April 16, 2008 - Chics Who Rock!

So, I met some chics that climb! :)

Sunday, 4/13, I went up with my friend Karen to meet up with a group of gals who rock climb. The group is called She Climbs Carolina.

Anyways, Karen and I went up Saturday to Brevard. The weather had been so iffy the whole week. I really thought we weren't going to get to go.

We shopped a little. :)

We went to this one store called Hunters & Gatherers. I loved it!!! It reminded of this boutique I worked in back in college, called The Joyful Alternative. We sold all the same stuff, except not for mountain stuff and antiques...we sold incense and other types of things instead. All the other merchandise was the same...jewelry, cards, t-shirts, magnets, candles, etc. I love those kinds of stores. Local artists sell their hand made items there, etc. It's the kind of stuff you can't find in a mall. It's artsy...alternative.

The manager there was so neat! Her name was Pauline. She was fun as hell and freaking awesome.

We got to talking about a particular subject (boyz). Anyways, she ducks down behind her wrap desk and pulls out a bottle of Reisling. She wanted to have a drink or toast with us. But we didn't have a cork screw to open it with. She proceeds to look around her wrap desk for one. All of a sudden she pops back up with this really long screw! It was a bright blue screw. Customers were staring! haha She ducks down again, and pops back up with a drill! LOL I could not believe this woman. Something insane. I was laughing so hard, but trying to help get that bottle open at the same time. hehe (I love Reisling, never mind the fact that it wasn't even chilled.) She actually drills the screw into the cork! We try and try but couldn't get it opened. DUH! So, she tells me to take it over to the bartender at Square Root. I'm thinking, "This is so insane!" But, of course, i did. No shame in my game. lol Mike, the bartender, was appalled. He opend it for me. Hilarious!

And there we had our wine. We toasted to memories and to moments. haha

Later that eve, my friend, Billy, met us in downtown Brevard. We had dinner at Square Root. I kept calling it Square Knot. haha I'm such a dork! I had a small buzz off the wine too. I don't really drink much anymore so my tolerance is low. I was way too excited and bubbly. I hope Billy doesn't think I'm a wino or a flaky, dumb-ass. :(

It was awesome to see him again and be able to hang, even for just a bit.

Anyways, Sunday morning, we all met up at the fish hatchery.

We consolidated cars and divided the gear load. The girls already seemed great!

We also got our friend, Caroline, from the gym, to go as well. This was her first outdoor trip.

Caroline:

She did really well. I think she even attempted a 5.9. The girl is amazing in the gym, I knew she would be awesome Sunday!

Karen, Caroline and me:

Karen was really good too, and she got to clean a route and try out Fat Dog! Whoo-hoo! Fat Dog is one of my favorite climbs now. I really like it, it is so much fun.

Karen learning to clean with a nut tool on Lichen or Not:

This Sunday was my first time cleaning with a nut tool. I've cleaned cams but not nuts, tri-cams or hexes...passive gear...whatever...still learning. :)

One of the girls, Celeste, let me clean the top rope on Lichen or Not. I was so stoked to get to do that. And to rap again. Rappelling is something that is taking quite a bit for me to get use to. It's scary for me. I just want to learn and be safe. Rappelling is the number one way that climbers fall, etc. or get themselves killed, b/c they aren't safe, don't use proper back up, etc. So, I'm just really cautious about it. I learn by doing. Until I do something over and over again, it just doesn't stay with me long enough.

Karen on Short Man's Sorrow:

Me on Fat Dog:

I'm getting better! :)

Celeste starting up Fat Dog:

Jill, the organizer of She Climbs:

Kristine and Chica waiting to get on Rat's Ass:

Anne, I think (she is one bad-ass climber):

Karen took this photo as I was cleaning Lichen or Not with Celeste.

While we were out on the south face of Looking Glass, I ran into Karsten and Jeremiah...Billy's roommates and co-workers for Fox Guides. Billy and Karsten have both been my instructors. :)

I get so excited when I learn something new or do something that they were the ones responsible for teaching me. I mean, Billy was my instructor my very first time out on the rock. He is an awesome person too..he is special to me, I guess since I first climbed with him. I like telling him what I've learned , etc. I'm glad we are friends. :)

The weather that day was crazy! It was hot as hell over on Fat Dog and then all of a sudden, the wind picked up and the sky turned grey and it started to snow! Then after about 10 minutes, it stopped and the sun came back out. Crazy!

I really love climbing. I like how it is changing me, mentally. I like how I am evolving. I like the fact I've tried something new in my life. I have stepped out of my comfort zones in more ways than one. I have met new friends. Great friends!