From one season to the next, it's become a bit of a routine; ice climbing, then rock climbing, then ice climbing, then rock climbing, and so on.  Every year, with the changing of each season, I find myself struggling to let go of either rock or ice climbing (depending on which season it is).  Yet every season, after a bit of a struggle, I manage to find my way back...ready to get after it.

The second rock climbing was hinting at season's end I grew more and more excited about the upcoming mixed and ice climbing season.  More so then not i'm excited but mixed and ice but this year...this year i had big plans.  Whether traveling to South Korea and Europe, attempting some of the world's hardest lines...there was a lot to look forward to as well as keep me occupied.

Spending 3 months solid with training, it was tough but at the same time exciting.  For the entire 3 months my motivation grew stronger to try harder because i knew what was coming: The World Cup of Ice climbing and specific routes that once were impossible, but soon to become inevitable.  Raining, high winds, snowing, late nights...it didn't matter...i was always able to dig deep for a solid training session, preparing myself more and more for my mentioned goals.

Before I knew it i was traveling to places like South Korea, Italy, France, Russia, and Switzerland.  Experiencing this journey was an opportunity of a life time.  Competing on the World Cup circuit was out of this world.  The people, the places, the events, the climbing...there aren't words to do it justice...to how amazing it was.  My goal for the world cups this year was to climb faster and stronger.  I achieved that and was quite satisfied with my results.  Next year...the goals are set higher with motivation to get after a podium spot.  And aside from the world cup climbing, some of the venues we climbed at "for fun" were "top dollar".  World class climbing locations that were once dreams.  Being able to climb at these Mixed Crags was an experience to remember (and hopefully re-live next year).

Packing for big trips like this is no easy task.  Being limited by weight, it takes strategy to fit "what you need" into one bag.  Really? Living out of one bag for three weeks?  Yup, and it was sorta hard.  But I must say, one thing i could always rely on were my socks.  You can never pack too many pairs of socks.  There's always more room to scrunch a couple extra pairs of socks into your bag.  Shirts got stinky, undies had to be turned inside out, pants got dirty...but my socks...my socks stood the test of time.  With the amount of walking i did, they sure kept my feet in sound condition.  No sore spots, no blisters...nothing.  In my competition climbing boots my socks kept my feet from sliding around.  Waiting in the freezing cold, preparing for a climb...my socks kept my feet breathing...leaving them warm and cozy.  Throughout the entire trip, my socks were the one item that kept a sense of consistancy.

Upon my return from the World Cup tour, my goals then shifted and focused on two specific climbing routes.  One was 40 mins from my house with a very short approach, and the other...4.5hrs of driving...with a bit of a longer approach (still very short). Both routes are at the cutting edge of mixed climbing.  And within a month, I had sent both.  Both routes, there were times where i thought i couldn't do them.  Both routes took a toll on me mentally, challenging my mental toughness.  But In the end, I was able to stare them both down and take control, climbing them with authority.

Just returning from a good day of rock climbing (although a bit cold still), thinking back to my mixed climbing endeavors, it seems so long ago that i was traveling across the world, representing Canada at the world cups, or even spending my days in a canyon or worse–a cold dark cave in -20.  It was an amazing season...but I can definitely say I'm happy to be rock climbing again.  But, there's only 4 months until i start training for world cups again...so i guess it doesn't really go away, each season with it's style of climbing...i suppose whether rock climbing or mixed and ice climbing...both remain a constant state of mind.  Always climbing.

Ps. i was happy to be wearing my warm socks today when i wasn't on the rock–There's still snow on the ground!

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