Competitive ice and rock climbers suspend themselves, high as eagles with only a couple of toothpick size points for hand or pick holds and sometimes only a little toe wedged foot placement, to complete their stance with the ground falling away hundreds of feet beneath them. Ground-lubbers, get in their shoes, imagine dangling from the Calgary Tower, staying composed, focused on the next hold and having the strength and endurance to do a thousand one arm pull ups. For most, doing this would send a fear freeze, locking your body up and making normal breathing nearly impossible. Who could do this. Many think a world of radical, dirt bags who live life on the edge and of course those that pursue this must be crazy.
Not true. Meet Gordon McArthur, captain of Canada`s Olympic Ice climbing team which participated in an exhibition event at the Sochi 2014 Olympics.
4 Simple Life Lessons from a day on rock.
Take that walk. A short walk through the woods can do wonders for you. Nature provides that calmness and sparks great thoughts. With our lives so busy we may not even be aware of how much we need this. Take that short walk through the woods and feel the calmness that will enrich your soul. Gordon lead us down a path where we left our busy lives and moved into nature`s space allowing creative energy to enter on the approach to the rock. Our imagination became endless.
Like a rope swing that gave you the push to reach the sky. We all need the inspiration, those nuggets of encouragement that anything is possible. Gordon provided the positive words to take that next step. I got geared up and ready to rock.
A formidable fort to hide in. Become one with the rock. Providing your mind a sole focus, each hand or foot hold needs full attention. Everyone needs a place to hide away for hours.
Paint a sunny light on all of your waking hours. Gordon helped me overcome some tough moves and make it all the way to the top. His lively, caring and upbeat coaching created a contagious positive atmosphere where anything was possible.
It was another great day outdoors spent with a wonderful, down to earth guy, full of passion who is an incredible ambassador for the outdoors and the sport of climbing.
Go anywhere hiking hoots at a good price point. Perfect for a hike, backpack or your next trek, I found the La Sportiva, Thunder 3 GTX, to offer incredible traction through a scrabbled mess of pebbles, milk carton sized rocks and over boulders and it does not skimp on comfort as have found that the internal padding even feels nice after a 12 mile epic.
Carry the load in comfort. I used the Gregory Z40 a perfect pack for day use or longer as with a large top loading main compartment it was a solid performer on a weekend Northover Traverse trip, and with the back friendly comfort of the updated CrossFlo suspension it is a dream to carry.
Spring rain and snow no worries. During our day out rock climbing we had regular Spring squalls that rolled through bringing snow and rain showers. The Outdoor Research , Enchainment Jacket, stood up to the challenge, keeping me dry, while still allowing dynamic movement of rock climbing and the fabric offered venting to cool my internal sweat that was building up from all the exertion. Yoga wear comfort meet the mountains.
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