Farewell, But Not Goodbye

When I started this blog 2 ½ years ago, the intention was to keep my friends and family aware of activities, and my thought process through those activities. This blog has evolved in terms of my readership, my writing, and my content. Honestly, I am no longer comfortable with this blog, and my nature to share thoughts with whoever chooses to land on this page. I feel burdened and pressured to write meaningful posts and as of late it feels forced and contrived.

Recently I had a conversation about ego with a good friend of mine. Blogs, pictures, and video have been stroking my ego in a very stealthy manner, and only recently have I understood my motivations to share such materials on the internet. This blog is a component of my online persona that I have cultivated through the years, and I am no longer comfortable in my online presence. In fact over the last few months, I have slowly been pulling away from social networking sites, and general time spent online. I feel I need to find my roots, spend my time more wisely, and re-evaluate all that I am. Too much time has been wasted grooming this fake persona for the sake of my own ego, so I can receive recognition for activities which are ultimately mine to keep in mind, in body, and spirit. I feel I have devalued those experiences by not only constantly reliving them, but also have not done them justice by restraining how much and how deeply I write about them for the public eye.

Loyal reader, I’d like to thank you for your continued support. It’s not you, it’s me. The doors on this blog are closing. When my motivations are pure, I may start a new blog with a much narrower scope of topic. Life is too big and too personal, and does not align with my values by sharing it with the world.

I will continue to update my photography blog at http://saidphotography.blogspot.com/. I will also update this one with information if I choose to start a new blog in the future.

Always Yours,

Said

Life on the edge.

The Prologue

I can feel the bubbling up from deep in the depths of my character. An explosion of meaning with profound internal impact. The pursuits that once gave me meaning have fallen off the wayward side, in favor of new passions and purpose.

Like a river the essence of my being seems to constantly be changing. In fact, 5 years from now, the only thing certain is I will have a completely different perspective on life as I have now.

I feel I am slowly but surely pulled away from main stream society. A place I never felt at home in. The friends I have known since before my adventurous pursuits comment with harmless remarks like ‘You are a mountain man now’ and ‘You are always gone.’ The pursuits that bring happiness to my life have in a very real way alienated me from my peers who do not share my passions, and could not understand my motivations. Motivations derived from experiences so powerful, they demand residence in every fiber of your being.

This is a sacrifice I willingly make.

To the desert, it will reveal something bigger.

But our trip was different. It was to be a classic affirmation of everything right and true in the national character. A gross physical salute to the fantastic possibilities of life in this country. But only for those with true grit. And we are chock full of that, man. - Hunter S. Thompson

A Few Photos

Lunch at the Y

Photo By Scott Rogers

Who you gonna call?

Germ Free Adolescence.

Peace in Penitente

How beautiful life can be when you choose to surrender yourself to the powers that be. A rather large group of us met up in the San Luis Valley for a little climbing at Penitente. This was my first expedition there, and it is truly a magical place. I describe many places I've experienced through my climbing eye as magical, but the essence of the San Luis Valley is different. Constantly caught up in the clutter and proximity of the city, the vastness of the San Luis Valley captures the imagination. I felt insignificant amongst the open space and beauty there. Who am I to have even a selfish thought when I have the opportunity to experience another Rocky Mountain masterpiece.

The moment when you roll back home are sometimes the best and worst of the trip. Responsibilities you lived free of for a few hours hit you like a freight train, ready to trample your high spirits, and force you to forget the subtle lessons of the day. This time I'm fighting the urge to transition back to the way I usually live. I don't intend to forget my responsibilities, but rather keep the free perspective gained on every trip with good friends. Those moments can be fleeting, but that is why we demand and force ourselves back into the wilderness, back to the simplicity of life there. All we can really do in life is sustain our happiness, even when that happiness is hidden behind a wall of despair and suffering.

"You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing and dance, and write poems and suffer and understand, for all that is life." - Jiddu Krishnamurti

Frank on Bullet in the Blue Sky.

Dean finding peace on How the West Was Won during a 92% full moon.

All That You Need is Within You.

Life has funny ways of surprising you.

"The Dreamers are the saviors of the world."
-James Allen

Don't ever stop dreaming.

Midnight Rock

Do we make stories, or do the stories make us? Perception is a funny thing. It can create enjoyment out of the mundane, or make the most interesting and bizarre a ruined experience.

