Hello From California
- September 2007
- Uncategorized
Steph,
Thanks for the book. It was wonderful. I read it in two days. I have been through a lot of changes the past two years, some very painful and some just inspiring, but those things led me to the climbing world. I was in the valley for the first time last week. I just moved from the east coast to California because I needed a change. I am in recovery, and a lot of the ideas I work on daily in my life you talk about in your book. I find my higher power through nature and people, but sometimes when I want something or someone too much it dosen’t work, and I think god knows what is best for us. It is very hard not to force things when we think we have the right answer, but really letting go and being apart of instead of apart from is the only thing that really works in climbing as in life.
I found something I thought you might like
“I have become more and more aware of the infinite
expansion of happiness which is accessible within.
The Upanishad, part of the Hindu scriptures, concludes:
‘From Joy all things are born; by Joy all things are
sustained; to Joy all things return.’ The more thoroughly
I can surrender to this proposition, the more thoroughly
I enjoy my life. Ultimately, my God as I understand Him is
joy and the expansion of joy.
Kind of like “Joy at disappointment”
I am plannning my first big wall within a year in the Valley. Any recommendations? I was thinking the Zodiac or Lurking Fear. But those don’t seem very original. I might also do one in Zion first. The pic is Lembert Dome with Cathedral in the background. We climbed it the next day and got caught in the dark on the last pitch-no headlamps. Thats the last time that will happen I hope.
Dwayne Wood
Dear Dwayne,
Thanks so much for writing, and for sharing that wisdom. Like you, I study hard and try to find some answers, but it is always such a challenge to practice them during trying times. For me, that is the real crux, and I guess it’s the project of a lifetime. I’m glad you found some shared thoughts in my book–it seems like the more we can find answers in different places, the better chance we have of truly starting to understand them.
Also, your Yosemite plans sound good. I would recommend the Leaning Tower or the South Face of Washington’s Column as great first wall routes. If those go well, try for the Nose–it’s the ultimate classic for a reason, and most of it is very moderate free climbing, with some spectacular aiding as well. The Zodiac is a little strange, because if it’s full of fixed gear it can be very cruiser, but if the fixed gear is gone, it can be a little more cruxy. Since it does see a lot of traffic, I imagine it’s pretty fixed nowadays, but you might want to ask a few people before you head up so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises with your rack choice or expectation of difficulty.
Best of luck to you Dwayne,
xx Steph
