My new trick!

I'm in a coffee shop right now so I figured might as well mold into the stereotypes and blog a bit. Well my climbing life has taken a back seat to skiing. Hard to climb at night when you've been skiing a bunch during the day. Honestly, it takes so much energy out of me. Well, skiing reminded me what it's like to fail again and again and still have to try again. I've been climbing for so long, I almost forgot what it was like to be a beginner at something. Granted I have been skiing for ten years but I've never done free-style before. This is completely new for me.
I'll be honest, it is damn hard to free-style ski. Like, I fall countless times each day on my ass and it is so painful. But I am forced to pick myself up again and try the move over again. It is a great example of picking yourself up again and try again! One quote replays in my mind after I fall on my ass for the 20th time. "Success has been and continues to be defined as getting up one more time than you've been knocked down" This is the perfect example of my free-style skiing life. I fall countless times each day yet I continue getting up and trying again.
The newest move I am working on is a blind two-step off. Which is when I get on a box and then spin and come off the box forward. So I do a 270 on the box. It is extremely difficult for me. And I fall so many times. I am pretty sure my thigh is going to be permanently bruised for the rest of my life. I can't even lay down on my bed without being in a lot of pain. But, this winter break, I will put on my bright blue snow pants and bright blue sweatshirt and throw my skis on and hop on the box and try it again. I will try this move until I succeed and then many times after that. It is all about getting up when you fall down. This is where perfection comes from. Not being afraid to fall.

SKI SEASON

Due to the snow on the ground, unfortunately, outdoor climbing season is over. I managed to get a couple of burns on my bouldering project before I had to go back to school. I made my high-point which was really exciting and I figured out beta so I can send it next time, whenever that may be. So that's really exciting but the even more exciting part is that it is ski season!! I brought my new Chronic Line skis up and I am so ready to ski and hit some rails (first I need to learn how). Well, from this point on, it'll just be pulling on plastic all the time which is good because it means I'll get super strong and be able to crush the project when the snow melts. All is good and I am super excited for this snow!!! 

Hectic Life

Been posting a lot lately and it actually feelings pretty good!! So many things are happening in my life right now and I can just say that it is quite hectic, to say the least. I am applying for my first college this thursday which is insane!! I cannot believe this is actually happening. I wrote my essay on climbing, obviously because it is the most important thing in my life. I wish I had more words than 500 because I could talk about climbing for days. But my essay is almost done and now I am waiting on my recommendations and then it'll be done!! Hell yeah!! So that's going on. Then i have a comp coming this saturday. It is taking place here which is exciting! The route-setters (Bryan Rafferty, Mike Veazey) are amazing and I cannot wait to see the amazing routes they put up. I have been training super hard and I am really excited to see what my training has done for my skills. Let's hope everything goes well! Well, even though, my life is beyond crazy right now with everyone going on. I am still very happy!! Obviously every once in a while, I'll get those moments of sheer panic but I remind myself to breath and everything falls back into place. My love-life is non existent but I have no worries about that anymore. Sure, I like someone but life happens and eventually things will fall into place. Well, Wish me luck with my comp!! And I will post results later! Thanks!

Nothing's Going To Bring Me Down

So, as many people know, I was not doing so "hot" last week. In fact, I was kind of depressed. I can look back on how I was and realize that I was sad and I was rightly sad. I was not feeling to great about myself and I had some low self-eestem problems going on. But I can, honestly, say now that I am doing amazing. It is weird how I can change so radically in such a short amount of time. But this weekend I figured out what I want. I am not going to go and say what I want because I do not believe it needs to be common knowledge but just know, that I have "found" myself this weekend. I went to Bioneers by the Bay in New Bedford this weekend, an environmental conference. I was able to get away from school and accurately see what was making me sad and I was able to give myself some steps to overcome this. I heard some speakers who spoke to me and I could listen to their words and apply them to what was going on in my life. For example, one lady talked about the fact that if someone were to cut the stems of pretty flowers and try to plant them in my pot, they are going to die. I should not be trying to be other people or I should not be jealous of people. I have my own "flower". I do not know what it's going to look like when it grows fully but I know it is my flower and I have to water it and care for it and not worry about other peoples flowers. It was amazing to be able to finally figure out what was making me upset and figure out how to make myself feel better. So, I am now doing great and I feel amazing!! Nothing is going to bring me down.

