Looking up to the SKY

It's been a while since the last post, or even for that matter the last time I tented to the Pumalogy creative kitchen. Looking up to the sky, I have been busy, training hard for the concrete goal of earning the Flight Instructor Certificate. Today, two years, much stress, lots of hard work and otherwordly times in the sky; I passed my CFI checkride, as they call it. There will be many more tests, but this is a milestone to be certain. I love it. (photog; Anne Burden)

Liberty Bell, Washington Pass

National Park System Transit Authority

Short Sands, Oregon Coast

Guiding Rock for AAI's Todd Burslon with Kirah Solomon

Todd Burlson, Kirah Solomon and Pat Timson discussing the best way to safely create anchors for our clients. Climbing a few pitches on Castle Rock, near Leavenworth around October Fest, Kiera helped put Theory into Practice. Thanks folks for the steaks, rope techniques and cragging!

The North Face Snowman a few weeks later.

The North Face Team came and went. But when they left, the snowman was still standing century to time passing, snow falling and lines to be had.

Engine

Gear check in the AAI hanger.

Dario on Rude Boy, 5.13b

Dario and Sam at Smith Rock. I beleive Dario is climbing on Last Waltz Direct. I will update you if it is different.

Bering Sea, Unalaska

On The LAND

Amazingly I am back on firm land. The movement of the ocean drifted away like the tide and only the memory of the cold gnarly north Pacific remains. I feel like I returned from war. Our mission was catch fish, and lord be my witness we caught fish. I feel like I went to war because I don't really want to remember, and as a matter of fact I don't even know what to write about.

Is it normal to feel awkward in a public setting? Is it normal to miss it? Is it normal for your body to hurt everywhere? This body of mine f-king sailed the Bering Sea, bore the abuse of insane foremen and obeyed the command of very experienced skippers.

What the hell is an intellectual Swiss born artist and mountaineer doing on such a vessel? I asked myself this everyday. I was after money, stories and the lure of the remotest places on earth. I got the most Buddhist lesson you could get amongst crazed christians. We were like Jesus on steroids and gave the faithful something real to fear.

Bering Sea Fisherman have a saying: Fish, Fight and F#@$k.

I am an adventurist. That is it.

Inspiration

I usually only feature my work. Not because it is better but that this is a Pumalogy venue rather then an amalgam of random images. But rules are sometimes broken and the following visual piece is truly inspiring! I you are pursuing your dream, and have doubt, this piece will revitalize your soul. Thanks you Mickey Smith for creating "The Dark Side Of The Lens".

I believe in the pursuit of the soul, and it is a difficult endeavor at times. But I would never trade it in for anything. The "dark side of the lens" is why. On a more intellectual note, this short film symbolize the beginning of something new. Profound though, amazing images and adventure sports come together. You can't even call it extreme sports or adventure, rather they are a practice. It is a practice in the zen sense that involves a dance with the elements. And when great meaning gets expressed in the most artful way you have a stunning inspiration.