Melissa i
Strong

It has been a crazy year, to say the least.  The calamity began in March, shortly after our return from Hueco, with an avalanche that took a dear friend and fortunately spared another--one of my long-time friends and climbing partners, Lisa Foster, survived, and sadly, my long-time friend Liesl's husband died.  Our community suffered greatly because of this loss.  Picking the up pieces, being a supportive friend, and moving forward was all I could do. One of the ways I could support was to get out, walk, and listen. In August, Lisa and I went out for a 20+ mile hike to Lost Lake, Lake Husted & Lake Louise.
 
Finally feeling like my finger was solid again, I was hopeful to take advantage of September and Rocktober.  However, the next obstacle presented itself--the flood, devastating the front range of Colorado, sweeping hard work, dreams, homes, and roads away.  The community showed great strength and fortitude as we picked up and moved forward.  After I got out of our neighborhood and could move around freely, I went on missions to help another of my greatest friends, Leah, who lost her business and home in the floods. Thanks to some other friends, she evacuated, but her house was on its side in a river bank, and her store was splinters pushed into the Glen Heaven General Store. We went on several missions, crawling around her beautiful now sideways home, salvaging what we could.
 
I have waited this long to climb. I can be patient, which was my maxim.  Then the government shuts down, closing our dear Rocky Mountain National Park.   I guess this isn't my season in the Park I thought.  Keeping my head down and spirit up, I return to my garage to train, train, and train some more—feeling so grateful to have our climbing cave but also missing the outdoors.  After the Park opened, I did get a day in at Elk Land in between the early snowstorm and sent a boulder problem, which is what I needed to boost my psych level.  Elk Stone V10 went down quickly after trying it a handful of times two springs ago it felt good to return and do it!   The training is paying off—Thanks David Mason!
 
The lost season has taught me so much.  Since living through these shocking times, I have been so grateful for the people around me, for the roads I drive on, for still having a home and business, and for being able to climb inside and out.  It has also taught me acceptance—some things cannot be fixed, but being strong, looking for the brightness in the dark, not succumbing to darkness, and helping others out of the dark times was about all I could do through these challenges.
 
In between the craziness, I have continued to work diligently at the other aspects of my life, including the restaurant I manage, our growing guiding concession in Hueco Tanks, Wagon Wheel Co-opt (wagonwheelcoopt.com), and organizing the 21sts Hueco Rock Rodeo.  This year, the American Alpine Club, AAC, asked Wagon Wheel Co-opt to partner with them at Rock Ranch, offering guided tours at the Ranch.  The 2013 20th Hueco Rock Rodeo was a great success, and I was asked to organize the event again.  So far, we have a great lineup with a slideshow from Hueco local Sam Davis, professional UK climber Mina Leslie-Wujastyk, and Dave Graham premiering the Island 2!  There is also going to be a great lineup of professional climbers competing, and some will conduct clinics, including Daniel Woods, Paul Robinson, Jimmy Webb, Sean McColl, Angie Payne, Nina Williams, Kasia Pietras, and more!
 
The good and bad news is the work Adam's Tree Service initially lost with the flood they gained back te fold. Once we could get out of the neighborhood, Adam and the crew helped Estes Park, Glen Haven, and Light and Power clear trees from downed power ines. Because of this, an opportunity to bid on the Town of Estes Park's Power line contract came up for Adam. The good news is he got it and plenty of work; the bad news is he cannot leave town for the first winter of his first contract. I have already committed to the Hueco Rock Rodeo so it looks like I will head to Hueco without Adam there for the whole season--the goal is a bit of back and forth for him. 

Life has returned to a new state of what I consider normal now and we have a few weeks left in Colorado before our Hueco season starts.  It is always difficult to leave my home, friends, and Dunraven family, but once I get to Hueco, I am home gain. Adam will make the trip down and leave when the contract starts in January.