Blog Archives
Wedding on the Rocks – Loose Ends
Continuing on with some much needed updates from a Jam Packed fall 2014. Lets keep on flaking out this rope to find the tie-in point.
Climber Friends Get Married – September 27th
On Labor Day 2013, I was honored to assist my climbing partner (and friend) in proposing to his girlfriend. It was an amazing day out at our local sport crag, where my friend pre-placed the engagement ring on a carabiner at the top of a route named “One Hand Jam”.
Check out the original post here.
So, by now, over a year has gone by. And life has advanced quite well. On a climbing note: the route that he was on (the one on the left) during his proposal was previously unnamed in the guidebook. Clearly, we were not the first ascentionists of this route, but I was able to communicate with the local legend that established “One Hand Jam”. In talking with him and the guidebook author, it sounds like that unnamed route has a solid chance of now carrying the name “Relationship on the Rocks”, honoring their proposal.
A few months later, I was again honored by receiving a request to be a groomsman in the wedding. Of course, I accepted. The date was set and time marched on. The big day arrived on September 27th, 2014. I will finish as I started in the original post, by letting the pictures tell the story.
Gear Placement
Genuine Surprise – Genuine Smile
Precious Metals & Precious Stones
How fitting?
A Climbing Themed Wedding Photo
The Bride & Groom
Honeymoon Climbing in Sardinia
This adventure has only begun for these friends of mine, but there is no doubt that it will be loaded with excitement!
~ Climb 4 Real ~
Year 1: Completed
2013 has come to a close. I would like to thank you all for sharing in this thing we call ‘Climbing Life’. It has been a fun year. A good year. This post serves as the Year-in-Review for the first year of Real World Climbing (well… year and 25 days). Below I will share the top posts of the year in the following categories: most views, most comments, most shares, and authors choice. Without further adieu.
Most Viewed Post
This was by far the most viewed post. It was also one of my favorites to put together. My friends are digging in with wedding plans and it looks like September 27th 2014 will be the big day! This post also received a notable link-back from TheKnot.com
Most Commented Post
This was a fun post because so many of you chimed in with your recommendations. It makes me want to pack up my gear and my family and check out your favorite climbing spots.
Most Shared Post
This was a short write up on the sad news of the accidental death of the 12 year old Italian phenom Tito Traversa. The post was meant to serve as a reminder that even though climbing can be extremely rewarding, we should never become complacent and numb to the inherent dangers. About 6 months have passed, and I hope that we remember to double & triple check our gear, our partners, and ourselves. Have fun and keep safe, all while pushing the limits.
The Author’s Pick
![20131101_162643[1]](https://realworldclimbing.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/20131101_1626431.jpg?w=150&h=112)
One of my earliest posts has actually been one of my favorites so far. I played around with the idea of a home climbing wall ever since I started climbing. I designed dozens of wall before I ever pulled the trigger and built my first. To me designing a functional and fun wall is a big part of the excitement; playing with all the options that a particular space allows and then seeing it all come together. Even in 2013 I have done several modifications on my own wall and have designed 2 more walls for friends.
Yes, 2013 was a great year. But, I look forward to what 2014 brings to the table. I look forward to further developing this blog and sharpening up the content. I have quite a few post ideas in queue and I welcome your feedback, suggestions, and requests.
Thanks again for sharing your climbing journey with me. And …
~ Climb 4 Real ~
Relationship on the Rocks
I’ve been excitedly looking forward to writing this post all summer. For the most part, the events of the day are told best in photos. But I will give a bit of back-story.
About 2-1/2 years ago, I ‘met’ a guy that would become a great friend and climbing partner on the infamous rockclimbing.com. We’ll call him Captain America (photos below). A common interest in climbing connected us, but a friendship was inevitable. Over those years, we chatted about life and families and all kinds of stuff that matters, oh and climbing/adventuring. Captain America is definitely the pure Adventurer I wrote about in my first post. We spoke of a few dates he’d been on and the ‘future prospects’, but it seemed no one could keep up with his Adventurous spirit.
Enter Ninja Hoodie (as we’ll call her). They started off as friends, and I think that Captain America fought his feelings for a while. But Ninja Hoodie proved she could not only keep up, but that she too was an Adventurer. So the courtship commenced.
I was incredibly honored when Captain America let me in on his plan and asked me to be a part of it. In the below story of photos, I will play the part of route selector and top-view hidden camera man. Please enjoy and remember to always value your Relationships on the Rocks.
Tied In and Ready to Climb
Embarking on a Memorable Climb
Here I am Getting into Position
Captain America is Pumped (wonder why)
Making Some Progress
Making Some More Progress
Captain America Locates Hidden Camera #1
Can’t Hide His Excitement
She’s Got to Finish It
No Help From Captain America
She Earned It
She Completes the Climb
Celebrating the Climb
She Still Has No Idea
“Can you grab that biner for me?”
