give it time, brad. they will come. this is accessed by plenty of beginners, but the turnover time for posts and responses is exceedingly slow. i'm sure someone will have a valid question very soon. in fact i have a few getting to know you questions...

I've been climbing for12 yrs.. The srcfc has member's all over the world, I just happen to be the Area Contact for Al, Tn, Ga. area. It's a great organization to be a part of. You're welcome to be a part of it. www.srcfc.org. I used to do a lot of rappelling, I mean extreme rappelling to the point of getting killed and it got almost boring, so I'd already saw a lot of people climbing, so I changed my equipment attire a bit and i've never turned back. I still teach rappelling and rock climbing together, so I'm still into it some. I got into soloing on my on and worked my way up to the point of mental preparedness. there is some deep water solo here, only 100 ft. or so. But, I've backed off the solo gig for a time because I've got a lot going on. As far as someone I admire, it would have to be Dean Potter, because I got to spend some time with him, and he is a rare individual. He doesn't like the spot light at all and he's really down to earth and on the level. I don't get to do any Ice climbing, simply because I don't get to an area where there's a lot of good Ice. I'd say that 80% of any climbing is mental and there's no room for pride!! I've been a Certified Guide since 01.

Speedclimber, First congrats, and second, I would ask your doctor about that because certain activities can endanger your baby and not to mention making you uncomfortable! although I would walk some, but please ask your doctor first okay? Wow, how great is that, bringing a new little climber into the world, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
P.S. Let me know what the doc say's okay?

I have a small climbing resume that I am looking to expand greatly over the next few years! I am a college student in Oklahoma and have been climbing for about a year now off and on. I've been to the Wichita Mountains a few times and had the pleasure of competing in the 24Hours of Horseshoe Hell at Horseshoe Canyon in Arkansas. Now onto the advice...

I have dreams of becoming a guide/instructor for climbing/backpacking/etc after college but I don't have that many opportunities to get out and "just do it!" Oklahoma isn't the first pick for pursuing these passions but it's not the worst either. What advice could you give me concerning my actions over the next few semesters? (Job ops, majors, people I could contact, and anything else that would help) I am in love with the outdoors and feel that God's call for me is to have something to do with that. Any ideas, warnings, prayers, etc would be greatly appreciated.

I do make it quite a ritual to visit the school's rock wall each semester though when it comes to the certifications I'm just a little short on the dough! I have applied for a camp in Colorado called K-Colorado (It's a sub-camp of the well known Kanakkuk Kamps)

As for the out-a-country stuff... I can't tell you how blessed I would be for that to become a reality! Funding that though seems like it would take a little more than just a part-time job and a couple donors. I'll contact the SRCFC and get more info though!

Also, my parents don't quite share my enthusiasm for climbing nor do they really believe it to be a "real" living (no offense). But for me I figure if I'm doing the Lord's work and can remain content under any style of living then I should pursue it. Naive, I'm sure... So from your side: How did you do it? All of my family and peers don't think I could have a family and support them with jobs like this but I'm convinced I could... I just don't have any proof yet.

I'm sure your eyes are starting quiver staring at the screen through all of this so I'll save more questions for other posts! Thanks and God bless!!!

P.S.- I was looking at the website and saw your 2008 National Conference in August at the Rocky Mountain National Park! I was a little confused... what is the cost exactly? I saw suggested donations but other than that (and camp fees) what's our payment?

I am getting ready for this next years season of outdoor rock climibing and recently learned how to clean the anchors (quickdraws) once I reach the top of a sport climbing route. I feel I have this down very well and felt I was ready to climb, but then I wondered what do I do if I do not make it to the top of a route? I mean at the top of a route there is generally two anchors to clip into so I can rethread the rope or belay down but if I get stuck in the middle of a route I have to work from the last anchor i clipped into or belay back down and leave a not so cheap quickdraw hanging. Please let me know how I might be able to safely clean all my anchors and get down a route if I do not make it to the top or if you know of any websites that may be able to further explain this I would greatly appreciate that as well.

Thanks,

Jason

hey jason

i'm going to butt in here to add my two cents. it sounds to me like you're talking about bailing on lead on a sport route. i would agree with brad that it's easy to leave behind a couple of cheaper items than draws, however, i tend to lean toward using two bail biners (one for each bolt you're connected to) instead of quick-links. part of the reason, is that the next person up knows what they are, why they're there, and can easily claim a nice fresh biner as booty. the other reason is that, while quick-links can hold a friggin truck up (much less the weight of a climber) i tend to be (overly)cautious and lean toward trusting my life to a more tested and scrutinized piece of equipment (biner).

the other reason that i was butting in was that, unless i missed it, brad didn't mention that you should have at least TWO biners/links connected to TWO different bolts, to lower off of. brad's extremely knowledgable, so i'm sure he just didn't mention because it was second nature to him, but always remember not to trust your life to one piece (even if it is a bolt)

thread jack! .... hey brad! i'm back from costa rica, and i'll have to tell you a bit about it as soon as i get a break from catching up on work. glad to see you're still dishing out the good advice c u soon!