Not quite sure how I'm finding the time on this glorious Indian summer day to finish off my story about the Rockies? It's blistering hot outside. Woohoo! Loving it.
Munchie's nap time is a little haven of time that I have to do things..so here it goes. After Day 1 to say I was a little freaked out about Rockies rock was an understatement. I had to put on a brave face for B though. He needed me to be his partner with confidence. Another 16 hr day looming...I added a shot of Baileys to my morning coffee at 3am. It wasn't going to numb the pain...but a smidgen of pleasure before the onslaught was deserved. We trudged up the approach ...2 hrs of insanely vertical goat trail to the base of the route. I was not feeling awesome on the first pitch. Surely this was not "a classic" ??! A rubbly ramble once again. I was climbing the second pitch and a powerful and eery image smacked me right in the forehead. It was the image of my dead father's face who just recently passed away. I lost it. I got to the belay and broke down sobbing that I didn't want to die, Im not ready!! I want to live! B was so good. He calmed me down and said we could go down no problem. I pulled myself together, wiped my tears away and (wo) man'd up! "No..I'm fine" (Any woman knows that when a woman says she is "fine" she isn't really)... I guess I was convincing enough and we were on our way.
The rest of the route was actually pretty fun, with some crazy exposed traverses. There was definitely a bit of French Freeing going on with me (when you pull on gear instead of the rock). B was rocking it as usual and he did it in boots while I was in rock shoes which makes it easier.
The descent was pretty sketchy rappeling down a gully for 2 hours...but we made it out in tact.
The rest of the road trip was no way near as intense. We climbed the Grand Sentinel which was rad. Only a 2.5 hr approach and 4 pitch route. Also spend some time climbing sport routes in Lake Louise.
Driving back home...what was I thinking? Of course to snuggle with my little Munchie but also to lay my hands on divine Squamish granite. So blessed to have The Chief !
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Do business owners really think we won't notice?
Just a quick note of frustration I have with retailers, cafe's, business owners in general. It amazes me how often a company will start out with a high standard, build up their customer base, create a great product then decide they need to make more money so they reduce costs by lowering quality.
Do they really think we wont notice when we get served a bowl of watery soup in a cup that is the same price as the chunky bowl we use to get less than a year ago?
Do they really think we wont notice when we buy a pair of $120 workout tights that fall apart and go bally (not like the ones we bought from the same company 10 years ago)?
Do they really think we wont notice when it says landscaping is included in your building contract then decide to charge you extra for landscaping? What the!!!! ?? Does reputation and word of mouth not count for anything anymore? I know it's a tough economy but loosing customers due to poor product and service will sink you too.
Do they really think we wont notice when we get served a bowl of watery soup in a cup that is the same price as the chunky bowl we use to get less than a year ago?
Do they really think we wont notice when we buy a pair of $120 workout tights that fall apart and go bally (not like the ones we bought from the same company 10 years ago)?
Do they really think we wont notice when it says landscaping is included in your building contract then decide to charge you extra for landscaping? What the!!!! ?? Does reputation and word of mouth not count for anything anymore? I know it's a tough economy but loosing customers due to poor product and service will sink you too.
Is it really worth it?
I have been procrastinating writing this post. Im not sure why? All the others have seemed to flow out so easily. Maybe because I have been so tired lately with little time (because my 15 month old dropped her morning nap and runs in circles all day)? Anyway..I guess I'll just start from the beginning...
The purpose of the road trip was pretty clear. We were going to the Rockies to train for Brent's ACMG alpine exam (which he is away on now). The objectives were not outrageous ...but I new they would be long days in the mountains..."no worries" I said out aloud...knowing inside that I am certainly not the athlete I once was...my fitness regime involved riding the chariot to the park and dancing to "the wiggles"...not 20 hr days in the alpine.
We (or Brent rather) decided Mount Louis would be our first peak. A fine line of about 17 pitches...nothing harder than 5.8. It was a 2.5 hr hike to the base with all our gear. We started in the dark and the sunrise crept in as we arrived at the route. I was psyched for sure....Perfect weather ....no one else there..we were stoked. Then I climbed the first pitch and I new it was going to be a long day.
It's funny as Rockies climbing is so looked upon from the rest of the world as the best in Canada. Weird..as when you have been climbing Squamish granite..then climb on Rockies $%&*stone....I mean...limestone...you have to question how valid these perceptions are? Brent was rocking the leading and climbing with speed. While I was having a suffer-fest on second. The Gmoser route on Mt Louis was described as one of the best moderate alpine climbs in the region. To me it was a shooting gallery of bullets. Loose rock was par for the course and I was the target. About half way up we were simulclimbing an easy 5.5 pitch when I reached up and grabbed a boulder. The whole block came down on my shoulder and leg. A few scrapes. It was a closed call. The next cat life up in smoke was after a rappel down a gully. 3-4 baseball size rocks came down in my direction. Brent instantly tackled me to get me out of the way. A helmut would not have helped if those suckers had hit bullseye.
The rest of the route went smoothly and we were both stoked to reach the top. The rappel route went well and was straight forward with some fun air time.
I felt surprisingly fine after 15 hours of climbing and energized for the hike out (another couple of hours)...unfortunately we came across a growling bear on the way down (grizzly)...so we bee lined it to the truck pretty quick smart!
We cruised into town for a beer and burger....day 1 over...the next mission. Castle.
