Slacklining on 9 news

I forgot to put this on back when it was aired, and I ran across it today on slackline.com and figured I should include it. I host slackline parties regularly, and for our August 2007 party, we had 9 news come out and film a brief segment about it. The script is really cheesy, but we are getting the word out and getting slacklining introduced to the general public, which is a really good thing. The more people come to know, accept and embrace slacklining, the better this world will be :)

Here's the Video

(Note that you can only view the video in internet explorer, Firefox doesn't like it)

I'm now one of the main content writers for Slackline.com and editor for the site. I'll be publishing some work there soon, and am working on an article about the history of slacklining in the US, and a brochure/booklet about slacklining for trade shows, conferences and climbing events. Gotta love the slackline!

(Chilling on a 160' line at the Boulder Mountain Park)

Fun in the snow: no avalanches involved

I've been trying to get out into the snow as much as possible before school starts back up again, because I know it will be a rough semester with my large credit load. So last thursday Mary and I went out and did some skiing in the backcountry near Brainard lake. It was about a 7 mile trip and the wind was blowing very considerably. We had a blast though, and got some good exercise. Here we are at the lake:


Yesterday, James S, James Mc, Mark and I went to go climb Quandary Pk. in the tenmile range of Colorado. We got there at about 7:00am, but the wrong pulloff was marked and we started going up the wrong gully for about 5 minutes before I decided that something wasn't right, and that we weren't going the right direction (I've climbed it in the summer about 8 years ago so I had a vague memory of what the trailhead looked like. We finally found the right location once the sun had risen and we could see the mountains better, and got going at about 7:45. It was slightly overcast and snowing a small amount, but the sun expelled most of the cloudcover and the only thing in the air was blowing snow with the high winds. At about 10:00 we had made it to about 12,800 feet and had hiked 2.0 miles when James S decided that the wind was too much and that he needed to turn around. I don't think he had a down jacket or very good gloves, and his hands were quite cold. I didn't blame him, as the wind chill was predicted to be nearly -26 or something like that. James elected to go back with James so that we wouldn't be split up unevenly, and Mark and I continued. It was slow going due to the wind, snow and the altitude, as I hadn't been up a 14er since September. We managed to make it to the top at noon, and enjoyed a brief snack before heading back down. It was still very windy and cold. The wind would pick up drifts of snow and blow them in circles around us, encompassing us with snow from all directions. These spurts of wind would last for a few seconds, and then it would become calm again and we could see nearly 30 miles into the south park valley. Then the wind would pick up again and it would be back to 50 feet of visibility. Mark and I managed to get off the summit and follow the faint outline of our tracks all the way back to treeline, and then got back to the car at 1:50. On their way down, James and James made a snowman for us to enjoy. We got some grub at Beaujos in Idaho Springs, and then got back to Boulder at about 5:30 or 6. It was a very fun and exhausting day.


I'm thinking about going down to Co Springs this next weekend with the crew to try climbing Pikes Peak via the Crag's trail. We'll see how that goes. This weekend Mary and I are competing in "The Gun Show", a bouldering competition at The Spot. It should be fun.

Happy New Year!

It has been a fun year of adventures, and they have gone from mild to wild as the year has progressed. From the cross country skiing, to the climbing, to the 14ers, to the skydiving, to the highlining, to the kite flying, to meeting and spending time with my wonderful girlfriend Mary, everything has been absolutely fantastic. The capacity of man to enjoy himself is amazing, as I have thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout the last 12 months. But now it is time to look towards the next 12 months, and the days which will surely hold more incredible and delightful adventures. I have many goals for 2oo8, and amazing as 2007 has been, this new year will surely be filled to the brim of fun and adventure. Here are a few of my goals for this year:

• Design and build a line of power kites


• Finish the 13 remaining Colorado 14ers on my list


• Climb 5 14ers in the remainder of the winter


• Reach 100 skydives, or maybe even 200


• Walk the lost arrow spire highline in Yosemite


• Rig 5 new highlines in Colorado


• Begin writing a book


• Get a job with an engineering company


• Help Mary train to climb 5.12


• Climb Castleton Tower


• Rig and walk 3 highlines in Moab, UT


• Teach myself to kite-ski


• Get published

Hopefully these things will keep me busy throughout the year, and I will keep everyone posted on the progress of these events. Wish me luck on accomplishing these dangerous feats and daring adventures.

Long Time, No See

It sure has been a while since the last post. Unfortunately my time in the last two months has been spent otherwise employed in my studies, but fortunately I have been having plenty of fun and wild adventures. I guess I'll start where I left off back in September. Since I last wrote here, I have had many adventures. Lots of climbing up in Boulder Canyon before it got too cold, lots of skydiving (I'm up to 25 jumps and still going regularly), lots of slacklining, and lots of kite flying. Mary and I have been having some incredible times together, and have been really living life to the fullest, which is my number one priority lately.

