When one gives up the working life to spend 12+ months on the road climbing on anything and everything, it's safe to assume ones gear is going to deteriorate at a much more noticeable rate. With that in mind, one must be prepared to replace certain items as they reach their end, and there is no piece of gear in a climbers arsenal that is going to see more use than their shoes. Knowing this, it is the climbers responsibility to take advantage of discounted shoes while they can. This is something I did not do. Whoops. 45 days into this excursion, and this is what the only pair of climbing shoes I brought looks like.



Christmas for myself is going to have to come a little bit early this year.

The countdown to departure has begun, and with only 18 days remaining in Birmingham, I'm starting to feel the pressure that comes with procrastination. Item 1: Sell the Honda.



The car won't be hard to sell, but just like any steadfast relationship, the end is always hard. Together, we've seen so much beauty across the nation. From the dense, mountainous forests of British Columbia to the dry, endless deserts of Texas. From the tornado ridden plains of Kansas to the bright, sunny beaches of Florida, we've been through just about everything together. She's been my miscreant as well as my protector, and as our time together sadly draws to an end, I can still wear a smile knowing that I left my mark on her just the same as she left her mark on me!



Rolling through a house bruised her backside pretty good, and the 3/4 inch sheet of poly carbon securely bolted where her back glass use to sit may be an eyesore for some, but to me, they're the beautiful scars that can only be worn by those who dare to push the boundaries of what we consider normal, safe, and acceptable.



She's a wanderer, but no matter where she goes, she never forgets who she is or where she came from. A true southern belle who has the utmost love and support for her hometown.



Although the evil doers at Canadian Tire tried to sabotage her and ruin her ability to stop, her solid gears and sturdy tires safely guided me down the treacherous 8,000 foot descent of the Yosemite Mountain range during a snow storm, even after her master cylinder dried up of all brake fluid and the pedal uselessly stuck to the floor.



My only advice to her future owner is to treat her well, and she'll do the same for you! You will be missed, my sweet little Honda Accord! Thank you for the years of memories and for keeping me safe, even when I was abusive and unappreciative. May your miles be vast and your adventures memorable in the years to come!

As much as I hate to admit it, bouldering season is over. Last year I beat the heat by fleeing to Squamish in search of the endless winter, but this time there's nowhere to go... Except Adams house. Time, once again, to get over my fear of heights and start living bolt to bolt in hopes that a little extra endurance will make the next 35 degree day everything I hope and dream it will be!











The climbing was good, but the real excitement came with Tim and his brilliant solution to a stinky problem...

Our story starts about 3 weeks ago when an adventuresome cow (who will remain nameless) for some reason or another decided the grass was greener on the other side. She packed her most precious of belongings, bid her friends and family farewell and set off on an epic journey to explore the lands that had, until this point, only existed in dreams and bedtime stories. Anxiety rushed through her body, leaving butterflies in all 4 of her stomachs, still she ventured on with no doubt in her 1/4 lb brain that this was her destiny! Chin up and udders down, she stepped into river. She marched proudly, hoof after hoof, liberating herself more and more with every stride. Nothing was going to hold her back now. She was bound for glory, like her great grandmother, who was said to have jumped clear over the moon!

By this point, our brave heifer had reached the middle of the river, but was to caught up in her daydreams to realize that she no longer stood on solid ground! This is when she felt the mighty undertow which had kept the rest of her herd at bay all these years. She kicked and paddled as best she could, but her feet had no webbing, only heavy bone.

'Just keep mooooving!' she yelled at herself, kicking and thrashing in the mid day current, but to no avail. The white water crashed against her cranium, striking her blind. She could no longer see the utopia that awaited her on the other side. Wave after wave pummeled over her. The same water she drank to sustain life all these years was now forcing itself down her nostrils by the gallon. Her feet, once again, felt the bottom.



Our lady of the land came to rest on a small rock several miles downstream. It was a lovely perch with a fantastic view and all the UV rays a sunbather could ask for! Here she lay, day in and day out, soaking up the sun enjoying her new found freedom! Day's turned into weeks and her saturated heart yearned to be on the move again, but her body wouldn't respond to her wishes. If only she could get a little nudge from a passing traveler, she could be on her way again!

Well, no sooner than she made this wish, a group of adventurers stumbled upon this washed up traveler and decided to give her the break she was looking for! They came up with a plan of action, and before she knew it, our lil' explorer was once again adrift, off to seek new lands and unforgettable experiences!









Bon Voyage stinky cow! May your travels be pleasant and your experiences memorable!