When you’re sitting in front of the computer watching Tommy Caldwell send a 5.14a sport climb on YouTube, climbing all of a sudden looks so easy. The graceful and effortless way that he pulls each move makes you think that you can do it too. The problem is if I were to jump on one [...]

Almost everyday I think about what an amazing trip I had to Colorado; perhaps top 5 vacations of all time. I often reflect on ways to improve it for next time. Here are a few initial lessons about my first climbing trip in Estes Park and Boulder CO in July.
The trip was amazing: [...]

I’ll say this first: I’ve always been a big fan of Evolv. Aside from the quality climbing shoes they produce, the company’s environmental stance and - from what I’ve been told - excellent resoles via Yosemite Bum set the bar pretty high. Being the miser that I am, I was looking for a cheap-o pair [...]

I’ll admit, I am a little drunk while writing this - my new roommate and I cracked open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate our new digs. Nonetheless, this needs to be written about: foods that are good to eat while climbing. Lets face it, there are certain foods that are more enjoyable [...]

For the past 3 years my parents have been renting a house in Maine for a week over the summer. I finally had the time free to come and stay with them; my close friend Max Benjamin came with us. The house is on Mount Dessert Island, which conveniently happens to have some excellent climbing on it.

On this trip I wanted to take my father climbing. In part, I owe my father for getting me into the sport: while growing up he’d hire guides every now and then (like once a year) to take us climbing. Now it was my chance to repay him and take him climbing. It was going to be a great father-son experience. Plus, I had one of my closest friends with me; perhaps he’d give it a try or at least take some great pictures.

We met (Tom and Dave) at Tom’s house in the graduate hospital area of Philadelphia to pack bags and divvy up gear. Our chief concern was weight; plus we had no idea how we were going to pack. A six pack of lager and a tofu salad later and we were ready to go [...]

 
What in the world does a dead mouse have to do with climbing … well, nothing really.  I’m not even sure that I’m correct in using the term “dead mouse” in my current situation, but sometimes you just have to be comfortable in making assumptions - I digress. So, let me get to the half-hearted [...]