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Conscious Communication: how we get our point across

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Just in time for the holidays where many of us will spend time with friends & family we don’t see regularly, a new post from Kim Reynolds, the Head Chick & certified life coach on conscious communication. 

Each day we have countless opportunities to express ourselves and exchange information with others. In the dictionary, communication is the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings. These interactions are in constant motion, taking shape as verbal and nonverbal messages. It makes me wonder how well we actually get our point across?

Within a relationship, we develop patterns of communication that we practice over and over, until they become deeply ingrained and difficult to change. I was in a relationship where we created our own pattern; he got angry and talked loudly, hoping I’d hear him and I would repeat my position over and over, hoping he’d get it the third or fourth time. Sound familiar? Neither are effective ways to express important information.

There are two voices we use:
(1) The big voice – this one comes from our ego; we use this tone when we are connected to the negative forces such as anger, jealousy or fear. This voice operates on impulse and unconscious patterns that result in using words we often regret.
*Tip – shut your mouth, walk away or drink a full cup of water. That energy will eventually dissipate and you will have time to rethink what you want to say.

(2) The little voice – this one comes from our heart and aligns with our most important values such as compassion, kindness and love. To enter into it, we must surrender to humility and trust; namely, positive energy.
*Tip – remain calm and speak firmly from your truth. Do not place blame on the other person or point to what they are doing wrong.  Take responsibility for your actions.

Within our relationships, it is beneficial to set guidelines for productive dialogue, such as respect and kindness that you will each honor and live by. When a conversation begins void of these ground rules, you have permission to point this out and begin again.

Seven “easy” (or not so easy) steps to conscious communication:

1) Verbal and nonverbal language. Verbal cues are more obvious than the subtleties of body language and hidden thoughts. If you are keyed into a person, you can hear their words and feel the energy behind them. Notice when they are not in synch. Other nonverbal cues are eye contact, tone of voice and body position.

2) Choose words wisely. What gives us the license to throw hurtful words at each other? Words can leave an indelible mark on our heart and the negative energy leaves a permanent imprint like a fossil in the sand.  Great quote: “People will forget what you said; People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” What is your intent behind what you have to say?

3) Drop your weapons. When someone throws a dart, it is our natural defense to throw one back. This leads to more adverse weapons and when the nuclear bomb goes off, you both lose. Close your mouth and stop the cycle; watch anger bounce off silence and back to its origin.

4) Clear thinking. Never discuss important issues under the influence of alcohol or other recreational drugs. The truth becomes masked by too much emotion. Walk away and talk about it tomorrow.

5) Humility.  When we want to get our point across, however effective or not, we are holding onto the notion of being right. We get so caught up in our stance that we are not fully listening to the other person. What would it look like if we gave up the need to be right and showed respect for the other person’s viewpoint?

6) Trust and truth. This is the bottom line. Do you trust this person implicitly? Have you agreed to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Half-truths, white lies and hidden thoughts will not cut it; over time they will reveal themselves.

7) Give each other space.  One of the most effective tools in listening is to give each other 10 minutes (or more) to speak freely without the other responding at all. You may choose not to comment for at least 24 hours. This will give both of you time to let the emotions settle and absorb what the other has said. Save your impulsive response and choose words that are real and true.

Disclaimer: None of this comes without making mistakes, trying on new behaviors and holding the relationship up to the light. Each person must share the willingness to receive feedback and explore new behaviors.

A relationship actually exists as its own separate entity. It is within this container we provide a safe place to be open, honest and grow together in a loving way. Only from here can we create mutual respect, positive patterns and lasting change.

Kim Reynolds is  the founder of Chicks Climbing: Chicks with Picks & Chicks Rock!, Mind Over Mountains (mindovermountains.com) and the dZi Foundation (dzifoundation.org). Kim is a Certified Life Coach. For a free Life Coaching sample session give Kim a call at 970-623-2442 or email kim@mindovermountains.com. To read more of her articles go to:http://kimreynoldslifecoach.com/

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Consciously by Choice

Friday, October 21st, 2011

As our Chicks alumnae know, Kim Reynolds, the Head Chick, is also a certified life coach. Many have benefited from Kim’s coaching practice over the years, and we wanted to start to share some of her writing here on the Chicks blog as well! For those who want to contact Kim about a free coaching session, her contact information is at the bottom. 

There are many daily activities we perform automatically and often take for granted: we breathe, we blink and we make choices.  Have you ever stopped to consider how many choices you make throughout the day? Think about it! There are two ways to look at your options: conscious and unconscious decisions.

Conscious choices happen when you: are awake, aware, have a heightened sensitivity, are deliberate, intentional and in control. You are connected to a higher frequency and bring others into consideration.

Unconscious choices happen when you: are unaware, don’t realize what you are doing, have an automatic response or reflex. You might not take others into consideration or stop to think of the consequences.

