Year in Review

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all" - Helen Keller

2013 has come and gone and it feels like it just flew by. Looking back at the year, there were tons of good moments with friends and family, as well as some great times spent with new people. Of course there were ups and downs and highs and lows. It's a cycle. You will always have a thing to cherish as well as a thing you want to forget. But for me, New Years is a time to reflect on the old and remember the accomplishments and proud moments made. It's a time to look ahead, a time to look for what you can improve on, and most of all, it's a chance for new adventure.

ATVing with family in Utah

Beginning in 2013, I travelled to Utah with my family. I visited three national parks, went ATVing, and even got some climbing in at Moe's Valley. A few weeks after that, I travelled to the Hueco Rock Rodeo, one of my favorite events of the year. This was my second time in Hueco (my first time in good weather) as well as my first time climbing on East Mountain and I couldn't have asked for a better time. I got the chance to meet so many new people and even got to stay a few days after, climbing some more! Straight after the Rodeo came Open and Youth Nationals, always another fun event. 

Bouldering in Hueco

Open Nationals

Youth Nationals

A few weeks later I travelled down to Rocktown, Georgia for the first time. Excited would be an understatement and it was a chance to just climb with no expectations. I had no project I wanted to check off the list and the weather couldn't have been better. Unfortunately, I got injured the first day of the trip and tore the muscle fibers in my arm. I was out for a month and truly learned to have a new perspective. Although this was tough to deal with, I learned so many new things during this time and ended up gaining so much more than I lost. I learned just how important the little things are in life. 

Icing my arm after getting hurt --still smiling!

Next came my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, part uno. The summer before this, I had spent a month here and it always makes me never want to leave. During this trip I felt strong, much stronger than the previous summer, and I sent my project "The Kind Traverse" (v11)! I had climbed all day the day before and was exhausted, did not feel like I could climb at my best. I was psyched to get out and climb that day, but I really had no expectations and I think that's a huge part of why I sent. And because I didn't expect anything that day, that made the send worth so much more to me. 

Kind Traverse

After sending Kind Traverse

I was home for a day or two after this trip and went straight to the Red River Gorge. For me, climbing at the Red is a constant battle of ups and downs. I still don't feel as comfortable sport climbing as I do bouldering, but part of getting better is working on your weaknesses. I love every minute spent climbing outside and whether it's bouldering or sport climbing, as long as I get to climb, I'm happy. 

Climbing at RRG

After a trip down at the Red River Gorge, came my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, part dos. See, I told you, it always makes me want to come back! This trip was exciting for me because I got to spend a lot of time climbing with my friends. I was there for a week and didn't have a single rest day. My body ached, I was tired, and some days were slow moving. But, my motivation level kept getting higher and higher as the trip moved on. Beginning of this trip, part dose, I didn't have a new project. When I was there, I just wanted to climb anything and everything. It didn't matter what I got on because every problem was so much fun. That's what I loved about this trip. No matter if it was v2 or v12, every problem was just as enjoyable. It was my fifth day on, and I walked over to try "European Human Being" (v12). It is a HARD problem and every move required a large amount of focus. After flailing and falling many times, I ended the day getting all the moves and was super psyched. Guess I'll just have to go back for Rocky Mountain National Park, part tres! 

Me with my friends at the park

Returning back home from the park, it was time to start school and get ready for Triple Crown. Triple Crown is also one of my favorite events of the year! Getting to boulder on three different areas of southern sandstone is music to my ears! It's always a blast and this year was just as fun as the previous year. This past fall was also my first time competing in the Open Category and I managed to make podium. I was stoked! I also managed to get lots of new personal sends on my score card. Although this year only had two events (LRC and HP40), both were so fun and the energy was contagious. Can't wait for it again next year!

Triple Crown 2013

Before and after Triple Crown came some fun smaller comps along the way including a win at the Rockquest Cincinnati Open comp for the third year in a row! There were also some short trips here and there back to the Red and Colorado! I spent my birthday in Colorado with good friends and had the best birthday a girl could ask for. I also had a recent trip to Florida, which was nice to soak up some sun and enjoy the ocean. It felt great to slow down and relax for a bit, but I'm ready to get back climbing!

