Starting the trip while healing an injury set an interesting tone for me. I was forced to dial it down and examine my motivations. It was difficult to reconcile what my brain thought I should be climbing with what my broken body was actually capable of. I’ve always had a bit of trouble finding my groove in new areas, but Charlie told me that would get better being on the road and climbing full time, and he was right. There’s still an adjustment period, for sure, but it’s becoming shorter with every new crag. I’m more willing to work my way through grades knowing that there’s time. My injured shoulder is behaving well, and our six weeks in Last Chance yielded two 13c sends, which is more than I could have expected.
In January, Charlie rejoins the Petzl crew (not that he ever really left) as the oldest member of the North American team. At 60, he’s as strong as he’s ever been. 13+ is still standard fare for him, and the potential for 5.14 is high. How can I not try hard with that kind of inspiration?
P.S. I told Charlie I need pictures of him (“you”) for this post, and he said, “Pictures of a ewe?” Sheep. I need pictures of sheep.
–Maggie
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Here’s Charlie, the sheep.
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Oh. My. Awesome.
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