The road through Icicle was cleared this week and reopened yesterday, and it felt good to drive up through the canyon again past Twister, Egg Rock and the Carnival Boulders. Like creatures of habit, we got stuck at Mad Meadows for a while. Well I got stuck, in a familiar cave... but Lindsay saved the day from mediocrity by proudly sending Drugstore Cowboy. Acknowledging that it might be her last trip to Leavenworth in a while, it was a meaningful victory.
We are moving in almost exactly 1 month to Berkeley / Oakland, and the emotions are running high. Along with all the friends and family we have to say goodbye to, it's equally difficult to say goodbye to weekends in the beautiful canyons of Leavenworth, with no responsibilities but deciding which boulder to climb on next.
In the past few months, knowing I would be leaving this summer, my approach to bouldering went through the washing machine. Torn between projecting hard climbs, versus trying to sample as many "new" problems as possible, versus just chilling amongst the granite and yellow flowers with my friends... I ended up doing a lot of all of the above. My job ends on June 10th, and I hope to do more of the same, hopefully including a nice long trip to Squamish at the end of the month. After that, it's gonna be Tahoe, Way Lake and Mickey's Beach for the month of July.
Looking back on the years I spent climbing in Washington, the two things that stand out are the incredibly beautiful locations (North Cascades, Index / Skykomish River, Icicle / Tumwater Canyons) and the incredibly friendly people. Never before have I been surrounded by such a psyched, positive, intelligent and supportive community of climbers. I'm sure it has made me a better climber, if not a better person. I certainly look at the sport differently, and will take that perspective with me wherever I end up. Hopefully I end up back here.
The road through Icicle was cleared this week and reopened yesterday, and it felt good to drive up through the canyon again past Twister, Egg Rock and the Carnival Boulders. Like creatures of habit, we got stuck at Mad Meadows for a while. Well I got stuck, in a familiar cave... but Lindsay saved the day from mediocrity by proudly sending Drugstore Cowboy. Acknowledging that it might be her last trip to Leavenworth in a while, it was a meaningful victory.
We are moving in almost exactly 1 month to Berkeley / Oakland, and the emotions are running high. Along with all the friends and family we have to say goodbye to, it's equally difficult to say goodbye to weekends in the beautiful canyons of Leavenworth, with no responsibilities but deciding which boulder to climb on next.
In the past few months, knowing I would be leaving this summer, my approach to bouldering went through the washing machine. Torn between projecting hard climbs, versus trying to sample as many "new" problems as possible, versus just chilling amongst the granite and yellow flowers with my friends... I ended up doing a lot of all of the above. My job ends on June 10th, and I hope to do more of the same, hopefully including a nice long trip to Squamish at the end of the month. After that, it's gonna be Tahoe, Way Lake and Mickey's Beach for the month of July.
Looking back on the years I spent climbing in Washington, the two things that stand out are the incredibly beautiful locations (North Cascades, Index / Skykomish River, Icicle / Tumwater Canyons) and the incredibly friendly people. Never before have I been surrounded by such a psyched, positive, intelligent and supportive community of climbers. I'm sure it has made me a better climber, if not a better person. I certainly look at the sport differently, and will take that perspective with me wherever I end up. Hopefully I end up back here.
I've followed your blog for quite a while and am sad too see it's coverage move away from the PNW. As someone who has spent a lot of time in Leavenworth and Berkley I will tell you that northern California has it's own type of charm. There is something magical about bouldering in the middle of a neighborhood at indian rock where climbers mozy on down mid morning, sleepy eyed and packed with a french press and crash pad for their morning climb.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
Thanks for the kind words Paul. I'm very excited to have boulders -- that I hear are pretty damn good! -- in the neighborhood, literally. Given how busy I expect to be with grad school, that might be my primary crag.
ReplyDeleteKOAN BOULDERING may change a bit, but should still get some PNW coverage. Shoot, we're going regional!
Thanks again, see you out there.
Great post. It looks like we're on a similar summer itinerary. Best of luck and happy sending!
ReplyDelete