How the West was Won

I have a confession.... I'm cheating on climbing. It's selfish I know, but it's only for three or four months at a time and anyways, climbing is such an attention whore these days that I doubt I'm missed too much. Besides, this is not some flirtation.

Skiing and I have been quite serious since about the time I became legal... at least that's when it became enjoyable. Anyway, if not for skiing chances are I would have never been introduced to climbing.

Here's how it happened.

As mentioned, I grew up skiing. Family vacations to Vermont have been a regular thing since as long as I can remember. Then in college I founded the Ski-n-Board Club mostly as a way for my friends and I to get the student government to fund some trips up to the mountains. Then it happened, my senior year in college I went out to Crested Butte, Colorado with some friends for a week long ski trip. This was my first trip out west and it was amazing... Colorado anyway.

The trip itself sucked. If you haven't experienced altitude sickness, I suggest you don't. I've developed the AAAAA system as a means for people to remember the ways to avoid it/ speed their recovery:

Avoid going from sea level directly to an elevation of 12,162 feet.
Avoid hydrating yourself with beer and mixed drinks.

Avoid sleeping in double beds with three or more people- rest is key.

Avoid bull-riding. You never look as sexy in the act as you imagine anyway.

Avoid increasing altitude, including chairlift rides up 2,775 feet worth of elevation gain.

Don't make my mistakes.

Had I been fortunate enough to hear about AAAAA before my trip I could have avoided the many ailments of altitude sickness including but not limited to exhaustion, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Plagued the entire duration of my trip I am left with some truly classic memories of blue sky days, powder turns and puking slope side at least twice a run.

Also, though not documented, I'm fairly certain another symptom of altitude sickness is a friend will hook up with a guy you're really into in the living room while you're laying in bed.

Needless to say I wasn't my usual, charming self. While in town getting groceries my friend Greg picked up a box of a medication called Altitude Adjuster and suggested I give it a try. In the bustle of bagging groceries I glanced at the label. My face instantly heated and I snapped, "FUCK YOU GREG!" Startled, Greg slowly pointed to the box and underlined the title with his finger encouraging me to read along.... clearly I did need an attitude adjustment.

After all, I was on spring break in Crested Butte, Colorado with good friends, amazing snow and blue skies ... plus I had lost at least five pounds.

Long story, short, after all of this, that trip changed my life... I knew where I needed to be. After graduation I landed an AmeriCorps position and moved out to Boulder for skiing and adventure. During this time I met my dear friend and roommate Mary, a phenomenal climber who shared her passion for the sport with me... and it's all history from there.

Four years later I found myself back at Crested Butte, only this time during the early summer for the bouldering at Skyland Boulders- a tucked away playground where climbers are energized by light playing in the bright greens and whites of a thick Aspen grove and the wind bringing the trees to life.

As for my tumultuous relationship, I'll sit the two down one of these days and come clean, but until then... what's that rule about different area codes?