Unfortunately, climbing outside has not been much of a reality in the past couple of weeks. I’ve been saving up on climbing experiences over the past few weeks to actually have something to write about in my climbing blog, ha! Here’s a short recap of the past events and those to come:

CCS Regionals: last weekend! First time visit to Chattanooga as well (I know..) The comp was a blast and hanging out with the Chattnasty crew afterwards was so much fun. Although we all compete against one another, I have to say that the entire duration of the comp and after it felt like we were all part of one big southeastern family of climbers. No one was or really ever has been super competitive, and the atmosphere/attitude is always super positive and full of energy.  I love it.

last minute sends

Southeastern crushers, one big ol family!

1st for the ladies! Thanks to Michael’s advice, I now have a plaque and goal to win more plaques so that whenever I feel down about life, I can campus my plaques and remember..”oh. OH. that’s right!!” hahaha

The next day we were the definition of wrecked, but had never been to Little Rock City (I know..) so knew that was a priority above all else. Our wreckedness made our skills appear chufferesque at best, but the views of boulders all around put me in a constant state of amazement.

 

I had stalked this area by video, noting the top climbs I wanted to try or at least look at when the time came to visit. Unfortunately we only had a few hours available to explore before heading back home, but we were able to sample a few easier climbs with the post-comp soreness. We did a few 3, 4 and 5 that were so much fun and hopped on some other climbs we did not know the names of.

Pratt warms up on Long Day Traverse v3

In love with this rock!!!

another gorgeous warm up – Oracle?? v4

My pictures are not as good as Pratts, but because of my annoyance, it will be at least another two years until he grants me access to his photos. haha…

The latest news is the more exciting thing — dun dun dunn, WE’RE GOING TO CCS NATIONALS!!!! Holy crap! At first it was a joke, then it became a secret dream, then it became a goal, now it’s a reality. I cannot even begin to describe the hours spent researching the event and planning and desperation to raise funds in order to see it come through, and now it’s happening! Focus is still on school and research and managing my time between all (not just climbing!) But it’s hard not to think of it from time to time and be excited. Every other day is spent predominantly in the gym (ergh), anywhere from 3-6 hours (wake up at 6, run, class, climb, class, run, class, go to work, homework…repeat.) But my rest days are fully spent doing schoolwork/field work and catching up so I can climb or train the next day. Thankfully only 2 more weeks of that!

Lastly, here are more amateur photos I took last week of springtime in the high country:

“It’s spring fever…. You don’t quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”

not a typical spring photo, but something different

Hope everyone finds time to get outside and climb, hike, enjoy the outdoors, etc. Good luck and take care!