V8! Not just juice (and quote of the week)

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."

David Frost

The last couple days have been really important climbing days for me. On Monday I taught my bouldering basics class at Bridges and we had the biggest turn out yet with about 15 people. It was a really fun challenge to teach that many beginners at once. It was also a great reward to see the smiles on their faces as I helped them work through their roadblocks and fears. The class was so big I didn't really get to climb at all, but seeing them get excited made me want to climb more than ever.

So the following day I hit up the gym and climbed my little heart out. And to my great surprise and elation I was able to finish my first V8! I'm particularly excited about this, because I haven't even tried a V8 since I injured my tendon in my left hand. I thought it would be a lot longer before I was able to climb as hard as I had been before the injury. I am physched!

Turtle Rock

Last weekend I was sad that I couldn't take a road trip to climb so my amazing friends joined me for a quick day session at Marin's Turtle Rock. I worked on my project there (some V6-V8 traverse, not sure) and finished all the moves and I actually think I might be able to put it together in the very near future-just need a tad more endurance.

The day was a blast. We got in some good climbing, some sun, wonderful views, a whole lot of silliness and even had dinner at the Pelican Inn.

It was good fun. It felt great to be outside and be in the company of lovely friends. Yay for friends, sunshine, climbing outside, and yummy food!

Yosemite again and the continued crush fest!

Amelia and I packed up the Volvo and took a ladies trip to Yosemite Valley. We had no idea where we were sleeping or when we were heading back, but we decided to fly by the seat of our pants and just figure it all out along the way. I had just been to Yosemite last weekend and was feeling so excited I couldn't stop talking about going back. Amelia had to get in on the action.

After we made plans to head to the Valley Amelia hurt her ankle bouldering, but she was the ultimate climbing partner and came along as my moral support and spotter anyway. She is so rad and having her with me got me super physched to crush!

We met some really awesome people and got to crash at Curry Village in a tent house with an old friend of Amelia's who now works at the Park. It was kismet, I suppose cause the plans just sort of fell into place.

With some amazing beta and support from all the folks we were climbing with I sent Octagon V6, which I tried last week and could barely get through the third move! I also started to project King V7. The first day I started projecting it I got all the way to the top-out and fell! So disappointing! I continually got to the top of the climb all weekend so I am confident with a little more dedication and hard work I can send soon! I can't wait to get back!

Yosemite!

I spent Saturday bouldering in Yosemite Valley with my friends Kim and James. I have always been intimidated by the Valley, I guess that's my only excuse for only going twice in my whole life (and never going in the last 3 years-crazy, I know)! I sure am glad I finally went back. I had such an amazing time.

We bouldered at the cathedral boulders and the sentinel boulders. I had my proudest send to date on "So Good" V5 after watching James' beta for the top out. We all also sent Crippler V4. I was physched to finish both these climbs as they were super heady for me. It was the first time I have ever bouldered that I didn't feel afraid of heights (a huge accomplishment for me to say the least)! As a result of my new found confidence I took two big falls off the king boulder, one of them almost landing on James Lucas' head! Thank god he's a good spotter!

We worked on a bunch of other stuff that I will for sure be projecting in the future. I'm super stoked to try and finish The King V7 and Sentinel Traverse V6 just to name a few. It was a wonderful trip (although admittedly too short)! I can't wait to get back out!

Pining to climb

Lately I feel a little stuck (in my cube). I have spent the last few weekends in town which has been really great, but I suddenly feel antsy and all I can think about is getting outside to climb and be outside with friends. I was looking at some pics from a trip I took with work last year to Joshua Tree and I swear I started to have symptoms of withdrawal. I'm hoping to get outside one day this weekend and boulder with my girl Kim and I can't wait! Until then I thought I'd post some fun pics from my trip to J-Tree. I miss real rock!

Weekend warrior

This weekend was very busy! I took Friday off work, so I made the most of the three days off. On Thursday night I went with Audrey to Salsa dancing (sorry I didn't take pics) and had so much fun! I am definitely no Salsa expert but it was awesome to try something new. After Salsa I met up with Caydie and Alex for Indian food in Rockridge. Those ladies always put a smile on my face.

On Friday I headed to Tahoe for some snowboarding. We got there Friday evening so we killed time at the climbing gym in Incline Village. After a good night of bouldering we had dinner and went to bed for an early day on the slopes. Saturday was a beautiful bluebird day and I had a spectacular day snowboarding one last time for the season. I rode until last chair. I felt so physched on snowboarding and can't wait for the snow next winter! I really feel like I have made a lot of progress in my riding after a good ten days this season. I'm even starting to perfect my jumps! Yay!

The weekend was such a good time. I feel ready to attack the week. Happy Monday everyone!

XOXO-Izzy

Flagstaff and Sedona bouldering

The weekend was wonderful. I spent it in Flagstaff bouldering with my dear friend Brian who migrated to Flag a year and a half ago. My boy Jason from Boulder came out to climb with us too which made the trip even sweeter. Friday night I flew into Phoenix and Jason and I road triped in his van (Vana White) to Brian's. When we got there we bbq'ed on the deck, got silly, and later went out with some friends for some drinks at a local bar (The drinks were good but the people watching was top notch! We spent the evening making fun of people and starring in awe at the plethora of fashion train wrecks! So fun and awful all at once)!

Saturday Brian made breakfast for everyone and we had a lovely lazy morning shooting the shit with his roommate. Later all of us packed up Brian's VW and hit up some local bouldering at Priest's Draw. The bouldering was right up my alley, a ton of overhung pockety climbs! We had a great day and got in a few good sends. My fav was Bat Roof. We ended the day with a big Thai dinner, coldstone, and an early nights sleep.

Sunday we drove out to Sedona and went on an epic approach through a river up to our waists only to get in a few climbs cause time was tight. Even though we didn't get in a lot of climbing the trip was worth it! The landscape in Sedona is breathtaking! It was awe inspiring to be out in nature with amazing people...these moments are why I earn a living! So I can play! Feeling very thankful today!