Tired of explaining to hikers walking by what that “thing” on your back is? Me too. It can be a daunting task: Explaining how you love climbing small rocks but usually aren’t successful and thus require cloth-encased foam to fall onto when you fail, yet again, at your “project.” Many hikers will ultimately be uninterested, most…
Author: Liz Haas
The Power of Getting Your Butt Kicked
Some call it being humbled, and they aren’t wrong. But, when I struggle to simply pull off the ground, I usually call it getting my butt kicked. Occasionally, I use slightly more explicit language. Known for sharp crimps and no feet, Pawtuckaway bouldering kicks my butt, and most days I come away with shredded pads and no sends….
10 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Road Trip
Summer road trip season is almost here! And chances are you’re trying to stretch your funds as far as possible. Here are some tips to help you save money and make what you do have go further, allowing you to take a longer excursion. On The Road: Save gas $$$ with Gasbuddy.com. Look up the cheapest gas stations…
The Art of Donning One’s Crash Pad
The Ground-Up Method: The Friend Method: The Tree–as–Friend Method: Or just pick it up off the ground…
Climberize Your Car in 5 Easy Steps
STEP 1: Buy the right car. This is the first and most important step. No one will take you seriously as an outdoorsperson if you’re behind the wheel of a baby blue mini-cooper convertible. Instead, go for a hardier and/or roomier rig based on your needs: The Subaru Outback/Impreza: This is the perfect vehicle for…
Remembering that Falling is Fun
I knew I shouldn’t be scared. I had a rope, five draws, and an experienced belayer to catch me, yet there I was overgripping the red sloper that was supposed to be my clipping jug with my shoulders up by my ears from anxiousness. “I don’t think I can clip here,” I yelled down to James. “Want…
Backup Plans for Blowing a Finger Tendon/Pulley
No, I haven’t blown a tendon or a pulley, but some days my left ring finger aches enough that after 1,000 words my typing is reduced to my grandfather’s pointer-finger-only method. And then I go climbing. While I occasionally figure-eight tape my fingers to make myself feel better–the placebo effect works wonders–I’ve heard enough two-months-off horror stories…
Gear Review: The Original Buff
Throughout high school, I saw my cross-country ski friends sporting buffs at practice. I thought they looked like neat little neck warmers and frequently wanted one while skiing in single-digit temperatures, but I had no idea of their warmth and versatility until this fall. This cylindrical seam-free, breathable, sweat-wicking, wind resistant microfiber cloth changed my outdoor…
Monday Psych
Unless you’re living the dirtbag dream or happen to work a job where you have Mondays and Tuesdays off, Monday probably isn’t your favorite day of the week. Whether you’ve just spent a three-day weekend camped out under your project, took a few “active rest days” to hit the slopes during the off season, or got…
The Dirtbag Privilege
The dirtbag lifestyle is a choice. There was nothing forcing Alex Honnold to drop out of college and live in a van. Instead, he chose to become a “dirtbag” because he was passionate about climbing and had the means—it was his mom’s van—to drop everything and leave. Not everyone has the financial ability and longtime familial support…
Auto Belays: Why They’re Simultaneously Great, Okay, and Terrible
By 2023 most gyms will likely have Siri-like auto belays for partnerless toprope fanatics. Climbers will simply press a fingertip to a small screen and don their wireless earbuds to have a soothing female voice ask them, by name, if they’re ready to climb. You’ll be able to tell Siri if you prefer a loose…
Coffee. Tape. Climb. 