Lead my first 11a second try! I am on my way towards breaking through the 11s. I think all it takes to break the barrier of “11” is just the same as breaking into 10’s or 9’s or whatever level… you find one route that is within your reach, and it opens the gate making the rest of the grade more possible. This is definitely a very possible and tangible goal—just keep working at your limit! 7 years ago

I have been climbing stronger than ever, but my leading still sucks. There is this 10b at the Gorge I have locked in. Next time I’m there that puppy is mine, bouldery start and all. Just have to figure out how not to think… 7 years ago

I lead my first 5.10a a couple of weeks ago. The route had a 20 foot overhanging section, but the bolts were only about four feet apart.

I still have a long way to 5.11 leads, but that’s a good step for me. 7 years ago

i am a klutz.
completely.

but my name, nancy, derives from the hebrew word for grace. what were my parents thinking? perhaps this has cursed my cumbersome self with a deep admiration for all beautiful movements.

i was born in january. my sun sign is capricorn. what were the stars thinking? apparently this means i have a stubborness about me that is paralelled by few.

altogether that means i am determined to embody my namesake in every action, in every environment.

rock climbing is about the most graceful physical activity i have ever witnessed.

this might be lame (which i only say because this, strangely, is a somewhat public forum) but to me, rock climbing is a dance, an expression a symbol of unity between humanity and the world we inhabit.

it does interesting things to my mind through my body.

i love the feel of rock under my hands as they slap. stick. hold. pull. i love the sun on my shoulders. i love the leg shakes. i love the crux. i love the approach. i love the clean-up. i really love the macintosh’s toffee, sugarsweet and smilefulltiredwiredinspired on the drive home as the sun is setting in the rearview.

why 5.11? attainable yet quite a way from where i am today. 8 years ago