Partners

Page Type: Article

Activities: Trad Climbing

Page By: The Chief

Created/Edited: Aug 9, 2006 / Nov 29, 2008

Object ID: 214106

Hits: 5042

Page Score: 88.7% - 25 Votes

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Partners.....

I don't remember all the freek'n routes, peaks and walls that I have played on in the past 35 years. But, I can tell ya all about the folks that I have tied into a rope with. I can share their laughs, quirks, fears and even some of their distains for others. I can remember very vividly, almost all conversations on the approaches and at the base of most climbs and the initial handshake and promise of whether we finish or not, that we will have fun and be safe. I can remember the moment that we began to share the joy of why we wish to pursue this endeavor and lifestyle that we call Climbing. I can remember the brief moments of whether or not we will succeed or fail and then recognized that the time at hand was far more important than any ego victory trip. I have never had an incident of any negative sorts with any of my partner's, none. I am so thankful and blessed to be able to say this. Maybe it is my attitude towards this gig.

Chips, Finger s and a Freckled Peregrine 5.11a

Smiles and joy. Communication without speech. Trust beyond that of brothers. A bond that I have never nor will I ever experience with any other folks...not even my most precious soulmate and my life long love, my wife. Discussions of reality and trueness prevail. No bullshit. No arguements. No petty whinning. Just sharing motivation and fuel for the challenge at hand.
Success didn't come from achieving the summit or finishing the route. It most always came from the knowledge that I got to share some very precious and so rewarding moments with a fellow human being that we know will last and be imbeded in our hearts for the remainder of our lives. Moments in time that can never ever be repeated. Moments in time that will be cherished and safely secured in the vaults of our souls. They are treasures far greater than the false onslought of acquiring large sums of any money or material items. A gift of friendship like no other. A relationship that can not nor will not ever be replaced nor repeated. Fond memories that are permantly chiseled in the bowls of my soul, forever. God, I am so grateful for every moment shared with each and every soul I tied into a rope with.
One of the realistic and true reasons why I still climb....Partner's!

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$Partner\'s$

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Dragger

I've noticed...

Voted 10/10

...that you are always smiling in the pictures with your partners. It's easy to see why.

Posted Aug 14, 2006 9:44 pm


	The Chief	Re: I've noticed...
	Hasn't voted	Interesting observation Dragger! I just looked through some albums and you are absolutely right. I never noticed that before!! I guess that I can't help it when in the company of the best Human Being's on the planet and we just shared some very sacred moments togther, that can never be repeated and will be treasured forever!
		Posted Aug 15, 2006 12:18 am


	crewdoglm	Re: I've noticed...
	Hasn't voted	Hey Chief, I enjoyed the photos and your philosophy certainly resonates with me. "Sacred moments together, that can never be repeated..." Well put indeed. My climbing days have been cut short because of military obligations but those memories are the happiest of my whole life. These sacred moments happen without notice and then cannot be repeated. It's as if I ran into a sacred place in time. Thanks moreover for quoting Teddy Roosevelt. That very quote has become all the more meaningful to me as I participate in this war. GJW
		Posted Aug 22, 2006 7:22 pm

Lubos

Folks like us...

Hasn't voted

Hey,
Good point. I agree that big portion of my motivation to climb is friendship. People to trust and have fun with are hard to find. Climbing is a good way to find out.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 2:58 am

Captain Beefheart

Thanks...

Hasn't voted

Thanks for the articles Chief. I can definately relate. I'm closer to my climbing buds than I am with my best friends. The experiences shared and the feeling of tieing in with someone you trust your life to can't be explained in words, but you somehow pulled it off. Its very insipring. I just wish I could get my non-climbing buddies to understand this.

Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:27 pm

MountaingirlBC

amen!