June 25, 2008 - I Lost My Virginity!

This weekend was the most amazing one ever! :)

I went to Table Rock to climb. I left work at 4 pm and Richard left Raleigh/Durham at the same time. We got up to Morganton, NC, right outside of Table Rock, at about the same time. It was a nice ride up too! Great weather!

It was right at dusk when we arrived at the picnic parking lot at Table Rock. We saw some climbers going up Table Rock with their headlamps on. They were doing some night climbing.

We set up camp with our headlamps and started a fire pit! We drank a beer or two and went to bed.

Saturday morning was awesome. It was a tad chilly when I woke, but warming up fast.

We got all our gear loaded and started the approach. Table was pretty busy Saturday. The weather was absolutely fantastic!

My first time there was back in April with Doug and Jason. It took us a little bit to find some of the routes. But we asked a few people. They were all friendly as usual.

We got on Cave Route. It's a 5.5. It was easy, but still fun though. It was a nice warm up for what was about to come. ;-)

This route was an onsight for Richard though! I flashed the first two pitches cleaning after him.

We get to the 3rd pitch...

I started goofing around. To get to the 3rd pitch, you had to walk off of the 2nd and hike up a little. There were several routes up there. Richard and I started goofing around. He took a pic of me holding a pink nut in my mouth as if it were a rose. lol Then as I was hiking up, he started joking, "There goes Sue, soloing her first lead." haha Very funny! (it was a scramble trail) We get to the bottom of the 3rd pitch of Cave Route, and he and I start joking around again. I started flexing my muscles and we were just having fun being silly.

I looked over the route, and I asked Richard if I could lead it. I told him I thought I could do it. Richard's response was, "I know you can do it." I was ready. It was well protected, and it wasn't a really bad climb to start my first lead on. I felt very confident on it too. It was a great feeling. Richard said I was so smooth, and I looked so relaxed. I felt cool mentally too. I wasn't whigging out like I thought I would if I were to ever lead something. I didn't fall or slip and I didn't hang or rest on any of the bolts. I onsighted my first lead. :)

I know that this is supposed to be a mixed route, technically. However, I felt comfortable on it, and I only used the bolts that were there.

A funny story on the way up...I am leading my first route ever, right? Well, these guys had gone up as we got there at the base. We were joking around and having fun with each other and had not noticed those guys were even up there. Anyways, the guide book says you should walk off. As I am past my 2nd bolt, someone yells out "Rope!" and a huge wad of rope comes straight for me. Before I could even say anything! I saw it, and took a deep breath and just held close to the wall. I remained very calm. I was fine. So on my first lead, I'm having to move this dude's rope out of my way. It gets tangled, and I had to get it all out of mine from below me. I was afraid to climb up with their rope that close to mine! lol Well, basically, it was on top of my rope. Rope is already heavy enough w/o having someone else's tangled up in it! I yelled up at those guys and asked them nicely if they could wait to do their rap. haha "I"m leading my first ever dudes, can you wait?" lol

After we were down, I wanted to go back and lead the other 2 pitches of it since I had just cleaned them. It was sort of addicting. I wand to lead some more routes. haha

We were at the top of the first pitch again, but this time I lead it. It starts thundering, and I knew the 2nd pitch was run out with only one bolt. Even though that 2nd pitch was really easy, basically a scramble, I still got freaked out. I was about to talk myself into it when we heard thunder...and I also really need to practice my belaying technique for belaying a follower, so we bailed.

I really enjoyed leading. I can't wait to do it again! :)

I'm slowly learning, but it feels great! When I lead the first pitch, I used my own rope too! :)

I did cartwheels when we got back to our campsite! lol (seriously, I did) My adrenaline was pumping so hard. When I first got down from the rap, I could barely have a conversation with some of the dudes down there. I was so freaking high! I seriously felt like I was on drugs. I was grinning from ear to ear. I LOVED it!

We met this really nice group of folks that were climbing and camping right near us. We climbed with them on Sunday. I love meeting new random people. So much fun! We drank a few beers with them that evening. And we hiked to the Chimneys where the top roping area was over looking Linville Gorge.