Today we ran into a male nudist while out at Dream Canyon. I'm not one to infringe on how someone chooses to enjoy nature. If you feel getting buck naked, becoming vulnerable to ticks, and molesting a pine cone is your way of enjoying nature, more power to you. But is there a line that can be crossed when you disrupt the enjoyment of others who do not share your passion?

This experience got me to thinking, how often do we as climbers force our experience upon others? Lets face it, we are an obsessed bunch, and when we're in a room together, there is little room for conversation away from our passions. That's all good and well, but there's always a point when those not acquainted with the vertical realm feel uncomfortable because they can not add anything meaningful to the conversation. Does a social responsibility exist to make them feel included, change topic, or inquire into their passions?

...Probly not, they're just not real enough to rock climb.

Ian on Voila at Midnight Rock.

Devestation

"Our passion are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes."

-Johanne Wolfgang Von Goethe

This last week I lost over 12,000 photos and all my music because I made the mistake of not backing up my data. I long to look at my old photos, the digital age is both a blessing and a burden. It puts me in a funny place as I know its an opportunity to start fresh, to look at the world through a new perspective, but I can't help grieving for that which I no longer have access to.

This last weekend, an awfully large group of us went to Vedauwoo and crashed Becca's house. Bodies were all over the place, but this group is an amazing one. Each individual is a blessing, and love is contagious with us. Hugs are had on an hourly basis, and despite the failings of the day, I feel fulfilled around this group of people. We've developed a family this summer, and there is a special place in my heart for each and every one of them.

The climbing at Vedauwoo is interesting, not at all what I expected, and I happened to have the most success on dynamic problems. The setting was perfect, the leaves had turned color, and the atmosphere magical. If you haven't experienced Vedauwoo, I certainly recommend it.

Love Life.

"We can have in life but one great experience at best, and the secret of life is to reproduce that experience as often as possible."-Oscar Wilde

I can not desribe in words the trip I just took over Labor Day weekend. Click Here for Pics.

Apologies for the lack of updates. Life suddenly has become quite busy.

The Flatirons

New places with old faces. I had my first sport climbing experience in the Flatirons today, and I was quite surprised. I thought the quality of the rock would be similar to all the bouldering experiences I have had in the same region, but in fact the sport climbs are of a much higher quality, and I was quite impressed. The peak of the day certainly came when Ian managed to climb his first 12c, Power Bulge, a test piece at that grade in the Flatirons. I got on it and flailed around for a few fleeting moments, but psyche was lost, as I don't enjoy bouldering clip to clip. I forgot to Post Produce these photos before I uploaded them on Blogger, so attempt to enjoy the photography.

Ian, Bec, and Tara happy to be in the shade on the hike up.

Bec crushing "Hot if You're Not"

Ian cruising "Power Bulge"

Getting Jiggy With It.

New Tricks

I just had the most wonderful evening. I met new friends, I did some serious slacklining, did a little Underground Exploration.

With so many pursuits of the moment, I don't often get the opportunity to stop, have an introspective moment, and reflect on the blessedness of my life, my ability, and my relationships. I am truly happy for every one of these. I have some of the best friends I could ever ask for, and I am able to pursue my passions with a fairly capable and healthy body. To everyone out there reading this, I thank you for being a part of my life, whether it is direct or indirect.

Here is a video Charlie took of me slacklining. Althought I'm the only one who appears in the video, I would not have had the smile on my face with out those friends who were around me.

Said on the RJ2 slackline from Charlie Shannon on Vimeo.

The Sisters Tour

I took some friends to 3 sisters on Saturday, and it was yet another amazing day. The highlight certainly came when we all sent a tall ball 3 called Guiding Light. It was very inspiring to watch the emotional energy level of the group peak at the end of the day. Despite sore tips and hang overs we overcame and crushed.

Sabrina terrified of sending, but proudly send she did.

Frank continuing to make strides in his recovery process.

Does Dean have any Captain in him. Indeed he does.

Shaolin is For ReaL

RMNP & Jurrasic Park Highline

This past weekend was one of those weekends I live for. I didn't sleep in my bed, I didn't change my clothes, I didn't smell the best, but I spent almost every waking moment in the wilderness amongst the prescence of beautiful people.

Saturday was my first foray into Rocky Mountain National Park. We headed to Emerald Lake, and had lots of laughs. Sunday a different group headed to Jurrasic Park to set up a new highline in an old climbing area. It was my first highine onsight, and the adrenaline is still coarsing through my veigns. I have never felt so passionate about slacklining as I have in the last few weeks, and the results are showing themselves.

