September 11, 2005 - Gorgeous and Sad
We had a classic day at the Gorge yesterday. The morning started with some catching up with some good friends who rolled into the campground the night before. We then departed for the bottom of the Gorge, some on bicycles, some on foot, with Edison making it down slowly with the help of a “stick-clip” walking stick and some patience. The heal injury that Edison suffered during a fall on the first day of the trip continues to nag him while walking.
The rest of the day was quite lovely with sharing of climbs with some of my favorite people.
At night, we opted to grab supplies and cook at the campsite. There was much sharing of delicious creations as well as wine around the campfire. Some people find Horton Campground to be baron but I’ve always loved it. It lacks tall trees or raging rivers but I’ve always been there with true friends, leaving me with valuable memories.
Today started a bit somber. September 11th has become a powerful day with endless layers of emotions. This day was spent with true friends, at a place I love so much, engaging in an activity that has been so central in my development and maturation.
After finishing up breakfast, we all broke camp and headed for the Sad Boulders. I haven’t visited these specific boulders before and bouldering outside hasn’t been a part of my climbing vocabulary for a really long time. The rock of rough and the problems were steep. I had trouble not falling on the designated “warm-up” problems. My friends managed to negotiate a few problems with power, skill, and grace. Bob and Neon then turned the energy towards a new project which, to me, seemed incredibly impossible. They took turns trying different body positions and sequences. This problem appeared to be at their physical limits but I have no doubt that soon they will no longer fall on it…the problem falling to them.
Edison and I arrived at Death Valley tonight with a goal of shooting photographs tomorrow. Sunrise at the sand dunes will require quite a bit of discipline to get up in time. It is quiet with sound coming only from the wind, crickets, and moths that keep on dive-bombing into my monitor. I guess I should also mention the sound of Edison’s “sawing wood (aka snoring)” as well.
I also have many thoughts to keep me company. I would like to thank Trang and Doug for leading us to Bishop from Las Vegas and Shadow for keeping me entertained. I greatly appreciate Bob, Nyon, and Lan for taking the long drive down from San Jose. I admire their good natures and positive energy which I will draw from during the upcoming months. I hope that our paths will cross again soon. And, thank you to Edison for toughing things out and keeping good spirits despite the pain from the heal injury as well as keeping me entertained with 1980’s music flashbacks from his ever-handy iPod.
However, get him on climbs and he does just fine. Edison hopped onto Looney Binge, a very difficult route that comes out of the 30 foot Eldorado Roof after a very challenging vertical section.
Neon belayed Edison during this excursion. I have to take this moment to thank all of the individuals who have graciously taken up so much of my belaying duties so I can shoot photos. I am very grateful for all the generosity of time and energy.
The rest of the day was quite lovely with sharing of climbs with some of my favorite people.
At night, we opted to grab supplies and cook at the campsite. There was much sharing of delicious creations as well as wine around the campfire. Some people find Horton Campground to be baron but I’ve always loved it. It lacks tall trees or raging rivers but I’ve always been there with true friends, leaving me with valuable memories.
Today started a bit somber. September 11th has become a powerful day with endless layers of emotions. This day was spent with true friends, at a place I love so much, engaging in an activity that has been so central in my development and maturation.
After finishing up breakfast, we all broke camp and headed for the Sad Boulders. I haven’t visited these specific boulders before and bouldering outside hasn’t been a part of my climbing vocabulary for a really long time. The rock of rough and the problems were steep. I had trouble not falling on the designated “warm-up” problems. My friends managed to negotiate a few problems with power, skill, and grace. Bob and Neon then turned the energy towards a new project which, to me, seemed incredibly impossible. They took turns trying different body positions and sequences. This problem appeared to be at their physical limits but I have no doubt that soon they will no longer fall on it…the problem falling to them.
Edison and I arrived at Death Valley tonight with a goal of shooting photographs tomorrow. Sunrise at the sand dunes will require quite a bit of discipline to get up in time. It is quiet with sound coming only from the wind, crickets, and moths that keep on dive-bombing into my monitor. I guess I should also mention the sound of Edison’s “sawing wood (aka snoring)” as well.
I also have many thoughts to keep me company. I would like to thank Trang and Doug for leading us to Bishop from Las Vegas and Shadow for keeping me entertained. I greatly appreciate Bob, Nyon, and Lan for taking the long drive down from San Jose. I admire their good natures and positive energy which I will draw from during the upcoming months. I hope that our paths will cross again soon. And, thank you to Edison for toughing things out and keeping good spirits despite the pain from the heal injury as well as keeping me entertained with 1980’s music flashbacks from his ever-handy iPod.
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