Which do you think will create a better outcome?

In America, our world is full of privileged choices that align with our values and are carried out of our own free will. We are no longer in survival mode or forced to do things we don’t want to do, even though it can often feel that way. We willingly pile things on, and as a result we become very, very busy. Sound familiar? Our self-inflicted irony is that we have to juggle our obligations and this is where it gets complicated and overwhelming.

Our most profound choice is the one we often do without notice – it’s how we show up and conduct ourselves while responding to our responsibilities of the moment. Here’s a great example: after my shoulder surgery my boyfriend wanted to bring me to his house and take care of me. It was his week to have his adorable six-year old son and he had several deadlines at work. All good problems! I knew he really wanted to be there for me and he was hurt that I even considered another option. So I said “yes, I really do want you to take care of me!”

There I was confined to a reclining chair for three days, needing constant ice, pain medication every few hours, water and food. I couldn’t even get out of the chair or dressed without his help. Meanwhile, he was a father, a caregiver and an architect. I was needy and he was stressed. He was unaware of the energy he was exuding until I pointed out that I wasn’t getting what I needed which was calm and compassion. It was hard for him to understand how his tension was affecting me until I brought it to his attention. Once he became conscious of what he was doing, he saw it and was able to make a shift.

The things we say “yes” to become the obligations we are morally committed to carry out simply because we said so. Here, we discover a delicate balance amidst our responsibilities to serve our family, friends, colleagues and ourselves.  Since a commitment is something we want or need to get done, we are faced with how we choose to conduct ourselves. We can carry them out with joy and enthusiasm, or we can be annoyed or angry (at ourselves and everyone around us). Which is more satisfying? Which will have the outcome we want? Frankly, one draws people in and one pushes them away.  One produces happiness and one produces unhappiness. One is the high road and one is the low road.

When we are in tune with our actions, we operate at a higher state of consciousness and are essentially awake. It takes constant diligence to exercise this level of awareness, and the result is being more present and content with everything we do! Essentially, it will bring more peace to ourselves and others.

Tips:
1) Take a close look at what you say you’ll do and what you really want to do.
2) Be aware of how you act when you carry out your tasks. Is there a smile on your face? Or do you seem bothered?
3) Notice the affect the mood you are choosing (at the moment) has on others.
4) Acknowledge and remember that you can make a different choice.
5) Put a sticky note on your computer or refrigerator to remind you.
6) Ask for what you want.
7) Allow those closest to you to be your mirror.
8)  Give back what you want to receive.
9) Learn to say “no”.
10) Pay attention to your actions!

Kim Reynolds is  the founder of Chicks Climbing: Chicks with Picks & Chicks Rock!, Mind Over Mountains (mindovermountains.com) and the dZi Foundation (dzifoundation.org). Kim is a Certified Life Coach. For a free Life Coaching sample session give Kim a call at 970-623-2442 or email kim@mindovermountains.com. To read more of her articles go to:http://kimreynoldslifecoach.com/

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This I Believe

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

As our Chicks alumnae know, Kim Reynolds, the Head Chick, is also a certified life coach. Many have benefited from Kim’s coaching practice over the years, and we wanted to start to share some of her writing here on the Chicks blog as well! For those who want to contact Kim about a free coaching session, her contact information is at the bottom. 

Until recently, I’ve taken my lifestyle a bit for granted and simply attached the word “normal” to my wanderings. It never appeared unusual because I’m just little-ole-me in here, and there are plenty of other really cool people doing amazing things out there. Now, after 30 years, my resume looks a little unusual and I have finally come to grips with the fact I have not followed the mainstream.

I have rarely paused along this journey to examine how and why I actually got here. When I started to look, I found one simple answer…are you ready for this?  I always believed I could. That’s it!  No one, not even my parents, tried to convince me otherwise. I was either a) completely clueless, b) generally naïve, c) stubborn or d) all of the above.

I think we all have a defining story and mine’s called “I decided the fate of my life from the back of a station wagon.” It goes like this: By the time I was in 5th grade, my family drove from Minnesota to Colorado on ski vacations to Winter Park, Aspen and Vail. I was the youngest of three, so I was thrown in the (way) back with the luggage on one side and me, my stuffed animals and sleeping bag on the other. I fell in love with the mountains and would stay glued to the window as they came into view.

From this vantage point, I decided that when I grew up I would climb mountains, be a ski instructor and live in a log cabin. I was called to be a mountain girl; all I had to do was get through junior high and high school to get there! During my senior year, I saved enough money to attend a three week Outward Bound course in Oregon. It was there I went backpacking, rock climbing and stood on top of a peak for the first time.

On the last night of the course as I slept under the stars I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life.  From here, I went to an outdoorsy college, learned to climb mountains in Alaska and the Himalaya, lived in a yurt, became a ski patroller, an Outward Bound instructor along with a variety of other outdoor careers.  I have been fortunate to follow my dreams AND figure out a way to get there. If nothing else, I am resourceful.

