Yet another fantastic black mtn weekend

Headed out to Black Mtn again this weekend - just 4 of us camping (myself, Dan, Lyra and Rob) with Larry and Erin meeting us on Sunday.

Fantastic climbing - weather was perfect, the group was fun, and the booze was flowing. :)

It felt similar to the good old days of when I was single and workign at the OCC, climbing with the Rat House or other OCC staff and having a blast. The campfire conversations on life, relationships and intimate questions on ourselves I think was the key point to this weekend. I think we were up till 3 am talking and having a great time sharing the rum, beer and gatorade ;)

As for the sends, my accomplishment this weekend was Where Boneheads Dare. A tall and bold line on one of the taller boulders at Boulder Basin campgrounds, it faces the rest of the campgrounds. Starts on a good crescent edge and some careful foot smears, lends itself to a crimpy slope several feet above. After establishing on the hold, a mantle and a balancy stance prepares one for technically easier moves, but with phenomonally intense climbing. This was the moment I sought in climbing.

This blog is partially about the thoughts I have, the things I do and my search for the perfect climb. On this day, Where Boneheads Dare was it. After the V5 moves were over, I immediately went into the "zone". I had to. it's a 20 to 30' high boulder. Although it's a fairly clean fall, I knew that I had to put myself on the absolute edge of climbing pefection for me so I wouldn't be injured.

Every move I made for the next 15 to 25 feet was intense concentration. At one point, I climbed 10 feet up, only to start losing my nerve and had to reverse the 10' of progress I made to a good rest. One of the finest experiences on this climb was being able to focus on the moment and let the fear pass through me. I felt almost as if the fear was affecting another person as I patiently made each move perfect. The balance, the strength and my mental state were all pushed to high gear as I forced myself NOT to fall. Period.

The top third of the climb, I could feel myself thinking "it's ok if you fall. No one will hold it against you". That's when my "samurai spirit" kicked in and started yelling/grunting/screaming/kiai with every move. Like I said, no move was harder than the first V5 moves, but each scream was like an exorcism of my fear. And after each scream - and successful latch of a hold - I felt refreshed and light, as if I emerged from a meditation practice.

I think what I'm trying to say is that Where Boneheads Dare was a milestone in my climbing because it was so much more of a headgame for me. It allowed me to test my abilities - technical, strength and most of all mental. Not only did it test my climbing abilities, but it also tested my capability to punch through adversity. Plus I felt like I grew somehow from this experience - I have positive reinforcement that I can persevere through such an intense experience. On top of it all, I felt like I had a moment of clarity durng the 3 minutes of climbing - I felt peaceful, settled and most of all that this wasn't my absolute limit. I felt like I had opened my inner eye and realized that what I thought was personal limit was only an illusion - and that the real wall for my abilities was much further beyond the boundaries of what I was doing at this point in my life.

In other words, I've grown and realized that I'm capable of even more inner power.

That's Kewl. That's right - with a capital "K".