Boulder Comp

In the previous post, Ben talked about the climbing festival and how much fun it was.  The part that he didn't mention was that because of his work schedule at the hospital he was really only able to be there for the hard labor and service parts.  On Friday he was able to be there for the entire gear demo and afterparty at Slackwater Pizza (Best hawaiian pizza ever!!! They actually put canadian and real bacon on it making it amazing).  Saturday he was only able to go to the set up and be at the Ogden Boulder Field for the start of the bouldering competition until he had to go to work but he didn't complain a bit about helping out and working hard so everyone else could enjoy the rest of the day. 

The bouldering comp was really neat, I am not a strong boulderer so I decided to be a judge instead.  I ended up judging a few of the more difficult problems so I got to spend the day watching the more advanced climbers working on some tough routes.  One of the coolest things about rock climbers whether it's a comp or not is that they are all more than willing to help each other out.  While climbing your body needs breaks between routes and instead of heading to the sidelines and drinking gatorade, climbers will stick around and watch the next person work on a problem and help give them small suggestions or technical beta or sometimes just to cheer them on.  There's a strange feeling that you get as a climber when someone is able to complete a problem they've been working on because of the encouragement and advice that you give them.

This would be after the competition when Tim (the guy under the jacket behind me in the picture who is actually typing on a laptop and I were busy running totals and scores to determine the winners.  Once again when it comes to competitions, the awards at the end aren't always centered around the very best climbers.  Usually everyone walks away with something if possible and the first place climbers aren't always given first choice of the schwag.  It's not about winning in these competitions, it's about figuring out ways to get your body to stick to the rock in weird ways, it's about pushing yourself to the top, it's about reaching your own potential, and it's about having fun helping others do the same thing.

There was also a slideshow with professional climber Peter Croft followed by an afterparty catered by Roosters that was held at the Front Climbing Gym.  That, for me, is the best part of the weekend.  Delicious food, some climbing, and just hanging out with a bunch of my favorite people including my parents this year!  (of course my #1 favorite person, Ben, was working hard and unable to come even though we both really wanted him to be there).

Sunday was the boulder field clean up and maintenance where once again, after a late night of working, Ben woke up and was at the boulderfield at 10am to help make rock steps, close unofficial trails, and help get the current trails system in better shape.  He had to run to work shortly after and stayed there until 10pm but he did it all with his usual hardworking attitude.  He's always so good at doing what needs to be done and helping out at his own cost.  After it all, we were completely run down and tired from the big weekend so this morning (Monday) neither of us woke up until 11am.  For anyone who knows us this basically hasn't happened for the entire time we've been together.  When we decide we're going to sleep in we usually are awake by about 8:30am.  Oh my did it feel good to catch up on some much needed "Z's". 

Ogden Climbing Festival

Getting back from the much needed weekend rally to the river things have been a bit crazy with work and the Ogden Climbing Festival. Seems like the days drag on and fly by at the same time (most likely cause they start at 5am and end at 12 or 12:30am) I don’t know how I could have done it all without Denver. The climbing festival seemed to run the smoothest it ever has thanks to Daniel and his team getting things together so far in advance! Friday night’s gear demo was quite the scene with a live DJ, giveaways, raffles, demos, climbing, and more Red Bull than you could possibly drink. Lets just say if you drink too much its not the wings but the butt rocket that will have you flying! Tear down went really fast and then it was off the Slackwater Pizza, where the infamous Russian Imperial still lurks for an unsuspecting victim.  Good food and good times. Saturday and Sunday I was only able to help in the mornings with the set up and clean up. Everything I heard about the comp was really positive so I am sure it all went well. 

Spontaniety

Well, life has been crazy this past year, Ben has been working a crazy schedule with seemingly endless work days, random hours, and scarce days off.  On those days off, we've been trying to get things done, catch up on rest, and actually spend some time together whether it's watching movies, riding bikes, working on projects, or cleaning the apartment.

Ben actually had the last two days off so what did we do?  We had some friends over Saturday night so we cleaned up and got ready for a fun night in followed by some sunday fishing on the Weber River.  In coordinating plans for the night, my husband and his buddy James decided last minute that we would instead go to the Oneida Narrows to run the river just outside of Preston, ID instead of staying home.  Even more fun, they tell me we're leaving in an hour.  I was looking forward to fishing so it took some time to get my mind changed to the idea of camping and rafting.  I helped pack the car and before I knew it we were on our way for a late night drive to Idaho.

We spent the day calmly running the river and hitchhiking back to the car (we brought a bike to run the shuttle with but as a car was passing we decided it was much nicer than biking for 8 miles up a hot dirt road).  In the evening, we went to the hot springs to soak and enjoy the night followed by some time back at camp watching the amazing shooting stars, listening to music, and sitting around the campfire.  That night was much warmer than the first and Bagheera was so tired from the events of the day that she slept solid and didn't want to wake up when the morning came.

It was such a great weekend in the end and even though I was reluctant at first, I am very glad we went.  We used to do random weekend getaways on a whim like that all the time but now with work and busy schedules it seems we never are able to do something that branches too far from the routine or schedule of events.  It was good to get back to that side of us and to see how easily we can make lasting memories instead of just watching time pass.  Sometimes the quiet weekends are necessary but adventures always last longer in the scheme of things.