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      • The Hard Part: Documentation, Banking and more HASSLES! (Pre- and Post-arrival)
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      • Chengdu - Giant Panda City
      • NomNomNom
    • Increase Your China IQ
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      • Goal: Nepal Trek
      • Tibet
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    • Life Practices >
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      • Reading List
      • Tao
      • I Am That
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      • 2016-17 365gratitude
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    • Quotes That Resonate
    • Yummies 4 ur Tummies
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Authenticity in the film: "Everest"

9/30/2015

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​So my former boyfriend, Brent, was a huge climber (instructor), as most of you know, also a great ice climber. He gave me a book to read back in 2013 called "Into Thin Air", by John Krakauer: It was so terrifying! The movie:  "Everest", with Josh Brolin (playing- of course- the severely *obnoxious and loud* Texan!), is based on  the book. It's full of famous movie stars and my heart is already pounding! (Above comments made prior to watching the movie.)

"Everest" is based on a true story.  The screenwriters and actors did a great service to the book and alpiners, it was not over-acted or over-dramatized; no exploitation or gratuitous BS like in so many other action movies.  True to the story and an honor to the climbers who survived, those at base camps that assisted, and those that died.  
No one quite understands why humans need to push themselves, but to me, it's about escaping the daily grind and coming to a place where your focus is so completely on a singular action, that there is nothing but the next move.  Whether it's the next move on a wall or cliff while climbing, or being so absorbed in the sensations and sights 140 feet below the sea's surface; it's the focus required that takes every bit of mental and physical energy.  There isn't a thought of danger or death; you are just absorbed completely in them moment.  It's a gift to that focused, akin only to time in meditation, but harder to attain in meditation for  sure.
I feel the same when I'm pushing myself on my bike, weaving through traffic:  all of my senses are focused.  My eyes on the road in front of my tire while simultaneously seeking out cars trying to target me, listening for cars I can't see, legs, lungs, and heart all pumping.  
Is it a "thrill" to carry out dangerous activities like climbing, cycling, diving, flying a plane, surfing, hang gliding, etc.?  Well, I would lie to say no-- of course it is.  This is some of the attraction. That thrill concentrates focus so severely that it truly becomes a release from minutiae and, as the obnoxious Texan said in "Everest" when asked why he needs to summit mountains, it is truly an escape from the "dark cloud that follows" us.
This is why I do what many of you call "high risk" activities; I love the focus and the challenge, and yeah, it helps me temporarily escape the "dark cloud" that follows me.
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Up Up Up! Whoops!  Down Down Down I Go!

7/26/2014

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This was the first time for me to climb this route on the wall.  It is mainly an overhang wall, which means it is more difficult, and a higher level than I'm ready for (which is obvious in the video, don't laugh!  I know I look ungainly and pathetic, but I'm getting stronger and learning!!!).  The overhang means the wall leans outward toward you, so instead of climbing straight up vertically,  you are actually climbing with your upper body leaning slightly backwards, so you are using much more of your core muscles, and for me, arms!  In other words, hard as hell!!! I made it part of the way up before my arms gave out! 
    A new challenge!  It was both fun and terribly difficult!
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The Way Up!

7/26/2014

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     Pictures from the bottom up, lots of my bottom for sure, ha ha!  Keep in mind, I am a beginner.  I wanted to send these to Brent so he could critique my awful technique, wait til you see the viideo... ugh!  So clumsy and amateur.  But hey,  I can climb 10 meters up into the air on walls that overhang toward me, sometimes with no footholds, so at least I'm trying! And it's so fun!  I really love climbing!!!  I'll get better over time!
     Kelly and Este, my climbing partners; we are at our usual spot, climbing at the Chung Mu bridge Wall in Tongyeong!
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Climbing Chiclets

7/16/2014

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"Use The Force, Luke!"

6/27/2014

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...Or don't!  You are really NOT supposed to use sheer strength when climbing.  Rather, calculating your moves like a chess player, preconceiving the climb, and using mental prowess and emotional gungho to overcome challenges instead of brute strength.  But sometimes you must "power through" a move, especially on some of the overhangs I've tried... and overcome.  But damn, my shoulder hurts today, and well, almost every part of my body hurts, even my big toes are sore!  (That said, strength is necessary in climbing.)
     
The route you see in the photo is the "easy", "warm up" route.  One to the left has a sharper overhang that is so hard for me to climb past!  The grips are laid out in such a way that I have to jump from a very awkward and unstable position, and catch myself with my left hand (this is called a dynamic move.  Static moves require keeping three points of contact on the wall at all times--hands and/or feet.  I prefer static climbing: it's safer and causes less injury).  I'm determined to figure this problem out!  That is part of the reward of climbing, not only using my body and overcoming physical weakness, but using my mind to over come "problems" on the wall.  And I'm also successfully overcoming the emotional aspect of my fear of heights!  I'm sore as hell, but it's so worth it and I love it!  I'm so glad to be back on the wall after a month off!  I'm going to use The Force of my mind and will.  "I'm your father!"  aaagh!  Who needs a light sabre? My spinach smoothies will help me defeat The Dark Side of that damn overhang!!! :-))
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Tongyeong Outdoor Climbing Wall

5/5/2014

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Ass kicking, Korean style!

