Red Rock Radness

A cloud of dust contrasted the burnt sienna rock and the deep aqua sky. I dug into my bag, trying to get white particles of energy to attach to my fingers. I pinched the block as hard as I could—if only it were Green Rock. My thoughts were racing just as fast as my overworked heart; what if I fell? I looked down, looked up, looked back down. My arms weren’t getting any stronger. What was I waiting for? Once I realized it would be harder to down climb six feet to the last clip than clip the next bolt, I got myself together. Panicking wasn’t productive I told myself. Every muscle in my body was shaking as I let go with my right hand to reach down for the rope and make the clip. In through the nose, out through the mouth-it's so much easier to breath after clipping.

That’s a fifteen-minute snippet of my spring break. Red Rock Canyon, Nevada; a world class climbing destination less than six hours from school. The 15 does get boring at times but with enough chocolate and religious talk radio it goes by quickly. Rosie and I rolled into Vegas around 2pm PST. By four, we had the campsite picked out, the tent pitched, and our packs packed for an afternoon climbing session. What we didn’t know at the time was we were going to a very remote part of Red Rock. The drive in didn’t suit my urban vehicle very well. The skid panel on my car has some character but at least we arrived at the trailhead. The approach was beautiful and welcoming—maybe too welcoming. A cactus got really attached to my hand. It was painful to remove it. Rosie was a great wingman with pulling cacti out of my hand (I was busy filming) and navigating us to the base of the climb. The route sounded great, a 150’ 5.7. In reality it was quite different. After she tried it once, we did the right thing and enjoyed a spectacular hike back to the car.

Wednesday followed a similar theme of eating humble pie. We set off for more than either of us could handle by trying a classic nine pitch 5.8+ called Crimson Chrysalis. There is so much to be learned from experiences like this. We learned it’s always a good idea to check weather reports before climbing. This would have shown us a wind advisory with gusts up to 50mph. Winds like that aren’t conducive to any "fun having". Communication on the wall is impossible and more importantly, climbing is more challenging. That afternoon we went to a local coffeehouse to regroup [, check Facebook] and pick out more reasonable climbs for the rest of the trip.

Thursday was a great day of sending short, more manageable routes. Perhaps a bit superstitious but I decided it was best if I didn’t lead the first pitch or route of the day anymore. In the last year or so every day I’ve ever been first on the wall has turned into a less than awesome day. Rosie got us started on the right foot by leading a 110’ 5.8+ slab called Ultraman. Since the route was put up in the 70s it wasn’t as protected as a modern route meaning if you were to fall between bolts it would hurt. Luckily Rosie’s physically and mentally strong and got to the anchor without any issue. From there we set up a top rope to the left on a route called Clutch Cargo –a 100’ 5.9 slab.

The morning warm up came in handy for the 12a calling our name that afternoon. A crazy idea came over us that we should get on something stiff. Even though I was falling a bunch, working the 12a built up some confidence I was missing the first two days. The pinnacle of the day came when I attempted to “dyno through the crux” (dyno: dynamically move). I finally felt comfortable enough to be myself. Trying a move as risky as a dyno got the blood flowing through my body. I realized I was being overly careful: gripping holds too tight, over thinking strategy, moving slowly, and not trusting myself. All of those concerns were flushed out when I finally trusted the rope to do its job.

The rope did its job beautifully the whole trip. We made the most of our last day of full climbing by finding ourselves on an overhanging 11d. To say I was out of my comfort zone would be like saying Jesus was a cool dude—a slight understatement. Once again I gave the first lead to Rosie. She made the first two clips effortlessly but got stumped on a reachy side crimp. I got past the reachy move but didn’t want to commit to clipping the next bolt. If I clipped I’d have to keep going up the scary monster. I downclimbed to the second bolt and came down. Rosie got on again and couldn’t quite drop her knee low enough to pull through the crux. She rested at the bolt trying to cool the barrels of her guns but the move was still too reachy. Seeing her put a lot effort into the move motivated me to try it one more time. While clipping the third bolt I thought, what have I gotten myself into?

Saturday morning we woke up covered in a layer of desert sand. Neither of us were surprised—throughout the night large gusts of wind picked up dirt clouds and sent them under the rain fly. It was impossible to get the dirt out of our eyes because our hands were covered in the same stuff and we couldn’t wipe our hands off because every article of clothing in the tent received the same admiration. Outhouse sponge baths never felt so good.