It was also a great weekend for my camera, For your enjoyment:

Hayley fighting the fierce wind to surmount this classic Jurrasic Park route.

Larkin taking some serious whips on the J park Highline.

Scott, the Chuck Norris of the highlining world, dominating as usual.

David enjoying a serene moment before sending.

Frank proving he can still climb stronger than you with one leg.

Boulder Creek Water Line

The sweltering heat placed me on the cusp of insanity on this warm July day. Scott and I marched into Eben G Fine to scantily clad boys and girls escaping the summer warmth by way of the Boulder Creek. With gear in hand, we arrived at our designated slack spot to the dismay of the rope swing crowd. We did not carry threatening intentions, but merely wanted to share the art of movement. Quickly rigging the line, many friends came and joined our session.

My turn to approach the line had come. I felt so excited anxiousness took over my body. I longed to be on top of the line, and could not remove my shoes fast enough. The water raged beneath me as I weighed the line on my hands. From this perspective a few feet over the water surface, the outline of rocks could be seen by the whitewater washing over them rapidly. The swiftness and movement was unnerving. This is not the usual experience, I felt hard pressed to find my point of reference, and dizziness came over me. Conscious of the crowd watching, my mind exploring all the wrong areas, I moved into position.

Wet and weary I pulled myself out of Boulder Creek. Humbled by the line, I rose up, pulled myself together, and gave it another go.

Scott Dominating.

The Crew.

Scott Rogers - The Man. The Legend.

This man needs no introduction. His reputation precedes him. He is a pioneer in the slacklining community, not only building community but also pioneering new lines. He is the definition of a professional slackliner: sharing his passion with anyone even remotely interested, and constantly educating and advocating for slacklining access. Without further ado I present Scott Rogers.

me: So Scott, I understand you just took a trip to Mallorca, tell us a little bit about your trip, and what type of lines you set up

Scott: Yeah I just got back from a slack and relaxation trip in Mallorca. I rigged up some lines on the beach and taught little kids how to walk the line, and I also did the second walk of the arco natural in Cala Varques on the eastern coast of Mallorca

me: Tell us about your set up, I understand you had minimal amount of gear

Scott: Yes, very minimal. In order to reduce the weight of my gear (and consequently lower the airplane fees) I only rigged with a single threaded line. Usually we double up the lines to have sufficient backup in case of a line failure.

So it was a little unnerving, especially because I really didn't have the option of falling on to my leash (the high forces may have crushed the anchors), and the line was long enough to be close to the edge of my comfort level in highlining. So it was a little unnerving, especially because I really didn't have the option of falling on to my leash (the high forces may have crushed the anchors), and the line was long enough to be close to the edge of my comfort level in highlining.

The anchors themselves were really cool, there were natural holes in the rock that I threaded with slings and equalized to the master point on each side of the line. One of the holes was completely crushed when we took the line down and examined the anchors at the end of the day

me: Do you do any sort of training or preparation for highlining?

Scott: not anymore, no

they say the best training for doing something well is doing it

me: Why do you slackline/highline? What is the allure of this sport for you?

Scott: That's a good question. It seems like such a fruitless pursuit to an outside observer, but anyone who has actually stepped onto a line has felt the electrifying addiction that slackline has.

For me it is very meditative. So many people are searching for something, God, nirvana, happiness in general. For me, walking a high slackline is the easiest way to achieve this direct experience that so many are searching for. Step by step in the clouds, or next to a waterfall, or above an ocean. Each moment is limitless and the spirit is truly free. The possibility of achieving that moment is why I slackline.

me: Right now slacklining is a sport in its infancy. How do you feel about the importance of style and ethics (if any) in slacklining?

Scott: It reminds me a lot of skateboarding from back in the day. The most primitive tricks are currently being developed, jumps, spins, flips. One day people will look back and wonder why it took so long to learn all these tricks, but someone has to come up with them first. That is where the sport is currently (at least for the slacklining side)

For highlining, style is not so important. If you can get across, you're a badass. If you can get across without falling, even more so. But now people are throwing tricks on the highline as well. The more ambitious people get up high, the safer the systems need to be. The style is in the rigging systems. There are some really bright people out there innovating the rigging to make highlines safer and safer.

As far as ethics are concerned, that's a whole different debate. We're struggling to get slackline accepted and legalized in towns all over the country. Hopefully soon there will be a mutual respect between city officials and slackliners

me: What is the public image of slacklining, and will it positively or negatively affect access?

