One week ago tonight there was a light snow falling as I was sitting on the REI Bloomington sidewalk on a closed cell foam pad watching a movie about climbing a distant Chinese peak. The concrete jungle got a little wild.
REI was having a Scratch and Dent sale the next morning. Only the dedicated, only the true in heart, only those with limited pocket books dared to brave the almost winter conditions to get a chance at finding a good- no- GREAT deal.
I put a 32” tv in the back of my Subaru Outback- his name is Dimples. We watched the movie while the large turkey fryer pot boiled potatoes, bratwurst and onions in a “bring tears to your eyes, careful, don’t inhale it or touch your eyes cuz it will burn” hot and spicy Cajun boil. The bountiful concoction of our Cajun inspired creation was ready just as the climbers were getting set for their summit bid. We paused to eat. We were inspired.
I had a great idea (ask Nicole, I am full of them) to film the first ascent of the West Face(ing) Sidewalk in front of the REI Bloomington store. Recruiting climbers was not easy. I offered no fame, fortune or sponsorship- just the simple pleasure of knowing that you participated in something great, something bigger than each one of us. With the packs loaded and everyone tied in to the 10.2mm safety rope, the team set off for greatness. There was a stillness in the air as the snow fell silently on our helmets. Well, at least, I could not hear the snow over the sound of the nearby freeway which seemed to be cheering us on with a murmured roar.
We took turns leading difficult pitches. There were near misses, limbs were almost severed from sharp edges on signs and someone slipped on the curb- we thought they broke their leg. But they didn’t.
I know you are all thinking that you have to see this footage to believe that we achieved such an amazing feat. I can hardly believe it myself. I am sad to say that the video camera did not fare so well and is in need of repair but fear not- I was able to get the footage off the camera before it completely died. We are editing the film now so as to not reveal anything that would make our mothers worry. It will be a joyous film.
We had fun.
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