It is not what you think it is. At least this type of glory. Surviving. Staying alive. Finding your way down a forest that is vertical in many parts, requiring fixing ropes and putting knots in it every meter or so to hold onto when the clouds put the rain in rainforest. That doesn't sound like glory. And maybe it isn't. Maybe it's just the path there. And let me tell you:
I'm loving every moment of it!
Dad and I are well. The path to El Monstruo could be much better. Rather, it will be much better. Right now its best attributes are that it is well-marked and breathtaking for its vistas and exposure and grandiose nature. The rest of it, though, I must say I do not recommend for hikers or passersby. But we'll get there yet! You can drink mate anywhere!
The short of our story thus far is this: we made it to the base of El Monstruo. We haven't been able to climb, thanks to a 4+ day streak of rain that hit us upon our arrival there, much to our dismay. Keep in mind, we have no weather forecast, being so remote and all. So every morning we awake thinking it might clear up, only to be bogged down by another pee break in the rain. This is the life, believe you me!
Get jealous everyone! But really, this couldn't be more special and magical for me. Quality time with my dad in the place that I love.
OK. I'm gonna add a few pictures for a better sense of this whole hot mess. The best ones I'm gonna save for a coffee table book, though. Please don't send me angry e-mails, just jokes in other languages - I love those, and besides sugar, they are the most useful thing to a traveler like myself.
Lots of love from this landescaper,
-n8
Glory Bathing
Puerto Varas
Despues de hacer unos tramites, *Ahem! After doing a few necessary errands in Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, my father and I are repacked and ready to go to Cochamo early tomorrow morning! Let the trekking and adventure begin!
A quick and accurate debriefing of our activities thus far has been losing a bag, reclaiming it (which is to say, the aeropuertos found it and sent it to the direccion we left with them), and repacking all of our bags. Repacking was necessary for numerous reasons. One: the airports only allow a bag to reach 50 pounds. Since we have since purchased more gear and food locally, it is necessary to fit more. Two: nothing we packed was put in dry bags. We´re going into the rainforest and need to repack all clothing, food, and other weather-weary items into dry bags before placing them into our packs. And last but not least: organization. We have packed our bags such that likes are with likes. We have a bag for camping, clothing, and two for climbing. Then we have our day packs.
OK. That was supposed to be brief.
I can´t tell you all how I excited I am except to say that I can´t tell you. It´s a secret. Was.
Lots of love from this landescaper. I hope you all are having your own adventures and passing on the good vibes! Life down here is already sunny!
ox, -8n
sp, photos to come!
Pre-Trip Activities
How do you train? Although I usually like to have fun without getting yelled at, some human-constructed "chimneys" are just too good to pass up. Here I am at the Portland Museum of Art.
I will be documenting this expedition in numerous ways, photography being one of them. In order to get in the habit, I started the walking and shooting early.
It's been my great fortune to have my family around these last few days prior to departure. Here we are entering Monument Square.
Thanks for checking out the blog! There's more!
Gripping the Gunks
I just got back from a remarkable trip to the Gunks! The brief synopsis is that we successfully climbed life-changing routes and shared many memorable moments of boisterous laughter and fear-conquering. By we I mean myself, my best bud from college, Wesley John-Alder, his girlfriend Ariana, and our buddy Dan Herr, also from Oberlin College. So, here are the goods, starting with The Dangler, 5.9+
To get to The Dangler, Wes led a route aptly called Something Interesting, 5.7+, a great warm-up for The Dangler, which I couldn't help but lead twice. Here's Wes mastering his way up Something Interesting!
And here's a video of me loving the great feelings revealed by indulging the dangle:Day Two, we're onto the next wonder route. This time, CCK. Pitch one is chill. Pitch two clearly is the business. The hard part for me was route-finding. Wes again let me lead this awesomely-exposed climb since he had already done so on a previous trip. I'm so glad I did it. It has awesome, memorable moves with commitment. Here I am traversing:
And here I am on the flake, one of the more interesting parts:
There were also two good nights, held around a campfire and our tents. Nothing makes climbing better than sharing it with people you care about.
And who have hair as wild as yours.
Let the training continue! Just over 2 months until The Monster Trip.
More Monster Training
It has become regular exercise for my brother and I to share our daily body beat up sessions. Sean messaged me today saying: "Just logged a run...2.7 in 18 minutes". And I don't think wow. I think, good for you, Sean! Keep up the good work! It no longer astounds me. I like that. The same goes for doubling up workouts. Tonight, feeding off of the inspiration from the Reel Rock Tour, meeting representatives from the likes of The North Face and Sterling Rope from Maine, and seeing Ashima and Caldwell and Richards et al live their hearts out, I could not stop myself from biking in the drizzle and then immediately going for a run. And when I think my run is over and I'm about to pull into my drive way, jogging now, I have adopted this ridiculous habit of tacking another mile or so on to practice recovery and relaxation. And then I add a sprint to get out the last bits of extreme energy remaining. Then I feel good to dance or walk or strut home, having released my soul into the open.
Anyways. If you have any good ideas for training, please send them my way!
Monster Climb - The Documentary!
We have launched the website for our Monster Climb documentary!
Check out http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/860240596/monster-climb-the-documentary for more information on this awesome expedition and how to be a part of it and get awesome rewards!
We have 60 days to surpass our fundraising goals or we get none of them! Every bit helps! Please help us spread the word to people who would love to be a part of it and get some awesome rewards!
Pirate Triathlon!
On June 12th, 2011, over 450 humans readied themselves for battle. I was one of few without a wetsuit, and nervously convinced myself that the water I was toes away from would feel balmy, and my quick transition into the bike portion would make up for any chill induced by the swim.
But there is much to tell and much to learn from the events and the competition. Suffice it to say that I have found yet another activity or group thereof that has captured my zealous attention! I somewhat unexpectedly placed 2nd in my age bracket in the Pirate triathlon, much in spite of a horrendous swimming performance. This has led me to a) research YMCA membership with pool access details and b) sign up for the Lobsterman Tri in Freeport on September 10th!
Stay tuned for pictures, more stories, do's and do not's, and more!
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