Alumni Climbing Trip 2005

The alumni climbing trip was a complete success for all of those involved.  In a nutshell, we climbed a ton, thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company, had beautiful weather, ate great food, and developed or refined the fundamental skills set of high angle rock climbing.  Our course intentions that were set out at the start of the course were threefold; to re-connect with NOLS, to have fun, and to develop and enhance technical climbing skills.  We accomplished these goals with ease…

Our course was a week in length and took place in the Dragoon Mountains of southern Arizona at Cochise Stronghold.  We spent the first day issuing at the branch, driving out to the stronghold, installing our base camp, and doing a few “ground school” type classes.  The following day we spent together top roping as a whole group, honing in our belay skills, safety checks, and commands on the rock.  The following four days we broke off into smaller groups with 2 multi-pitch teams getting out each day.  A few of us were able to complete 3 multi pitch routes!  Folks who weren’t multi pitching would go top rope climbing; work on improving their movement over rock, have small, informal lessons on fundamental climbing skills, and basking in the sun.  The top rope teams would have a slower start in the morning and extra curricular activities included two morning yoga sessions, slack lining, morning walks, personal time, and a raptors class.  Upon arriving back in camp we would typically congregate in our group kitchen, socializing, talking about NOLS, often hovering hungrily over the wine and cheese spread.  We cooked meals in a large group.  The I-team (Instructor-Team) spearheaded and facilitated the vision and execution of meals and had lots of help from everyone.  This worked well, as we ate quality meals and fostered an environment to spend time socializing as a group. 

The community of people who came out for the course were awesome!  11 Individuals came from all over the country, ages ranging from 20s – 50s, professional lives varying greatly, and a wide variety of NOLS experience that spans the entire globe.  While on the periphery we were all quite different, at the core we were much the same.  We all shared the common thread of having some type of NOLS experience and first handedly witnessing the effects that NOLS has had on our lives since.  That shared spirit of experience infused itself in all aspects of this course and made it as successful as it was.

A part of the excitement of the blogging experience is looking on the internet to see yourself or people you may associate with in life, I figured that I would drop a potporri of names.  Dan Harter and Patty Gude completed 3 radical multi-pitches.  Kim Smoyer shared a wonderful piece of poetry on the last night.  Dave Wild shared stories of his 78 ABW.  Augie Bering enjoyed multi-pitching and yoga…providing us a nice asana demonstration (Urdvha Dhanurasana), Richard Kwun and Debbie Capozzi completed their first multi-pitch climbs, Steve Haile and Marion Greenspan were able to climb a bunch and successfully complete anchor projects at TR sites, Tim Everett’s kind manner and enthusiasm on the rock was contagious, and Barak was able to practice a wide variety of climbing skills and multi pitch as well. 

One entertaining and inspiring aspect of this course was seeing these folks go for it!  Many had bloody hands, bloody fingertips, cut up arms and legs, and had unwavering energy towards climbing.  Folks who were out multi-pitching on our last few days had tape all over their hands, fingertips taped, and smiles still on their faces.  We had tons of fun and everyone was super psyched on the course!  I think that the structure and approach used was appropriate and effective.  Thanks y’all.