It goes, boys

Hello Everyone, 

In 1993, Lynn Hill completed one of the great feats of rock climbing: the first free (unassisted, but with ropes) climb of The Nose, a particularly difficult feature at the top of El Capitan, the most famous big wall in Yosemite Valley, and possibly the most famous wall in the world. The feat cemented her status as one of the greatest climbers of all time, redefining what was possible in climbing. When she got down, her first comments were: "It goes, boys." I thought of that recently as last weekend, I went climbing outdoors for the first time, and very nearly got out climbed by a 10 year old girl. My saving grace, I think, was that she got bored and started hanging out with her friends. (Side note - what's with kids these days? I asked a couple of them to take some pictures of me as I was climbing and they only took a couple. Do they not know how social media works? You gotta let that flash roll. I can't sell the image that I'm living a hip, cool lifestyle with only a handful of pictures. How am I supposed to become an influencer at this rate? I'll bring the selfie stick next time.) The climbing was awesome. My hands and shoulders hurt for days, but it was a singular experience. I don't remember the first time I went skating, or the first time I jumped off a diving board, but I suspect I will remember this. As has happened a few times in my life, actually being out there and doing one of the sports I watch on YouTube videos helps me appreciate how bananapants crazy some of the top athletes are. I still get sweaty palms watching Free Solo, the documentary where Alex Honnold climbs all 3,000 feet of El Capitan (though a different route from Hill's) without any rope or other safety device. I climbed a 40 foot wall, with rope, and had to control my breathing lest I chicken out because I was too high. Also, as is common with me and sports, I'm starting to accumulate some gear. I have my own shoes now, and am looking at harnesses. Soon I figure, I'll be looking at rope and other accoutrements. And soon, I hope, heading back to the crag.

(That's climbing speak for the area where you climb. Yeah, I use the lingo now.)

Wes

Photos 

Here are a couple of the pictures mentioned.