accomplishments I cant remember), who was terrified of falling. So, he practiced...falling one foot, then two feet, then five...eventually falling up to thirty feet (I think this term was coined, sport jumping?). By the time he and his partner got up to this big route their fear was minimal, allowing them to focus on the climbing itself. Who ever this person was did a bunch of 'firsts', opening the doors for other climbers to see the possibilities and stop looking at their limitations. He then went on to give me some examples of how falling is not failing...its how you get better. ie/a sax player cant immediately hit all the notes. He is going to mess up (fall down) a lot before he gets better. Another example was how a youngin' who heads outside for the first time, only having climbed in the gym before can often times onsight a higher grade than those who climbed outside for decades (in a perfectionistic way - never allowing themselves to hang, flail, fall). Why is this? Probably because they dont have that fear, they dont set limitations on themselves, they dont try to climb perfectly. This is what allows them to get stronger both mentally and physically. Finally, he explained to me why he climbs. He enjoys seeing a line and trying to figure out how to climb it. For him to do that (he climbs 5.12-5.14, ice 6+, mixed ???somewhere up there???) its imperative he trains. Training is practice. Practice often involves messing up until we get it right. And, well, who can get better without practice? I still dont know where I stand on the issues being discussed. I think one thing that will help me form my opinions will be when I realize what my real goals/objectives are with climbing. DO I want to onsight high grades? Do I want to just have fun and do what I can w/what Ive got? Is there something more meaningful I want to get out of climbing than just climbing a route? I thought I knew, but I guess I really dont. Im sure thats another subject for a different post.

JayB- I think that is a part of it for me. I started climbing with folks who put me on super hard climbs I could never finish. They told me you can only get better if you do climbs that are too hard. Whatever! (I dont climb with them anymore). I dont get frustrated too easily. Frustration is a big sign for me to stop and move on. I will usually only 'work' it if I think its within my ability . Its taken some time, but Im finally recognizing when I "can" do something (maybe with a bit of extra thinking/hanging) and when its just too damn hard for me.

Ya know, I THINK I initially started this post because I was exposed to a new form of climbing and wanted to share my reactions. I wanted to voice some of the ethics I have begun to develop. At the same time, I did not want to completey negate those who think differently. I will be the first to admit I have not read this thread word for word. Its not that I dont care what others have to say on the subject. Its Mainly, because I have read, heard, and discussed this argument over and over again with a number of different people in the past. My thoughts on the subject have not changed much. Basically, as minx summed it up..."it all has its place". Bouldering/traversing has a place for me. It serves as a good training ground (pysically and mentally). It allows me to go into that 'flow' mode. Sport climbing MIGHT allow me to work on my confidence while on lead. I still dont think I am comfortable with allowing myself to hang from bolts in order to finish a lead. I dont know the reason behind that yet. It just doesnt feel right. It doesnt mean I see someone who does hangdog the route as a disgrace or wrong. On the flipside, I do enjoy toproping challenging routes. I cant remember how I climbed something from one minute to the next. So for me, the issue of rehearsing is just not an option. (maybe my strength will be in redpointing routes, eh? ) The ultimate climbing experience for me is leading a trad route, within my ability, yet somewhat mentally challenging. As Ive said before, I enjoy the puzzle of placing pieces - when, where, how , and why. I feel a different (and better) sense of accomplishment when I can lead a trad route. I enjoy climbing, period. I will follow what my gut (or heart) says is right. However, I wont dismiss the other opporunities available to me if they will make me stronger and better at what I really enjoy.

friends - they always ask and love having me share stories, photos, etc. Family - They dont ask, I dont tell. My family knows I will do what I want to do. I guess they just figure if they dont know then its not true.

ah, that takes away all the adventure from the day or maybe not, since the building is stucco (sp?)

Honestly, the wierdest flight Ive ever taken was less than a week after 9/11 from Seattle to Mpls. My first flight was cancelled...second flight cancelled..third flight took me to memphis...layover flight to Milwaukee...cancelled...next flight...hours later...fly to chicago...then detroit...eventually...Mpls. Shit! I could have walked faster! You could see people checking each other out and a lot of fear/paranoia on people's faces. Very eerie feeling. Another flight was from Mpls to Detriot and then to Sault St Marie, Mi. I didnt realize I was taking one of those mini planes from Detroit. Kinda nervous about it. Snowy, windy, bouncy ride, until we stop for a 'rest' at the airport my dad flew out of before his plane crashed years ago. F'in Freaky! Thankfully as soon as a plane takes off I fall fast asleep...so I usually miss all the action

Do I wake up at the crack of dawn tomorrow in search of a new bouldering/traversing area I only have vague directions to before I go work? Or Do I sit around at home waiting for the mail (and paycheck), so I can pay my rent (already late...as usual)?!

copy cat! google search

a michigan band?

If you havent tried this yet, you might get a few chuckles (or not)... Go to google Type in "weapons of mass destruction" Hit the "I feel lucky" button, rather than the search button. Read the 'error' page carefully.

I was just wondering myself if anyone was chatting, as Im trying to kill time before bed...listening to the pixies and drinkin a brew. Anyone wanna join?

Not sure if these comments were directed toward me. I kind of think so, since you quoted me. Maybe the original post wasnt entirely read or clear ...cause I dont think anywhere in that post I stated I didnt like or agree w/ sport climbing. It was a foreign concept to me, in which I was sharing my observations -both pluses and minus'. I dunno, I have a thing about falling...even on the bolts...even after watching someone take some whippers and continue on. Might come from my ice climbing mindset (?). I know there has been endless debate on that subject as well. I understand all sides. I think its just a matter of me forming my own opinion/ethics which will work best for my climbing style.

what does french freed mean?

Now look what you have done to my post, dru!!