Like any good love affair, the attraction Josh and I had for the Red Rock Rendezvous was instant and intense: Clinics taught by top athletes, thousands of participants from around the country, a Fat Tire beer truck with gratis beer each night, and a picture perfect setting just outside the park. And like any affair, we left the festival vowing to “see you the same time next year.” We talked up the Rendezvous to who ever would listen and quickly signed up when we received our registration notices. But sadly, our return to our festival mistress this year was tainted with age and change. Gone...

Three years ago, a friend recommended I read the Rock Warrior Way to help me improve my climbing. It was a mental training guidebook that helped climbers identify egos, fears, and other mind tricks that can hold them back from being better. In less than three months, this book changed my life – but not in the way I thought. Yes, it helped me focus my climbing techniques. But it also helped me step outside my comfort zone and try some new things. One of those was a solo backpack trip in Italy and a side trip to a small climbing village called Finale. Those of you who read my blog know the rest of...

The Red Rock Rendezvous is quickly becoming a legendary climbing festival. In only its fifth year, it is bringing together more than 1,000 climbers from around the world. Many come from colder climates to enjoy the warm spring Las Vegas weather and the stunning red rock formation. There is climbing for all skill levels in the park and stellar multi-pitch routes including the epic Epinephrene – a 2,000 foot, 15 pitch route. Josh and I made the trip for the first time this year and the gathering more than lived up to its hype. Stories of the Fat Tire truck filled with kegs of beer that are tapped...

A year ago in Red Rocks, Nevada, I took a bad lead fall climbing. When I missed my hold and fell backwards, my legs came back up against the very hard red rocks. I sprained my ankle and it took me months to recover. I haven’t lead or fallen since. This weekend, I returned to Red Rocks for the Red Rock Rendezvous, a kickin’ climbing fest known as much for Fat Tire truck of beer as the all-star climbers who teach the clinics. My first session would be Fall Safe. I assumed I would have time to get back on my horse – or fall off of it – well before March. But I was wrong. I...