“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. ” -Cadet Maxim

The longer I’m a climber, the more I realize whatever I thought I knew about climbing was only a fragment of it all. It’s humbling to be constantly confronted by your notions and assumptions, and that is perhaps one of the things I appreciate most. I learn more on each trip, and dare I say, each session in the climbing gym, than I could hope for. And I have been terribly blessed with an unlikely community of climbing friends the world over who are generous and kind and willing to share pieces of their experience with me.

The first weekend in October I met up with several climbing friends I met through–don’t judge me–Twitter. Most of us have spent many months exchanging witty quips and offering advice and encouragement, all in fewer than 140 characters per exchange. We planned to meet up and stay in Crane Flat, between Tuolumne and the Valley in Yosemite. Nina had graciously invited us to share her campsite for the weekend. I had met only Nina and Rick before this trip, and was excited to spend some time getting to know them better, as well as get acquainted with George, Lizzy, & Luke.

When I arrived at the campsite on Friday night, dark was falling quickly and the site was empty. I took advantage of the remaining light to pitch my tent in a suitable clearing and set up my temporary living space. I started some dinner, and by the time I was ready to eat, Nina & George showed up with a story about how a bear had virtually shredded their packs they had left at the bottom of the route they were climbing. They started their own dinners, set up camp, and George started a fire while we waited for Lizzy & Luke.

Upon Lizzy and Luke’s arrival, we shot the breeze for only fifteen minutes or so and then happily retired to our respective tents. In the morning, Rick joined us just as we were finishing breakfast. We all discussed possible climbing destinations and then settled on Pat & Jack Pinnacle since it would provide a fair amount of trad and sport climbing within our range of abilities.

Some shuffling ensued as we packed into cars to head for the crag, and we probably arrived at the base of the pinnacle by about 10 or 11 in the morning. I had the distinct pleasure of following Rick’s lead once again, though this time he didn’t let me off as easy as he had back in July when we climbed together. Rick had graciously introduced me to both my first multipitch and trad line over the summer, and I had been grateful that we’d climbed easy grades so I could focus on the gear instead of the difficulty. I generally hesitate to spew grades mostly because I am adept at opening my mouth just wide enough to shove my foot in it, so I try to avoid that if at all possible. It’s embarassing.

Nina & George and Lizzy & Luke climbed together, and so we ended up with a pretty well-balanced crew. Rick had decided that Knob Job would be a suitable climb for us, and after reviewing the topo and assessing the route, I agreed. We set up our belay and Rick began climbing. The route turned out to be a little bit more of an undertaking than either of us anticipated. I could see Rick hesitate a couple times towards the crux of the pitch, unsure of whether or not he had the presence of mind to complete the route. But, in a demonstration of determination and commitment that taught me more than I think Rick knows, he pushed through it. After I followed, cleaning the pitch, we rapped off and took a break.

The entire group decided to spend some time playing on Underclingon, a route on another area of the rock. It’s funny, we all prefaced our attempts with some variation of “watch me flail” as a kind of disclaimer, but every last one of us made it to the first bolt. Luke led the entire route clean after working it for a while, and then Nina, George, and I wanted to attempt Skinheads, a personal outdoor best for me as far as difficulty. I certainly didn’t climb it perfectly clean, but it’s fun to play with difficulty on toprope and the view was fantastic. When the final three of us finally rolled into camp, Luke informed us he had been about ready to head back to look for us. Guess we stayed longer than we thought!

For dinner, Luke & Lizzy had put together an amazing vegetarian curry dish that still makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The six of us then assembled ourselves around a wonderful fire, sipping beer and tea and hot water, Rick and I taking turns on his guitar. It was one of those moments where I’m absolutely certain there is nowhere else on earth I’d rather be at that very second, one of those mental snapshots you tuck away carefully into your memory to keep forever.

Sleep time came early as it was terribly chilly. I didn’t sleep well, especially once I heard what sounded like rain coming down on my tent. Around 6 a.m. I finally peeked my head out and was a little startled to see everything covered in white. And it was still snowing! Nina and I excitedly peeked out of our rain flys and prepared to traipse around in the snow. Rick got up as well, and it wasn’t long before we were all out of our tents, making coffee and oatmeal and trying mostly to stay dry. After a long breakfast, I started packing up my belongings, trying to keep them from getting wet. We all stopped to take a few pictures of our group before we headed out, some to the Valley to play tourists for a day and others (like me) back home.

Rick and Luke helped me push my scrappy little Civic out of the wet snow and we all left camp about the same time. It took quite a while to get out of the park because of all the weather, and it was quite an experience to pass through so much change in altitude–snow, rain, snow, rain. I stopped in Oakhurst on the way down to check the weather down at my dropzone to see if I might be able to get on a load for a jump that afternoon. Luckily, the storm had not moved into the Central Valley and it was perfect, though very cold.

Time spent doing the things I love with people I hold dear is worth every minute of staying up late on a Sunday night catching up on whatever homework is due Monday. Be it jumping or climbing or simply mutually enjoying a cup of coffee, I don’t get those moments back. The things I have to do will be there when I’m ready, but I should never neglect opportunities to feed my soul. It’s worth the investment.