Stegosauross

Beginner

It's all about two things: having the balance or strength to get to that hold that I never thought I'd reach, and the way climbing brings my full attention into the here-and-now in a way that little else can. I am almost unable to think of anything other than what move I'll use to get to the next hold, the pros and cons of hitting a hold with one hand as opposed to the other, etc. The rest of life just fades away.

The New River Gorge/Summersville Lake, West Virginia

There's a climb at Summersville Lake, WV, I can't remember the name of it but it's one of the 10's on the gun wall. I've heard that the crux can be pulled with a crimpy gaston sort of move as an intermediary to the jug, but I always do it with a long, uncontrolled throw to the jug, because every time I hit it right it feels amazing.

It's always entertaining to figure out the beta on a girl, going through where the various "jugs" and "two-finger pockets" and such are.