Hiking around and exploring the canyon that last morning got me wondering if it really would be my last time. Would I ever get back to this gorgeous place? – is a question that I kept coming back to. During that final exploration we made many mental notes of “must do” routes for next time. I figured the more I said next time the more likely it would be that there would be a next time. Red Rock Canyon was exactly what I wanted it to be.

Until next time. Cheers,
Jonathan

PURA VIDA MAE

Costa Rica 2011 Group with Serendipity Guides after Rafting

“ How was your trip?”  The inevitable question I have been asked over and over since returning to campus.  Never have I struggled so much to answer such a simple question.  I want to give a summary of what the trip was like, what I did, who I met, how I changed, but I honestly do not know how to fully convey an answer that gives justice to my experience.  All I manage to respond with is “AMAZING!” and people seem to be satisfied with that answer, but I am not.

I am practically speechless as I reflect on my life-changing experience in Costa Rica.  Life changing?  That term may seem a little extreme, but many ways, this trip was absolutely life changing.  As I continue to try and make meaning from my experience, I can tell you that I came home with a rejuvenated spirit, a new thirst for travel, for challenge, for adventure, for culture, and for experiencing nature. I hope that at some point everyone at USD is able to be challenged both physically and mentally, immerse themselves in a foreign culture, and experience the simplicity of the 'pura vida' mindset we were able to experience.

Although I loved the flavorful coffee, mouthwateringly fresh food, and heart-pounding adventures, it was the cultural immersion that impacted me the most and this caught me by surprise.  The people and the lifestyle that we were able to experience in the remote, central mountains and the sleepy beach towns of Costa Rica is something I will never forget and is something I am anxiously waiting to experience again.

It’s difficult to describe the people and lifestyle in Costa Rica.  The people we encountered just are.  That is the best way to capture their essence.  They are who they are and everything is what it is.  Living simply and simply living is what it is all about.  In the areas where we traveled, there is no superficiality, no giant mansions, no flashy cars, and no people trying to present an image that they are not.  Our interactions with our Serendipity guides embodied these ideals of community and simplicity right off the bat.  They were engaging and made the group extremely comfortable their yummy, authentic food, abundant information, and witty humor.  We already had inside jokes after the first couple of hours.  The way we were able to connect so well with these people is what made me feel a sense of loss when we parted ways.

Don Carlos teaching harvesting a pepper with his machete!

As I experienced this genuine culture, all of my senses were challenged in ways that are foreign to my way of life here.  I felt privileged to have lived with the Venegas family and was thrilled as they showed us their land, explained their frontier farming techniques, and shared authentic, locally grown food.   I saw it the way the livestock roamed everywhere, happily and healthily, with only a thin fence to keep them corralled. I learned it in the way our local guide Don Carlos used his machete to blaze us a new trail through the rain forest and teach us about his crops as he cut us sweet, juicy sugar cane and hearty peppers.  I tasted it in the traditional 'casado' meal at a small family owned restaurant after the greatest and most intense mountain biking I have ever done.  I heard it in the soothing flow of the Pacuare River as we took a refreshing swim after a long hike.  Every day offered a new adventure that delighted my senses, however, most of my growth occurred in the alone time when I was able to just sit, just reflect, and just be.  I love that the culture I was immersed in on this trip to Costa Rica is so rich, so full of life, love, and of friendship. 

Me during our reflection period in Cahuita National Park

My advice for the day: challenge yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. Immerse yourself in a foreign culture. Take risks.  You will not regret it.

Spring Break Organic Care

Spring Break is finally here!!! As everyone geared up for their adventures during this wonderful week, Eco-LEEP offered a quick workshop on easy ways to make a variety of skin care products to help your skin survive all the potential damage of sun, wind, and other elements. It was a gorgeous sunny day and there was a lot of other things going on in front of the UC so it was a lot of fun! Over 30 people got to choose from 4 sample recipes and make their own toner, elixir, sunscreen, and after sun care. It seemed like everyone was having a good time and we ran out of supplies there were so many people! It was also awesome because the recipes took less than 5 minutes a piece and are also ingredients that are easy to find. I got everything for the event at Whole Foods and some are even cheaper ways than buying the finished project from a skin care line.

