attitude adjustment

[minx]

yesterday evening, my partner in crime and i decided to go for a quick jaunt over to vantage. i've been sick this week and feeling worse by the day but i figured that a little sun might help the cause and belaying and maybe heading up a few easy pitches might not be deadly.

 

in the last couple weeks i've found my confidence wavering and my ability to push myself lagging. after having my ass handed to me at smith, i was definitely on a low ebb. my partner has been climbing well but injured. he too had his ass handed to him at smith. an easy day seemed in order to prop up sagging egos

 

well after one easy pitch, my partner heads up a moderate but eye opening lead. he sends it in nice form but it seems like that might the toughest thing we do for the day. as i'm fiddling around w/the rope, i spy him looking at the book and then looking at a particular pitch and not saying much. w/o much discussion of the matter he announces that he's going for it.

 

it's by far the toughest thing he's ever tried to lead. i throw out some encouraging words and he starts up. it's got some tough moves right off the ground but the obvious crux is a ways up. he gets to the crux, has a look makes a couple small attempts, clips a bail biner to the bolt. ithink he's coming down. nope, suddenly he throws himself at it. in no time at all and w/only one heart stopping moment he's at the top.

 

after watching him send this pitch suddenly i am feeling more motivated to go out push myself again. it was great to watch him overcome some recent blows to his confidence and just go forit. it was a great reminder that your partner's successes can really add something to your climbing.

 

and to dave -- fuck yeah! nicely done!!!

[MrDoolittle]

Go big or go home. You only live once. Are you going to spend that life saying "I should have", only to die before you get a chance? Do it.

 

I had a friend die last year, suddenly, and tragically, at the age of 32. Did he get to do all the things he wanted to do before he got the axe? No. Did he die doing something he loved? Yes.

 

And don't be afraid. "Fear is the mind-killer." It will hold you back and you'll be saying "shoulda, coulda, woulda, didn't, can't, won't, don't". Fuck that. Do it, even if you're shitting in your pants. It makes the beer taste better afterwards.