I have my friend Kathrin to thank for introducing me to rock climbing. Even though she lived in Germany, from 1995-1997, she would write me virtually every other day about her adventures on rock — enough that I’d try it myself in 1998. From then on, I was hooked.
Such a shame. For most of the year, Rhea, Cooper, and I had squandered our rock climbing memberships at Miramont Lifestyle Fitness, climbing only 1-3 times a month for many months due to other commitments. But the last couple of months — particularly after the St. George Marathon and Boulder 100 were over — we had started to climb a lot more frequently — as much as two times per week. Continue reading »
“I can’t believe that we get to visit Lynn Hill!” I exclaimed to Ann and Stacey who were visiting for the weekend.
Lynn Hill — for those who don’t know — is the Lance Armstrong of rock climbing and perhaps the most famous and photographed female rock climber in the whole world. In 1979, she was the first woman to establish a 5.12+/5.13 (Ophir Broke in Ophir, Colorado). She is probably most known for making the first free ascent of the Nose Route on Yosemite’s El Capitan in 1993 — a feat not duplicated for 10 years. Very soon she’ll even be gracing the cover of the 30th Anniversary edition of Outside Magazine.
It turns out she is also a friend of Stacey. Continue reading »
Whereas yesterday was a day of firsts, today I did the outdoor activities I do best: running, cycling, and rock climbing. Considering that I only had time to run 2.5 miles up and down a hill (mostly to take overhead photos of Boquete) this morning and the bike ride turned out to be more like sitting in the passenger seat of an open sports car than exercise, rock climbing was the most notable activity of the day. Continue reading »
“Congratulations on making it to your 39th birthday!” read a postcard addressed to Stacey Li Collver. “That’s a good way to look at it,” remarked Stacey with a laugh.
Not taking another birthday for granted is especially relevant in Stacey’s case. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an extremely rare, dangerous lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The condition is quickly fatal with the only known “cure” being a new pair of lungs. Thankfully, Stacey was able to get a lung transplant in 2004. A couple of years later, she is doing well enough to be able to work, rock climb, and do most of the things she loved to do before LAM aside from, say, biking 100 kilometers on a 35-lb mountain bike replete with U-lock and a gallon of water (something she did in 1999!) Continue reading »
After a week of running 19 and 17.5 miles and biking 200, a change of pace was in order. How about using one’s hands and arms?
Happily, Tori and Chris were willing to take me to The Grotto on my third day back in California to do some rock climbing. This would be my first time there. In fact, this would be my first time rock climbing outdoors since the hair-raising multi-pitch adventure at Half Dome last year, and first time rock climbing at all since climbing indoors in April at Fort Collin’s Gym of the Rockies. Continue reading »
