Blog

24th October 2012

Training Obsession

There's fit, there's training, there's recreation, there's performance, and then there's obsession with looking fit. For my entire life I've lived in "fit" places or within fit communities. ... Read more »

22nd October 2012

This will get you psyched.

This is pretty darn neat--first V14 done by a woman or something. V14. I can remember when V8 was "rad," and few men and no women climbed at that level. Not only is it great to watch, but to... Read more »

11th October 2012

On Living And Dying well: Neither are about the money…

A friend of mine recently put up a youtube link on Facebook. I almost didn't click on it as most links on Facebook lead to some cat eating a cheeseburger, and I lose five minutes of my life ... Read more »

14th September 2012

Climbing and Risk

Philip and Simon recently sent me this for my comments. It's an academic paper and somewhat long, but it's interesting. Shared with their permission, and the authors look forward to your ... Read more »

28th August 2012

High Altitude Dopers and Armstrong

Note--I wrote this after a Facebook conversation where I said that one of the reasons I liked outdoor risk sports is that we don't generally dope for "performance." Then I started thinking a... Read more »

7th August 2012

Rappelling

Note--the comments on this post are really good, every bit as good as the post itself, thanks to all who contributed. Rappelling is a necessary part of getting back down from many climbs. Y... Read more »

16th July 2012

Gear Bits: Essentials, Hollow Blocks, etc.

As I teach and guide I often get asked, "What do you always have in your pack?" My pack needs to be as light as possible while stile offering good survival options. I have to carry it up rou... Read more »

29th June 2012

Water and ice

I don't have all that many "rules" about ice climbing, but one I try to follow is to not go ice climbing when it's raining, or when there's a lot of running water and not much ice. I've had ... Read more »

26th June 2012

Breathe, avoid McDonalds.

Making time to breathe. Eat Pho, not McDonalds. I'm now 45 years old. A middle aged guy. My life has changed radically with each decade, and I've done a lot of stuff that isn't really awar... Read more »

4th June 2012