Spring Snow, knee

I've been outside climbing a bunch--perfect spring days, nice temps, loving it. And then it started to rain on Tuesday or so, still OK just not great conditions. Yesterday I woke up to a couple of inches of snow, no big deal, but climbing plans went indoors. Around 2:00 I shoveled things out, about a foot of snow on the ground, and I figured the storm was done. It started snowing again in the late afternoon. By the time I'd done the gym session and hit the grocery store the snow was so deep that I had a hard time opening the car door in my already-shoveled driveway. I took the photo last night late just because the snow was so cool to see, this spring storms are just wild.

Last Tuesday I managed to get in and see an orthopod about the MRI of my knee. It's been really bothering me for about six months, but I kept thinking I could fix it... Finally gave up on that idea, it's FUBAR, torn meniscus, so off to surgery sometime later this summer. I intend to rock climb, kayak, mountain bike and fly my brains out until then, I just can't walk really far or run. Not a big deal really, just switch the games up and get after it in a new way. But nice to know what's wrong and how to hopefully FIX it. The rest of my body feels great, getting stronger and loving it!

happy spring!

WG

How many times?

How many times have I worried about whether to go climbing or not because of some seemingly important event that somehow meant I maybe shouldn't go climbing?
And how many times has that event felt even half as important on the drive home after climbing? I can't remember one, that's how many.

How many times have I tied into a rope?
As many time as I've untied. Except five or six times when I was too pumped to untie and somebody did it for me while both of us laughed.

How many times have I tried to climb something I didn't think I had it in me to climb that day--and then somehow made it to the top? More times than I've fallen off when I was sure I wasn't going to.

How many times have I had a hard time turning the key in the ignition after a day's climbing? Enough to recognize that peculiar feeling and smile with recognition, like tasting something from childhood that I'd totally forgotten about.

How many times have I gone climbing with someone and had a really good time? So many that I've forgotten half their names but none of the feelings.

How many times have I gotten so excited to see someone else send something hard for them that I completely forgot everything else? More times than I've watched someone stroll up something hard for me and felt bitter about it.

How many times has it been hard to put my hands into hot water? More times than the scars I wear with pride.

How many times have I seen some pathetic punk curse as he falls off a hard route or boulder problem? Enough to recognize that punk as myself on a bad day.

How many people have I seen give their absolute best while climbing and their absolute worst on the ground? Enough to know that climbing brings out the best in us.

How many times have I swung an ice tool and waited to hear its sound? Enough to know that it's still important, each and every time.

How many times have I stopped climbing for months at a time? Enough to know that it always feels good when I start up again.

How many times have I chosen to stuff my feet into how many pairs of rock shoes and go through how many barrels of chalk just to get to the top of a rock I could have walked around to the back side of? Enough to know I'll keep doing it for as long as I live.

How many times? Who cares, better go climbing.