As we arrive at the local “long dong” (dragons cave) crag, I am reminded of the states. Jack Johnson can be heard from a portable stereo someone brought along. People who speak little English at all are yelling “take” and “on belay”. Some one has put up a high line…some things never change.
It was a year ago I first laid eyes on Mark Twight’s quintessential book “Extreme Alpinism”. Even though my climbing partner gave it rave reviews, it stayed firmly stashed below a pile of text books. Ce’est le vie. When I finally got around to it, I quickly realized this was no ordinary climbing book (like the ones your mom finds on sale and gives you for Christmas…am I the only one?). It made “Freedom of the Hills” seem more like a boy scout handbook. I read it, and was left wanting more from climbing. I knew there was more before I read the book. I suppose I just had never put the thought into what it would take for me to enjoy it. My buddy and I got to thinking that maybe we could dabble in a little extreme alpinism of ourselves. Just a little. Continue reading
