Friday glee made that look easy

[rydra_wong]

Climbing? Training? Boosted? Boosted again? Beyond even trying to process what's happening in the world?

What's been bringing you glee of late?

Video: Ryohei Kameyama cruises V15.

Comments

[j00j]

Used the climbing skills a little on a guided caving excursion in Bermuda! I can see why people are attracted to caving; it was so otherworldly in there and crawling out of the other side of the little cave system really did feel like being reborn. Our guide asked us to pass on the message of not caving alone and letting people know where you are going. Pretty sure everyone here knows that, but I'm passing it on!

[rydra_wong]

This is very wise advice. I'm quite claustrophobic so I am in awe of anyone who goes caving!

[j00j]

My brain just happens to find tight spaces comforting, I have no real explanation for this. As long as it’s not a loud crowded bar, I’m good. Even an MRI isn’t terrible though the banging is a bit much. However, I draw the line at unexplored cave, I don’t have the expertise and I’m absolutely not going in.

[rydra_wong]

Strangely, I'm fine with MRIs -- I think something in my brain decided on the first occasion that my only two options were having a screaming meltdown in a confined space I can't get out of on my own, or getting VERY relaxed, and opted for the latter. I don't even mind the banging; I kind of like the "extremely avant-garde industrial soundscape" vibe.

However, I draw the line at unexplored cave, I don’t have the expertise and I’m absolutely not going in.

That seems extremely sensible.

[rydra_wong]

P.S. Are there pictures of the cave system you went in?

[j00j]

Finally had a chance to upload these somewhere useful! Here's a couple of photos of the dry cave and the wet cave we got to swim in. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yuui5fXWNjaGa5d2lld_E7ba3Isr996O?usp=sharing

Using the side walls for balance we had to do a bit of climbing up some wet rock like the one in "relatively dry cave"-- definitely wanted some nice rubbery climbing shoes then. We were instructed not to touch the tips of the stalactites since skin oil can interfere with the formation process. They let you touch the sides here, they don't want you touching anything in Crystal Cave https://caves.bm since a bazillion people a year go through there; there's a pontoon bridge.

Our guide alleged that the tiny cave within a cave inspired Fraggle Rock, but I'm not sure if we know Jim Hensen went to that cave. Per this Smithsonian article it was probably the much more heavily touristy Crystal Cave. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-caves-in-bermuda-inspired-80s-tv-show-fraggle-rock-180971647/ In any case, it's a lovely little mini cave!

Oh, my favorite thing about Crystal Cave is that our guide described the part of the cave where the original cricketers got in as "our nation's emotional support rock." Oh to have an emotional support rock.

[rydra_wong]

Ooh wow, the water in the wet cave looks amazingly blue.

Oh, my favorite thing about Crystal Cave is that our guide described the part of the cave where the original cricketers got in as "our nation's emotional support rock."

I love it.

[wpadmirer]

I have climbed twice this week! New partners both time. Both times incredible fun and joy.

OMG, being on the wall is the best therapy I get.

[rydra_wong]

\o/ \o/ \o/

[rydra_wong]

I got to boulder outside yesterday and did not die of hypothermia despite the (literally) freezing temperatures!