Don't expect a climbing post

This post is not really about climbing at all but I needed some place to put down what I'm feeling and that was the whole reason I made a blog in the first place. Well... There is a girl in my life right now. She doesn't know it but She means the world to me and If i could, I would talk to her every second of every day but I know that she doesn't want that. And I always want to message her but I am afraid I am going to annoy her and make her hate me and her hating me would probably be one of the worst feelings in the world. So I am stuck with this dilemma, message her and hope she doesn't mind it or don't message her, not even risk the chance of annoying her but not be able to talk to her which is also horrible. I just don't know what to do. I am not looking for answers and I am not expecting pity. I am only expressing my thoughts into words because it helps when I do that. I hope she knows how much she means to me but if she doesn't, there is not much I can do... I will not go into more detail about this girl in fear of giving away her identity and embarrassing her (because who would want to be associated with me right?) That's the low self-eestem talking, not me... Well not much more to say on the subject, I just needed to tell someone and my blog is a great place for that! I really hope it works out with her in the future. She means everything to me right now and every minute I'm not with her just drains me of energy. I've tried to get over her too but without any luck! I'm crazy about this girl and there is nothing more to be done about it.

Rock Climbing In Acadia

Here is a video of my time with my friends in Acadia pulling hard on some amazing sea-polished rocks!!! Had a blast and the video shows the amazing time we had! Check it out!

Not About How Hard You Can Hit

So, I am sitting here, watching a documentary with some freshman during my free block and I realize it is about time I update my blog. Well, for those of you, who have been on the edge of their seat wondering whether or not I got my motivation back, I actually have!! It did not take too long but it was certainly tough. I talked to my old coach, Vasya, and he gave me some advice which I took to heart. Just have fun with what you are doing and work your ass off. Success will follow. I was super excited to see that he mentioned Josh Larson, being the UBC pro tour champion. It gave me the motivation I needed to get back in the gym and crush!!! Thanks for everyone who has helped me through this. There will always be something in my way and an objective I need to get through. But i need to remember that I will always get through it and I will always keep going foreword. "It's not about how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving foreword"

Loss of Motivation

It seems as though I have lost my motivation for the sport that I love more than anything in the world. I, honestly, never thought this would happen to me. I am not saying that I don't enjoy climbing or that the thought of doing it is repulsive to me but I just cant get excited about training or anything like that. I am trying to get motivated by watching climbing videos or competing against other people but nothing seems to work at all! I am hoping to climb hard and train hard but it is hard to find the motivation to do it. I guess i just got to keep going strong and try my best!

My Birthday

So it was my birthday yesterday and I had a pretty good day! I got to go to ice cream with my favorite people here at school and had a delicious coffee in the am and hung out with some amazing people! I am super excited for this weekend as I am going to my friends house to hang with him. I get to go climbing today, well indoor climbing so it doesn't really count but I am still excited. I get to hang out with my buddies while working up a sweat at the same time. It is hard to find many things to beat that!!! :) I want to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday its because of all of you I get to turn another year older. WTF Im 18!! That shit is crazy, i don't think Im ready to be an adult! But then again i'm not sure if anyone is ready! Well, i guess only time with tell if I am ready or not. Until then, I'm going to proceed living my life to the best of my ability and enjoy being a kid while I still can!

Environmental Concerns

Before

After

Ok, so Im back at school now and living a pretty damn awesome life. Got my friends by my side and a rope hanging round my neck couldn't ask for much more actually. So, I've been out at Rumney, pulling hard, sending and working projects, and I noticed that over the summer there have been some wind turbines installed in a nearby mountain in clear view of Rumney. I am really curious to know how climbers and regular hikers feel about this! For me, I think it is a little extreme to be putting so many up. I could deal with like one or two of them but there are a whole bunch covering the landscape and it obviously takes away from the beauty of it all. Its one of the reasons I love climbing at Rumney its the beauty of it all! Anyway, Im just curious what people think about these developments.

Thanks Camp Mi-Te-Na!

Havent written in a while and I apologize for that but it's probably goig to stay like this until the summer is over and I have some free time! For those of you who don't know i decided to go to summer camp! I made the right choice! It is a bummer because I have been unable to climb as much as I want to but it is good because I am surrounded by my friends and the people I care about the most!! It has been such an amazing summer and I am so happy I made the decision to go to camp!!! Hopefully as soon as camps over I will continue to climb and get stronger!!

