Update From A Snowy Joe's Valley, Utah

Rest Days:

Some of you may be curious to know what we typically do on a rest day.  For those of you who may not follow, a rest day is a day off from climbing. We need rest days to allow our muscles to heal and the skin of our fingertips/hands to re-grow, allowing us to eventually climb our projects!  Lately we have been on a day on (climbing), day off (rest) routine. Sometimes, if our skin and muscles are wrecked, we take two consecutive days off. Sometimes we climb two or three consecutive days.  It all depends on how we feel and how much skin we have on our fingers. 

Rest days sometimes turn into “active” rest days, meaning we don’t really relax or rest because there are errands to run and places to see.  We get a little restless with too many rest days so close together (either day on –day off routine, or sometimes day on- two days off).  We sometimes do touristy things like check out local shops or go to some nearby attraction (i.e. pictographs, scenic vista). We may go for a hike to check out new boulder projects. We almost always get a few groceries, check emails and shower (either in a river/hot ditch, public bathroom or, if we’re lucky, a real public shower). Hanging out in a good coffee shop with wifi is a common rest-day activity, when there is one around. Some days we do absolutely nothing, and it’s nice. Just sleep in, wake up, eat, read, nap in a hammock, eat some more. Rough eh?  I know we are on a rock climbing trip, so basically, we play all day. But sometimes it does feel rough. The “ con’s” add up and wear on us.  We get upset or stressed when we don’t send projects or climb well. We feel guilty for taking rest days sometimes because we feel we should be climbing.  Sometimes we get frustrated with each other. This stuff happens. Our bodies are tired (physically) and mentally.  Living outside for this length of time is hard and it can really wear on you.  For the most part, we savor every minute of this trip because we know how it feels when a trip comes to an end : Post-trip depression.   

Ben on the first huge move of Worm Turns Sit V13

Hitting the first big move

The had and foot beta needed for Worm Turns

Crux match

Regan on Wills of Fire V6

Alex and Fritz hanging out

Beyond Life V10

Regan trying to warm up on a cold morning in Joe's Valley, Utah