I guess I didn't really get to my title...I think I'll tackle that next post as that's where the full on melt down really occurred!
The purpose of the road trip was pretty clear. We were going to the Rockies to train for Brent's ACMG alpine exam (which he is away on now). The objectives were not outrageous ...but I new they would be long days in the mountains..."no worries" I said out aloud...knowing inside that I am certainly not the athlete I once was...my fitness regime involved riding the chariot to the park and dancing to "the wiggles"...not 20 hr days in the alpine.
We (or Brent rather) decided Mount Louis would be our first peak. A fine line of about 17 pitches...nothing harder than 5.8. It was a 2.5 hr hike to the base with all our gear. We started in the dark and the sunrise crept in as we arrived at the route. I was psyched for sure....Perfect weather ....no one else there..we were stoked. Then I climbed the first pitch and I new it was going to be a long day.
It's funny as Rockies climbing is so looked upon from the rest of the world as the best in Canada. Weird..as when you have been climbing Squamish granite..then climb on Rockies $%&*stone....I mean...limestone...you have to question how valid these perceptions are? Brent was rocking the leading and climbing with speed. While I was having a suffer-fest on second. The Gmoser route on Mt Louis was described as one of the best moderate alpine climbs in the region. To me it was a shooting gallery of bullets. Loose rock was par for the course and I was the target. About half way up we were simulclimbing an easy 5.5 pitch when I reached up and grabbed a boulder. The whole block came down on my shoulder and leg. A few scrapes. It was a closed call. The next cat life up in smoke was after a rappel down a gully. 3-4 baseball size rocks came down in my direction. Brent instantly tackled me to get me out of the way. A helmut would not have helped if those suckers had hit bullseye.
The rest of the route went smoothly and we were both stoked to reach the top. The rappel route went well and was straight forward with some fun air time.
I felt surprisingly fine after 15 hours of climbing and energized for the hike out (another couple of hours)...unfortunately we came across a growling bear on the way down (grizzly)...so we bee lined it to the truck pretty quick smart!
We cruised into town for a beer and burger....day 1 over...the next mission. Castle.
I guess I didn't really get to my title...I think I'll tackle that next post as that's where the full on melt down really occurred!
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Personal Change
Cool quote from a book I'm reading....
" It is the synergy between ideas and the intimate connection with other people that is most effective both in diminishing death anxiety and in harnessing the awakening experience to effect personal change" - Irvin Yalom
" It is the synergy between ideas and the intimate connection with other people that is most effective both in diminishing death anxiety and in harnessing the awakening experience to effect personal change" - Irvin Yalom
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Making friends in a mountain town
Many people feel like it is difficult making friends in a mountain town due to its transient nature. Most people are not from the area so there isn't that connection to friends that are established in school/university.
The ones that have been here for a while have their clique and it seems like alot of effort to let someone new in. Yes... it does take effort...but not the kind of effort like taking out the trash or doing the dirty dishes. It's fun, interesting and fulfilling. Everyone is the same..everyone needs friendship. Friendship gives us perspective, grounding and a sense of belonging. Friendship gives us a safe haven from the roller coaster of life. Friendship should be non-judgemental, real and honest. Friendship does take effort and in return (not that you should expect it) you will be given the greatest gift of all...yes you guessed it...
Research shows that one of the reasons women live longer after their long term partner dies is because of their ability of maintain relationships with their friends. Love and support are critical. This is not to say men don't need it. They absolutely do. It's so good to take time out from your partner to have that bonding with your mates. It's a different dynamic and the time away actually strengthens and unites us back with our partner. It inspires discussion and analysis of people and life.
I think friendship effort is worth it...and if someone doesn't respond to it...that's ok..because there is always someone who will and they are the ones you want to be friends with.
The ones that have been here for a while have their clique and it seems like alot of effort to let someone new in. Yes... it does take effort...but not the kind of effort like taking out the trash or doing the dirty dishes. It's fun, interesting and fulfilling. Everyone is the same..everyone needs friendship. Friendship gives us perspective, grounding and a sense of belonging. Friendship gives us a safe haven from the roller coaster of life. Friendship should be non-judgemental, real and honest. Friendship does take effort and in return (not that you should expect it) you will be given the greatest gift of all...yes you guessed it...
Research shows that one of the reasons women live longer after their long term partner dies is because of their ability of maintain relationships with their friends. Love and support are critical. This is not to say men don't need it. They absolutely do. It's so good to take time out from your partner to have that bonding with your mates. It's a different dynamic and the time away actually strengthens and unites us back with our partner. It inspires discussion and analysis of people and life.
I think friendship effort is worth it...and if someone doesn't respond to it...that's ok..because there is always someone who will and they are the ones you want to be friends with.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
The ultimate goal
Along the road of life we are always told to set goals as this will give us focus and a sense of direction. Short term goals, medium term goals, long terms goals, sport goals, weight goals, career goals, relationship goals, travel goals..the list is endless. At what point can we just stop for a second and just BE? Don't get me wrong, I am an extremely goal orientated person and see their value. Yet, sometimes its nice to just jump off the bus and hang out for a while. The hard part is actually being OK with this and not beating yourself up for not running a marathon this year or enrolling in online distance education. Enjoying a slow morning reading the paper, lying on the grass looking up to the clouds, eating a chocolate popsicle without guilt...just being present. The day will come when the psych to step it up again returns.
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