Eco-LEEP has another event coming up the week after Spring Break so be sure to keep your eyes open for a Healthy Vegetarian Eating Workshop on March 24th from 5:30-7 pm in UC 129. Also, this workshop is more than just for vegetarians or vegans, its for anyone interested in learning about more food choices available to them. So instead of free skin care, this time there will be FREE FOOD!



BIG BEAR: Part Deux

It seems like Big Bear has never failed me, the 3 times I have guided trips there have been amazing!!! (and practically problem free!!!) This time however, was definitely the earliest we have gotten there since the roads were dry and we didn't have to put on chains. This meant a lot more snow time, which was awesome. Although the snow was not fresh powder like it was last time, it was still fun to play in the slushier snow.

It was also a lot nicer because it was not as packed as it was during the President's Day weekend trip. There was space to do more so it was a lot less nerve wracking to be out there without being worried about the crazy people skiing/boarding around me. That's one thing about me as a skier, I'm a cautious person and I really don't like feeling like I'm going to get plowed over all the time. Although I did have my first minor skiing accident since I was 12. It was SO embarrassing!! The entire Bear Express lift had to be shut down!!! I was getting off the lift and my skis got caught in the board binding of another person on the lift and I proceeded to fall and get dragged a foot or two before my ski finally popped off to give my hip and knee relief from being twisted the wrong way. Needless to say it was a big scene... but I still got in some great skiing after that so it was more injury of pride than body. It is also always fun to run into the other participants while skiing and see that they were having as much, if not more fun than I was.

Overall I am so looking forward to the next time I can go to Big Bear, although it will have to be next season.

Rock Climbing Training

Some people spend their Saturdays sleeping in, but that's not how the guides roll. We get up early and get out to see what adventures life has in store for us that day. Friday and Saturday March 4 and 5, about 30 people were with us at 2 separate spots in Mission Gorge. There was a group practicing sport climbing, which is where you climb up and bring the rope with you, but as that is very dangerous, we had to be hooked to a top rope as well for a back up in case we fell. However, it was very beneficial in that we got to learn how to set anchors and also rappel.

The other group got to climb and rappel as well, but they were covering more of the ground school aspects of climbing. I was part of the first group and it was a TON of fun!  Our group was definitely smaller than the other site, but I think those of us that were part of it truly enjoyed it because we had more space to lounge and just relax in the sun between getting ready to climb and belaying.

It was such a beautiful day and we were so lucky to get to spend all of it outside!

Costa Rica Countdown: 1 Day

Get ready for Spring Break 2011!!

In a matter of 36 hours, I will be on a plane headed to Central America for my first time.  Before studying abroad in Florence, Italy this winter, I had only ever been to Mexico, most of which I do not remember.  Needless to say, I am so excited to add another trip to my budding travelling career.  I am not going to lie,  the normal waves of anxiousness then excitement that I get before travel or any new experience have been starting to flow through my mind as my trip to Costa Rica is only hours away.  Travel, especially international travel, is a big deal and learning to plan accordingly is a giant task and a an ongoing process.  This being only one of few major adventure trips I have been on is just another lesson into what prep goes into making sure you have the right clothing, equiptment, and frame of mind.  Here are a few of the travel and packing tips that I have added to my own list, a list that is bound to keep growing.

      1) LESS is More  What I have learned from my experience participating in and guiding ELAC trips are the concepts of simplicity and packing only the essentials.  I think I have debated over which t-shirts to bring about six times now (I am still learning).
      2) Be FLEXIBLE  Plans change, bad weather happens, people drop out, and mistakes can happen.  I have learned that being flexible and looking at change as a way to grow and gain a new perspective oftentimes makes a trip better.  After an unexpected delay that led to an extra night in Paris on my journey home from Florence, I am up for anything Cost Rica travel has to offer!
      3) Go outside your comfort zone Being with a new group of people you have never met before and in a new place takes a toll on my level of comfort.  I distinctly remember the pang of discomfort I felt in the van on my first guide trip to Mt. San Jacinto.  I remember texting my dad and telling him I was nervous.  But look at me now: I helped guide an out of state trip to Zion National Park in Utah last semester, and now I am headed on an international trip with ELAC!  Growth and experiences of a lifetime come when you can step outside the confines of your everyday routines.

