The line to get into Hueco Tanks’ self-guided area was a long one today. Actually, it still is. As I write these words into a notebook (for later transcription), the afternoon drags on, and despite the 35 mph wind gusts, not many folk seem to be leaving the park. So here we sit, myself and 5 other cars.
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Vikki is in Arizona, shooting a cycling race as a hired gun. So, somewhat absurdly, I sit alone in the cab of a big red truck, hoping to get a few climbs in before the gate closes at 6pm.
I was hoping the wait wouldn’t be too bad today. The Rock Rodeo is tomorrow, and I’m not expecting to climb because I’m a volunteer photographer. The idea was that folks would be resting today for the competition tomorrow. I guess lots of other people had that idea.
To make things extra absurd, the President is trying to tell me there’s a national emergency here in Borderland. Having been in and around El Paso since early December, I can report having had friendly conversations with locals at grocery stores, auto care centers, and the YMCA. As far as I can tell, I’ve had no contact with any invaders, drugs, caravans, or sneaky middle eastern terrorists.
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Politicians, generically speaking, are lambasted for changing a position. John Kerry flip flopped, and it cost him a very important election. We ought to be unsurprised, then, that a far-from-trivial number of Americans are proud that this President sticks to his guns wall in the face of overwhelming evidence that his idea is stupid and unpopular.
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I’ve been bouldering long enough to know better, yet I constantly find myself practicing the wrong beta for far too long. I’ll write off a method after one or two tries because it feels awkward or hard, only to find out later that it’s a learned move, and the one I should’ve been dialing in the whole time. What I’m saying is, I know what it’s like to sink effort into an idea based on a preliminary feeling and incomplete information. A flexible, nimble body and mind is a combination less likely to…oh, how should I put it…bang itself against a wall?
It was never about the wall, it was about the power to change reality. It’s a sexy street to stroll down, because reality sometimes hurts. When people cheer the President’s obstinance, it’s not just a policy thing. They’re cheering for the ultimate underdog: someone who is simply wrong. They identify with the anger caused by reality not matching up with the Fox News fantasy, a fantasy shared by the President and his supporters alike.
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I’ve spent 3 days trying The Feather, an all-time classic and life goal for me. The hardest part is the first 2 or 3 moves, depending on how you do it. I tried the 3-move method a couple of times, then spent about two and a half days trying the 2-move method. I reasoned that I’m big, and I tend to do better on bigger moves. Had I tried switching back to the 3-move beta sooner…well, I don’t mind. That little perch up on West Mountain is pleasant, and it’s been a while since I’ve felt this invested in a climb.
In these times of National Emergency, I just remind myself that bouldering is awesome.
Epilogue
I gained entrance to the park around 4pm and met up with John Frisby, who, with some friends, was chasing 100 V-points. I climbed a thing or two with him before he headed down to ground-level to finish up. Props, John!
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