Take advantage of the crisp fall weather and the beautiful mountains around you, and go for a climb! Rock climbing is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of nature, with its breathtaking views and gorgeous valleys and canyons. Also, besides the cost of gear, it is completely free! This fall, go out there and discover your backyard through a whole new perspective!
It is never too late to start climbing. Just last month, I was introduced to the sport of rock climbing and I have already fallen in love with it. My arms are sore and my hands ache, yet all I want to do is climb. It is a great way to stay active and get an intense workout, as well as just have fun with friends! I love the technical aspect of it too. If you love strategy then you will love rock climbing, because it’s always a puzzle to find out the best route to the top.
Right now, I am going to school in Provo, Utah, so I am lucky that some of the best rock climbing opportunities in the country, such as in American Fork Canyon, Moab, and Zions, are right in my backyard. However, there is rock climbing available almost anywhere! I know that when I go back home to California I am checking out routes in Yosemite.
Even when winter hits, you can stay involved in the rock climbing community and go to your local rock gym to work on technique and get better for the next outdoor climbing season. However, if you insist on being outdoors even in the cold, then ice climbing is a whole different sport altogether… I have personally never tried it, but I bet it is just as amazing.
I hate sunscreen.
I hate that it’s slimy.
I hate that I can never get it to rub in completely.
I hate that I have to put it on every two hours to protect my white skin.
That being said, I have always ended up sunburned on my numerous outdoor adventures. But recently I have realized that applying sunscreen is the key to making your vacation a success.
My most recent outdoor vacation involved a boat, a lake in the desert, and the scorching sun. I bought one of those spray bottles of sunscreen and committed to use it since I was going to be out in the sun a lot.
By the end of the vacation, I had pretty much avoided major sunburn and realized that my experience was a lot more enjoyable. I wasn’t always worrying about staying in the shade to protect my already sunburned skin. I protected myself from any sort of heat stroke or exhaustion. I could sleep at night because I wasn’t worried about rolling over onto my sunburn.
Even after returning, I did not have to worry about peeling skin or putting on the equally slimy Aloe Vera to help heal a sunburn. Even the water from the shower didn’t hurt like it usually does after an outdoor vacation.
Sunscreen is still not my favorite thing but I realize that the difference this trip was the way that I applied it. Instead of rubbing it on for ten minutes I was able to just spray it on every couple of hours and I was done in a couple of minutes.
Even if you hate sunscreen like me, there are many ways to buy it now that can make it a less painful experience. Not only does it protect you from skin cancer but provides a more enjoyable experience in the outdoors!
According to Punxsutawney Phil, we’re going to have a short winter for the rest of the season. The groundhog did not see his shadow a week ago, so tradition has it that the rest of the winter will be short and light. Since I take all of my meteorological advice from large rodents, this seems like the perfect time to discuss spring sports. One of the most enjoyable experiences you can have in the early spring is going Spring Snowboarding.
Spring Snowboarding the act of going down the mountain wearing light spring appropriate clothes. The weather is usually warm, and the constant movements of the riders will make sure that they are comfy even if they are in a T-shirt.
See? Super comfy. And... manly. And stuff.
The experience is a unique one, because there is more freedom of movement and the you can really feel the air rush by. There is a terrific sense of speed and exhilaration that accompanies the activity. Additionally, if you fall down you will fall into the snow without a heavy coat to keep the snow off of you. However, the weather is usually warm enough that getting some now on you isn’t a big deal.
I’ve been Spring Snowbaording for years, and I’m telling you… It’s awesome. I personally go down the mountain in an old t shirt and a baseball hat, wearing a pair of sunglasses. Not only is it super fun, but it also makes you feel freaking invincible.
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Take advantage of the crisp fall weather and the beautiful mountains around you, and go for a climb! Rock climbing is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of nature, with its breathtaking views and gorgeous valleys and canyons. Also, besides the cost of gear, it is completely free! This fall, go out there and discover your backyard through a whole new perspective!
