I recently went on a climbing trip to Red Rock Canyon with a bunch of friends from Newfoundland. It was a great trip and a great learning experience. Being in the desert is an experience in itself. You gain an appreciation for how well adapted the plants and animals are, and how fragile us humans are. Why do we push ourselves to persevere in these uncomfortable situations, and claw our way to the tops of mountains? And what if we do not live up to our expectations of ourselves? Climbing started out as a recreatoinal pursuit for me, and has evolved into a lifelong passion and a constant challenge to do better. I want to climb harder grades, learn new skills, and conquer fears, but these things don't come easily. And besides that, I have to try to find a way to fit climbing into my always-hectic life. I don't know what the future holds... I may or may not be able to go on more trips, or be able to climb 5.12, or do any of the other things I wish I could do, but I am thankful for every day and every opportunity to climb.