5/4/2014

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Photos of Misu-dong (neighborhood), near the park with the climbing wall, under the Tongyeong Bridge, taken during my bike ride.
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Serendipity follows me around like a lost puppy. (A Dalmatian, of course!) 
     I can barely type this, as my hands are numb, but I'll do me darndest.  I decided to attempt a bike ride to the Tongyeong (TY) climbing wall under the TY Bridge; I made it alive, despite traffic, no helmet, and even worse:  barely surmountable hills.  I haven't ridden regularly since I left Key West and an elevation gain of 1100 feet, even if only over 6.1 miles Don't you dare snicker! had me shaking at the end.  The worst part is the beginning Of course! : a 1/4 mile into the ride I've got a nasty incline to face and then about 5 more of those before I arrive at the park, exhausted and yes, shaking, under the bridge.  A group of Korean climbers were there, belaying some kids up and down the wall for fun, and one of them walked over and asked if I was there to climb.  Before I could even take off my backpack and speak (keep in mind this conversation was largely sign language, his broken English, my bad Korean), let alone catch my breath, he had a harness for me and was telling me to start climbing.  Oh my god, dude, please give me a moment to rest!  I am soooooooooooo tired and wiped out! 
     They let me rest for about 10 minutes, then I did some stretching and practice, rested some more then I went up.  I was able to make it to the first overhang before my arms started giving out. It was a new route as well, and a bit more challenging.  Keep in mind my arms were already sort of jello-ey from my bike ride too.  I had to stop.  As soon as I was down, he motioned that he would rig a second, easier climb for me.  I begged for rest.  Luckily I got into a conversation with another man who could speak English, so I got to rest a bit more.  Honestly, I did not want to climb again, nor think I could make it up.  I wasn't using my legs enough I've learned that climbing is all about using your leg power, believe it or not!  My glycogen stores were zapped, and I didn't get a chance to eat lunch before the climb, except for the jjinbang one of them kindly offered me. I went up the second route, topped out!!! YES! I did it! Then I got some great coaching from Mr. Chong, who had watched me climb (and speaks great English!).  He told me what I was doing wrong, and went over 4 fundamentals: 3 point contact (only move one body part at a time, always have three contact points, and always set foot first, then follow with hand), balance (footwork), rhythm (of moving), and friction (created by using chalk and climbing shoes).  I also learned the hours of the climbing gym and when the group is at the wall or at the  gym!  New friends in the sport, yes!
    But then, I had no choice but to ride back home.....aaaaagh.  And I cannot get enough food into my system right now, let me tell you.  AND I have to stop typing because my hands are too tired!  My forearms feel withered, my palms and fingertips are raw from climbing and lack of cycling gloves, my legs are pooped.... need I go on?
     But I did it!!  I got to the top again.  This time, I didn't even think about being afraid of heights either!!! (Well, the thought crossed through quickly and I swatted it away because I was so focused on what I was doing.  That's the beauty of climbing, you are so focused, everything else falls to the wayside!)
Wheee!  And I almost only went for a bike ride today!!!  

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Wall Practice in Geoje

4/2/2014

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Got a bit higher today! Learned to belay (didn't have to go to Seoul! ) and received more tips on technique.   I see the road ahead as a long one:  lots of improvement to be made,  fears to conquered, focus improved, strength increased , and confidence built.  But I can see it all happening and coming together.  I see myself doing it and so the only possible outcome is that I achieve my goal...!!!
        That's Kelly on top of the wall (my wonderful teacher! top, setting up for top-roping.
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Geoje stadium wall.
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Not quite ready for those heights....!

3/24/2014

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The second day of training in Seoul, at Gwanaksan.  It was too much for me-- the heights that is.  We climbed a really steep ridge, it took over an hour to get there, so my legs were wiped by the time we started climbing.  I was a bit beyond my limit of fear and heights and really had a difficult time; busting out in tears twice and had to have a couple of people coach me up and talk to me so I didn't freak. Oh well, it's coming along slowly and surely.  Each time I get a little higher.  We went up two slabs that aren't even rated because they aren't close enough to vertical.  It seems I'm less afraid to climb a vertical surface when attached to rope than I was to go up several thousand feet where one fall... ack! Anyway, I did it, and I'll do it again.
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Ridge Hike and Intro to Climbing Gear, Bulamsan, Seoul

3/17/2014

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Started a 4 week climbing course sponsored by Climbing In Korea (Meetup) out of Seoul.  It was a great day, I learned a lot, and met awesome peeps!  All this, despite the fact the subway system in Seoul is hell on earth. :-)) (Love Seoul though!)

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