In October Mary and I set up a really cool highline in the trees across the Boulder Creek Path. It was a real blast and the rigging took forever because I was mostly doing it on my own. However, the line was a success and even though we were trespassing, (which eventually was the reason we took the line down) it was still a fun adventure and we both got some great walks in. Mary is really incredible on the slackline. Also in October were plenty of trips to the drop zone to do some skydiving. Mary finally finished her AFF just recently and is now doing solo jumps! Once she gets her A license we can jump together, an achievement which we are both looking forward too.



At the end of October, we competed in the Spot Psychadelia, an annual bouldering competition that takes place with black lights, fluorescent paint, and lots of trippy climbing costumes. It was pretty fantastic, and Mary ended up taking the cake in the womens recreational category. A movie of the event can be seen here. About halfway through you can see me in a prisoners outfit busting some moves on the slackline:

Psychadelia at The Spot

In November we did some hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, ticking off a few more 12ers Flattop and Hallett. These are pretty easy hikes, but I wanted to judge Mary's climbing strength. Just as I thought, she is a beast on the trail and had no problem keeping me winded the whole time.

On November 16th-20th Mary and I headed down to the Sand Dunes National Monument to play in the dunes, fly our kites, and watch the Leonids Meteor Shower. This was an incredibly fun trip, and we got to just escape reality and fly and jump and play. It really was wonderful.


Not only did we enjoy the dunes, but we also went out to Penitente Canyon for a day and did some sport climbing. Mary did her first lead climb, and then proceeded to lead a 5.10 and flashed a 5.11 as well. I couldn't be more impressed and pleased to have such an incredible climbing partner.

The photos of the trip can be seen at the following link:

Sand Dunes Album

Aside from that I haven't had too many adventures, but there are many in the works. Skydiving after my final on saturday is one which I am greatly looking forward too. Also I have great news. I am now the editor of the new and improved Slackline.com and will soon be publishing monthly editorials on the site with updates in the slackline community, events coming up and personal growth experiences on the slackline. This will eventually turn into a push to publish a magazine, and is a collaborative effort of the best slackliners in the country along with the support of slackline.com's wonderful founders. I am extremely excited about this new position, but because of the involvement in the new age of slacklining, my ability to use my love of writing, and the monetary compensation that this position will provide. Anyway, that's whats new. I'll keep this posted more often. Peace.

My Position on Life? (don't publish, just archive)

The fact that you're here doesn't mean you are breathing, and the fact that you are living doesn't mean you're alive. This may sound strange. Learn to live again.

Some people don't have dreams. Other people dream and think how fine their lives could be. They don't change anything. This sounds strange.

It is not true when adults think that they don't grow anymore. Some of them even shrink. Growing is an exciting experience. Step by step there is nothing to be afraid of. The universe is endless.

The bare thought of the undiscovered things and adventures in my life make me so excited that my eyes shine and something restless fulfills my body such that I can't wait to see tomorrow.

Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that you thought was so real that you couldn't tell the difference between that dream and reality?

Have you ever had a dream that you were flying above the world?

Have you ever had a dream that so resembled your passions that you can't help but be motivated to live life in a way that emulates that dream?

Have you ever wondered how life could be different if we didn't have bodily limitations and our spirits could roam free on this earth?

Have you ever loved doing something so much and so completely that you devote your life to doing it?

Have you ever seen the smile on someone's face when they are truly satisfied?

Have you ever sat above the world and admired the glory of the human race?

Have you ever reached out your arms and embraced the goodness of humanity?

Have you ever talked to God? Have you ever had an answer?

Have you ever had so much passion for something that your heart cannot contain it?

No? Have you ever lived?

Endless Sky

Tuesday night I worked ground crew for a BASE jump, Wednesday I slacklined for 2 hours and was late to my important meeting, Today I went skydiving between classes, Tomorrow I am going climbing in Boulder Canyon, Saturday I am going skydiving again, Sunday I am having a slackline/bbq with lots of friends. Life is good :)


They say you don't have time to have fun when you are in Aerospace. I am living proof that whatever they say is wrong. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Do what makes you happy and you will find a way to get through the struggles in your life. A passionate life is a successful life. This is what I live by. Have no doubts, no reservations, no skepticism, just pursue what gives you the greatest pleasure, and your life will be much more enjoyable. We didn't choose to be on this earth, nor do we know why. But who we are and how we got here are insignificant matters compared to what we live for. I live for life.

Monastery Movie

This is me walking the line at The Monastery earlier this summer. Total Mind Rush! Enjoy!

Monastery Video

Doubt.

I question all that is questionable in order to find a higher truth where there is none. I strive to discover a meaning to this random manifestation of life on earth. The more I question, the more I realize the answer is unattainable, and this frustrates me. No amount of adventure can make up for the fact that I cannot find a purpose to my existence. Will I find an answer? probably not, but I'll make sure that I give my life meaning and purpose. I'll make my actions and adventures meaningful and this is the beauty of life. We can chose a path of our own design. If I know anything it is that we are capable of anything we desire. The purpose of life is to cultivate these desires to achieve happiness. The paradox of life is that while happiness is easy to achieve it is nearly impossible to maintain, thus leaving us watching our life pass by as we search for something new. But what can be done when all possibilities are consumed? What if there is nothing left to aspire to? Is that the end? This world is too small for the capacity of the consciousness of man.