We met up with the guys we had beers with that night at Peek-a-Boo on Sunday. While we were waiting on that route, Richard lead the first pitch of Jim Dandy. He climbed up without me. I was talking to Mitch. Anyways, Richard yells out, "Hey Sue, now that I'm clipped to the first bolt, can you put me on belay?" I was like, "WTF?" And the guys were kinda laughing...but Richard is correct. As his belayer, there is nothing I can do for him until he clips into that first bolt or puts in his first piece. It just seemed weird not to have him on belay though.

Anyways, after he reached the top of that pitch, it was my turn. Of course, I wanted to lead this. :(

A weird thing came over me, and I decided to play a trick on Richard. I had reminded him earlier as he was leading up that I would need to change out of my approach shoes so he would need to give me a sec to do that before I started climbing. Well, my approach shoes are the Five Ten approach shoes with the climbing rubber. They stick really well. I asked Mitch, "I wonder if I could climb this 5.5 in my approach shoes?" I started laughing. His response was so cool. "You'll never know unless you try." I told him he was my kind of man. So I did it. lol

I didn't fall once! It was kinda tough though I admit, even though it was only a 5.5. I didn't have my toes!!! I had a big round shoe. That part sucked.

Mitch asked if he could lead Peek-a-boo. I wanted to climb it again and commit to the 2nd pitch move this time. So Richard told me to follow and clean, and he would go up 3rd. That way he could talk me into making the Peek-a-boo move. I was so scared! That move is scary. You basically have to lean out from a ledge over a gully and put your arms on the next wall. Then you have to get a good hand-hold and get your feet up and move over to that next upper ledge. That is the start of the 2nd pitch. Well, I did it this time. It helped having Richard there to talk me through it.

Mitch going through the Peek-a-boo move:

This is the Peek-a-boo move:

The view from the first pitch:

Mitch leading the second pitch:

My turn!!!

It took me a few times to commit. haha I didn't trust my right foot. I ended up making the move with my left foot first and leaning into it a little.

I did it:

So relieved!!! Whew!

This has been my scariest rappel yet!

After a certain point, it becomes a complete mid-air rappel.

The total rappel was over 200 feet, I think, but we had to rap over huge roofs! Jeez! You sit in your harness and get all the way to your tip toes and then push off. Then there's nothing for your feet to go on for a bit until the next roof. UGH.......

I still get scared rappelling.

I really liked climbing with Richard.

He motivates me somehow. I'm not really sure I would've lead that pitch that day had it been someone else. He's a really good partner. Hopefully, we will be going back out on the rock again soon. He wants to take me to Stone Mountain. :)

It's important for me to feel that trust with my partner or have a connection. The jokes, the sense of humor, patience, fun factor, safety, etc.

I am climbing up at Seneca Rocks in West Virginia July 4th weekend with a new partner from PA. I can't wait!

So I finally lost my virginity, and I lead something! :)

Maybe this is a taste of what's to come? Leading trad??? That's all that is in NC basically. If I want to lead, I've gotta learn trad. I'm gonna be a trad girl.

June 17, 2008 - May 2008 New River Climbing Trip

Memorial Weekend, I went up to the New River Gorge in West Virginia on a climbing trip with a group of folks from the NC and SC areas.

I really didn't know anyone! Cory drove up with me. She's from Charleston (originally from CT), and we had 5.5 hrs. to get to know each other on the way up! haha Then, there was Jill, I had climbed with her twice before w/ SheClimbs.

We saw this on the side of the road on the way up into West Virginia:

A cow was loose! hahaha

Out of a little more than 18 folks, I barely knew 2 of them. It was cool though. I really like doing things like this now. I met a lot of new great friends on this trip! I love doing new things and meeting new people.

You gotta step outside of the box!

I had never been to The New River Gorge before nor climbed there. It was an awesome weekend. It is a very beautiful place!

The New River:

I especially loved Summersville Lake though! So gorgeous! You can climb and then get in the lake if you wanted. It was a little chilly still for that weekend, but it would be an awesome place to climb in the summer.

