As you may or may not know, Alex and I (this picture is of Alex and I after our 5 mile bike and run in July....I am on the left) have decided to be climbing bums for a while and drive cross country...we are going to New River Gorge (West Virginia), Red River Gorge (Kentucky), Hueco Tanks (Texas), Red Rocks (Nevada), Bishop California (err....California), and Horsetooth Reservoir (Colorado). At least that is the plan currently...we may make changes as we go...add/subtract climbing spots and whatnot...
Well...we figured that we were really important and that everyone (family, friends, enemies, total strangers...I guess it's for you to decide which you are) should know where we are and what we are doing, so we created this blog to keep you all up to date and well informed regarding our wanderings and thoughts.
We will try to post (potentially with pics/videos) every day/every other day...we hope to hear from you all via comments on our blog.
Just to give you some quick background on Alex and I....
Alex and I are both Eagle scouts from Troop 162 in the Bronx (where we are both active volunteers currently). Alex and I have been friends since we were 12 and 11 respectively...we were in the same Boy Scout patrol...Alex was the patrol leader and I was his assistant. We have since been on countless, camping trips, fishing trips, hikes, canoe trips, skiing/snowboarding trips, and backpacking trips to name a few of our earlier endeavors.
Alex has been climbing since he was 14 or so (guesstimation...) and started working at the Indian Cliffs on the Ten Mile River Scout Reservation...I wasn't interested at the time...
A bit over a year ago, Alex and I (along with our buddy Tommy) started climbing at the Rock Club (an indoor climbing gym) in New Rochelle. Well if you know anything about me, you know that I get really into new things and spend exorbitant amounts of money on all of the gear necessary for that activity...I'd rather not get into exact figures at this time, but it is significant (Alex has spent some money on gear too....pretty close to the damage I have done).
Well I guess I am a little bit crazy...I have since been climbing 2-5 days a week (indoor and a bit outdoors too), have read 15-20 books on climbing (have another 5-10 on my book shelf that I need to get to), and have made quite a bit of progress in my climbing ability. I enjoy climbing for the physical and mental challenges that it presents as well as the potential to go places and do/see things that the typical person may not go to or do/see...
I guess I have chewed everyone's ears off enough for one day...well we shove off tomorrow...talk to you soon.
Please note that the thoughts\ideas\nonsense expressed in this post do not necessarily represent the opinions of Alex.
Have fun good luck! You are like Bilbo now!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, guys. I should have thought of this before you left, but if you're looking for some inspiration or whatnot, pick up a copy of "The Monkey Wrench Gang" by Edward Abbey. I think it captures the spirit of your adventure. If you're going to be anywhere long enough for me to mail something, e-mail me the address and I'll send my copy.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is a great idea. I'm looking forward to following your progress. Have a great time on this adventure.
ReplyDeleteHey Lardo and Alexwise-
ReplyDeleteJust read the blog...I felt like throwing my own hat out the window...good luck and safe travels...you too...Troop 162 in the Bx ROX!!!
So happy for you both as i know this is something you have been looking forward to for a while. I know that you will both evolve as individuals and climbers tremendously by the end of this trip... May your trip be even more than you could have ever anticipated! I know Domo will watch over you both..lol.
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