2013 was an amazing year and it kept getting better and better. I have no doubt 2014 will be great, as well! Some plans for 2014: Hueco Rock Rodeo, Open Nationals, Triple Crown, trip to Bishop, Joe's Valley, Southeast, Colorado, the Red, and more! Thanks so much to everyone who made 2013 so special. Thanks to my sponsors: La Sportiva and Organic Climbing for everything this year as well as everyone I got the chance to meet or climb with in 2013. 

Cheers to 2014 and to a new adventure!

Happy New Year!!!

Colorado, Round 2

There's something about Colorado that always draws me back. Maybe it's the breathtaking alpine beauty or the endless amounts of climbing. Maybe it's the motivating and inspiring people I get the chance to meet everyday. It's not everyday either that I get to wake up with elk in the backyard. Whatever the reason, the park is one of my favorite places in the world, and I was determined to come back once again before school started in mid August...and...I went back for round 2! Woohoo!

Rocky Mountain National Park (view from the hike)

For me, some of my favorite parts about climbing isn't just that victory smile after standing on top of your project, but it's about spending time with your friends as well as enjoying the process of bouldering or that 90% "failure" rate. I understand that bouldering has very little success rate of standing on top of that project and once you experience that small success rate, it is incredible, but at the same time the rest is not "failure" to me. It's about seeing the little progress made - getting highpoint, or getting all of the moves on your project, or just getting one move farther than before. To me, these little successes are part of what make me enjoy climbing so much. After spending another week here, I learned just that. 

Lake Haiyaha in Lower Chaos

The first climbing day of Round 2, I went climbing in Emerald Lake with Angie, Meagan, Alex, and Kati and worked Whispers of Wisdom (v10). I have always thought this problem was very challenging and intimidating. Maybe it's looking at the committing top-out or terrifying slab down-climb. I would love to send this problem someday, but for now I've been working out the moves. I had worked Whispers with Angie back in June and found out a few weeks later that she had sent it, which is very very impressive! Working it with Meagan, I saw that she was super close on it. Knowing these 2 things, it was extremely motivating and inspiring. Working it again in August, I had stuck more moves than working it back in June, which was a personal highlight for me. And climbing with all these incredibly talented girls...double highlight! And, it was SO fun! 

Dream Lake on the way to Emerald

Back in June, I had sent my project, "The Kind Traverse" (v11) and knew I wanted my next project to be "European Human Being" (v12). This problem suits my style well and I was ready and psyched to start working it. It was our hottest day of the trip, mid-afternoon, and I decided to go straight over to try it. Why on our hottest day and why mid-afternoon? Tell me about it, right... ;) Not the best conditions...but I stuck all the moves and it actually went really well! The move to the crimp after sticking the undercling was hard for me, so I decided to go to this intermediate crimp before and bump to the next crimp and that beta felt less extended and easier for me. I was really psyched after getting the moves and although it wasn't the send, just working out move by move was really motivating and exciting for me. The process of working that boulder problem out was my accomplishment for that day. I was satisfied and will be excited to train and come back stronger. So when the temps get colder and the next time I go back...hopefully it will go in the upcoming future!

Lake Haiyaha

"European Human Being" (v12)

"European Human Being" (v12)

Another highlight of the trip for me was spending time with old friends and meeting new ones. Two of the girls I stayed with, Laurel and Ivy, live in Estes Park and were so much fun to be around. I had met Laurel at ABS Open Nationals last year and ran into her while I was here in June and was so happy I got the chance to get to know her and have her become one of my close friends. We spent many hours laughing, climbing, and just having the best time. Another girl, Emily, met me out here and I had a blast climbing throughout the park with her. We all even jumped in the freezing cold Lake Haiyaha on our last day here, which was something I had wanted to do for a long time! Sometimes, it doesn't matter where you are as long as you are with the people that mean a lot to you. I was with my friends as well as being in one of my favorite places - can't get any better than that. :)

Hike up to Chaos

Great day up Trail Ridge

Right before jumping in Lake Haiyaha

Straight up G

2 thumbs up

On the hike

Posing for the camera in Lower

The week was coming to an end and it was time for me to head home and start school. It was time to say goodbye to the park until next season, which was very hard, but I left motivated as always and can't wait for my upcoming trips to the Southeast, Hueco, Colorado, Bishop, and hopefully Joes! Of course I was sad to leave Colorado, but I know that I'll be back again soon. After all, a trip to Colorado never seems to disappoint! Thanks to all the people who let this trip happen, as well as all the people who I had the absolute pleasure to either climb with or spend time with while I was there. Now it's time to start training for Triple Crown! Southeast bouldering...here I come!!!