The approach to the Lake was not bad, really. It so pretty! There is a gravel road/trail and then you hit several hiking trails and cross a small stream. There was a ladder we had to climb down to get in there, but it was cool. I don't like ladders though. Scary!

This is us on the approach, after you get out of the parking area and the gravel road:

Yes, we came down this ladder on the way to the lake approach.

I mean, seriously, I have never been on an approach this gorgeous before!

On the way out:

Yes, the ladder!!!

Bubba City was great too! The hike in and out was long though. But I survived.

This pic was taken on the way out after about 30 minutes+ or so of all uphill scrambling and hiking through the woods...and just when you are out of the woods and relieved, you get into a clearing and then you see this:

Ah, the wonderful powerlines!

Yep, I am getting a new backpack!!! :)

I climbed some fun routes and belayed for a lot of folks. Meeting new people...etc. LOVE it! I met some great people to climb with in the future too. Some great belayers. Some great friends.

These dudes got me on some hard routes. They motivated me though to try them out, and I did. I hopped on a 5.9, a 5.9+, a 5.10a and a 5.10b. I did not send them, but I tried really hard.

I hang dogged a lot but I got some of those moves. I was surprised at my strength and confidence, my technique and foot work was a little better. One of the dudes said I was very strong, and he said I had skills to become a good climber. I just need to work more on technique and get stronger in my legs/feet and mentally trust those feet. He said he was impressed with my determination though. I did not give up easily. (I do at my gym though, however) I like the belayers who get me on things I don't think I can do. They get me all motivated. He was very patient. They have faith in me, and it makes me have faith in myself. A good coach. He's a really good climber himself. I really liked his energy. (Faith = belief....if you have faith, it means you really believe that person can do it, and that makes me feel great up there when i'm climbing)

Our late night campfire jokes and talks...talking about our most embarrassing moments, etc. Our sarcasm and goofiness! Man, I miss all these guys! (I think my fav's were Richard, Kevin, Matt & Sutapa and Mike May. I also thought Angela and her husband, Jeff, were pretty cool)

Anyways, I want to tell you all which routes I actually sended and which ones I attempted with a lot of pain. haha

These were all top roped. These climbing areas are all mostly single pitch sport climbs.

At Summersville Lake, I sended:

Hippie's Dream (5.7), That Eight (5.7)

I worked on Souled Out, a 5.9, for like 30 minutes or so and gave up. I just couldn't get that one move over that ledge.

I also worked hard on She's Got the Bosch, I Got Drilled, a 5.10a. I was on this for a long time it seemed? It was hard! But I had a lot of fun though. I didn't come down from it b/c I was scared. I came down after being tired as hell from working on it over and over again. The crux...I just couldn't get those moves. It was really hard, but I'm glad I gave it my all though to try it out.

I also attempted Scoot Your Muffin, a 5.10b. I did really well on the start and got to that first ledge area, but after that, I just couldn't figure it out. It was just out of my league. I mean, I'm normally sending 7s and 8s. You know?

Even though I did not send a bunch that day at Summersville Lake, I was happy though that tried like hell on those harder routes. Quality v. quantity!!!

And it doesn't hurt to try out new things. You'll never know unless you try!

(I remember back in October at Crowder's I came down from my first 5.9. I came down b/c of fear though. I was scared to try. Now, I come down b/c I'm tired and have jelly arms and legs. haha It's funny how so much has changed. I was scared to try back then b/c I was afraid of falling. Now, I'm not as afraid of falling. I just go for a hold. I know my belayer's got my back. And this is all top roping. I'm sure that will all change though when I do my first lead. lol)

At Bubba City on Sunday, on TR, I sended:

Plumber's Crack, a 5.6. This climb was fun. There was a lot of stemming, etc. and footwork technique involved. I really liked it.

I also sended Butterfly Flake, a 5.7 and Shady Lady, a 5.7.

I attempted a 5.6 with an overhanging roof. I did not have a helmet on though, and I got scared. (I have already purchased a helmet since my return from The New.)

I did not like that 5.6 at all. I asked to be lowered.

