Well, well, well... It's nice to be back old friends. I know I've been gone for a while and honestly, it's because I've been trying to figure life out since graduating back in May (it hasn't been easy). So here I am to tell you that one of my resolutions for 2014 is to try and post more frequently on this blog. Now, a lot of things have changed since my last post which means that I'm totally revamping this blog and giving it a new name which I plan on revealing to you shortly. ;)
But first I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone. It's not a big deal, it's just a little tradition I have every time I ring in a new year. On the eve of the new year I generally come up with a... title for the year. 2013 was called "Back In The Saddle," which started as me planning on horseback riding a LOT but that turned into something else entirely. Reflecting back on 2013 "Back In The Saddle" has become a term for picking myself back up and starting over once I've fallen and hit the ground. You can take that both figuratively and literally, by the way, since I started bouldering a few months ago and have taken my good fair share of nasty falls since. But no matter, it's been an adventure, and isn't that what life's all about? So it's here that I choose to reveal 2014 to be "The Year of Progress." Take that as you will, but it means lots of fantastic changes will be happening that will move my life forward in the most positive direction. More to come on that throughout the year.
Anyway, it wouldn't be an Adventurous Vegan post if I didn't include a recipe in it and/or talk about a recent adventure I've been on, so I'm here to tell you all about how I rang in the new year in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada!
We'd heard rumors that if you showed up to the campsite at night there was no way in hell you'd be able to find a camp spot. Ignoring that warning, we drove up the night of Friday the 27th and well... camping was packed. But after driving around for 20 minutes we stumbled upon overflow camping - a lifesaver - unpacked, and slept through the 35 degree temps that hit the canyon that night. In the morning we made our way to the Kraft Boulders for the first time.
Day 1 was supposed to be our day to feel out the area, but we got so stoked that we started working on projects anyway... If you don't know already, I've only been climbing for a couple months and decided to take a stab at this pretty stout V2/3 called Shit or Get Off The Pot which is near the popular V6 Vino Rojo. The crux move is the third move, where you've got to generate off of this weird pinch and go up right to this little crimp. I didn't finish it until the third day of our trip but was really proud when I finally got it - it was my first V2/3 outdoor send! Unfortunately I nearly had a panic attack during the downclimb, but I made it through alive.
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But first I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone. It's not a big deal, it's just a little tradition I have every time I ring in a new year. On the eve of the new year I generally come up with a... title for the year. 2013 was called "Back In The Saddle," which started as me planning on horseback riding a LOT but that turned into something else entirely. Reflecting back on 2013 "Back In The Saddle" has become a term for picking myself back up and starting over once I've fallen and hit the ground. You can take that both figuratively and literally, by the way, since I started bouldering a few months ago and have taken my good fair share of nasty falls since. But no matter, it's been an adventure, and isn't that what life's all about? So it's here that I choose to reveal 2014 to be "The Year of Progress." Take that as you will, but it means lots of fantastic changes will be happening that will move my life forward in the most positive direction. More to come on that throughout the year.
Anyway, it wouldn't be an Adventurous Vegan post if I didn't include a recipe in it and/or talk about a recent adventure I've been on, so I'm here to tell you all about how I rang in the new year in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada!
We'd heard rumors that if you showed up to the campsite at night there was no way in hell you'd be able to find a camp spot. Ignoring that warning, we drove up the night of Friday the 27th and well... camping was packed. But after driving around for 20 minutes we stumbled upon overflow camping - a lifesaver - unpacked, and slept through the 35 degree temps that hit the canyon that night. In the morning we made our way to the Kraft Boulders for the first time.
Day 1 was supposed to be our day to feel out the area, but we got so stoked that we started working on projects anyway... If you don't know already, I've only been climbing for a couple months and decided to take a stab at this pretty stout V2/3 called Shit or Get Off The Pot which is near the popular V6 Vino Rojo. The crux move is the third move, where you've got to generate off of this weird pinch and go up right to this little crimp. I didn't finish it until the third day of our trip but was really proud when I finally got it - it was my first V2/3 outdoor send! Unfortunately I nearly had a panic attack during the downclimb, but I made it through alive.
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Shit or Get Off The Pot - V2/3 - Not a glamorous name, but it was a fun climb!
That night we hit the group campground with a few friends and on Day 2 we were given the opportunity to do some sport climbing, which I'd never done outdoors. But let me tell you - it was SO much fun! I was thrown on a couple 5.9's and 5.10's while Jonny, my wonderful boyfriend, took a stab at this really rad 5.12. It made us realize that not only was sport climbing rewarding, but that it builds strength and that we seriously need to do it more often.
Jonny at the crux of this 5.12(d?) near Yaak Crack - Sorry, I don't have the name
View from the edge of the crag
Sport climbing was a nice way to take a break from bouldering, but by Day 3 we were ready to explore more of Kraft, to pursue old projects, and to start some new ones. I was feeling strong and also rather inspired - and had my best day of outdoor climbing yet. When I was spent Jonny tried out Burnt, a V12 with an interesting start and that night we hit up A Clockwork Orange (V12), a super sick line on the front of The Cube boulder. Works in progress for sure, but awesome ones.
That night camping was full again, but desperately needing showers, we went to a hotel and got a solid night's rest before heading to Kraft and then Gateway Canyon. During our warm up we met Team ABC from Boulder, CO, a group of kids that climb super hard. Many of the kids we warmed up with that day were solid V10 - V14 climbers, which inspired us again. I finally started my V4 project, Jones'n, and Jonny started Lethal Design, a sharp, crimpy V12 in hidden away in Gateway Canyon. Neither of us sent, but now we've got a reason to go back to Red Rocks very soon.
After that we rang in the New Year by... falling asleep in the hotel room. Uneventful? Perhaps. But honestly, I really didn't mind and almost preferred it to the madness of previous years. Plus there's always more time to party, am I right?
Anyway my friends, it's great to be back. Thanks for reading and I'll reveal the blog's new name, and will reveal new recipes, soon!
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