Climbing in Flatrock

Picture by Greg Locke: Me on the Two Boulders.

Today was the first time this year that I managed to climb outside of a gym. In fact, since last year I only managed to climb a few times, or for that matter do anything at all outside.

So here is a few shots. We spent time doing some boulder climbs, and then we finished off the climbing day in an area called Bloodbath..

Flatrock on the Mountain Project.

Two Boulders

Blood Bath

The Crab House

The Crack.. I keep bailing out of this one.. :(

Top of Bloodbath

Me...

Safety Talk..

Looking towards the town of Flatrock

Greg, Erin, and Chantell. 

Day 1: The Path to Redemption. Reclaiming My Health

This last year and a bit has been by far some of the roughest periods I have ever had. I lost all interest in the things I loved, stopped hiking, stopped climbing, stopped everything. Even gained 20+ Pounds. So after over a year, I decided to head back to the climbing gym and start all over again.

I went on my own, not with anyone, just little ole me. I needed to, just so I could gauge where I was in my abilities. I lost a lot of my ability, but surprisingly not as much as I thought.

In fact, I had to depend more on using proper form and technique, which was something I wasn't really using properly in the first place. So this reboot may help me drop those old nasty habits I developed 2 years ago.

So, right now I am not able to climb 5.10 (which for me was my actual limit if I pushed myself hard enough) I am not even sure if 5.7, 5.8 will be to much for me. but I will get there again. But I need to take it slow.



Anyways,

Today I spent 20 minutes on the rack (3D Simulator Hangboard) and 20 minutes using light weights, and now a short walk with my dog Jack.

My goal is to climb 2 times a week, and train on the hang board 3 times a week.

The Rack in all its horrible glory

My baby soft hands :(

Why all of a sudden am I getting fired up again, and back into all this? In the past few months, I met some very inspiring people, and through working with them, I realized I can get back to doing the things I love. Also, spending time in Norway helped a lot too. All that beautiful country, hills, Fjords, mountains, and the people. That place is truly a magical place for someone like me..

A little snow shoeing...

Me and Jack out for a winter recon fir a good winter camping spot.

How to make an alcohol stove

I have used cans like this, they actually work very well in a pinch. This is one of the better how to videos on how to make these.

My Dad: In Loving Memory.

Hi all.

My last post, also my first showed me and my cousin Shawn doing a trip on the Gaff Topsails. A place in Newfoundland that I grew up loving so much.

I grew up to love this wild area of the Gaff due to my dad. My dad was a person who could walk these barrens, walk the rugged country, cross the bogs and ignore the flies and bugs like no other person on the planet.

If I can boast one thing about my dad, which is not because of the dad factor, but due to the fact that my dad was a true consummate outdoors man and woodsman.

I grew up with watching my dad being a Hunter, Trapper, Wildlife Artist and part time Archaeologist.

He taught me so much about being respectful of nature. As a hunter, he never hunted for sport. He hunted for food. He would never kill a creature for sport or fun, he would track down any animal he would shoot if it was not a clear kill. And when he did knock down a creature, he would always say a small prayer of thanks over each animal.

Well, my best friend, my best mentor, the man who taught me so much about being outdoors passed away on January 14th.

I loved him so much.

In honer of my dad. I created a video memorial for him. My dad took ill, just days after I completed my last journey on the Gaff, and I have not had a chance to do any big trips since.

So now, with his passing. I figured I can honor him with my video memorial.

This video is in Honor of Donald "Son" Locke.

World, let me introduce my dad....

Hiking The Topsails:

This particular post is just a warm up. My plan, is to use this blog to talk about my outdoor stuff. Record my adventures and all that comes with it. So, until I get the time, I decided to post a few pic of a recent trip my cousin and I decided to take. Below are pictures from an area called "The Topsails"