The Northwest of America has been a playground that I have
played on as much as I can the last Month or so. Rock climbing has been a large
part of that. Washington Pass, Mazama, Exit
38, Sehome Hill, the UW rock wall, the Mountaineers wall, Vertical world, Smith
Rock, more Exit 38, and Frenchman Coulee have all offered me a wonderful experience.
The rock climbing pushes me physically and mentally, the scenery is inspiring,
and the company and memories are irreplaceable.
I have had the opportunity to take a few classes with KAF Adventure, a company that I am currently interning for, and after every weekend
of adventure, I like climbing and them more and more. Learning, exploring, and meeting
amazing people brings me home each Monday exhausted in the best way possible,
and also completely alive.
It has also been an amazing venue for me to spend time with
my sister, girlfriend, mom, friends and to make new friends. Some who have climbed and some
who have not.
My sister (Renee) has now climbed on rock for her first time,
cleaned her first anchor, and also climbed some great 5.9 routes.
Karen has cleaned an anchor multiple times now, and has also
led her first 5.7. No matter what I lead, she is able to get up and clean, and
we are great partners for each other.
Spencer climbed for the first time, and was thoroughly
freaked out as Renee started to belay him, but he was smiling from ear to ear
by the time he made it down.
My mom (Liane) climbed for her first time, and kicked some
butt in a cool chimney.
All in all, it has been amazing getting to know these areas
and this sport better. It has been amazing spending time with people I care
about, and forming new relationships with others. If you want to adventure with me, just let me
know, I plan for the amazingness to continue!
word for word this a beautiful story brother. i cried, i felt shivers down my spine, my neck hurt when you were time travelling on the overnight train, i heard the death metal rockers somehow remixed with the irish jig, i saw the half ton thong and midget, and i saw new friends i havent met yet. thanks for sharing it all, thank you for doing it all, thanks for bein you man... naturally im jealous of your experiences.. but more than anything else im jealous of that bad ass beard you can grow. much love to all the koesters and i cant wait to see you! thanks krishna for making my world a better place!
ReplyDeleten renzi is db's penname by the way! dunno why it published like that
DeleteJoel, that is awesome. I can't wait until I have some time for you to take me out and show me the 'ropes!' I definitely need your motivation (and positivity) to go out on an adventure like that.
ReplyDeleteIt is so great to be a part of this awesome adventure! Thanks for the patience in teaching me to lead!
ReplyDeletedb - thank you for the kind words. I am glad you have enjoyed reading about the times that I have enjoyed soooo much.
ReplyDeleteChris - I can't wait either. I'll show you the "ropes" and it will "rock"!
Karen - you are a great climber :)