Looking down at the Wailing Wall and surrounding desertscape.
Well it's true...time to return to work. After almost 8 months of climbing, traveling and loving life it's time to once again return to the world of alarm clocks, regular showers and uniforms. Yes, the reality is daunting, and I'm hoping to make the most of my last week and a half of freedom and put down my project: The Cross at the Wailing Wall.
Since last post Melissa and I have finished off our Red Rocks streak, went to Washington, returned to do a couple weeks of projecting at the Virgin River Gorge, and now become psyched on the Cathedral/Wailing Wall area. There is so much amazing climbing in this small little area I can't believe it. If the temps could be like they are now year-round I don't think I'd ever leave.
As for work, Melissa and I both ended up getting jobs at the Zion Lodge and as a result will be living the summer in Zion National Park (since both of us are working at the Lodge we'll get to stay in the employee housing). Originally things were a bit uncertain because Melissa had been offered a job but I needed to find some sort of employment and then we needed to find housing. I managed to land a job my first day, but housing turned out to be difficult. What we could find was usually somewhat inconvenient based on location or layout, and cost upwards of $800 a month. One day a phone call came and Melissa needed to commit to taking the position or not; she ended up telling them our situation and that as a result things were up in the air. One thing led to the next and suddenly I was being offered a job too. So now I find myself also a Lodge employee, scheduled to work the coffee bar two days a week, the beer garden two days a week, and the full service bar one day a week. Thanks Mel:)
Other recent highlights include watching Melissa send High Flames Drifter at the VRG and Sound of Power in Red Rocks, two of the hardest 12c's I can remember, having my sister come out for a visit from Ohio, and finally putting down Monster Skank, surely the hardest route I've done in my life.
Thank you for reading. Looks like I've been taking mostly non-climbing shots recently so please try to enjoy.
Beautiful sunsets at the Wailing Wall courtesy the Utah/Nevada desert.
Beautiful desert colors...
Be free tumble weed, be free! What else can you do in a windstorm?
Watching the Joshua Trees go by while exploring the Nevada desert with my sister and Melissa.
Swamp Cave in Arrow Canyon. Lisa on the far left, and Eric on the far right. The winds that day were horrendous and we all bailed after one route. Hopefully returning soon because this place is magical.
Action photography courtesy Ula, my favorite sister ever;)
