This July I plan on heading out to Washington to have some fun and learn some new skills from the ladies and gentlemen of Alpine Ascents International. In preparation, I've been gear shopping. A Montbell U.L. Down and Permafrost Parka, Arteryx Alpha Pants and Bora 95 backpack, La Sportiva Spantik boots, and other items are all waiting to be ordered and then tested.
On top of that I am going to have to get into better shape. Not that I'm in bad shape now! I just don't think I can carry a 60 pound pack up a 50 degree slope for hours on end. But I will be able to, now that I have the motivation.
For me it's all about the motivation. Without a goal (a summit, a trip, a race) I can get very lazy. But nothing cures that quicker than imagining myself huffing a puffing my way up a mountain, holding back the rest of the climbing party, or being so whipped that I can't enjoy myself.
Another great motivator is new gear. Shiny new toys to play with and get all dirty. Questions to answer. Like, is Gore Tex Windstopper waterproof at all, how hard can you climb in these "approach" shoes, and what's the absolute minimum amount of clothing you can run in when it's freezing outside without going hypothermic?
UPS truck is here. Gotta go!
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