But two routes over from that was a 5.9+ called Celtic Sun. After watching Richard climb it and Paul climb it, they got me on it. I did well on the start. But I felt insecure again about the helmet situation! So Jeff offered up his helmet. I just felt that I would have more confidence if I had a helmet on. There were a lot of roofs or overhangs. So Richard did a little 5 feet or more climb up to pass me Jeff's helmet. It worked. I instantly felt safer. Yay! So I worked that 5.9+ really hard. I made it to the crux too. But once again got stuck. I've really got to work on my feet!

Richard said he was impressed with my determination though. He said my body moves really well on the rock, I just need to work on my feet.

I talked to a friend in PA on the phone last night who gave me some more advice about the feet. I really need to work on my legs getting stronger and using my toes and feet. It's so hard to train my brain to go with the feet. Pushing myself up to the holds, instead of pulling myself up to them. My legs feel weak. I really need to get to work on this.

I bought my first rope, and I've got all my anchor items as well. I took a free SheClimbs top rope set up clinic on June 4. All we did was go over top rope set up over and over again all day. I wanted my own gear for this clinic. :)

I think I'm ready to start leading now too. Sport, that is. I want to go lead some 5s or some 6s soon. So I'll be buying quick draws soon....maybe!

Eric and I went on an adventure to find boulders in Columbia the other weekend!

Hilarious. Of course, we did not find any! www.rockclimbing.com actually said there were a few places here. We made the attempt to find them but to no avail. They just don't exist! We still had a blast hiking and hanging out though. We went over to Peachtree Rock Preserve.

Then later we walked at the river walk and went for a swim in the river...and just talked for awhile on the rocks. It was a very nice day!

Saturday, I tried to learn to wakeboard. I loved it. So much fun! I actually got up my first time! But I turned my torso too soon, and I fell. Then every time after I just lept falling. I feel twice on my belly and had to figure out how to get turned over. It's kinda hard when you're feet are attached to a board under water. So i did a front dive and flipped my body under water with my feet and board above the water. hehe I went with my neighbor and friend, Bobby. He's so super nice too. We're going back out soon. I cannot wait!

June 4, 2008 - DORK!!!

My rope came in today! Yahoo!

So, I have it laying all over my bedroom right now uncoiled, just laying out in lines all around my bed. My room is kind of big. I'm trying to get kinks out. Friday evening and part of Saturday, I will start flaking my rope. I will do it several times, over and over again.

Sunday, I'll be at a top rope clinic with all my new gear learning to set a top rope. :)

Anyways, sorry to bore you all with that bit of info.

May 14, 2008 - This is Awesome!

I found this today!

Climb4Life

How awesome is this???

I sure wish I lived in Boulder, CO. This is right my alley! I'm already raising funds for breast cancer by walking in a marathon. This would be so fulfilling to climb for someone's life! They are raising funds in June for ovarian cancer.

How to get this event to come to NC? I will have to do some research. :)

May 13, 2008 - a new book...

I got a new book.

It's called Beyond Fear by Don Miguel Ruiz.

This is the same author of The Four Agreements.

I can't wait to start reading it...


"Fear is the source of all the negative agreements we've made with life. It alienates us from the joy that is our birthright. When we are able to look at our lives without fear or judgments, we realize that this dream we are dreaming - reality - can be whatever we want it to be."

May 12, 2008 - My personal web page for the AVON Breast Cancer Walk

Sue's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

If you wish to support me and to help out this cause by donating, please click on the link above and visit my personal web page.

I am walking in a marathon in October to raise funds for breast cancer.

I will be updating my page as often as I can...I will be posting a blog on there soon about my training and experiences, etc. with this event.

My page is pretty basic at the moment. I have a lot of work to do yet.

Please help! Please support! It doesn't matter if you are out of state or out of the country!

May 10, 2008 - thought for the day!

"Swallow a full measure of persistence and give your task all the energy and effort you possess and watch yourself improve."
- Reed Markham, American writer, Salk Lake Community College


This is my thought for the day. As I was running/jogging/ power walking (my interval training shit that I'm trying to do) down at the river walk this evening, this quote came to me. I got it in my inbox at work the other morning.