Colorado, Take Me Back

I spent the last two weeks in a place that means a lot to me. There's just something about this place that makes me smile and feel so happy when I'm there. And I always leave more motivated than ever before. This place is Rocky Mountain National Park. Last summer, I spent 4 weeks climbing in the park and it was one of the best experiences I've had. Seeing those beautiful, monstrous mountains every morning or waking up knowing I could climb in one of the most beautiful places in the world always gets me psyched. There's just something about it that always seems to hit home.

 Beautiful sunrise

 Sunset over the Rocky Mountains

This trip this summer was much shorter, and I missed my friends who I spent a month with last year, but it just seemed to click like nothing before. In April, I tore the muscle fibers in my forearm and couldn't climb for a month. The main outdoor climbing trip I took before this was Hueco, which was back in February. I was thirsty to climb outside, to say the least. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect before my trip to Colorado. I was hoping I would climb strong, but I was nervous. I didn't want to re-injure myself and I'll admit I wasn't the strongest mentally. Once I saw those mountains, I was so excited to climb on rock and man, was it fun!

 Lake on one of my rest days

 Elk in the road...typical

After about eighteen hours in a jam-packed car, I finally could go climbing. The first views you see when you drive from Boulder to the park were absolutely breathtaking. There wasn't one cloud in the sky and I could smell the pine trees from the car. It felt so good to be back. Once we got through the town of Estes and started driving on Bear Lake Road, re-familiarizing myself with all the construction and seeing all the animals as we drove up, it made me feel like I had never left. My friend, Aaron, and I started hiking to Emerald lake and had to climb the classic "Kind" (v5) to start the day off. After some fun moderates, we climbed at the Real Large Boulder and I sent "The Arete" (v8). I got a heal hook along the side and then after the first side-pull, matched on two baking crimps to finish it out. It was a really fun problem I had never tried before and was glad to end the day knowing there was some try hard. :) We later went out to dinner in Boulder and I faded fast. It was very hard to try and stay awake. The next day I woke up and had never been so sore in my entire life. More sore than after triple crown or any other climbing trip. My body was exhausted, but every ache just made me smile, knowing I got to climb, and in one of my favorite places. It was a good day!

 View while biking

During my rest days, I went biking through the park, walked along Pearl Street in Boulder, and just enjoyed being with friends and family and being outside. One of the days, I even got a much needed massage and was ready for more days of climbing! After some great days at the park, I went sport climbing with some friends from La Sportiva in Boulder Canyon! To get to the wall, we had to cross a river by hooking ourselves in and pulling ourselves across some rope (Tyrolean Traverse). That was an adventure of itself and am so glad I checked that off my bucket list. :) After some fun routes, the next day I went back to the park, and wanted to give "The Kind Traverse" (v11) a good go. I had worked this last summer and again a few days before this, falling going to the crack at the very end twice. Now who falls going to the crack? Me. There were some major "Noooo!"s said after each fall. The morning came and I was tired. I had climbed the night before and was sore all over from biking, I didn't expect much. We were on the hike up and my dad asked me if I was going to send it first go? My response: I'm excited to work it, but I'm not expecting much. It would be a miracle if I send it first go." We got to the boulder and I got on and felt good...and SENT IT FIRST GO of the day!! Topping it out, I was so incredibly psyched. Not only had I sent my first big project, but that was also the hardest problem I had sent to date. At that moment, smiling ear to ear, I felt like I had exceeded all of my expectations. I was injured two months before this and at this moment knew I had come back stronger. Working on a problem for a long time, giving your all every go to try and do it is both fun and frustrating. But every frustration, every hard day, everything was worth it. Every second of it. It made me realize how much I love climbing and challenging myself to go one step further. That night, we celebrated with some ice cream in Estes Park and was just so happy. I gave two thumbs up after I sent and that was a good symbol for the rest of the day - it was a two thumbs up kind of day! :)