I just want to climb

This summer is either going to suck or be awesome. The problem is I dont want to work at camp this summer! Why? you may ask because all i want to do this summer is climb. Now, I dont have any money to climb, so i pretty much fucked. I just want to climb but i need to make money some how and im not sure how. This is soooo confusing i dont know what im going to do!! dammit!! my idea wasto work at the climbing gym but i dont know if im going to be able to do that, so if anyone has any ideas please let me know!!!! i want to climb this summer go to rumney and pway and pull hard which is what i do best!!

New LT11 Video

I love Louder than 11's videos. The music is always amazing and they have a way of making the best climbs seem better. The shooting is beautiful and the climbs always make my palms sweat. The thing about them is they are less focused on the grade as they are on the company, the scenery, and the rock. Check out this new video from them sending in Rocky Mountain National Park!!
http://vimeo.com/41169052

Training Time

Regionals is coming up which can only mean one thing. It is time to train!!

"http://player.vimeo.com/video/36429174"

The magic button � Make Everything OK

The magic button � Make Everything OK

AHhhhh, really nice to press that button!! a good wake up call actually

What a rough night!

Last night was incredibly awful for me. I dont really know what happened to me actually. I just lost it, things werent going well with a special someone and not being able to climb did it in for me. I found out that because they are setting for a comp at the gym, i wont be able to climb till next saturday. Those who know me, know that i use climbing as a way to make myself relax and helps me keep my cool. Not being able to climb hurts me so much so i broke down! I just kind of spent some time by myself thinking about my life! Sometimes, i need those times but it would help if i had someone i could do to. Nevertheless, even though i was close to giving up, i am never going to give up!!! things get better, i have been to rock-bottom and back and i know that things get better, i just have to stay positive!!

The new fad is soloing

http://www.dpmclimbing.com/climbing-videos/watch/matthew-bush-solo-climbing-8a513c

This video is about matthew bush soloing so ridiculous hard climbs in South Africa. Have you ever heard of Bush? Yea, neither have I! All i know is that this badass dude solos really hard climbs, most people wouldnt even dream of soloing. He does all of this with no worry whatsoever. He, obviously, plans his routes for a long time, his movements are flowing beautifully!!! It is amazing to see what this man can do! I really hope he turns up on the climbing scene cause i wanna see more of his. I have come to the conclusion that i kind of want to try soloing maybe nothing as hard as fucking 13c but it looks fun! It is indeed the most purest form of climbing, just shoes and u!! alone on the rock!!! I have done some small indoor solos before and i can normally keep relatively calm during but it is still a really hard mental game!! i dont know if i have it in me, i guess we will find out hahaha

Never Give Up!

I have been running a lot lately for cross-training for climbing. I feel like it has been helping and I just feel better about myself. But, it happens everytime. About half way through, I get really tired and all i want to do is stop running and relax. It is one of the toughest things for anyone to do; to ignore your head and know that what you are doing is gonna help you in the long run. But it is true. I want to be great, i wanna be a great climber. So, i am happy to run and i am starting to see progress. "Pain is weakness leaving the body" i always remember that!! It helps me accel!

Getting Psyched!!

This is an amazing climb by Nacho Sanchez establishing another V15 in Spain. The climb consistes of beautiful pinches and crimps on a scary looking over-hanging wall. It looks really long and pumpy too but powerful as all hell. Anyway, I am really digging this video and its sweet that he put a nice V15 up!!! I tried some new chalk out yesterday, Primo Chalk! I really like it, it is more refined than I'm used to but it feels really good on the skin for sure!! Hopefully, I will be able to use more of it in the future!! Anyway, check out this clip!!

http://www.dpmclimbing.com/climbing-videos/watch/nacho-sanchez-v15-first-ascent

New Shoes (Finally)

Ok, well hopefully my new shoes come today! I am really excited because my other shoes (see pic) have a huge hole in them and are pretty much useless. For all you gear junkies, I am getting the Evolv Predators. I already got a pair but they were too small so i ordered another pair a half size up. They are sweet though!! I love evolv they have some of the best service out there and their products are awesome! i am so excited to get these bad boys out of the rock and start sending really hard!!