As I did several intervals (i do this b/c I'm not trying nor am i worried about losing any weight...i just want to be in shape and be toned and healthy), I broke out into a constant jog and stayed there for a longer amount of time than normal. As I was jogging at a little faster pace, I was in my own world. It was nice. My brain starts kicking in...I realized that I wanted to run instead of jog. So I did. (I'm not a runner...) I ran for longer than I've ever ran and faster. It's kind of hard to find a perfect rhythm. But once you find it, you're good to go. I guess the other stuff kind of helped me warm up to the running. As I was running, I started thinking about how awesome it was to run. My heart rate was up and I was sweating. I liked it. Afterwards, I was high.

Oh well, I guess I'm addicted to running now. :)

May 9, 2008 - A Renewed Sense of Self

I'm kinda down right now...but it will be ok. I've just had two really amazing weekends back to back, and I won't get to climb outside again until Memorial Day weekend...bummer!

I remember it use to take weeks after climbing for my high to come down. Now, I hit rock bottom like the day after. It sux.

Anyways, I'll be at The New River Gorge all Memorial weekend. Super stoked about it!

There are all new routes in the gym now too, so I pretty much suck again. lol However, there is this one route that I'm starting to get up now. They haven't even rated the new routes yet. I don't even know. I guess I don't really care. I just get in there and climb. The gym is harder in a different way than outdoors. I just need a steady gym climbing partner though. :(

Anyways, two weekends ago, I went up to Table Rock and went climbing and camping with these two dudes I met off www.rockclimbing.com. Doug and Jason. We were supposed to go into the Linville Gorge, but we didn't. Doug just had a cast removed from his ankle, and after all the approach hiking at Table on that Friday, he decided he better not do that hike into the Gorge. So we climbed at Table again on Saturday. I'm glad we did too, b/c it poured down rain on us. I was rappelling in the rain. It sucked. My auto block keeps sticking too tight or something...but I'm just not ready to rap down w/o a back-up...I don't think I ever will either, not safe. Anyways, so I had to do my first rap down in the rain! I was so glad we weren't down in the Gorge!!! That would've really sucked!

I had a blast with these guys though. They are the funniest people! I really hope I get to climb with them again sometime. I miss screwing around on the radios and talkin' smack about each other while were climbing. I miss joking and clowning on Jason. I kept telling him he was my pain in the ass little brother, and he kept saying that I was that really older sister that he never wanted! LOL! It was just the craziest weekend ever.

Jason and me:

Doug and Jason on top of North Ridge:

I really loved the climbs we did at Table. They were all mostly beginner climbs. But it felt really nice to actually follow and clean and still have a lot of fun for a change and not freak out the entire time. lol

This was my first time trailing a rope up for a third to follow. It is hard. Now, I kinda know what it feels like for the leader I suppose. That rope gets heavy!

This is me seconding up Peek-a-Boo:

I swear the first pitch of Second Stanza is not a 5.6! That shit was hard as hell.

It was ridiculous cleaning Doug's gear. LOL He placed so much gear...

I mean, he really didn't have the right gear on him. He needed larger pieces, but he lead the route anyways. lol So, I'll give him that! He has some balls!!!

We still had a blast though. I kept climbing and was like, "Shit!" "God, there's so much f***ing gear!" "This is ridiculous!" "F**k!" "This is not a 5.6." haha It was great! At one point when I finally made it to the top of one the flakes, I actually laid on top of it hugging it. Resting for dear life:

These guys were cool. I liked climbing with them too because it was laid back. We weren't in a hurry to do the next pitch or the next route. We just hung out at the top, gazing about...laughing and talking...just enjoying the moment...together. It was great!

That Sunday, we all went skydiving! That was the most amazing experience ever in my life! What a rush!!! I absolutely loved it. I did not want that day to end!

Me and my instructor, Fred:

I look so old and rough with no make-up in these pics!

I was fine on the plane up. I was more nervous to be videoed. But then I see these stills that were taken:

Don't you just love my goggles? lol

Reality kicked in at this moment:

Me and Doug after:

This was the best weekend ever!

Doug and Jason: They jump solo.

I'll post my video soon as I figure out how to make a dvd into a movie file on my pc! I need a rip program and to convert it.