Kind Traverse

Me giving two-thumbs up after sending Kind Traverse

 Tyrolean Traverse in Boulder Canyon

 I still had a few days left and was so excited to climb with my friend, Angie. She inspires me to always climb and have fun, along with inspiring so many other people. We went to Emerald, too, and worked "Whispers of Wisdom" (v10) along with "Real Large" (v9). I think that one of the best parts about my trip was just getting so motivated. This day was also one of the most fun days I've ever had. Climbing with so many strong people was refreshing and incredibly fun. After a super fun day of climbing, lots of laughter and smiles, we ended the day and trip with a delicious dinner. After driving back to Estes, I was sad to go. I think I had one of the hardest times leaving this trip than other trips. The trip was coming to an end and it felt like it had just begun. Everything I could have asked for happened: I sent my project, climbed so many fun problems, and hung out with so many motivating and inspiring people. Packing my bags, I remember thinking that I was so lucky. Although I would have loved to stay the whole summer or even just a few weeks more, the time I had there was unforgettable. I have stories and memories to share and bring home. Driving home the next day was hard...I didn't want to leave. I even asked if we could turn around and go back to Colorado because that was closer than to finish the drive home. :) I would go back to Colorado in a heartbeat and am still wishing and hoping I'll be back soon. For now, I just have to be thankful, remember these amazing experiences, and most of all, realize that if you look hard enough, every day can be a two-thumbs up kind of day.

 Me and Angie after a great day

 Next stop...Red River Gorge!

Rocktown

I'd like to believe that everything happens for a reason. But, sometimes, it's hard to understand "why" or "how" somethings happen, but at the end, things will be ok. This past week and a half, I was headed down to climb in Rocktown. I was beyond excited to say the least. Rocktown is one area I have never been to before and I was looking forward to climb new problems. It was a clean slate for me - I had no projects to work, but it was a chance for me to just climb. It was southern sandstone calling my name. After a long day of driving and hands sweating, we finally arrived to Rocktown. It was around 4 pm and we headed straight to the boulders with crash pads, shoes, chalk, and headlamps. The first problem I got on was "Golden Shower," which was one of the most beautiful problems I've ever seen. The sun reflects the stone, creating a warm, reddish color on the rock. It was a fun problem and I enjoyed climbing it. The next problem was "Blue" and was a little nervous trying it - it is far from my style. But, I sent it within a few goes and smiled at the top-out. It was starting to be dusk and we went over to climb another problem. It was crimpy and I knew I would love the movement of the climb. Starting the problem, I did one move to an undercling and fell, hitting the pad, as I thought my world turned upside down...

Bella holding a caterpillar she found at the boulders

I felt agonizing pain running up my forearm. Instant tears ran down my face, catching salt water drops in my mouth. Part of me was crying from the pain, but I know another part was scared - in complete shock. What had just happened to me? I was bummed. I was frustrated. I couldn't close my left hand into a fist and if I put the tiniest pressure on my ring finger, shooting pain would run up my forearm. I sat back, putting a cold water bottle against my arm, with a million thoughts running through my head. I knew I had done something bad, but didn't know what had happened at the time or if I could continue to climb. By that time, it had been dark, and we decided to call it a night and go back to camp. We sat around the campfire and my arm was in pain. This was my first climbing injury that I had to take time away from climbing and it hurt - physically of course, but so much more mentally and emotionally. I hadn't gone more than 3 days without climbing for the past 2 and a half years. Climbing is water, food, shelter - a necessity - I needed it. I decided to go to sleep, with a million tears in my eyes- hoping it will be better in the morning. I wanted to think that maybe I was dreaming...but I was definitely not dreaming.

