These pictures were taken way back in 2001, with my very first digital camera... a Sony Mavica.  It was a whopping 1 megapixel, with a floppy drive!  Here I am climbing up Gibraltar, in the mountains above Santa Barbara.  And yes, I am in fact wearing a do-rag.  You can see the entire set on Flickr here.

 
 

Have a great weekend everyone!

If you didn't know it was there, you'd probably walk right past it.  I'm by no means an experienced rock climber, but I have climbed, and it's another one of those hobbies that I wish I had more time for.  Perhaps I take on too much, but I enjoy so many things.  I'd heard about a climbing gym at Turner Hall, but hadn't been there before.  I finally took the time to go today.

I have to say... it's a hidden gem in downtown Milwaukee.  And they just don't do climbing.  They also have gymnastics, and fencing (take notice Elliot).  They really don't advertise, and perhaps that's the best way.  Keep it small, and keep it hidden.  Maybe I'm being stupid for telling you all about it.  But if you enjoy rock climbing, they have a great setup there.  Their staff is knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful, and it was just a blast.  In fact, my hands are so sore from keeping a grasp on grips that I'm barely able to type out this post.  There is a $5 one time registration fee, and then it's just $5 for a day pass, plus another $5 if you need to rent a harness and shoes (I happen to have my own).

I don't climb nearly enough, so this was more of a refresher than anything else for me.  Balance is so crucial, and it's something I'm lacking.  Balance over your feet, and knowing your center of gravity.  Balance and patience.  Did I mention patience?  Looking for your holds, and thinking about your next move.  Climbing is almost like chess really.  You need to think 2 and 3 moves ahead to be successful.

Now I know a great place to practice.

Had a funny IM conversation with Be a few nights ago. This isn't an exact transcript... its just my recollection...

Me: Well, I'm outa here for a while.
Be: So where are you off to?
Me: I'm going over to REI to get some new nuts.
Be: New nuts?
Me: Yeah... a couple new nuts and a new beaner too.
Be: ...
Me: Nuts... used for rock climbing... that you stick in a crack... of a rock... and a carabiner. Why, what did you think I meant?

Sunset from Gibralter after climbing. It's a view that makes the climb well worth while.

When Shannon and I first got up to Gibralter, we were pretty much in the clouds. Here is one shot off the edge while we were setting up the rig. Thankfully it cleared up before we actually went climbing, but until it did, it looked like we were standing on the edge of the world.

Further up the climb before the holds got fewer and farther between. I got myself a new climbing rig while I was out there, and had to break it in. TSA went through it very thoroughly on the way home.

Climbing up Gibralter. I've got to give credit to Shannon for handling the job of belayman and cameraman at the same time. Leave it to my brother-in-law to get a nice shot of my nuts.