Linear Ambition

Linear Ambition

Hip cats do flips on tight line
Thinking panting waxing waning
Come and go this freak show

Smooth like soft skin
Tripping some and gripping others
Peaceful Zen you comprehend
Yet flopping like dismal endeavor

High above bright blue sky do I
Search for higher state of mind
Flapping fabric double backed
Crazy antics do attract
Audience of perplexed proportions

Eyes closed, body knows
Feels thrill of heightened being, then
Stop. Slip. Spin. Burn.
Yin takes painful turn
but Yang takes care to follow

Focus on nothing equals something
Of a spectacular kind
Clarity, temerity, serenity
Walked the gap of space and time
-sr

One Deep Breath

So much in life can be simplified by a very simple action. One Deep Breath. Fear, frustration, stress, any negative emotion can be quickly expelled by just one deep breath. You become calm, cool, collect, and can start to analyze things with a different and more relaxed mindset. Everything that I do becomes easier when I can control my breathing. This weekend I'm going to be completing my level second and third levels of the accelerated free-fall (AFF) class at the mile-high skydiving center. During my first level I was terrified at first, then I took a deep breath and all the fear cleared away, and I jumped out of the plane. It is amazing what we are capable of if we pursue what we are passionate about, and clear away any negative feelings we or others may have.

Here's another poem I wrote recently:



The storm is rising steadily
Soon it sweeps me off my feet
The wind is blowing past the toll
Slowly rising out of control

I am confused
I’ve lost my way
Please bring me back
Another day

I need a place
Where I belong
Unknown sights
Tell me this wrong.

My ship is sinking steadily
The water splashes at my feet
Will I survive I do not know
Alone in life, where did I go?

My heart is dying steadily
The pumping blood looses the beat
Without someone to share my song
Unloving bodies carry on.

The nature of
My human mind
Needs to confide
Secrets divine

Without a pulse, without a place
Without a pace, the human race
One drop drips down, onto the frown
Turned upside down, start the countdown

Who I was and who I’ll be
The past will breathe tranquility
As what I sought from dusk till dawn
Was found inside me all along.
-sr

Cubicle Daydreams

Sitting here in frigid air
My back hurts from this bad chair
I write reports all stinking day
And never get to live or play

The weekend is so close
Only a few days at most
But until then I must wait
Isn’t the office great?

Cover sheets and paper jams
Sometimes I don’t give a wham
Inside with all these boring types
What’s with all the crazy hype?

I wait and wait and wait all day
Shaking from my lack of play.
If only I could be outside.
To jump and sing and run and climb.

I dream of sky and air and space
Anything to leave this place.
They say: “9 to 5 it shall be”
But "No!" I say, "I shall be free."

Jump out of planes and climb on ropes
Nowhere near these office dopes.
I can choose to live my life,
I will not deal with office strife.

Happy is as happy does,
But happiness is hard because
Inside your heart you must find
What brings pleasure to your mind.

I cannot stand this dreadful place
Where Corporate ladders are the race.
I dream of life in mountain air,
For I am simply happy there.
-sr

Castle & Conundrum

This last weekend mom and I cruised over to Aspen for the day and climbed Castle peak and Conundrum Peak. We had a wonderful time and met some really neat people. The Jeep handled the 4wd road to the trailhead with ease, and we found ourselves camping just below the trailhead before getting an early start the next morning. While we were setting up camp in the failing light a young doe came trotting into the campsite and started eating some of the small plants I had urinated on earlier. I was able to stay really still and she didn't see me even though I was about 4 feet away. Pretty incredible. We started hiking at 6:30 the next morning after giving a ride to three people who didn't want to ruin their rental car, and made it to the summit of Castle by about 9:15. There were a few sections where we had to cross the snow, so I kicked some steps in for mom and then she followed behind me. She was a little worried at first, but it was good to push her comfort level a little bit. Once on the top of Castle, I decided to do the traverse over to Conundrum. I made it across in 20 minutes, and then made it back in 25, with a a round trip time of 45 minutes. I covered about 1.5 miles and +600 feet vertical gain and loss in that time, meaning that I was moving really fast over the class 2+ terrain. We descended from Castle after mom had waited for me, and then glissaded about 500 feet down the snow field to get back to the road. Mom had a blast! It was really fun, and made the descent a lot more interesting. After we got back we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin and hung out for the rest of the day, and then returned on Sunday. It was a really fun weekend. I will post pictures soon.

Tomorrow I am headed out to go skydiving, and the following day I will be meeting up with a few really experienced climbers from the Denver area to do a really difficult ridge traverse in RMNP. I can't wait, and I'll be sure to post a lot of pictures.

Crazy Mountain Goats in Chicago Basin

I had some interesting encounters with some mountain goats in Chicago Basin during my San Juan Showdown. Everyone else couldn't hold their nerves as well as I could, so I went in for a closer look.

Youtube Video

San Juan Showdown

This post was so long that I had to host it on another site.

Between June 28th and July 8th I went on a trip to the San Juan range in south-western Colorado to climb a bunch of peaks. I managed to climb 13 14ers in 9 days. The trip report can be found by clicking on the following link:

San Juan Showdown