Retrieve the Biner
Emotions Well Up When She Spots the Ring
“You were in on this?”
How about we don’t drop this…
How is His Gear Placement?
Showing Hidden Camera #1
Show the Camera Man
Showing Hidden Camera #2
Smooching (bottom view)
Smooching (top view)
Lowering Together
Show Off the Rock
Ta-Da!!!
The Happy Future Mr. & Mrs. Adventurer
This Locking Biner is Retired from Climbing Use
Happily Ever After ~ The End
Many Congratulations!!! Do you have an Adventuresome Proposal / Wedding story? Please share it with us in the comments below.
~ Climb 4 Real ~
The ‘What If???’ Game – Episode 2
Wow!!! It’s been about a month since Episode 1 of the ‘What If???’ Game. Pretty good responses. I know how hard it can be to squeeze out a few minutes to both compile a thought and get it into writing. I don’t take it lightly that you even take the time to read, let alone type up a comment. I wrote a post earlier listing some climbing sites I loved and frequented often that could use a pick-me-up. According to my click-through stats, you guys really came through, and several have even shared new content. Thank you!!!
Well, it is time again to warm up those imaginations and share some inspiration. Remember, anything goes! (as long as its PG) Another Special Notice: This post will only be fun with your participation. [Comments are still open on Episode 1]
Here we go again…
You have access to:
And room for 2 more stamps on:
And one of these:
What country will you fly to first?
What sectors will you climb at?
What dream routes/boulders will you climb?
How long will you stay?
And then where will you go next?
Re-cap: You have one month and access to a Flex Jet program and can climb in any 2 countries other than your own.
Dream HUGE and share below with the rest of us.
~ Climb 4 Real ~
Guidebook Collection
I tend to have a systematic, organized, collector type personality. So when I really got hooked on rock climbing, I was pleased to find there were all kinds of things to collect.
Gear… oh how that shiny new gear can get the blood flowing. A new set of cam’s or nuts for your rack. Don’t get me started on shoes. I discovered my favorite shoes (to date) and in order to preserve them, got a “messing around” pair too, for my training and warm-ups. Holds for my homewall… yeah, I collect those too.
Ticks… and I don’t mean the blood sucking parasites. I mean a list of dream ascents. And the ability to check them off one at a time.
Climbing Partners… I’ve come to realize that one can never truly have enough climbing partners. For the shear fact that we all have crazy schedules, it is optimal to have lots of options when you need them. Plus, climbing is the ultimate social activity.
So when I got serious about climbing (which didn’t take long), knowing that it would bring me to many great locations, I decided that I would purchase the guidebook for that location. Even if I was only going to be there one time, I wanted the guidebook for the memories… and for the collection of course.
I haven’t been to as many climbing locations as I would have liked, but I would not trade any of those experiences for another. And there’s a bright side, there’s plenty of time left to add to the collection.
So here’s what I got so far, in the order of acquisition:
Naturally, first game Minnesota & Wisconsin.
1st & 2nd Editions
by Mike Farris
Then, several summers during my college years, I climbed in Colorado.
1st Edition
by Stewart Green
My climbing trip to Arizona was a spring break adventure.
by Stewart Green
As a birthday gift a few years back, my wife conspired with my former college roommate/climbing buddy for a stellar surprise trip to Southern Illinois (Jackson Falls).
3rd Edition
by Eric Ulner
And then there was the amazing trip to the Red River Gorge.
3rd Edition
by Ray Ellington
That’s my collection. Its just getting started. I really want to get out to some more locations in the not so distant future. I’d like to add to my collection with guidebooks from:
The King Dream Builder
~ Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota
~ Rumney in New Hampshire
~ New River Gorge in West Virginia
~ Smith Rock in Oregon
~ Squamish in British Columbia, Canada
~ And many more fantastic locations across the world (Spain, France, Australia, South Africa).
There is plenty of room on the bookshelf… and no shortage of desire to Collect.
What does your guidebook collection look like? Share in the comments your recommendations for the best guidebooks at your favorite locations.
~ Climb 4 Real ~
EDITED to Add: Two new guidebooks added to the collection. Brand new, hot off the presses is the “Field Guide to Minnesota Bouldering” and “Willow Climbing Guide”. The Minnesota Bouldering guidebook was co-written by Nic Oklobizja, Richard Cargill, Chris Craft, and Jon Marek. It has been long awaited and much needed in this area. It comes with full color photos and a rich history for each area. The Willow River guidebook, while short and sweet, also comes with a rich history of the climbing at Willow River as well as full color photos of the many link-ups in this very steep sport climbing area.
Willow Climbing Guide
&
A Field Guide to Minnesota Bouldering
Real World Climbing 