Next chapters
- Jan 28
- 1 min read
So hard to turn right and leave Hueco behind, fading in the rearview mirrors, but not gone forever, just an early end to our season. Looking forward to the next chapters exploring the climbing and boulders in Arkansas!
But for me, it is extra challenging to leave what would be my most difficult boulder problem undone after the accident. I was so close—falling after the hard bits with my hands just opening up and sliming off the holds on a warm day before the holidays—the day before we left for the islands.
At 52, I cannot tell you how challenging it is to demand this level of fitness from my body and hands. Eight years after the accident, I still see with each year that I am gaining something back that I lost in 2017 with parts of my hands. But I feel the downward curve of aging breathing down my neck as I make these gains. Here's hoping that I get the chance to stand on top of that rig. It gave me hope a few years back, when I was searching for problems I could try—this one, in particular— and, after some dedication, I realized it was possible.
Aging tip to share—coming back after two weeks is harder than it was years ago. Two weeks off mid-season is a bad idea at this age! It took 2-3 weeks to get the fitness back, but now it is time to leave—my window for this go around has closed, but I will be back. Stay tuned for updates from the Ozarks and book talks!