Far Out Son of Lung...

Awesome Weekend

My weekend started on Friday with things I can't remember. Rock Gal and I got together but I really don't know what we did or where we went... but I do know we had a lot of fun and enjoyed each other's company pretty thoroughly.

Saturday I met with Mike, Katherine and Brandon for lunch at Chipotle (a weak version of Freebirds) and a trip to the Dallas Safari Club Convention. The Safari Club, who's motto is apparently "Laying Siege to Endangered Species Across the Globe" had a glorious display of animals that one can slaughter. Pay out $30,000 and you can travel to Africa, hoist a dead antelope up into a tree and wait for a Jaguar or Leopard to show up. Then shoot it. Wow, great stuff. Or, what about a lion or elephant? Sure, let's take an animal that is being pushed out of its natural habitat, massacred by poachers and generally just put in danger of being run off the planet... and shoot it for sport. Assholes.

Saturday night Rock Gal dropped by after work and we drove to Austin for a rock climbing trip. We had our sights set on Reimer's Ranch, now owned and operated by Travis County Parks and Wildlife, and a Sunday of climbing. We were hosted in Austin by Brian, a friend of Betty's from college.

We climbed rocks, I learned how to lead belay and she taught me how to clip quick draws while standing on the ground, as practice for when I learn to be on lead. I did not lead a route, deciding that it would be more intelligent to take it slow and learn one thing at a time before I decide to go plunging into something I might screw up. At any rate, we climbed some cool stuff and I managed to get up a three 5.8 walls, but the names are escaping me... Eight Flake was one of them, the other was on Dead Cat's wall, next to Water Boy (i think) but I don't recall.

My last climb, next to Crankenstein, was a wash. I was tired, get frustrated and just didn't have the strength to stay on the wall. I also refused to give up. I think I tried to start the route about seven times, spent a lot of time staring at it and trying ti imagine myself on it... but in the end I couldn't make it work. I knew what I wanted to do in my head, but my body was not yet capable of pulling it off. Maybe next time, maybe the time after that?

As I told Rock Gal: I'm not afraid of falling, I'm afraid of failing. Falling off the wall does not bother me, but not making a move that I know I can... that's a problem.

I did, of course, have an absolute blast. She's a great help to me in figuring out moves and keeping me motivated when my body is getting tired or I get stuck not realizing where the obvious holds are located. Climbing indoor is easy in that you can see the holds, climbing outdoor is easier than indoor in that there's so much to be used... but all told it is much more difficult to read the rock outdoor. Some things you think you can grab you can't, and some things you think you can't grab you actually can... its a fun learning curve.

Sunday night we were both wiped and decided to stay in Austin for the night, I was taking Monday off *cough*cough* and we'd just hang in Austin until Monday afternoon and the drive home. Brian was a great host and we spent Sunday evening (After dinner at a great place I cannot name) BSing.

Monday morning we were out of bed early so that Brian could get to work so we went to Town Lake for a walk in the morning (gorgeous weather), then to Waterloo Records and Whole Earth so I could try on more rock shoes. I ended up buying a pair of Montrail Gymbo velcros. I think they'll provide more comfortable traction than my too narrow for my toes Phoenix shoes, but they are not an aggressive shoe so I'll still be learning proper footwork and technique. I know my current footwork is not holding me back in comparison to my lack of grip strength, so I'm less concerned with having smokin' shoes and more concerned with having something that is comfortable for an entire climb and provides me with the right combination of grip and support so that I can continue to learn. Add to that the fact that they were only $60, and you really can't go wrong!

We went to Cactus Cafe for some Good Flow, Romeo's for lunch and Whole Foods for a large supply of Good Flow before heading home. I had a blast spending time with Rock Gal in Austin and, as usual, we just got along great. Trucked around Austin, went places, saw things, did things and had fun.

posted by GreSam @ 08:43