and the journey begins

Anyone who knows me would ask, "Why are you writing a blog on a mountain climber website?"

Fair question.

 I mean, here I am situated in the farmlands of Indiana. I would have to drive several hours just to get to some foothills. Honestly - If I did the road trip to those foot hills I would be far more likely to take pictures than to take measures to ascend.
 
 Now, it hasn’t always been like this. Let's just say I'm no spring chicken (the kids - grand and otherwise - would liken me more to an old crow) but I do dig the outdoors. While I have never ventured into mountain climbing, I have always envied those with the opportunity and wherewithal to go for it. I have done some cliff rappelling and some rather treacherous free climbing (inside caves for the most part) so I do know the taste of dirt mixed with sweat and the feeling of stepping backwards off a cliff with a rope in my hand and a lump in my throat.
 
 My adventures have generally come in the following forms: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Fishing, Caving, Scuba Diving, Sailing and Kite Flying to name those that most readily jump to mind. When it comes to this mountain climbing business, I can only say that I appreciate the metaphor - and who among the living does not?
 
 While my adventures have not always been epic, the memories of them are grand. As I ponder the things I could blog on about, I am struck with the notion that nothing I have involved myself in - in the great outdoors - could be classified as mundane. In fact, as I mentally review my exploits I am faced with one recurring fact. The adventure is much more memorable when things didn't quite go as planned. So I'm thinking it is probably those misadventures I remember most.
 
 It is those misadventures I intend to share with you in this space.

Stay Tuned...