Kick Off to a New Adventure

March 5, 2007
“If you aren’t living on the edge, then you’re taking up too much space!”

That line was the inspiration behind Doug Robinson’s essay in the 2002 Black Diamond catalog written for the 30th anniversary of his groundbreaking, 1972 piece “The Whole Natural Art of Protection”. The article was written to challenge today’s climbers to step out of the comfort zone and try new things. Leave the gym, abandon the top-rope, go light and fast in the mountains.

“Climbers know a lot about the edge, so we’ll just rewrite that line: Close to the Edge. The name of a climb says it better. Not on, and certainly not over. Close is close enough. And you are the only one who knows, for you, for your next move, how close is close enough.”

It can also be a metaphor for complacency in general. If you’ve already seen the re-runs, change the channel. If you’re comfortable, shake it up! Put Tobasco on your eggs! If there are new places to go, go!

“Every step toward the edge adds adventure. If you’ve got it wired, you’re taking up too much space again. Nobody said this would be easy. You’ll know. Make that poised commitment, though, not reckless.
The edge is where evolution happens.
Now, step away from the vehicle.”

Holly and I leave in 4 days for our second trip to Death Valley. During this trip we plan to stay for the first week in and around the Park before heading to Yosemite for 2 days. Holly has never seen Yosemite and I can’t wait to see her face as we round the bend and there are The Gates of The Valley. It’s usually an awe inspiring site.

I’ll be updating the blog as often as I can with pictures and some descriptions of where we are and where we’ve been. Stay tuned as we move closer to the edge.

Lizz