Looking Back at 2015

2015 is coming to a close, and it’s always around this time I feel particularly nostalgic. A bit of reflection is needed as the new year is due to roll in. But before I write my typical annual resolutions/climbing progress/checklist, I figured I should write a bit about some highlights of my 2015. It’s been a year of firsts, and a year of extreme growth -- in both climbing and as a person. My friends have played an important role this year and helped me in many ways they aren’t even aware of. I’m grateful to a particular few who have shown me a lot of kindness and patience for my lack of knowledge in many things related to the outdoors. They’ve taken me on trips, introduced me to camping, backpacking, and many other related outdoorsy things. I never say it, but quite often those trips happened to fall around the days I felt rather down. Their company and our fun adventures never fails to lift me back up. Had I the means to spare, I would love to pay them back for all that they’ve done for me.

And now for some notable memories of 2015...

Fun day trips out into nature:

Learned how to build anchors and rappel, the same day I went night climbing for the first time:

Day hikes and night hikes:

Making trips out to climb at pretty rad places:

After strictly bouldering for the last year, I bought some gear for rope climbing. I bought a helmet after I went climbing outdoors on some chossy rock, though it is not pictured: