April 2012
12 posts
October 26th
We drove for nine hours today. That’s pretty much it. No, wait. That is it.
October 25th
Woke up to snow on the ground and in the air. Reminds me of home. We re-equiped for our next jaunt today, and I got some new gear. Besides the quickdraws, slings, biners and ATC guide I got from REI, I got a Mountain Hardwear ski jacket and a thermarest. I want to be comfortable in the canyons.
October 24th
We rolled back into Lander today. After doing my laundry, Wes and I went back to the Scud Wall at Sinks Canyon to give some new climbs a go. We also gave Stud Alert another burn each, and still no redpoint by either of us. Tomorrow we get ready for the canyons, and we’re expecting snow.
October 23rd
We had our tests today, and I’m happy to say that I am a WFR now. Pretty cool. After helping out around the ranch, I had a great jam session with some students and the proctors. Now I’m ready for bed, Lander, and the canyons. I’m nowhere near being done!
October 22nd
Today was our last day of class. We are preparing for our tests tomorrow, which I am feeling really good about. I got paired with Luke, and he knows what he is doing, which makes me feel even more confident. Next stop, EMT certification (knock on wood!).
October 21st
I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like what I experienced tonight. We had a night scenario that was supposed to simulate a search-and-rescue situation. However, it evolved quickly into a totally different beast. During our “search”, Ryan fell down a hill and open-fractured his tibia, exposing about two inches of bone. Zac, Kelsey, Mike and I treated him and I...
October 20th
Back at the books today. The day was pretty normal, and we had a fantastic scenario of a head-on collision of two vehicles, caused by simultaneous strokes by both of the drivers….perhaps not the most realistic scenario? I know I’ve said this before, but this stuff is fascinating. I’m loving every minute.
October 19th
We went into Pinedale today. It was a good chance to get some laundry done, and I was able to talk to my family for a bit. Pinedale has a fantastic aquatic center, and that was pretty fun. I’m really excited to get back to class, and hopefully it’ll take my mind off of the stress that’s been growing around the canyon section. Because of regulations, we have to split into groups...
October 18th
Today definitely made me think seriously about becoming an EMT or a paramedic. We had the opportunity to be involved in a mass casualty incident where five patients had been in a plane crash. I happened to be one of those patients. Here’s the scenario. I was the pilot of a small aircraft that took people on ariel tours of the Wind River range. My passengers were Jake, my best friend from the...
October 17th
Lots of class today. We focused on musculoskeletal injuries and how to treat them. We did a lot of splinting, and during each scenario I felt a huge adrenaline surge. This is so exciting!!
October 16th
Today was awesome, as per usual. We learned about signs and symptoms of shock, chest injuries, and further learned how to maintain spinal stabilization.We did a ton of scenarios, all of which pushed my knowledge to its limits. It feels so good to be challenged.
October 15th
We learned all about spinal injuries today. Lessons were centered around stabilizing the spine, as well as giving rescue breaths and practicing CPR on an unresponsive patient. This stuff is so interesting. It’s like a science class, but with blood, adrenaline, and ACTUAL consequences if we screw up. My goal is to go this whole course without having a death while a patient is in my care. So...
March 2012
4 posts
October 14th
We had our first day of classes today. It was eight hours of intensity, with very few breaks. We began learning about the PAS, or the Patient Assessment System, which includes scene size-up, assessment of life threats, and rapid full-body exams. We had a great scenario where our patents were seriously dehydrated, and we had to be cautious of a serious spinal injury. That’s a lot to cover on...
October 13th
Today felt like three days rolled into one. We woke up at about 5 to hike out of Lankin Dome, and caught the bus back to Lander around 8 AM. We got into town, showered, and then immediately left for the Three Peaks Ranch to begin our WFR course. We’re doing it with the FSR-2 kids, which might take a little getting used to. We already have such a tight community in FSR-1 that integrating a...
October 12th
We spent our last day at Lankin Dome cleaning up. Tents had to be broken down, gear had to be sorted, and our rations had to be polished off. After this section, I know I want to spend as much of my life on the rocks as possible. I want to sport climb beautiful limestone, trad some remote multipitches, and summit the world’s highest peaks. It’s a powerful thing, especially when one can...
February 2012
24 posts
October 11th
Last day on the rocks. It’s pretty sad, to be honest. But the good thing is I get to climb to my heart’s content in the years to come. Also, Taylor suggested that Wes and I should come back up to Sinks Canyon on the weekends during our WEMT course and stay overnight at City Park so we can climb. Anyways, WFR is next, and I’m feeling like I’ll love it. All of it.
This I Believe
I believe in balance. Balance plays a huge part in my life. The sport I love demands it, the people I love deserve it, and the life that I love needs it. As a rock climber, balance is one of the key tools that I use in order to successfully climb a route. Being highly aware of where your body is in relation to the rock is something every great climber has, and is something I strive for every time...
October 10th
We only have one day of climbing left. It’s killing me. It went by soooo fast. However, I do feel like I’ve gained a ton of knowledge and can now safely climb almost anything, be it crack, face, slab, or even multipitch. Here’s my shopping list for when I save up some money:
C4s (.5-4)
C3s (0-2)
5 single lengths slings
2 double length slings
4 locking carabiners
10...
October 9th
We’re officially back on the rock! And I’m officially able to lead on my own gear! It’s pretty cool. I sent my first trad route on my own gear today. It felt great to finally hit that milestone in my climbing career. I can only imagine what I’ll be doing when I get my own rack and a few more years under my belt.
October 8th
Snowed all day today too. No climbing, tons of classes, and little fun. I am too bummed to write very much. Sorry.
October 7th
It snowed all night long. I woke up in the morning to a snow-covered tent. Everything got soaked, and this journal doesn’t do too well with water. Anyways, it’s still snowing now, and we clearly won’t be climbing tomorrow. Instead of climbing today, we just had a ton of classes. I can’t sit still when I know I should be climbing, so this is hard for me. Hopefully tomorrow...
WatchTop of Lankin Dome
Watch
October 6th
What an adventurous day. Taylor, Josh and I climbed Lankin Dome only to get completely nailed by a wicked ice storm on the summit. Josh dropped his pack on the second pitch, and I had to lower Taylor down to get it. There was a great moment when Taylor said, “Fire your engines! Wait, is that what they say at the beginning of a race?”, and then told us her dad was a NASCAR driver for...
October 5th
Today was great! Wes, Sarah, Will B and Kelly all went multipitching while the rest of us did single pitch crack climbing. I set a bunch more multipitch anchors, and got up some pretty tough climbs. It was Sarah’s birthday, so we had a party with a bunch of cakes and music. It was very festive, which doesn’t happen too often out here. Also, Taylor, Josh and I are going out to tackle...
October 4th
Got my first taste of multipitching today. Even though it may have been in class two terrain, it was a good exercise for helping me understand this new territory. Taylor, Wes and I demonstrated multipitching for the rest of the group, and I learned the last few details I needed to successfully climb multipitch routes. I thought about Luke today. And Paul. I wonder if they would have gotten along....
October 3rd
We went back to the Great Stone Face today to continue working on gear placement. I’m feeling ready to try some leading on my own placements. The instructors say that if we show good trad leading skills, we can lead up the Dome when we attempt the summit. It’s crazy to go to trad so soon. It’s so much harder than sport climbing, which is probably why I’m beginning to love...
October 2nd
I am so happy to be climbing. I have been waiting so long for this type of education, and now it’s my daily life. For example, today we learned about placing pro. I know that I made the right decision in signing up for this program, because I know I wouldn’t have been able to develop these skills in some college or university. I am becoming a strong leader, team-mate, and outdoorsman,...
October 1st
Lankin Dome looks freaking sweet! We got here after grocery shopping, and it really does look magnificent. I can’t wait to summit. We’re back to using groovers, and it sucks just as bad. I was doing some thinking today, and I realized that I’m still really kinda lonely. I haven’t made any real connections with anyone in such a long while. Specifically any lady friends. I...
September 30th
Climbed again at Wild Iris today. We went to the 5.10 wall with Mitch, who was really cool about letting us lead and lead belay. Wes and I went up and built some anchors to take pictures from, so we got some pretty amazing shots with a unbelievably gorgeous backdrop. The trees here have began to change color, so we were climbing out over a sea of reds, oranges, and yellows. This is the most...
