One Arm Routes and Loss of Identity

Bummer Lee. As Indiana Jones said: It's not the years; it's the miles. Sounds a bit early to judge yet, but if the Flatirons work out, then you'll enjoy the South San Rafael Swell. Lot of adventure on moderates there.

I have come up with a plan to keep getting invited on road trips even though I can't climb.

Camp cook. That's right, I will slave away at the stewpot all day while everyone is out slaying it, in order to earn my spot around the campfire.

Kat A can vouch for my killer breakfast burritos (veggie) and Legs can attest to the goodness of my spaghetti, and my chicken marinade dijon roll-up sandwiches....

Keep those road trip invites coming and enjoy my culinary capabilities. And everybody knows I am free and easy with the chocolates.

Lee Smith wrote:I have come up with a plan to keep getting invited on road trips even though I can't climb. Camp cook. That's right, I will slave away at the stewpot all day while everyone is out slaying it, in order to earn my spot around the campfire. Kat A can vouch for my killer breakfast burritos (veggie) and Legs can attest to the goodness of my spaghetti, and my chicken marinade dijon roll-up sandwiches.... Keep those road trip invites coming and enjoy my culinary capabilities. And everybody knows I am free and easy with the chocolates.

Can we call you cookie, spoony or some old western name? Will you work for BASE jumpers, that climb sometimes?

Hank Caylor wrote: Can we call you cookie, spoony or some old western name? Will you work for BASE jumpers, that climb sometimes?

Hank, you can call me anything you want. I would be honored to cook at BASE camp for you and Jackie anytime!

Hey Lee, I'm an old fart that has a recurring "frozen shoulder" problem that leaves me one armed whenever the cortisone starts to wear off. Keeping up with my physical therapy staves it off for a while, but it keeps coming back like a mean old dog to gnaw at my bones.

Here is a pic of me from last weekend at Joshua Tree where I found a plethora of 1-arm friendly boulder problems. Between the views, the beautiful weather and Valentine's with my fiance' (who took this picture), things could have definitely been worse. Your idea of a road trip sounds like the ticket, I would definitely recommend Joshua Tree.

Joshua boulder

By all measures, it looks like my surgery was a success. On to recovery!

Lee Smith wrote:By all measures, it looks like my surgery was a success. On to recovery!

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

so did you shoulder just dislocate? or did it just hurt like hell when you climb?

Lee Smith wrote:Keep those road trip invites coming and enjoy my culinary capabilities. And everybody knows I am free and easy with the chocolates.

"Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker."
-Dorthy Parker, I believe.

Tony B wrote: "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker." -Dorthy Parker, I believe.

Nope, Gene Wilder, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".

P.S.-Thanks for killing me at the BRC last night, paybacks bi=ch....

Hank Caylor wrote: Nope, Gene Wilder, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". P.S.-Thanks for killing me at the BRC last night, paybacks bi=ch....

Actually, it was Ogden Nash. I just checked. He also said that "Purity is Obscurity"

Dorothy parker said a lot of things, such as:
"I don't care what anybody says about me as long as it isn't true."

Hank Caylor wrote: P.S.-Thanks for killing me at the BRC last night, paybacks bi=ch....

Huh? Me killing ya?
It looked to me like you were gettin' yours with the tight jeans on that yellow 5.11. (grin) Oh, sorry, I mean 5.11 PLUS.

Purcell wrote:so did you shoulder just dislocate? or did it just hurt like hell when you climb?

Neither actually. This injury was years in the making and really felt better when I was climbing, but not the next day.

I hope I am not boring anyone with this topic; I know a lot of you have had far worse injuries. I am not trying to bring attention to myself. I just find this process fascinating. Modern medicine is incredible!

Day one and I am already Jonesin' for climbing. Sigh. It is going to be a long spring.

It feels good to get in some scrambling even though I can only use one arm.

Scramblin' one handed on Mt Morrison

Stay psysched and heal up fast!

I managed to belay Tracy at NTM this evening without dropping her. Looks like she has a belay slave for the next couple of months.

The weather was fantastic, getting out was great and having a rope running through my hands to my partner was most excellent. I guess I am still a climber even though I can't climb.

Next goal: Climbing on TR on June 12th at the HERA climb for life fundraiser.

I'm facing my 4th shoulder surgery in 25 years. This time it's a "Laterjet" procedure, something that involves a bonesaw. I pushed it off for a few months because right now we are having the best winter in many a long year (130 inch base). But I'm still a climber. Now I want to get into easy clean aid and more peak bagging. I was never really able to lead in the double digit range, but there is a lot more terrain out there then that type of climb. It is important to really work the PT, because that will strengthen the smaller muscles that might not get worked in a regular gym workout. Good luck with your recovery, maybe I'll see you on some nice San Juan snow climbs!