This past weekend, I climbed up at Looking Glass again with Jill from SheClimbs. We had a great time on Second Coming. I loved that climb. LAter we called it a day when she down-climbed to her first piece and it popped out of the wall and she fell. She wasn't hurt or anything, but I was totally shaken up about it.

I met a chic from Alabama online today and we are going to climb together soon, hopefully. I'm jonesin'!

I just love clmbing! I love it for the sport of it, and the rush I get or the high. I love it because it is fun. I also do it for the mental aspect of it all. I've changed a lot as a person sicne I've been climbing. I feel like I don't take things as serious as I use to or get so uptight or high strung. When you're up so high looking out at a beautiful scene, you realize how small you are and how worrying over things is just plain dumb. Especially when you jump out of an airplane at 13,000 feet up...you just can't take everything in life so serious all the time. You gotta keep it simple.

I'm realizing that life is just a big puzzle, and the older I get I'm just gathering all the pieces and fitting it all together. Somedays, I still don't know everything about who I am, but I don't really care anymore. I'm evolving all the time.

A lot of my old friends have asked me why do I climb? Well, it all kinda started out with me just wanting to try the wall at the gym. Then of course, I got hooked. But over the last years or so, I've needed a personal change in my life. I want to evolve. I want to learn as much as I can and just reinvent myself all the time. Sure a lot of the things I want to do are risky, but I could just as easily get killed in a car accident on the way to work after laying on the couch all weekend not doing shit! You know? So what the hell?

Climbing does something to me. It brings about so many emotions inside me. I challenge myself mentally and physically. I feel so accomplished after I climb. It's my get away. When I am climbing I am not thinking about anything else. After I climb I am amazed at the beauty of it all and at the challenges i've conquered...things I thought were never possible. It makes me return home with a brand new awakening on life. I'm more confident...ready to fight hard in the battles at work and in my every day life, etc. and to prove myself...all over again!

Everyone has to have some kind of an outlet. Climbing has become mine. There is no other peace I feel than that peace when the wind whips around me as I'm sitting at the top of the pitch looking out at the most amazing scenery God has created for us. Nature and its beauty...the wind blowing on my skin...no thoughts soaring through my head except for feeling of accomplishment and enlightenment.

April 28, 2008 - I've Got a Pocket Full of Sunshine

"There's a place that I go,
But nobody knows.
Where the rivers flow,
And I call it home.

And there's no more lies.
In the darkness, there's light.
And nobody cries.
There's only butterflies.

The sun is on my side.
Take me for a ride.
I smile up to the sky.
I know I'll be all right.

Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place. "

- Natasha Bedingfield

April 28, 2008 - Mentors

"The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."- Mark Twain

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."- Robert F. Kennedy

These people come in our lives in many different ways.

We never know when someone or something will change our life.

Mentors are so important. I just want to say thanks to all of my mentors out there who have given me the best days of my life and who taught me things about myself.

A simple dive in the sky, or a jump from a trapeze platform or a day out on the rock or in the ocean...Nothing happens without personal transformation, and my mentors help make this possible.

This also includes my family, my friends, my boss or anyone else out there who has taught me to live and love and never stop learning and never give up.

A friend told me a few months ago that he was at his richest when he saw someone being able to live a fuller, happier life all because of something he had taught them. He is a giver.

To learn about yourself, a simple boost of confidence, a smile or a small act of kindness goes a long way. It may not mean much to one person, but it could be the whole world to another.

April 22, 2008 - Bring Out The Immodium!

So, as of Thursday, I'll be in TheLinville Gorge!

I have never been backpacking before. :p

I've taken a backpacking class, but never made the trip (i was climbing that weekend instead)

I cannot wait to see the Gorge. And to climb there. We will be climbing Friday and Saturday there at the Gorge. And camping primitive style like backpackers do it. I can't wait.

The only thing is that I've never shit in the woods before. haha Wish me luck! Maybe my bowels won't move this weekend. haha

I'll be carrying about a lot of pounds on my back too. Yikes! But it's only for 2 days. Most of the time, we will be climbing so...no big deal.

