Climbing my first Big Wall, Swoop Gimp, I learned a lot from two friends of mine who were AMGA guides. Pictured here, Kurt demonstrates how to "Jug a line" which the leader, John, fixed at the next belay station. I, being the third, got to break down the station, unclip from everything except the line going up, and swing free from the overhanging cliff. Not even waiting for the swinging to subside, I then ascended the rope in the same fashion. We did this again and again and again as we gained altitude. Three days and two nights later we pull;ed ourselves and all of our equipment over the rim of the canyon and hiked out. The two nights spent on the wall were exhillerating blessed by a full moon. Even though it was my frist time sleeping in a hanging hammock, exhaustion trumped fear and my mind was quiet as I drifted to sleep in peace.
Swoop Gimp, Zion NP, Utah 1996
Climbing my first Big Wall, Swoop Gimp, I learned a lot from two friends of mine who were AMGA guides. Pictured here, Kurt demonstrates how to "Jug a line" which the leader, John, fixed at the next belay station. I, being the third, got to break down the station, unclip from everything except the line going up, and swing free from the overhanging cliff. Not even waiting for the swinging to subside, I then ascended the rope in the same fashion. We did this again and again and again as we gained altitude. Three days and two nights later we pull;ed ourselves and all of our equipment over the rim of the canyon and hiked out. The two nights spent on the wall were exhillerating blessed by a full moon. Even though it was my frist time sleeping in a hanging hammock, exhaustion trumped fear and my mind was quiet as I drifted to sleep in peace.
Lake Naivasha, Kenya 1996
Traveling in the Rift Valley of Kenya, I came upon a group of very excited sports fans. Apparently their team had one a very important match this day and their enthusiasm overtook them. The area is rich with wildlife including hundreds of Fishing Eagles, Flamingos, and Hippopotamus. Hell Gate is nearby and is one of the most accessable rock climbing spots in Kenya. This region of the Rift Valley has much to offer locvals and visitors alike.Loitokitok, Kenya 1996
The Outward Bound Centre in Kenya was the first OB school established outside of the British Isles. Origionally it was used by the Britsh Military for training purposes as origionally designed by Kurt Hahn. By the time I worked at the OBC in Loitokitok, Kenya the world, the country, and the school had been through many changes. Run by Kenyans and delivering programs to predominately Kenyans, I was priveledged to work and play with the locals. With curiosity on top of trust, we explored many interesting conversations. Occasionally my friends would slip into Kiswahili, and I sat patiently in silence. They would then let out the trademark African belly laugh coming from deep within heir soul and exclaim, "You are in linguistic exhile!"
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