Scott: The public image for slacklining is pretty positive though, we're all good people and we all care for the well being of the environment and other people, so there shouldn't be too much resentment between us and the authorities. It isn't like we're all trying to "stick it to the man", we just want to be able to do what we love.

me: What kind of access issues are confronting slacklining right now? Do you see slacklining going the route of skateboarding in terms of illegality in public spaces? Will designated slackline parks be the future of slacklining?

Scott: Right now people are just starting to understand what slacklining is. In Boulder, for instance, there is a pre-existing ordinance saying that you can't attach anything to trees, and after years of slacklining in Boulder, they are only now starting to enforce it.

We're not sure which direction we'll have to go, but it involves two options I think, either making an exception to this ordinance for slacklining (using proper tree protection of course), or creating special use slackline areas in the parks.

me: What do you see in the future of slacklining? Where would you like to see it go?

Scott: It seems to keep growing and growing, with no end in sight. I think that is a good thing. The bigger slacklining gets, the more capable people will be of enjoying it. Right now it caters to a very small community of climbers, but it is recently expanding and now people are learning to slackline who have never climbed before in their lives. I hope it continues to grow to include more people in the sport.

me: What are your thoughts on the 2 inch vs 1 inch line debate?

Scott: 1 inch 4 life

me: Who are some slack liners who have influenced your development or who you look up to.

Scott: I take a lot of my style from Andy Lewis and Said Parirokh, and I also really look up to Dean Potter. Also the original Yosemite cats who got it all going.

me: What advice would you give to someone just starting to slackline?

Scott: It seems so difficult at first, especially highlining, but just practicing with a fun group of people will help you to grow in the sport, almost infinitely.

me: What's in your future? Do you have any big trips or plans coming up?

Scott: There are a couple big lines I'm planning for the Colorado area that I'll rig soon. I've also been practicing my BASE jumping so that I can start baselining soon. That seems like the ultimate crossover activity.

me: Any Shoutouts?

Scott: Slackline Brothers has always helped me out, and they have the best highline tensioning system in the world. Good people.
Also check out the Colorado Slackline Club, we're bringing slackline to Colorado in a big way, and helping people to learn to slackline and highline safely.

You can also check out Scott's blog at Scott's Mild Adventures for an introspective and intellectual perspective on his own life.

Insomnia

Its 2 am, and I have no idea where my head is at. It seems to me that 2009 has not been a good year physically. I have sustained multiple injuries to my left hand this year, none of them from climbing, yet they continually are re aggrevated from climbing. It makes me want to scream. I'm looking at another month of 'rest' and it upsets me because all my goals have been derailed. In November I'm coming up on the end of my 5th year in this wacky sport, and everyday I feel more psyched and ready to push myself beyond my current limits. However at 26 I feel as though I am leaving my youth behind me, as well as the potential to build power. But that brings me to what's keeping me up this evening.

It is a wonderful feeling when the mind and the body exist on the same wavelength. Act as one, living within the moment, in the breath, free from distraction. These moments are rare, and in my experience tend to move in phases. Occasianaly these phases can be extended into days, sometimes weeks. If you have great mental strength, perhaps you always live in this phase. I have always been a realist; lets say this is the optimistic point of view of a pessimist. Self doubt has long been a resident of my thought process degrading my ability to hold onto that killer instinct in every sport I've participated in. The interesting bit is it only applies to activities which I care deeply for. For example, my love of rock climbing far outweighs my love of slacklining, but I am a much more accomplished slackliner than I am a rock climber. It is easy for me to find my ebb and flow on a line. Immediately before I even mount a line do my mind and body connect on the same frequency. It is because I always let go. I have no emotional ties to slacklining. The outcome from a day of slacklining has no affect on my emotional well being. Rock climbing on the other hand lends itself to obsessiveness. I spend many nights lying awake rehearsing sequences in my mind preparing myself to ascend lines that stand out. My ego is so intrinsically associated with rock climbing it has created a emotional void that can only be filled via send.

The re aggrevation of my collateral ligament occured only 3 days ago, but I am on the brink of insanity because I feel as if I'm withering away with out the one physical activity that makes me whole. As I grow older I fear I will need to create a new approach to all physical activities in my life. For now, I am at the peak of my physical prowess, and it is hard to be forced to rest. How does one mentally deal with such strife? I've tried all the usual distractions, but the aggregation of multiple injuries teasing me with full health aside from one joint and one ligament are killers.