September 29th
Today we hit up Wild Iris for some amazing sport climbing. I was feeling extra strong and onsighted an 11a on top-rope, flashed a 10a and 10b on lead, and made it up a 10c and 10d on lead, falling once on each. It was a very successful day, and I feel way stronger than I did even a week ago. Wes, Gabe, Margaret and I are coming back here tomorrow, so I’ve got another great day of climbing...
September 28th
Rest day finally came around. Not gonna lie, I needed one. After three days of relatively hard climbing I needed a break. However, my goal for this section is to jog every morning, and today I ran a bit further than I should have on a rest day. Regardless, we learned a ton about rappelling today, and then after a class on cleaning anchors, Jared, Taylor, Temple, Ryan and I went bouldering. It was...
September 27th
Definitely hit the wall today. I climbed eight routes, all of which were graded 5.9-5.10d. I got really pumped out on this cool roof climb called “Stud Alert” and had trouble climbing anything else after that. The I-team is giving us more and more freedom by the day, and I was able to lead a 5.9+ today (which I onsighted, thank you very much). I’m feeling much stronger than I did...
September 26th
Well I redpointed the 11a today. It felt good, even on top rope. I got all of the moves down, so I’m sure I could lead it. It’s a very straight-forward climb. No runouts or anything sketchy. I one-hung a different 11a as well, which I could have onsighted if I had asked for beta. Feels good to be climbing hard. They let me lead today, even though it was only a 5.8. It’s good to...
January 2012
27 posts
September 25th
So let’s be real. Top-roping sucks. We’ve been told that we might get to belay without a backup soon, so I’m pretty much on cloud nine right now. I can’t imagine being allowed to lead any time soon, but whatever. At least I’m climbing. I onsighted (on top-rope) a 10c today, and one-hung an 11a. Hopefully I can redpoint the 11a tomorrow and try for the second crux...
September 24th
Today was ration and gear day for the climbing section. This time, instead of letting the Gulch choose our rations for us, we got to do a planned purchase and sort of customize our rations for Sinks Canyon. We also stopped at Mr. D’s to get fresh veggies, eggs, and bread. Right now it looks like were are going to be eating really damn well. We’re currently at basecamp, and the climbing...
September 23rd
Had a very uneventful day today. We got to meet our climbing instructors. They seems pretty cool. Gotta get used to a whole new crew though. Kind of tough to transition from I-team to I-team so quickly. But like I mentioned, there is very little to write about today, so I’m going to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more exciting.
September 22nd
I just got done writing down a bunch of songs for climbing camp. We’re going to have two guitars, possibly two banjos, a mandolin, and a few harmonicas. It’s gunna be a lot of climbing and music. Today was pretty funny. Me, Luke, and Jake were assigned to clean the groovers, and one of them had a broken O-ring. It leaked when we tried to clean it, so we had to just suck it up and live...
September 21st
We’re back in Vernal. I got to call my parents, but my phone died and now I can’t call any friends until we get back to Lander. It was good to talk to the folks. Even better to take a shower. And we ate pizza. It was like mana from God. I’m ready for bed now, and no longer homesick.
September 20th
Tonight is our last night on the river. We were encouraged today to think about our values and reflect on our NOLS course up to this point. I feel that now would be a good chance to do some reflecting.
I love the outdoors. I love the city. I miss my family, my music, and I want to go to college. I’m not digging this river section too much, but it’s taught me some valuable lessons. I...
September 19th
I would love to be able to write that today was awesome and that I learned a lot and was overcome with feelings of elation and appreciation, but honestly today was miserable. We went only about 12 miles, but it took eight god damn hours. We lined four rapids, which ate up so much time, and I ran out of food and water pretty early on. All I could think about on the water today was my life back...
The Chess Game
I met a man downstream. His clothes were worn and thin.
His lips were dry and bloody, and he had sores upon his skin.
But his eyes, they shone so brightly, and he walked with grace and pride.
Had patience with every stumble, and strength in every stride
He told me, “Son, you ought to listen to what I have to say.”
I said, “I’m in a hurry, but you have my ears...
September 18th
Solo boating is some rad stuff. We hit some super intense rapids, and my adrenaline hit some super intense levels. Whitewater canoeing is so different than any other extreme sport I’ve ever participated in. The river doesn’t stop for anyone, and in a set you can’t pause and think about what your next move is going to be. We passed under some fantastic rock faces that I was...