So, there you go.  Here is my insight into travel thus far and these are the three main things I am going to remember as I prepare to have the experience of my life.  I am most excited for being completely immersed in the jungle, for the COFFEE, and for the awesome white water rafting that I get to experience, all of which are just a plane ride away!

Check out our guides for the week: http://www.serendipityadventures.com/

Vereh River, Costa Rica Spring Break Trip 2010
Photo credit: Mark Ceder

Food Fight!

No, there was not a ton of food being thrown around, although there was a ton of food being sampled!

The event was held at the KIPJ with food sampling outside
before the film screening and panel discussion in the theater.

 I would have to say that USD's Food and Food Culture event was really exciting to be involved with. There was great food being served, an amazing film, and also an invigorating panel. I chose my word invigorating carefully; by definition it means to fill with life and energy and that is exactly what the panel did. There were some big name people on the panel and the discussion that ensued was motivating. It made me change the way I view my food and what I want to be putting in my body. The thought that the movie planted in the brain was engrained by the discussion. The panel members were Chris Taylor, the director of the film, Dr. Kathy James from the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, then there were the gentlemen from U.S. Food Services, Greg Pallaske and Jason Paolini, Patrick Clark from the Culinary Institute of America, Jay Porter, a USD alumni and owner of The Linkery and El Take it Easy, and author of Recipe for America, Jill Richardson.

From left to right: Jill Richardson, Patrick Clark, Jay Porter,
Jason Paolini, Greg Pallaske, Dr. Kathy James, and Chris Taylor

It was definitely an eclectic group of panelists and they all had very valuable contributions to the conversation. Overall, with USD's efforts to be more sustainable, this was a beneficial event. Hopefully next time you need to buy food you consider buying local, or at least organic.

Also, a HUGE thank you to all the student volunteers
(most of whom are Adventure Guides)

Trekkin' Through Torreys

Torrey Pines State National Reserve,  Beach Trail
February 2011

If you are looking for a relaxing Saturday afternoon activity or somewhere to bring your new crush on a first date, a hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is where it is at!  Just twenty minutes north of campus lay the beautiful beaches, layered sandstone cliffs, and rare Torrey Pine trees that are just another asset of San Diego's amazing outdoor opportunities.  There are 8 different trails all offering great views of the wildflowers, sandstone formations of broken cliffs and deep ravines, beach, lagoon, and sometimes dolphins and whales.  What makes Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve unique is that the Torrey Pine tree only grows here in San Diego and on Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands National Park.  All of the rock layers at Torrey Pines are sedimentary, made up of pieces of older rocks, sand, crushed shells, and fossils. The layers are divided into formations that are different enough from each other to be told apart by the naked eye; it is really fun to notice the different colors and textures of each layer.  Starting with the oldest, they are the Delmar Formation, the Torrey Sandstone, the Lindavista Formation, and the Bay Point Formation.  Some shells found in the sediment have been dated back approximately 120,000 years. http://www.torreypine.org/

Since the start of the spring semester, a number of groups have hiked here.  The first night hike was a great break from the hustle and bustle of school life.  With close to no other hikers around, we were able to enjoy the deep navy-blue tone of the night sky and unlike being on surrounded by campus lights; the sparkle of the stars is what guided us along the trail.  As we walked the last stretch of the hike on the shore at the base of a 300-foot cliff, I noticed the serenity and what seemed to be the infinite glimmer of the moonlight on the waves.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the top beach hikes in the state because the scenery is incredible and you can have an amazing experience both during the day and at night!  Aside from regular adventure trips, ELAC offers Rec Classes that students participate in weekly trips throughout the semester for credit while exploring the diverse terrains of San Diego and learning various outdoor skills. The San Diego Outdoors class ventured along the Beach Trail during their first class trip.  We enjoyed a very informational (although it seemed slightly meditational) video and were able to learn about the wildlife and rock formations at the Visitor's Center.  The weather that afternoon was perfect- the clouds were fanned out against the powder blue sky, almost like the wind had flattened them out with a rolling pin.  We enjoyed the watching the waves endlessly break on the rock-imbedded shore and enjoyed our lunch while soaking up the warming rays of the sun.

San Diego Outdoors Class
February 2011

Both the tranquility of an evening under the moonlight and an afternoon of lustrous sun are great aspects of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve that are too close in proximity to campus to not be taken advantage of.

