CLIMB | RED ROCK CANYON

Well, the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers are packed up and headed back to Jackson with my Dad and Truman. So much to be thankful for this year and always — the love of family & friends, the opportunity to travel to beautiful landscapes, the health and ability to climb and experience the world from unique perspective. The list goes on.

My first trip to Red Rock Canyon last weekend did not disappoint. Quick trip with only a day and a half to climb, but definitely maximized the days with Elaina Arenz. I bagged my first lead on trad (SPI here I come!). Practiced building anchors, belay transitions and rope management and cruised a gorgeous 'off the grid' multi-pitch before returning to Austin on Sunday. Already scheming the next trip, Red Rock will definitely be on repeat in 2017.

Elaina Arenz, Chicks Climbing & Skiing

NOW PLAYING | E+F NOV 16

Vegas baby...VEGAS! Currently packing my bags for my first trip to Red Rock. Wheels up in less than 24/hours for a four-day weekend climbing with Elaina Arenz. I promised our mutual friend Coach Seiji I'd try not to fangirl her too much. Needless to say the psych is high, and the E+F Nov playlist definitely sets the vibe. Enjoy!

NOTED | 11.6.16

Despite the rain, it was still a pretty amazing weekend for climbing here in Austin, with Austin Bouldering Project hosting the first annual Southwest Boulderfest. I volunteered as a judge for Session II and was incredibly inspired by all the talent competing, including Chelsea Rude, Meagan Martin and Paul Robinson. In case you missed it, you can watch last night's finals competition here. Congrats to the winners and everyone that contributed in making the event such an outrageous success. Already looking forward to next year.

Here's a few things of note from around the Web this week...

Toughness, grace, strength and fun. It's a powerful combination. 

What would you do for the person you loved the most?

The magic of how to have it all. Rob Pizem shows us how to get it done. 

10 ways to climb mentally strong. 

Add Zion big wall climbing to your bucket list.

Dirtbag tricks to stay warm when it's F****** cold.

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

photo: moonrise over cliffs of Zion Canyon

NOW PLAYING | E+F OCT 16

Finally enjoying a little bit of a cold front here in Austin. And by 'cold front' I mean anything less than 100 degrees. Yes, it's still hot, but the cool mornings mean it's almost time for the long sleeves and boots to come out. Yeesss. 

Trying to take advantage of the break in the heat as much as possible with regular weekend trips to Reimers and little happy hour climbing at Gus Fruh. Made my first visit on Wednesday after work, and it's easily a new favorite. I don't think I'll ever get tired of the fact that I can now be outside on the wall, in the middle of the week in 20 minutes or less. 

In celebration of the new fall season and those send-it temps, here's the E+F Rocktober playlist. May it and the force be with you as you clip the chains on your next project. 

CLIMB | 10 MILE CANYON ROYAL FLUSH

I've been saying for the better part of the last year that I was going to extend one of my work trips to Denver and stay through the weekend to climb. A couple of weeks ago, I finally made it happen. My friend Max met me in Golden, CO, and we made the hour drive to Frisco early Saturday morning to have a go at Royal Flush, a 5.9, 8-pitch sport route located in 10 Mile Canyon on Mount Royal — my first proper multi-pitch.

The "planning" went something like this: 

Max: "Been interested in this if you're feeling multi-pitch." Max texts me the link to the route on Mountain Project.
Me: "Awesome."
Max: "Pretty sure we can be at the summit in six hours and hike off."

Well, you can't know what you don't know. 

We started our ascent at 9:30 that morning, and between my inefficient rope management, some tricky route finding between pitches and getting backed up waiting on other groups on the wall, it was some 9+ hours later before we made it to the summit at approximately 11K feet. Ah-mazing. Another hour and a half hike in the dark back to the car and a beer never tasted so good. 

After some sleep and a nice, greasy Denny's breakfast, our little mini-epic had me gunning for more. I definitely see a trad rack in my future...

photos: Max Deisch