Training like A MotherFucker

Nice picture of Arm and Hammer, not me unfortunatly but a climb i got on yesterday!!!
I have been training nonstop since the past few weeks and it has been exhausting. Just really hard workouts and running almost every day. Getting up in the morning has been a struggle but it will all be worth it!!! Going outside has been awesome. I am so excited i finally get to get on some rock! I am also learning a whole bunch of new stuff like the petzel pass which i actually got to use one day plus a bunch of different anchors!! It has been an amazing couple of weeks!!!!

Excited, Nervous, and Ready to Crush

Wow! It has been a while since my last post. Not much has happened to be honest. The highlight would have to be the White Water Rafting trip I took with school down to North Carolina. I had so much fun and I really hope to start doing kayaking when the season starts. I am mostly looking forward to the climbing season. I recently went out to P-Way and got on some hard stuff. No sends or anything spectacular but it was fun to be out. Got to get on my new project, Dope Man (V8) no progess but it gets me excited. The season starts tomorrow and I am already watching videos to get pumped. I am gonna start training hard, and start sending hard outside too. It is gonna take a lot of work but i know i have what it takes to be at the top of my game, soon enough!! Until then, I hold my head up high and aim for the mother fucking stars!!! Lets get ready to crush!

Ice Climbing

Today might have been the last day of Ice Climbing till who knows when! But, I just wanted to share my experiences with it. I had a blast with everyone in my group. I, sometimes, wanted to kill  a few of them but nevertheless it was amazing. It is so much more different than regular rock climbing. The feet are really strange. I havent got that part quite down yet, but with practice I will learn. I've already torn my pants like 4 times from my feet slipping. It sucks! Hahaha, but I had an amazing time and it was a blast. Those lock-offs have helped my strength too!! I am ready for the climbing season now, strong and pumped beyond belief!!

A rare, but Perfect Fit

I have been at the White Mountain School for around 2 weeks now. I can easily say this place is where i am supposed to be. I am so comfortable with the people around here, I can be myself. It has been an amazing 2 weeks and I look forward to the ones to come. I have done ice climbing already for the first time ever. It is really different but crazy sweet. I cut my pants up though because of the crampons. Still getting used to :) I am really excited for the days to come and I know that this school is the place for me!!

"When One Door Opens, Another Closes"

It has been a while since my last blog post and a lot has happened. I won't bore you with the details but I am transferring schools to go to the White Mountain School. I am extremely excited about this right now! I am hoping it will give me the motivation I have been lacking for a little while now. They have skiing and most importantly, rock climbing!! They have a school team, how amazing is that?!?! Even though this school is clearly a gift from God himself, it is always hard to say good-bye to what little friends I have. But whenever I say good-bye, I always remind myself. The reason something is so special is the amount of time you spend with it. A good example is my camp friends. I also see them for the summer and when we get together we always have a blast. But if I were to spend the entire year with them, eventually we would get annoyed with each other. So, now when I get to see my friends here in Durham, I will have a blast with them because I know our time together is precious and I shouldn't let that go to waste. So, another chapter in my life begins today. I leave my school in Durham, New Hampshire and move to a boarding school in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. The door at Oyster River has closed, but the one at White Mountain has opened. And I could not be happier.

WHY

http://vimeo.com/34666308
A good look into why people do what they do. It's not for the money or for the fame. They do it because its what they love and its the only thing that makes them truly happy.

2012, finally

Well, here it is. The moment we've been waiting for. The year the world "ends". Bummer. All I can say is there had better be some sweet sends before it does or I will be pissed. I'm hoping for 5.15c at least. I, honestly, think it can be done. I dont know when or where, but i am hopeful. 2011 led to amazing climbs and some amazing first ascents. We, as a climbing community, have made a lot of progress in terms of grades and I feel as though this year will be better than last. I think the important thing to realize, which sometimes escapes me too, is that it is not always about the grades or the first ascents. It is an important part of climbing and I love that we can always strive for a new level. But the thing to remember is that grades is not the only thing. Climbing appeals to people for different reasons. I love the idea that i can challenge myself always. That is why I climb. It is, literally, a uphill battle. To quote the infamous Miley Cyrus, "it doesn't matter how fast I get there, its not about what's waiting on the other side. It's the climb"