Then on Sunday, I'll be skydiving!!!

My first time jumping ever! I am so nervous! I love roller coasters, free falls ,etc. but I always scream really loud though. Yes, I'm a screamer. I wonder if you can scream at 14,000 or more feet up in the air???

When I return, I'll post pics to this blog. :)

April 19, 2008 - And so my training begins!

I registered today for the Avon Breast Cancer Marathon in Charlotte, NC in late October.

I am going to be raising funds for breast cancer by walking a marathon and a half!

I attended a meeting in Charlotte today, and I liked what I saw. So I joined up as a walker instead of a crew member. :)

So, it's now official.

I've got my coupon book for the donations and my handbook. :)

I also got my t-shirt today.

I'll be getting a personal website set up soon. As soon as it goes live, I'll let you all know. You can click in the website to donate. You just donate whatever you want.

I'll be sending out letters and attending fundraisers to raise my money. It's going to be a great experience I can just feel it. I really hope I can raise more than $1800! That would be awesome!

I am a print production manager in a full service ad agency here, and the majority of our clients are all healthcare related. I'm going to be asking my vendors and clients for donations as well.

On that Saturday, I will walk 26.2 miles, and on Sunday, it is 13.1 miles. I will begin my training soon. To keep a steady pace and to finish on time, they suggest 1 mile every 20 minutes. I've got work to do! I do the 5 mile on the river here, and it takes me 1.5 to 2 hours to do it. That's only walking though...not power walking. I have no idea what 1 mile every 20 minutes is like actually. I know that I'm slower than that though. At the meeting, I learned that a lot of the walkers don't make it the whole way (it's normal if you can't do the whole 26+ miles on that Saturday). But I really would like to be able to do it.

All of the donations go to the patients, to awareness and to finding a cure for breast cancer. The money stays in our local area. Some of the local beneficiaries are: Duke University, MUSC, Presbyterian Cancer Center and The National Institute of Environmental & Health Sciences.

Every 13 minutes, a life is lost to breast cancer. Early detection helps save lives.

I am walking for my aunt and 2 cousins who are breast cancer survivors. I am also walking for my friend's sister, Suzy, who was a breast cancer survivor as well. We lost her to another form of cancer in fall 2005.

Programs that are funded by Avon Walkers include:

* Community based organizations in every state that provide underserved women with mammograms and breast cancer education

* More than 85 hospitals and community health centers nationwide offering 'safety net' breast care to under-insured and minority women

* Mobile Mammography Units, serving rural areas and inner city neighborhoods

* Direct financial assistance and meal delivery for low-income women undergoing breast cancer care

* Ongoing research into causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer

* Development of a breast cancer vaccine, other new treatments, as well as a new test for the early diagnosis of breast cancer

After the 26+ miles on Saturday, we walk into the Wellness Village. That is our stopping place for that day. We will have tents already set up for us. We get to camp out. There will be yoga classes and massage tents set up. Food and beverages. There will be entertainment like dancing and bands that evening too. We finish the 13+ miles on Sunday. There is a huge closing ceremony.

I can't wait to meet a lot of new friends. :) I already met some really nice folks today.

This will be a wonderful experience. I'm so glad I get to be a part of it. It's awesome I'll be challenging myself physically, but more than that I'll be helping patients with breast cancer and honoring those who have survived. It feels awesome to help others!

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!

April 16, 2008 - You Go Girl!!!

Biggest Loser

You go girl!!!

Ali Vincent, you are an inspiration to me and every woman out there!

It just shows anyone that you can truly reach your dreams and personally transform into who you really want to be.

"My physical being is a direct representation of what I feel inside, which is strong and confident and beautiful." - Ali Vincent, 1st Female Biggest Loser

If you can think it, you can be it.

I absolutely love this show!

Even though I do not struggle with weight issues such as the contestants on Biggest Loser, this show show is truly inspiring. I watch this show every Tuesday night. I cry tears of joy seeing these folks reach their goals and transform into new souls. It makes me very happy.

To watch someone go from no self-esteem and hating who they are to gaining self-confidence and awareness and loving themselves...it is a truly inspiring show.