Mar 18 2013

Spanish Five Hang Send

Climbing, Injuries, Travel
by Beth

My two hands crowded the partial jug of the limestone hole, shuffling back and forth trying to gain some relief of a pump. My forearms were full of lactic acid, barely able to close my fingers around the hold. My breath was rapid and my heart was racing. I knew I didn’t have much time before gravity won and I was hanging on the end of the rope. Contradictory thoughts swirled through my head: should let go due to the fear that I would hurt myself again? Or should I...

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Feb 19 2013

Climbing in Catalunya Spain and advice from Granny

Climbing, Travel
by Beth

The majority of my holidays have been spent in the Bay Area. With endless feet of snow in Yosemite and my inevitable knack to catch every cold or flu bug going around, it was a much more agreeable place to pass the gluttony of the holidays.   A huge benefit to placing myself in the vastly populated urban center is the close proximity to my family. I carry a huge guilt when it comes to time spent with my family, always feeling that I could be doing more. I wonder if other...

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Nov 26 2012

Hazel Findlay and the next generation of climbing.

Climbing, Interviews, Yosemite
by Beth

A lot of acknowledgement goes to the previous generation, to the ones that paved the way for the up and comers. I know personally, I owe a huge amount of thanks and gratitude to Lynn Hill and Nancy Feagin. When I was 19, these two famous ladies invited myself and Kath Pyke to free climb big walls on the island of Madagascar. At that time, I knew next to nothing of multi pitch or trad climbing, but they took a chance on me. My sole trad lead at that point...

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Nov 19 2012

Mt. Starr King

Climbing, Yosemite
by Beth

Before the snow fell last week, Yosemite had a long stretch of beautiful weather. It meant high sierra peak bagging, long routes off the Valley floor, and mellow cragging days. One of my favorite adventures of the summer/fall was our trip up Mt. Starr King. I wrote a short story for Osprey on our adventure - enjoy!   Mt. Starr King short story ...

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Oct 23 2012

The Nose, Crowds, and Happiness

Climbing, featured, Yosemite
by Beth

[caption id="attachment_20691" align="alignnone" width="768"] The Brazilian – epitomizing the spirit of adventure.[/caption]   For some years now climbing has been more than the actual act of climbing for me, it's been about the people in the community. Going climbing with good friends, traveling the world meeting new people, or taking first timers out to the crag or gym. These times can be as rewarding as sending the hardest thing possible.   The turning point came for me while working on free climbing the Nose of El Capitan. The crowds and clusters on the Nose...

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Sep 13 2012

Vegan Basil Pesto

Food
by Beth

This summer, along with the dreaded zucchini, I've also been getting more basil than I know what to do with in my CSA box. I tried to use it up in creative asian stir frys, resulting in some interesting (a kind way to put disaster) dishes. Inevitably, I would put my tail between my legs and give up, leaving the basil to wilt into a sad black bunch of goo. I hate having food go to waste, especially from my box. I like getting the csa box as a challenge to use...

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Sep 10 2012

Home Climbing Walls

Climbing, Yosemite
by Beth

Ever since my second year of climbing, I've had a home climbing wall. I grew up no more than two miles from my local climbing gym, making it a far cry from hardship to make it to the gym. But, there's something about having a quiet, personal place to climb. It literally brings climbing into the backyard. Gone are the arduous two mile treks to the gym, a long drive to the crag, or climbing in a sweaty, chalky, crowded environment. So this summer I built (or I should say...

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Jun 25 2012

Childhood Memories of Small Outdoor Shops

Climbing
by Beth

I have tons of childhood memories of being in the mountains: camping, swimming in freezing alpine lakes, s'mores, climbing, and family time. When we weren't in the mountains, I was constantly dreaming of them. And one of my favorite places to dream of mountain adventures was in a small outdoor store, Alpine West.   I wrote a short blog for Osprey on a recent trip to Alpenglow Adventure Sports and the memories it brought back.   Enjoy! Memories of Small Outdoor Shops ...

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Jun 21 2012

Projecting Tips

Climbing, Yosemite
by Beth

Ah the joys of banging your head against the wall on a project. Projecting can be frustrating at times, but with a bit of work, it can be more than worth it in the end. I wrote a piece for Outdoor Research on tips and suggestions that I have learned over the years. Hopefully these help you break through a plateau you are having. Please send me a message if you you have any other questions.   The link:   Projecting Tips...

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Jun 04 2012

Slabtastico!

Climbing, Yosemite
by Beth

I love slab climbing. I feel like I’m in an anonymous group, and that should have been spoken in a hushed voice. But, it’s true. I’m one of the few people left in this world who actually loves slab climbing. With the onslaught of huge climbing gyms, massive sport crags, and desperate boulder problems, it seems that slab climbing has become something of the past.   I grew up in a climbing gym with 90% vertical or less than vertical terrain. It was one of the first gyms in the country, and...

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