Karina Hollekim, Skier/BASE Jumper Presents BEYOND THE EDGE

Two years ago, we included the film “20 Seconds of Joy” at the Banff film Festival in Santa Fe. A powerful and moving documentary about five years in the life of base jumper Karina Hollekim. we are proud to sponsor her appearance this month as part of The North Face Speaker Series. You won’t want to miss this!

When: Wed. October 27, 2010 7pm
Where: Armory for the Arts Santa Fe NM
Tickets for the event are free!
Reserved tickets are $8
Tickets for the Reception are $20 and benefit the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market Institute

Reserve your tickets here

Click Here to learn more about alpinist Karina Hollekim.

‘Tis the Season by Grant Simmons

Autumn is here and the climbers know it.  Every year, as the temperatures and humidity levels drop, climbers get serious.  We have made the most out of summer’s fun and games, but Now is the time to climb.  Outside, the crags are crowded as everyone attempts to send their projects while conditions are perfect.  Inside, the climbing gym starts to fill as everyone tries to get stronger to achieve their fall goals.  With the ever-shortening daylight, it is hard to hit the crags after work, so pulling down on plastic becomes the new weekday routine.  The atmosphere in the gym is fun, familiar, and warm.  Together, the boulderers suss out the beta on the new green route; they breathe heavy as they execute the most gymnastic moves across the steep terrain.  Those resting yell and cheer in support, for there is a collective excitement when someone sends a bouldering problem that is at their limit.  In the rope room, climbers take turns whipping off of the new yellow route, wondering how something so crimpy and technical down low became so pumpy and powerful up high.  Despite being considered a more individualistic pursuit, these climbers are just as capable of producing a cacophony of celebratory hoots and hollers as the boulderers in the other room are.
For some, the excitement of fall rests not on the knowledge of those crisp mornings when you stick to the most heinous of holds, but rather on the knowledge that it is the competition season.  The American Bouldering Series has begun to make its rounds across the nation and boulderers, both young and old, are hitting the road to rack up the points on their scorecard.  While some of the competitors do indeed seem to have tendons made of steel, these events are just as fun for the recreational, or even the novice, climber.  Often, locals will come out with friends to compete in the local events just for fun.  A gym filled with new problems and shiny holds, the encouragement and camaraderie amongst the competitors, the potential to hit the jackpot in the raffle, and the opportunity to push yourself really hard for a few hours all serve to bring the climbing community together for a day in the gym.
Of course, Santa Fe wouldn’t be a town to miss out on the excitement.  That’s why the Santa Fe Climbing Center will be presenting its annual High Desert Bouldering Bash on October 23, 2010.  The event will be part of the American Bouldering Series, but all climbers, regardless of experience or skill level, are encouraged to come out for the day.  Registration for the competition will occur at 11:00AM the day of the event, and climbing will begin at noon.  The cost is $30.00 for USA Climbing members and members of the Santa Fe Climbing Center; $35.00 for non-members.  For more information, contact SFCC at 986-8944 or visit www.climbsantafe.com.
Come out.  Climb Hard.  Have Fun!

Don’t Get Lost–Wear Your Watch in the Woods by Outspire’s Karen Denison

Okay, admit it–if you’ve spent enough time outdoors, you’ve been lost at least once.

When I was about 9 years old, we went to a family friend’s lake cabin for the weekend.  I marched off cross-country on my own, got off the deer path, got lost, and missed my appointed return time.  I was lost.  And I mean frantic parents, mobilized neighbors, state cops in the yard kind of lost.  I eventually walked myself to the cabin around dusk, but had a renewed appreciation for being “found”.

While I use and teach the use of modern maps, compasses and GPS receivers as very important navigation tools, I admit that I may sometimes leave them behind on short jaunts.  But I always wear my old analog watch.

Why?

1)  It measures distance.  I know from experience about how quickly I travel (minutes per mile).  If I expect a trail junction in about a mile, then I can check my watch to know when to begin seriously watching for the turn.  If I’m doing a little side exploration off-trail, then I expect to use the same time back to my landmark as I spent outbound.  It’s not perfect, but it helps a lot.

2)  It can measure direction.  In New Mexico, we often have bright, sunny days.  Sundials were originally meant for measuring time, but with my watch I can use my own shadow to roughly tell direction.  If I turn to face my shadow at noon, I am facing North.  Before noon, my shadow will be swinging from West through NW to North; in the afternoon, it continues to East.  The watch is essential for guesstimating how far east or west of north your shadow will lay and the old analog watch face helps with the angles.

3)  It’s a focusing aid.   If you think you’re lost, it’s extremely tempting to move fast and hurry “back” to where you should be.  You can quickly end up more lost.  By taking a little time (measured) to get settled and take stock, then you’re likely to make better choices about finding your way.

Will a watch keep you from getting lost?  No, of course not.  But I won’t go out in the woods without one.
Karen Denison has been getting lost and found for years.  She owns Outspire Hiking and Snowshoeing guide service and will be teaching a 2-part Map&GPS workshop.

When:
Class: October 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Field trip: October 16, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where:
Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works

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