A Snapshot of the Lost Years: Part 3

Spring-Fall of 2013

Moved to Estes Park, CO. The original work contract was only for May 12th-June 29th. Luck was on my side though and the contract was extended to August 15th. So much for being a climbing bum for the summer.

I began work once again at Eagle Rock school and discovered I had a dream job. Getting paid to travel and doing meaningful work (helping students who had dropped out of their own schools actually graduate high school). I travelled in the Lost Creek Wilderness, New Mexico, and South Dakota for ERS. In terms of what I did for work, I created a policy manual, organized and led short trips, and worked in the wilderness shed. On top of the good, though challenging, job (the students keep you on your toes) I was still able to sneak in lots of climbing and meet some great people who work at KMAC (Kent Mountain Adventure Center). Buster became my teacher for learning how to climb fast and efficient. I was always in a rush to keep up with him. 

I also had the fortune of meeting Nate, the current boyfriend, who is always up for a climbing adventure, and a great role model for having a solid and calm head in challenging moments. In the summer and fall we travelled to Vedauvoo, the WindRivers, Wild Iris, and Tensleep. Our climbing trip in Wyoming was cut short due to the flooding in Estes Park. Upon returning over trail ridge road to the town (using my Estes Park Library card convince them I lived there) I got to see and be a part of the community rallying to help their unfortunate neighbors. Shortly after I went back to ERS, my new contract being kept, adapted and extended, once again to my good fortune.

In the fall I was off to the Superstitions of Arizona. A lovely area, but the weather was ready to push me into a quarter life crisis. Taking care of the students, some of whom were exceptionally challenging, pushed me to my limits. I discovered a number of weaknesses in my leadership. It's a long story. That one you'll have to ask me. Be assured though, after my last trip with them in the spring, I was able to work on those weaknesses and I no longer feel like I wasted my college education.

Winter 2013-2014

Upon Finishing work at Eagle Rock, I had one day to move to Park City, Utah. I hit the ground running there with ski patrol starting a mere two days after my last contract ended. Talk about a whirlwind of winter. It was amazing. Pete, John, Stu, Kate, and a few others I got out with on occasion were all amazing partners for adventures. Touring, acro-yoga, rock climbing, ice climbing, you name it, I probably did it with one of them. Even dinner parties to watch Game of Thrones. If the weather was bad for one sport, it was good for another and there's no shortage of things to do for any of those activities in Utah. 

Seriously, think of something,
I probably did it
(for better or for worse).

On some of my weekends, I made it up to Jackson Hole for Resort skiing and touring with Buster and Vanessa, Red Rocks with Nate for adventure climbing, and San Rafael Swell with a crew of folks for desert trad. I had hardly a moment to breath this winter and I loved it!

I finished the season off with a climbing trip to Indian Creek near Moab, UT. Once again, I was schooled and humbled. Then I was back to Estes Park for 1.5 months for another contract at ERS in the spring of 2014. A good thing since I was able to redeem myself from the last trip.