Open Doors

Today, after waiting for just over two weeks, I received the good news from Nashville Teaching Fellows. I was accepted to the program to teach secondary math in Metro Nashville schools. Now all I have to do is pass the Praxis and get a job. Woo hoo! I will also hear from Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship on April 1st, which would partner with me for 5yrs while I obtain a masters and start teaching secondary science.

It's crazy to think about how this all started over a year ago. The week before spring break I realized I was not excited about a potential engineering consulting internship. Over the next few days I found Outward Bound, Student Conservation Association, and a camp in CA. Spending the next week in the Grand Canyon solidified my feelings and within two weeks I had landed a summer internship with OB.

That was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been a long, arduous road going through engineering while not enjoying it. I am so incredibly relieved to have these opportunities now to follow my heart. The key was that I refused to settle with the expectations of others or with the past. Rather I chose to be proactive, pursue my passions whole heartedly and to turn over my fears to God. He has blessed me abundantly. Throughout this last year, one bible passage has brought me much comfort and peace. That is Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a feast before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Good Vibrations

In a nut shell, my climbing experience has followed the following progression: (1) Intro - learning to climb, lead and manage sites, (2) Share - a lot of leading easy sport for organizations and friends, (3) Mind games - focusing on trad leading, runout climbs and managing my thoughts (with help from The Warrior's Way), (4) Strength Building - a lot of gym climbing, harder trad climbs, and pushing sport grades.

This last year brought stages 3 and 4, where I have set goals to lead 5.9 trad and 5.10 sport consistently. My trad leading has really come along to where I am consistently leading 5.8 and have pushed into 5.9 terrain several times. Given the right climb, I think I could even go 5.10. During the trad leading phase though, my strength has been a little neglected in favor of the mental side of things. Acquiring a gym membership has remedied that though. I am now climbing 3-5 times per week (about what I climbed each semester during phase 1 and 2), training in periodization, and getting out of my comfort zone. Committing to climbing was what I really needed to progress to another level. I feel myself getting stronger, more mentally focused, and the climbing results are showing it too!

Connecting the Dots

This weekend I got out 2 days for some awesome climbing. Friday was the hardest (in terms of grades) day of climbing I have ever had! A new buddy and I headed out to South Clear Creek, part of the Obed River drainage towards Knoxville. This was to be my first all sport day in a long while so I wanted to go big!

We warmed up on a 5.9! Before this day, I considered myself a 5.9/5.10 climber, and we started on a 5.9! Soon we hit another 5.9 and then a streak of three 5.10s. Most of my former 5.10 leads could be considered a little soft, but these were both tough and AWESOME! I onsight led all climbs cleanly first except for the first 5.9. Even better, I led my hardest route yet with Brother in Arms, 5.10b. Here is the list: Shadowhawk, 5.9; Superego, 5.9; It, 5.10a; Christine, 5.10; Brother in Arms, 5.10b.

Brother in Arms was the last climb of the day, and I couldn't have asked for a better finish! The climb is maybe a tad overhanging with lots of ~2 knuckle deep horizontals for good holds. I was feeling great, going along until the very top. Facing a steep, bare headwall between the last bolt and the rings, I stepped left to some more horizontals. I knew I had to get some high feet and power up to a horizontal slot several feet above me. The pump was seizing my forearms, my mind was wandering to the thought of the swinging fall, but I went for it. AND I STUCK IT! That feeling of "Wow, I'm still on!" came through me and I was stoked to clip the rings! That committing and powerful finishing move was just what I needed!

It was an incredibly motivating day as I prepare for a trip to Lumpy Ridge and RMNP, CO this May. A couple more great days along with some solid trad leads will prepare me for a safe and solid trip!

Good Company Makes a Great Day!

Friday was an awesome day of climbing - one of the best I've had. On top of that, I had great conversations with my friend throughout the day. I hope this is the beginning of a good friendship and climbing partnership.

