I love how climbing brings people together, how degrees of separation can foster new friendships. Most of my closest friends I have made through climbing bolstered through the mutual suffering up climbs, the long nights by the fire, and the great conversations (and dogs). I love how climbing forces me to slow down, to focus.  I am a pretty high energy human, with so much on my mind at once.  “Ping-ponging” as I like to say.  But with climbing it all slows down, everything becomes simple.  Subtle crystals, adjustments of the hips, all the minutia has to be recognized and embraced.  Plus, who doesn’t like being outside in a beautiful setting hanging out?