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Archive for the ‘Rock Climbing’ Category
Chris Sharma and Mindful Living Ambassador Mark Coleman talk about the ‘inside game’ of climbing and how our thoughts can either hinder our performance or enhance our experience. The universal idea of letting go and focusing on the present moment allows us to more fully enjoy our passionate pursuits and our lives… of course this is easier said that done…
prAna ambassador Mark Coleman shares his Mindfulness techniques with the folks at prAna.
Mark Coleman leads a one minute meditation focused on using our breath to help us live in the moment… Ahhhhhhhh
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“It’s okay Mom- you can go now. I will take care of Dad and George. I love you with all of my heart.” Tears streamed down my face as I spoke, clutching her feeble cold hands so tightly I couldn’t feel them go limp. But I knew she was gone. My brother, George, was outside at that very moment and heard a raven screech loudly overhead- he knew she had died as well.
My mom passed away twelve years ago from cancer- I was nineteen years old. She had a rare ocular melanoma that spread throughout her entire body. Her oncologist at the time told her this cancer hit one in a million people. “Why couldn’t I have just won the lottery?” she asked with a smile.
Valerie used to walk into a room and have everyone laughing and befriended within minutes. Those that encountered her always remembered her bubbling laugh, her glowing smile, her generosity. She would offer the repairman iced tea on a hot day.
But she had a dark side, too.
My parent’s marriage was on the rocks ever since I can remember, and my mother found solace in alcohol. She would drink heavily multiple nights per week, and I would wake up to her screaming at my father, and to doors slamming. I never once saw them kiss, and they never slept in the same bedroom.
It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I realized she was dealing with a deep sadness induced by alcoholism.
Despite her addiction and subsequent mood swings, she was my best friend. Everything I did in life was for her, and similarly she found her happiness and purpose in supporting my brother and me in any way possible. When I heard she was diagnosed with cancer, I drowned myself with work and school. I had two part-time jobs and was a full-time student at Colorado State University. I couldn’t bear the pain — I had to keep moving.
Over the past few months I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my life and address my feelings regarding my mother’s death. I still feel a great deal of sadness, and it will always be a battle to find peace and solace with the deep heartbreak that accompanied her death. While time is a great healer, my sorrow remains to this day. I used to sweep my feelings under a rug by being busy. Now, I’m learning to acknowledge my emotions. It’s okay to be sad sometimes.
“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.” ~Kahlil Gibran
I have been blessed with the ability to live a dream — climbing full-time and experiencing love to its fullest. I can’t help but think my mother is beaming down on me from above.
Today is a beautiful day — my mother’s birthday. Just like a dream, the leaves are shimmering in the sun and the clouds are bright. Remembrance is all we have of our loved ones passed- may they live forever through those that they have touched.
~Heather Robinson, prAna Ambassador
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prAna Ambassador, Dean Potter stars in the National Geographic channel special “The Man Who Can Fly” tonight at 8:00pm (Eastern and Pacific timezones). Be sure to watch Dean’s quest to launch off the 9,000-foot Mount Bute in his wing suit. The show captures Dean’s quest for true human flight, with first feats in free soloing and wing suit flying in Yosemite, California, and British Columbia, Canada. The episode examines his unique blend of daring, determination, and pursuit of the unknown. Enjoy these behind the scenes videos and the show tonight!
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Climbing and parenting: a balance between hanging on and letting go. Climbing seems simple enough: grip too hard and you’ll pump out early. If you don’t put enough effort into it, you’ll never make it to the end. I have spent over a decade fine-tuning that balance between holding on and letting go. Now with the birth of our first child Annie, I find the same lessons in parenthood: Suddenly I am two people, dependent on each other, but both with a lifetime of dreams and aspirations ahead of us. I have to hold on, but not too tight. Seems simple enough.
~Kate Reese McGinnis, prAna Ambassador
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Tony Yaniro was a serious game changer for the world of rock climbing. While others were satisfied with climbing five twelve he felt the need to go further. Establishing Grand Illusion as the first five thirteen, he planted a stepping stone for the masses.
Tony is well known for hi establishing all over California, but he also left his mark many other places, such as my home state Idaho. Tony moved to Ketchum Idaho in the late eighties. He linked up with Dave Bingham, and together they attacked the development of Idaho sport climbing.
Most of there time was spent at the mega spots such as City of Rocks, Massacre rocks, and many others! Establishing many five twelve’s and five thirteen’s. Turning these areas into great destinations for hard sport climbing! He also developed the surrounding area of my home town Sun Valley. There isn’t a ton around here, but what there is happens to be stellar. Much of this do to the psyche of Tony Yaniro.
Many people know about Tony chipping and “comfortising” holds. This used to really bug me, though it was known and ok for the times. I have come to terms that what was done back in the day was part of a learning process. That and the fact that what has been chipped isn’t going any where any time soon.
There is a local crag to Sun Valley called “Trail Creek”. The crags are short, but a lot of fun for being only about eight miles out of Sun Valley. Here Tony put up a few lines, two of which were shipped. I tackled the beautiful un chipped route called “Sacillian” 12C first, a stellar line on an exposed arête. Right next door is a 13a dubbed “Vigilante.” Great route though it yields a couple man made holds. To be honest you can barely even tell, apparently Tony was an artist when it came to chipping/comfortising.
Tony may have literally left his mark on some rock, but in the process he opened up a whole new world for sport climbing. He trained for routes, rehearsed them, whatever it took. He left his mark on the rock and in the history books.
~Beau Stuart, prAna Ambassador
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