There's a FIRST for everything!

Tuesday happened to be one of the rare sunny days we get in Vancouver, so needless to say it was spent outdoors CLIMBING.

The absolute basics

Driving to Squamish was breathtaking as usual. The Sea-to-Sky highway is my favourite highway because it's just so scenic! The water, the trees, the mountains, the skies....it's like a feast for your eyes! Okay maybe I'm being a little dramatic....but it definitely makes for a great drive, and an even better road trip for all you weekend warriors!

Neat and Cool // Climbing Trip

Yesterday we went on a day trip to Squamish, BC for some good ol' climbing. It's been a long time since I've climbed outdoors and it felt amazing! 

Newport and Pirate's Cove

I love that name, Pirate's Cove....that's where we went yesterday after paddle boarding in Newport.

Yesterday was my first time on a paddle board. It was a blast, especially since it was a 10 person paddle board.

The day started early and the weather turned out to be beautiful, though there were a bit of clouds here and there. It was the only day where most of us were free so we could only make it out that day.

As soon as we got onto the board, it didn't take long for us to realize that it wasn't so much balance as it was coordination. 

Rock climbing IS sexy!.......

I had a talk to a friend recently about the attractiveness in rock climbing...and came to the conclusion that people generally view women who rock climbing as less "sexy" than women who do other sports like soccer or volleyball...I blame the tight spandex shorts...

Well...I just wanted to show you some photos of two hot female climbers...so that maybe I could lure you into climbing!....'cause volleyball is so overrated...just kidding, don't hurt me.

Sasha DiGiulian

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Climbing at the Crest

Master of my domain 5.9

A trip to Cheakamus a fortnight ago had me both on toprope and lead.  I had lead the first pitch, and my friend Richard lead the second pitch.

Having only learned to lead climb this summer, I was excited and nervous but confident in my ability. It's easy to be confident when you are climbing a 5.7 slab. As a friend of mine likes to put it, it's practically like walking up a ladder! Well there goes my ego.

My first mile

     I have to say, I was a little afraid of coming back here because I have been gone for so long, but this blog needs the breath of life again.

     Ever since I came back from China, I had a hard time finding out who I was and what I wanted in my life. I ended up following through with the plans that I made and have been in California for over a month now with only 8 days left.

     7 days ago, I ran my first mile without stopping, the actual distance being 1.5 miles . 2 days ago, I beat my distance by running 1.6 miles. Here, I also learned how to lead climb and went outdoors, climbing a 5.0, 5.6, and ending with a 5.8 in the Riverside rock quarry. I was taught how to make my own pasta from scratch. None of these are extraordinary by any means, especially when you think about the olympians, but I now know what I am capable of and it motivates me to continue.

     With only 8 days left, I already miss this place, but I will miss my boyfriend even more. Elizabeth Gilbert has said that your soulmate is like a mirror that shows you the things that hold you back, and that is exactly what my boyfriend has been for me.

     When I go back home, I will be cooking more, climbing more and running more. Whatever muscle I lost during my time in China, I know I will gain back. The hard part of this though will be staying motivated, but I know I can do it! Just some hard work right? :-)

Palm Springs, CA

Bouldering in Palm Springs, CA was an experience I'll never forget.

Taking the tram up, we got to experience the beauty of Palm springs. Though not as green as Vancouver, I was never-the-less impressed.

The Chief - Climbing the Apron

My day started at 8:30 when I woke up. After having a small breakfast, I met up with my climbing partner and we drove to all the way to Squamish, B.C. I had no idea where we were going to climb that day so when he told me we would be climbing the Chief, I could not have been happier. Though not too difficult, it's one of the most famous crags to climb.

We started climbing the Banana Peel (grade 5.7) on the Apron at approximately 11am. The hikes in between the climbs were harder than the actual climbs. The views were spectacular though, it was exactly like the hike, but 10x more rewarding.

Squamish, B.C.

I am not a fan of slab for various reasons; namely because I don't trust my feet on dime-sized footholds, especially knowing that falling would mean scraping my knees, hard.

Squamish, B.C.
Home to one of the top rock climbing areas in Canada.

Smoke Bluffs

My first time outdoors, climbing the Smoke bluffs in Squamish, BC. Extraordinary views and a wonderfully challenging slab wall climb. Definitely opened my eyes to a new world.