NOTED | 4.24.16

Spent a fun couple of days working in Denver this week. Coffee and climbing are my two must-haves when I'm on the road, and Corvus Coffee and Movement always come through for me when I'm in the Mile High City. Definitely check them out on your next visit.

A few other things of note on my radar this week...

Great perspective from Steph Davis on making friends with fear.

Georgia Abel presents a brand new approach to redpointing for big gains in your mental game. 

A recipe for the perfect smoothie. 

Is there such a thing as a smart, wearable climbing tracker to help improve performance? Yes! Meet The Whipper.

My new mantra.

For everyone that has The Temper Trap 'Sweet Disposition' on repeat. 

Kalymnos is less than two weeks away. Obsessed with this crossbody from Stash Co for all my travel essentials. 

Everything you need to know about the future and making plans. 

NOW PLAYING | E+F APRIL 16

Pack a suitcase and hit shuffle for this month's playlist. E+F April 16, the #kalymnoscalling edition.

KALYMNOS CALLING

Hard to believe, but we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Elements+Found. When I first started this Blog, it was really just an attempt to hang onto my funny, learn a little something about myself and maybe serve up a few laughs for those of us out here braving it in the modern dating world. 

But that's just part of the story. It's occurred to me while I've been stuck getting the junk out that there's a much bigger story to tell. I haven't completely figured out what that is just yet — but isn't that part of the process? So I thought I'd broaden the content and share a little bit about the people, places and experiences that are currently inspiring me and kicking me forward. 

First up, Kalymnos. A Greek island in the southeastern Aegean sea that offers world class climbing and bouldering all year round. It's quickly become one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the world with its unique rock quality, fast access to links between climbing areas and the island's mild climate and warm hospitality. 

It first showed up on my radar sometime last year with this picture in adventure photographer Nathan Welton's Instagram feed. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to go. And then it's like the island blew up all around me. Suddenly I was seeing Kalymnos everywhere I went.

A sign. 

So I do what I do. I think about it, I talk about it, I dream about it, I research the hell out of it...and still don't make any solid plans to go. 

Until last month when on what was an otherwise uneventful afternoon, an unidentified number from Greece showed up in my missed calls.

That's it. Kalymnos is now calling. Literally calling. Time to stop planning, get out of your head, just go. 

Super impressed with Lesley and her team at Rock and Sun, the UK-based guide service I'll be climbing with next month, May 7th-14th. So impressed that I'm already planning to get my ass handed to me in one of their performance coaching clinics in Spain next spring. But first Kalymnos...

You can follow my trip updates, photos and videos on Instagram with the tag #kalymnoscalling and drop me a line in the comments. Would love to hear your solo travel tips and what adventures are calling your name this spring.  

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