Not even a year ago

This past February, just 10 months ago, I met some nice folks in Red Rocks National Park who were working in wilderness therapy. My climbing partner, Derek, and I we were both intrigued, impressed, and envious of their work. Derek asked me something to the extent of “why don’t, or didn't, you do wilderness therapy?” I remember replying with something to the effect of “Sounds awesome, but I am too far into my career path to do anything like that”.

Not even a year later, and here I am in Utah, signed up to work in wilderness therapy.

I had forgotten this encounter until just recently. Reflecting on it makes me wonder what this coming year holds. It took a lot to get me here, to provoke me to make such a move. So much happened in less than a year.


I spent the last five days getting to know the St George area. While geographically it is pretty perfect, it is far from the progressive utopia of my Chapel Hill/Durham/Carrboro home. That said, it has been ridiculously easy to find good people to climb and hang out with.

Below are some pictures from a day of climbing at Zion National Park. A majestic, inspiring, and soothing place. Come visit me and we will go play in it!!!



Sunset at Zion




Yes, this is me leading a 5.8 on gear, with my own gear! (Well, mostly my own gear.)Warren, you will be happy to know that the walnuts are the envy of my new climbing partners!


This is Ryan, my climbing partner the last few days. He is a scrappy fella from New York who will do some damage to any 5.11 finger crack!!