Johnny climbing "Biomechanics" 

Johnny sending "Big Bad"

I woke up with my sleeping bag over my face and fresh, cold air hitting my body. My arm had hurt even more before and everyone knew I shouldn't climb. Deep down, I knew too, it was just so hard to wrap my head around. Eggs and bacon were sizzling around me and blueberry muffins sat on the table. Everything smelled delicious, but I was not hungry. My stomach was turning in knots. My mom was on the phone with the doctor's assistant, who told me I shouldn't climb for the rest of the trip and I could be out from a few weeks to a couple of months. That was the moment that stung the most. It felt like a gallon of lemon juice poured on an open wound. For some reason, and I don't know exactly why, but I was not expecting to hear that. My heart thought I could climb the next day and continue climbing new problems here in Rocktown. Tears immediately rushed down my face and I hid my face away in an isolated area. I wanted to act strong, but it was too hard. I can't tell you how much that hurt to hear those words. My heart sank - it felt like my heart broke in half. Maybe I was overreacting, but when something means so much to you and it's taken away from you, it doesn't feel good. It was the first day at Rocktown and I still had a week left! My mental side got completely destroyed at that moment. All of the questions and "what ifs" started - What if I had drank more water before I climbed? What if we left a day later? What if I never tried this problem, etc. I kept beating and beating myself up. "I'm going to be weak. How am I going to be ready for triple crown? I'm going to let so many people down." For a few hours, I was 100% defeated.

Bella showing us a magic trick (It's the little things)

I remember my coach, Johnny, telling me "It's going to be ok. Worse things could have happened. You could have hurt your shoulder and been out longer or this could have happened in Hueco or the first week of a month long trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and Mt. Evans over the summer." After a bit of a breather and regaining my composure, I wouldn't necessarily say I was ok at that point, but I was better. Much better. I understood that you can either give up when a wrong turn comes your way, or you can get up and make the best of it. I decided to make the best of it. I went up and took hundreds of pictures of climbers in our group. It definitely wasn't as much fun as climbing, but it helped me be apart of climbing in some way. Some days were harder than others, but I see climbing in a whole different aspect now. I just want my hands to touch rock - I don't care what or where. I want to be able to feel being sore after waking up and not even being able to raise your hand. I see the little things that I never really saw before. And now, thinking about it, the little things are some of the best parts about climbing - getting that one move on a problem - even though it's just one, or getting that fist pump or thumbs up after sending or doing a good job.

Bella giving 2 thumbs up

One of the days on the trip, my arm felt the best yet - I was ibuprofen free and I smiled so big thinking, "Soon. I'll be back soon." It was the little thing. Or when we made s'mores around the campfire, or taking that one good picture, where everything looks perfect. Singing along a song on the radio, with your crazy voice, not caring what anyone will think. I had the option to either go home or stay. At the beginning, I wanted to go home. But, I decided to stay and was glad I did. I was with some of my favorite people in the world with Johnny and his family and just being at a beautiful place was something to at least smile about.

Me icing my arm in a cooler

Although this trip was hard for me, I believe what happened, happened for a reason. I go to the doctor tomorrow and will hear what exactly I did and when I can climb again. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise, telling me that my body needs a rest. Maybe I'll come back even stronger. I have a whole new appreciation for the sport and am hoping to come back physically and mentally better. I'm going to still train doing core, right arm pull-ups, and other exercises not involving my left arm. No one wants to get injured, but every athlete goes through it sometime or another. It's a really hard thing to go through, but it'll be ok at the end. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise.

20th Hueco Rock Rodeo

This is my first blog of many more to come. I'm psyched to write to everyone about my climbing journey and the experiences that happen on the way. I recently came back from a trip to Hueco Tanks to climb and compete in the 20th Annual Hueco Rock Rodeo. For me, this was one of my all-time favorite events. Of course the climbing was amazing - gymnastic and crimpy - but there was so much more to it that just made all the puzzle pieces fit together.

Hueco sunset

I arrived to Hueco on Wednesday and couldn't have been more excited to be back here. I was in Hueco last April and was looking forward to climb in much colder weather. I wanted to get in a few good climbing days before the Rock Rodeo. Last April I spent the majority of my time in North Mountain as well as going to East Spur for a day. Going into this trip, my goal was to have fun and climb well, but in the back of my mind were still some unfinished projects I wanted to take care of. The main one was "Chablanke" v11/v12. I had worked this problem for a couple of days last April and had gotten all of the moves the first day. I was psyched nonetheless - I knew it was a really hard problem and I had to fight on it, but it still felt doable. Last year, I left without the send, but had it part of my motivation until I came back. All year, Chablanke was in the back of my mind. Heel hooks, toe hooks, crimps, pinches - everything brought me back to that problem. And I wanted it. A little too much...

