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saxfiend
Mar 26, 2006, 3:05 PM
Post #76 of 80
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Registered: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 1208
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I often think back to my first free-solo and the lessons I learned from that experience. It was the treacherous Tallulah Gorge Approach Trail, and just to spice things up, I had opted to leave my climbing shoes in the pack and do it in hiking boots. I remember the freedom and purity I felt with each move upward, each gasping breath I took.
Finally making the last slippry leaf-covered steps at the top, I paused a moment to survey the parking lot. I watched the non-climber tourists milling among the SUVs and I reflected on the fact that none of them had any idea what I had just achieved. Being modest, I said nothing but just allowed myself an inward smile of satisfaction.
It was in this state of Southern Hardman smugness that reality stepped in to remind me of my own mortality. Catching my boot on the curb, I pitched forward toward the pavement far below. How humiliating -- to have free-soloed the TGAP only to suffer a FF2 at the summit! At the last moment, a nearby Subaru gave me the handhold I needed to save myself.
As my heartbeat returned to normal, I came to a realization: no matter how great my free-soloing achievements, it only takes one mis-step to kill me (or at the very least, tear up my hands on the asphalt). This humbling revelation left me feeling humbled. Feeling older but far wiser, I headed home.
JL
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nikki_keasey
Mar 26, 2006, 4:05 PM
Post #77 of 80
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Registered: Feb 19, 2006
Posts: 105
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One time I disturbed a wasp nest while climbing. I guess that's another one of the bird s--t in the eye scenarios. Luckily I was roped up as usual... which makes me wonder, why am I in this thread?
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codhands
Apr 12, 2006, 7:29 PM
Post #78 of 80
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Registered: Apr 21, 2005
Posts: 499
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I guess it is the purest way to climb, I don't do it anymore. I think the last free solo I did was shoeless, shirtless, chalkless, on a thiry five foot wall in a quarry in park city utah. It wasn't really a climbing route but it looked fun and I was taking hallucinogenics at the time. Everything went well, and I was feeling great until I got to the small roof at the top. I was pumped out and there where absolutely no holds to get to the walk off I was expecting. Looking down from thirtyfive feet, seeng my shoeless feet and jagged sharp sandstone blocks laying all over the bottom of the quarry had an interesting effect on my stamina. I pulled the downclimb abd felt like puking. Yeah that was pure.
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rockguide
Apr 12, 2006, 7:38 PM
Post #79 of 80
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Registered: Nov 8, 2004
Posts: 1359
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In reply to: I guess it is the purest way to climb, I don't do it anymore. I think the last free solo I did was shoeless, shirtless, chalkless, on a thiry five foot wall in a quarry in park city utah. It wasn't really a climbing route but it looked fun and I was taking hallucinogenics at the time. Everything went well, and I was feeling great until I got to the small roof at the top. I was pumped out and there where absolutely no holds to get to the walk off I was expecting. Looking down from thirtyfive feet, seeng my shoeless feet and jagged sharp sandstone blocks laying all over the bottom of the quarry had an interesting effect on my stamina. I pulled the downclimb abd felt like puking. Yeah that was pure.
hmm. I think that went well. Why did you stop soloing?
:lol:
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golsen
Apr 12, 2006, 7:47 PM
Post #80 of 80
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Registered: Mar 1, 2005
Posts: 361
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In reply to: I guess it is the purest way to climb, I don't do it anymore. I think the last free solo I did was shoeless, shirtless, chalkless, on a thiry five foot wall in a quarry in park city utah. It wasn't really a climbing route but it looked fun and I was taking hallucinogenics at the time. Everything went well, and I was feeling great until I got to the small roof at the top. I was pumped out and there where absolutely no holds to get to the walk off I was expecting. Looking down from thirtyfive feet, seeng my shoeless feet and jagged sharp sandstone blocks laying all over the bottom of the quarry had an interesting effect on my stamina. I pulled the downclimb abd felt like puking. Yeah that was pure.
dude, not to drift into an ethics discussion, but hallucinogenics sounds like aid and is not the purest way...Glad you lived to tell us about it though...
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