"The Torrey Pines hike last week was a great trip. We were all so excited for the hike that we decided to go despite the rain and I'm so glad we did! The drizzling stopped about 5 minutes before we made it to the top and the view was amazing! The rain had made the air so clear, the view of the sun reflecting on the ocean beneath us was spectacular. As we hiked down we enjoyed sliding around on the dirt trails that had turned into mud. We eventually made our way to the ocean where we spent time drawing in the sand and enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather we weren't expecting to have on the trip. Overall it was a great way to spend a Saturday!"
     -Caiti McDaniel, Guide

Take The Plunge

Palisade Glacier, The Sierras
photo credit: Will Rochfort, Alumni Guide

Being a guide here for ELAC has been the most influential learning experience I have had in my life thus far.  Although I am only a sophomore, the amount of hands on experience I have gained, the genuine relationships that I have formed, and the immense amount of knowledge I have learned all have enhanced my overall experience here at USD, especially last year as I struggled to find community on campus.  I think what has made this experience of learning technical skills, such as building rock climbing anchors and actually maneuvering a kayak, while incorporating leadership styles and how to interact with groups so valuable is that all of these come with a significant amount of risk.  This risk can be physical, but it also involves the courage to take the risk of going outside of the comfort of how I usually am.

So here are your next two words. Risk and Courage.  Risk is defined as a situation involving exposure to danger, while courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens one.  So to make it simple, courage is the quality of having the mindset and spirit to face risk.

One of my first risks taken in college, excluding actually leaving home, was joining the guide program.  I came to ELAC with only the experience of family hiking trips and was thrown into a world of knots, carabiners, whisper light stoves, backpacks, and kayak paddles.  In the beginning it seemed like a foreign world with a foreign language.  But I am so proud of myself for stepping outside my own realm of comfort and finding my place in ELAC and at USD.  And, while I try not to worry too much about what comes next, in the future I hope to leave USD with the product of my hard work for this program and an appreciation for developing and challenging oneself both physically and mentally.

Guides are risk-takers to say the least.  It takes courage to hold the responsibility of a group in your hands.  It takes courage to lead a group of participants up a mountain or canoeing on the bay.  It takes courage to repel down waterfalls.  It takes courage to teach the silly teambuilding game,  “Boppity Bop Bop Bop”, reach out to people who may or may not think you are a crazy person.  It takes courage to be a decision-maker that may make mistakes.  It takes courage to be a leader and make yourself vulnerable to help others grow and develop their own sense of self.  That is what we guides do every trip.  We have the courage to take the plunge and push the limits everyday, because that is who we are and all of these experiences will be what we value and use after graduation, in the careers we chose, in the families we may have, and most of all in the incredible future experiences that are bound to happen.

-Katie :)

Katie, Rosie, Devon, Colin, and Caiti
Joshua Tree, January 2010

BIG BEAR!!!

Colin getting ready to ride!

What an escape! Although I come from a land where there is snow on the ground over 4 months of the year, I still LOVE the snow every time I'm in it (probably since I don't live in it anymore). Although I prefer choosing when I get to go play in the fluffy white stuff, I hate to say the sun and warm weather of San Diego gets a little monotonous (as well as the rain). Sometimes you need a little variety, and I definitely got that when I went to Big Bear. Because of all the rain in San Diego Bear Mountain had FRESH POWDER!!! It was so amazing because the weather was really nice as well as having fresh bright white snow on the ground. All those things definitely made the early wake up call worth it. Also the runs are so fun! They have beginner runs for people just learning to ski or just getting back into it, as well as crazy park runs with jumps, half pipes and rails. Not to mention the tops of the runs are gorgeous to look at before taking the next run.

One of the views at the top of a run

I think everyone had a great time because the majority of the participants were sound asleep within minutes of packing up and heading out. I am so lucky to get to go on both trips and I hope I can be more daring this time around and maybe try a black diamond... probably not, but I can try and work my way up to it. I used to be a fearless skier (when I was 8-10 years younger) but now I enjoy my leisurely runs where I take my time and just enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. After the last trip I am more than looking forward to the next time I get up there. Hopefully there will be fresh powder and sunshine again!

Group photo for 2/20/11