Feeling vulnerable while seeking my flow. Don't take your health for granted, enjoy the shit out of it.

Corwina Park

Chris took me to a 'secret' boulder off of 74 before the town of Kittredge in Corwina Park. It is hardly a secret as it is less than a 2 minute hike from the trailhead, but I had never heard of anyone climbing this boulder before. Perhaps it is the lack of hard problems that exist on it, but there is a nice highball in the v3-v5 range. Matt and I got on it, but neither of us were psyched enough to send. It is interesting that it is the same quality of gneiss that is found in the park. If there weren't more diverse destinations close by, I would probably frequent this boulder often.


Matt Climbing. Chris spotting in the classic Hunchback of Notre Dame Style.

3 Sisters Guide Book

Bouldering has always been my first love in climbing. I began bouldering, and I will always boulder. I remember many trips J russ and I would take into the front range. We were complete noobs, rocking Umbro shorts, and placing climbing stickers on everything we owned. We were obsessed, and loved it more than anything. When we finally got sick of the sharp conglomerate of Flagstaff Mtn, we decided to venture into the unknown armed with Benningfields Colorado Bouldering, and Horan's Best of Boulder Bouldering. Boy did we ever get lost....constantly. J russ and I had an epic at least twice a week looking for boulders. Often we wandered around aimlessly finding nothing to climb, resorting to putting up some dirtbuglar on the closest chosspile we could find to make the trip "worth while."
Perhaps part of it was the fact we weren't very good at exploring for new boulders, but I feel a much bigger hand in our aimless wanderings was the poor description of boulder locations, and the lack of a proper map to get us there. Now we are much older, much more experienced, and I like to think we're much wiser, but that is always up to debate. Now I armed with education in the field of Geographic Information Systems, and it is time climbing guides on the front range are revolutionized in terms of accuracy and precision. I've decided to take it upon myself to create a guidebook for the 3 Sisters area in Evergreen in an attempt to create a guidebook which focuses on getting climbers to the boulders they desire with minimal knowledge of the area.
Today I hooked up with Luke Childres a 3rd generation First Ascentionist that has developed a great deal of the 3 Sisters area in the last 10 - 15 years. He is truly a legend in his own right, and he gave me the pleasure of working with him today. We gathered all sorts of data for the guidebook, and I am very excited to see the distribution of areas and boulders from a cartographic perspective. Here are a few pictures from our day.


Parking Lot 2

The First Ascentionist Taking Flight.

The Author on the Prince.

Gaining wisdom on Wisdom.

More 3 Sisters

Matt K. and I went to 3 sisters despite the weather channel's call for scattered T Storms. It turned out to be a beautiful day. We experienced one short 15 minute shower, and blue skies the remainder of the day.




Matt making the bump on Thievery.

Rainbows

The view from on top of the middle sister. (Enter dirty joke of choice here)

Baby You, You Got What I NeeeeeD.....

The last few weeks my house has turned into a hostel for rock climbers from Tennessee. It seems half the climbing community from Knoxville currently resides in Colorado for the summer, and I can't blame them. It has been really nice to catch up with old friends, and show them some Colorado Hospitality.
The more I mingle with climbers, the more I realize that we are actually quite a worldly bunch. There are few other sports which encourage a lifestyle of travel the way climbers experience travel. Traveling to destinations in remote regions away from the hustle and bustle of the 'tourist' experience, we see, feel, and understand culture better than most. For a long time I felt as though climbing was going to be another sport I'd fall out of after a few years, but I know now the draw is more than just movement and physical activity. There is an intrinsic association with the way we choose to live as well. I love climbing for everything it is off the rock as much as it is on the rock. Next time you go out, and get frustrated by your failures on the rock, remember everything you've learned from climbing off the rock.

Alex F. on Re-Entry Burn at Satellites.

Charlie on Slabrina at 3 Sisters

3 sisters/Alderfer Park

I fell in love with quartz granite on Saturday. My first foray into 3 sisters was absolutely amazing. This area is an overlooked gem in the front range bouldering destinations. We had the boulders to ourselves in a pristine and gorgeous environment. At 7500 feet I will be heading to this destination plenty this summer. The rock quality is superb, and suddenly my psyche is back.

OMG BLOG UPDATES!

I have nothing to say except this: TBA - Total Bad ASs.


Kyle cruising this crack for the 100th time.

Kyle Crushes Again.

Tasha hiding behind the bee.