Friday, August 27, 2010

Lee Means BUSINESS and he needs our help!!

One of our friends and a climbing comrade is in trouble. Lee Means is in the hospital and is fighting for his life. Literally.(little does he know WE have ALL decided already that he ain't going nowhere and IS HERE TO STAY!)
Ben Henson is much better with his words than I am, so please feel free to read in proper english here---> LeeMeans
Thanks to the wonderful medical program in our beloved country, B.O.A.T. (bend over and take it) Lee doesn't have health insurance and is very deeply in medical debt. There is no price for life and to help our friend out,Ben started a paypall account to raise some $ for our solder. As you know, any bit helps.
One of my customers at ninthstreetsepresso who chose to be unidentified, was so touched by Lee's story that he donated $20 to "Get Well Lee Fund". He said that if he could he would give thousands. We all would.
Climbing community is the best community EVER, please help our friend, be a friend
all love to everyone!

check Bens blog for more information: LeeMeansIsOurHero

Friday, August 13, 2010

Junk in my trunk

i've got junk
Last summer, I thought to myself that bouldering and sport climbing were the best things ever and i would never do trad. I figured the rack is pricey, the climbs are terrifying, and why would i do that if i can have fun in other ways. A few month ago, i promised my friend that i will learn how to trad climb, hoping that he would bail on teaching me and i will be off the hook.
Now, I did both things i didn't think i would do;i have a rack and I'm learning how to lead,and working on growing "a pair".
I've changed my mind about trad climbing completely, i get scared, i get psyched, i get fucking terrified, but at the end it's amazing and I'm super psyched to learn and to go placed i would not otherwise go.
The feeling of "oh my god, I'm going to die" followed by "why am I freaking out?" followed by "this shit won't fit", followed by "how can I shove it in there so it wont come out" .....etc and then finally topping out and bringing your partner up the route you were convinced was your last is super awesome.
For me,right now, trad climbing is a constant reminder not to get cocky, to learn how to stay cool while understanding the dangers and the fun, being patient and being open to learning.
My rack is sweet too. If you behave I might show it to you, and maybe you can even touch it.