Trying Chablanke

The first day we arrived to Hueco in February, I immediately wanted to give Chablanke a go. I had felt stronger going into this trip and was hopeful. I had watched video after video, trying to get the problem dialed in my head. I got on and needed a few tries to get the moves down. Every move felt so much easier than last year, except for one - the move after you stick the tiny, sharp pinch after the heel hook. I decided to try it again the next day, hoping it'll go a little better. The next day came, and the first go was probably my best yet, but I fell and ripped the skin on my right thumb open. It was time to move on. I was disappointed and felt pretty defeated. I was pissed and felt so close, yet so far away.

Trying Chablanke some more...

Next, we decided to get on problems that I hadn't been on before, trying to climb as many classics as possible. Although I wanted to send Chablanke, it was good to get away and just climb a bunch of different problems. At that moment, my mind did a 360 degree turn and it was a turning point for me. It wasn't about the send or the grade or any of that. I didn't care about that anymore. It was all about just having an amazing time and having fun, climbing because you love the sport, and learning from your downfalls. Of course, it's fun working something really hard and giving everything to try and send it. But that can be exhausting - both mentally and physically.

Me spotting my coach, Johnny 

Climbing Roger in the Shower v10/v11

Climbing Short Order Cook v6

After a much needed rest day came the 20th Annual Hueco Rock Rodeo! I found out that I was going to be climbing on East Mountain and I couldn't have been more happy and excited. Both the Advanced and Open categories were climbing on this mountain and I was stoked to be able to climb with super strong, talented people. I was also excited to be on a mountain I hadn't been on before and to see what amazing lines were there. Looking at the list of problems on my score card that my group could climb, I was psyched, but nervous, not having been on any of them or seeing any of them before. I went over to "Hector in a Blender" v7, and sent that problem right off the bat. Next, was "Ides of March" v6 and flashed that. We needed to complete 6 climbs and I had already knocked off two. Then, we went over to "Man Gum" v9. I gave it a few tries and knew I could do it - it was all crimps - my favorite. I rested for a little and then gave it a go, sending it! I was psyched and the best part was, I had so much fun climbing it. I think that not thinking about sending or the grades actually made me climb better. I don't think I stopped smiling once that day.

Johnny smiling before his send go

It was about late afternoon and I still had plenty of time to get more climbs in before we had to hike back. I later got on "Something Different" v8 and sent that very quickly. I basically had to campus the entire top half of that problem - not seeing any feet. That was a proud send. It was around noon and I had about five hours still to climb. I only needed two more climbs for the comp. Now, that doesn't sound hard, but my oh my...it was HARD! I went over to "Ultra Mega" v8 and had no juice left...(Next day I fell on the top out). I tried "Crimping Christ on the Cross" v10 and saw Angie Payne CRUSH it along with seeing other really strong climbers such as: Nina Williams and Paige Claassen. I left motivated and inspired after watching them. By the end of the day, I was worked. We hiked out and got on the bus to go back to the Ranch. We watched the dyno comp, talked with friends, and stood by the insane, monstrous bon fire.

I ended up getting the same amount of points as Layla Mammi (3005 points). Because there was a tie, they broke the tie breaker with number of falls. With 4 more falls than her, I ended up 2nd in the Advanced category. I was happy and satisfied with the result. It was one of, if not, the most fun day I've had climbing and that itself was something to be proud about.

The next day (which was also our last), I woke up not able to feel my arms, my back, everything...I was SO sore! But, because it was our last day, I wanted to still go out to the mountain and climb. We went back to East Mountain with some crushers staying at the Hacienda. I had to try extra hard on everything, but I had so much fun, especially being with some amazing people.

The Hacienda

After this trip, it reminded me how much more I love climbing outside. I love Hueco and the uniqueness of the place. I would go back in a heartbeat and am counting down the days until I can go back. This trip was beyond motivating, inspiring, and just plain fun. Congrats to everyone who competed and thanks so much to the people who made this event possible! Hueco...you will be missed! :)