2018/2019 - first ascents and life etc..

2019 marks my 30th year rock climbing and about my 27th year doing first ascents. For the last ~20 years finding and doing first ascents has been my driving force. In 2018 I did ~50fa’s compared to ~75fa’s in 2017. In the last year first ascents have become less of my focus for the first time since I started doing them and it feels weird. Having done ~1000 boulder, sport and even a few trad climbing first ascents since I started relentlessly hunting for them about 20 years ago it’s relaxing to take a break now. I’ve discovered about half of the first ascents at old areas and the other half at entirely new rocks. All have been within about a 2 hour drive of my home in Santa Rosa. To find new rocks I usually have to drive further than an easy day trip. I also get tired of the same local drives and scenery so it’s harder now to find new spots that inspire me. So for me it’s time to just repeat more classics and get back in shape before I get too old lol. It’s also time to work more and just do other things like hiking, mtn biking and the dreaded (but o so fun gym “training” ugh:) as well as more time hanging out with my family and friends. Hopefully 2019 will bring more of all that as well as less stress and worry. I hope we all have a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!