I've worked 3 courses since my last post, and I'm about to leave for another. I worked three 9 day courses and one 10 day course, with just 3 or 4 days off between each course. It's been action packed, and a very busy time. Duffle shuffle! At every course start, we help the students select exactly what they need from their duffle bags and pack it, along with Outward Bound personal gear, into their big backpacks. Because I've worked so many short courses this year, I've gotten very good at doing the duffle shuffle! How would you do with just one day of pants for 9 days? Two pairs of underwear? Welcome to my life! Backpacking! I do lots of this. Backpacking teaches students and instructors alike how to meet our needs and overcome challenge. I originally got into the outdoor industry through backpacking, and to this day it remains something that I love to engage in, despite the dramatic lows that come with it. Sometimes, the sun shines and the woods open to a clearing, and for a moment it's heaven! "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life..." - Henry David Thoreau Hiking to The Chimneys for a day of rock climbing in the beautiful Linville Gorge. I've had a climbing block on each of these past 3 courses, which has provided me with fantastic professional development. Each block, I get the opportunity to help with setting up the climbs, facilitating a rappel, and teaching students how to belay. My friend Tom at the top of the first pitch of North Ridge, a multi pitch climb on Table Rock. This photo is a great view of the Linville Gorge, where I live and work. Epic climbing all around! This was from a day off of course. I've spent a few days climbing on Table Rock, did some biking at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, and went whitewater canoeing on the French Broad River. Days off are often as exciting as days on. That's all for now! Lots of great stuff happening for me at NCOBS this season. I'm working hard and learning a lot. Base camp life is suiting me very well, and I'm very thankful to be healthy, surrounded by amazing people, and stoked on my job!
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