Cragmama "Not all who wander are lost…" JRR Tolkien

Monthly Archives: April 2011

Rain and Rivers Raging at the Red!

Rain and Rivers Raging at the Red!

Considering that the last time we climbed at the Red was when I was 11 weeks preggo and under a self-imposed toprope restriction, it was great to finally get back there, and this time on the sharp end!  We headed up on Thursday afternoon to meet our crew of climbing partners at Lago Linda’s.  The weather forecast was not good.  In fact, it was downright bad.  But I’m so thankful we didn’t let a few rain drops get in the way of our having a good time!  Obviously with a large posse of climbers with  varying abilities, no two people had the same tick list,…Read the rest of this entry →

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Gear Review: OakiWear Adventure Suit

Gear Review: OakiWear Adventure Suit

  A few weekends ago our family headed to the New River Gorge for some climbing and camping fun.  With a driving rain Friday night and a passing thunder shower Saturday afternoon, our weekend was definitely wet – but we had a blast nonetheless!  (You can read a trip report from our adventure here).  My husband Steve and I have always maintained that although truly good rain gear is expensive, it only takes one or two uses per season to make it worth its weight in gold.  Nothing can squash your weekend fun quite like spending the night in a puddle-filled tent with soggy underwear and pruned skin…Read the rest of this entry →

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Sentimental Snapshots: Roll Your Own (Boulders)

Sentimental Snapshots: Roll Your Own (Boulders)

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Sentimental Snapshots post, and when I came across this picture, it made me laugh and brought back so many happy memories that I had to use it. It was taken in August of 2008 when Steve and I flew north for the summer to Squamish, British Columbia in an attempt to escape the sweltering heat and humidity of the Southeast. Squamish is a special place for us because its where we first learned to climb outdoors, on a “rest day” from a Whistler ski trip in March of 2006. We spent that first day with…Read the rest of this entry →

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All Sorts of “Newness” at the New River Gorge

All Sorts of “Newness” at the New River Gorge

I’ve been to the New a countless number of times over the past few years, and the best part about it is that it never gets old!  No matter how many times we head up there, no two trips are ever the same, and this weekend was certainly no exception.  In fact, our weekend was chock full of “newness” – a new climbing season, a new drive, a new friend, lots of new routes, new gear, and of course a new hit list to work with.  Our trip started on Friday afternoon, when Cragbaby and I picked Steve up at…Read the rest of this entry →

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A Perspective on Risk Assessment

A Perspective on Risk Assessment

“Do you take less risks in climbing now that you’re a mom?”  If I had a dollar for every time someone has asked me this since Cragbaby entered on the scene…well let’s face it, I wouldn’t be rich, but I would definitely be able to buy more $4 frappucinnos at Starbucks!  The funny thing is, I never really feel like I have a good answer for this question.  I feel like the “correct” answer is, “Yes, the responsibility of raising a little person has made me less risky of a climber.”  But if I’m being honest, I don’t really think much…Read the rest of this entry →

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“Not all who wander are lost.” —JRR TOLKIEN