To follow up that stellar day, I went to the always fun King's Bluff on Saturday with my gal, her brother and his girlfriend. We had a blast climbing some relatively easy stuff - 5.5, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8. I was on cloud nine from the day before and feeling a little sore, so I stuck to leading good climbs for them. I really enjoy climbing with the girlfriend! It's just fun! Even as I continue to get stronger and better, I know I can always have a blast at the crag with her.

So --- 2 awesome days as spring starts here in Tennessee. I'm excited to enjoy the sun and the flowers as spring progresses. This will be my first summer in Nashville, too, so I'm excited about that!

Staying a Beginner

Climbing, like life, is a continuous progression. Most of us start either in the gym or on a top-roping trip. I climbed for the first time at a freshman orientation program at Great Stone Door State Park in TN. It took about 18mos before I finally climbed again at the indoor wall. I was training for a trip to Rocky Mtn National Park and Lumpy Ridge. There I climbed multipitch for the first time, cleaned a route for a first time, and led a sport climb for the first time as well. Since that first lead on what I like to call "Gary's Nightmare Arete - 5.13R/X," I have gotten hooked on climbing.

We all want to progress at something, to become good, to get recognized. I am not a great climber. That first time in Estes I got shut down by 5.7 cracks learning how to jam. Even though I now lead 5.8 trad and 5.10 sport, I still have days where I feel like a girl scout. This week was an example of how within progress, there still lies occasional under performances.

Tennessee Wall

Sunday was a gorgeous day at the beautiful sandstone mecca of TWall. The last time I was there, I dragged my way up a 5.7 named Ribbon Cracks. This time was different because I was mentally prepared. I've led 5.9 in Joshua Tree. I've led 5.10 sport climbs. With that mindset of confidence (based on prior performance and realism), I was able to push through some tough and really satisfying climbs, including the mega-classic, "Golden Locks." I give credit to The Warrior's Way method of thinking.

Table Rock

I first climbed at Table Rock, NC, during the fall break of 2007. It was on Jim Dandy and The Daddy where I took my first leads in a multipitch setting. This trip I was the one introducing others to multipitch. I led the first 2 pitches of Cave Route up to lunch ledge. There, the group went over some rappelling practices and such. Then, we set off to the top. The 3rd pitch of Cave Route goes up to Lightning Ledge. The next pitch to the top has two variations of 5.7. I chose the one to the left, scrambled up some easy, lichen-covered rock, and then reached a small roof. Right there the climbing stopped. I pondered moves, assessed holds, worried about my marginal cam placement, and just couldn't commit to the next move. I down climbed, and my partner and I rapped to the ground. In just one day I was back in the dumps, wondering why I couldn't climb 5.7. Oh my...

Linville Gorge

One day and nearly a thousand feet of elevation change later, I redeemed myself on The Daddy. Given it is usually only 5.6, but I loved every foot of it. In addition to a couple easy pitches of 5.4/5.5, I took some 5.8 variations (one w/o knowing it). I decided that I was going to do it. I envisioned success, and when the going got tough, I overcame. The last pitch (linking 4 and 5) was awesome! Knowing it was nearly 200ft, I started trying to conserve gear (slings actually) over the initial easy terrain. Focusing on placing gear in good rest stances and when the rock afforded placement opportunities, I ran it out a little (or a lot)! The final dihedral to the finish was super sweet! It was really awesome to finish the trip on such a great note - standing atop the mummy buttress, overlooking the stunning gorge.

I may never be a "great" climber. I may never climb harder than 5.10, who knows. I will be okay with never climbing 5.12 as long as I remain progressing. Life is a journey, a continual learning experience, and I desire to be its student.

This morning I read a commencement speech from Steve Jobs. He ends his inspiring speech with these words from The Whole Earth Catalog: "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." I want to live an adventure. Tomorrow, I fly to Philadelphia to interview for a teaching fellowship. After 4 yrs of working for a BE in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt, I am hoping to enter the unknown again as a secondary math or science teacher. Even if I'm the best teacher in the world, I know my students will teach me even more than I ever could teach them.