Update: September 14, 2005 (Still in Arizona)
Only a week left, though, before I head out of the country. First stop is Thailand, then over to Nepal --> trek to Everest Base Camp, then climb Ama Dablam, then farts around in the Himalayas doing whatever fancies my desires. Been reading a lot and thinking a lot. Conclusion? I'm sooooo glad I had quit! Life is really neat when you can actually savor every second of it. I know that long-term-wise, I'm kinda screwed because I "won't have a decent retirement fund"; but for the time being, I feel as if every moment is rich with life and every view I see is ...kinda just there all for me! I guess it's a special feeling.
I was up in Flagstaff, Arizona this past weekend. Friday, I hiked up Humphreys Peak (12,600 ft); Saturday, met up with Tim and Mike and climbed Earth Angel, a 5.10 8-pitch route up a spire; then Sunday, Tim and I met up with MG to climb Queen Victoria, a 5.7 3-pitch route up another one of Sedona's spires. All was good. Good times. Good views. Great folks!
(LEFT) Day 1: Mike climbing up pitch 3 with backdrop.
(RIGHT) Day 1: A neat spire down below.
Day 1: Tim climbing up pitch 4.
Day 1: Here we are at the summit -- Mike, me, and Tim.
Day 2: MG belaying me as I struggle up Queen Victoria's first pitch.
Day 2: Half way up.
(LEFT) Day 2: At top.
(RIGHT) Day 2: MG on the climb.
Day 2: MG climbing.
Day 2: Tim belaying at top.
(LEFT) Day 2: Me nearing the top with view behind.
(RIGHT) Day 2: MG rappelling down the spire. Queen V's route is the chimney to left.
Update: September 23, 2005 (in Thailand)
Well, am now in Thailand. Just arrived last night. Got plane tickets to Kathmandu, Nepal for Wednesday October 4th. Christi, Becky, and Marc are arriving in Bangkok Sept 30th -- we'll hang in Bangkok till the 4th when we all head over to Kathmandu. We'll then trek to Everest Base Camp. All's good. I'm so lucky to have this luxury in life.
Update: September 28, 2005 (in Thailand still)
OK, I was sitting at some cafe waiting for dinner. I had given my order, and so I was just sitting there sipping my beer. All of the sudden, I looked over and there was an elephant with his driver just strolling down the street! What the &%$##!! The elephant stood at 7 feet, and it must have weighed a ton. And there it was, just strolling down the street. I just sat there and started to laugh.