When I became a Life Coach, I learned that there are plenty of people who feel stuck and are in search of more meaning, purpose or passion in their life. How can this be in a world full of limitless possibilities? So I set out to help people uncover their own mysteries and learn to shine.

In the process, I have come to understand that when we really want something we can get it with the right intention, willingness and affirming attitude. Here’s where it starts:

Internal dialogue – when you form an idea, start to visualize what it will look like. This is a creative process and the sky is the limit unless you put a ceiling on this picture. Get excited, do the research and explore until it becomes so compelling you will feel inspired to share it with others.

Tips:
- The most imaginative ideas come from a place of stillness and deep listening.
- What are you telling yourself? Do your thoughts come from a place of potentiality or a place of fear?
- If all you see are obstacles, you will bump into them and attract the people who are tripping in the same places.

Speak Out Loud – the moment you share an idea, it is witnessed and becomes more real. People will hold you accountable and ask how “it’s” coming along. Another person may lend a refreshing perspective and point you towards a new resource. Once you give a voice to your objective, you are more apt to follow through because you won’t want to be a flake.

Tips:
- Remain optimistic and the possibilities will unfold.
- You will attract people who can help you and want to have the same conversation.
- Avoid words such as I can’t, I shouldn’t, what if, but… what you speak will come true (for better or worse).

Action – once you take the first step towards your vision, the other steps will become more apparent. Forward momentum will keep you stimulated. Make sure your intentions are pure and come from your highest self. Your ego will only get you into trouble. Dance with the unexpected as if you planned it.

Tips:
- Do one thing towards your goal each day.
- Try new approaches to old habits.
- Ask for help.
- Truly believe it’s possible or none of this will work!

Kim Reynolds is  the founder of Chicks Climbing: Chicks with Picks & Chicks Rock!, Mind Over Mountains (mindovermountains.com) and the dZi Foundation (dzifoundation.org). Kim is a Certified Life Coach. For a free Life Coaching sample session,give Kim a call, 970-623-2442 or email kim@mindovermountains.com. To read more of her articles go to:http://kimreynoldslifecoach.com/

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Recipe for Happiness

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Ingredients:
1 Quart of Healthy Choices
2 Cups of Helping Others
1 Cup of Community
½ Cup of Passions
3 Tablespoons of Contemplative Space
2 teaspoons of Learning<
1 pinch of Creativity

I just returned from the Telluride Mountain Film Festival which is the most inspiring and thought provoking weekend of my year. One of my favorite films was called Happy- it reinforced some of my core values as a person and a Life Coach. As a Coach, I help people to really “Shine”, be the best they can be, get unstuck, take a closer look at who they are and mix things up in order to ultimately be happy.

Presently, I am challenged by my recent shoulder surgery and slow recovery.  It has prompted me to look at what makes me happy in the face of not being able to participate in activities I am use to. Do I take being happy for granted? Am I happy now? What are the ingredients to living a happy life?

There are many recipes to happiness – this is the one I want to mix up this week:

1) Healthy Choices – we are what we eat (and think)!  It matters what we put in our bodies…fruit, vegetables, protein ….good fats, organic, non-processed food.  Fueled by good choices our bodies function well and feel better. In concert with good eating habits is daily exercise – it tones our bodies and brings more oxygen to the brain. When we feel “good in our skin”, we sleep better and yes, we ARE happier. Another way we feed our body is with thoughts – make sure you feed yourself positive words, they will directly affect the outcome of your actions.

Tip: start with making good choices at the store. Read a book on healthy eating, don’t starve yourself, eat well-balanced yummy meals. Do exercise which is fun, get a friend to join you for a walk or a bike ride. Make a climbing date. Make the time to exercise outside! Catch the negative thoughts and replace them with positive, more powerful, life affirming words.

2) Helping Others – the best way to get out of your head or engage in self-doubt is to give back and serve others. It is the most fulfilling, satisfying activity you will ever take part in. Years ago, I co-founded a non-profit organization called The dZi Foundation helping the people I fell in love with in the Himalayas. This looks pretty good on paper, but I soon realized that helping people is small ways, everyday, is just as…if not more…important. I have often posed this question: What if everyone on earth woke up and asked “how can I help someone today?” I truly think the world would be a different place. These small acts of kindness have a ripple effect that will ultimately create profound change on a large scale. Try it and see what happens!

Tip: find a way to help someone each and every day. Perform random acts of kindness that are entirely anonymous. Donate to your favorite organization. Write a letter about an issue that moves you. Point out peoples gifts & talents to them.

3) Community – family, friends, special interest groups, church etc. We are not meant to be alone, we are social beings who feel a deep desire to belong, share ideas and values with like-minded people.  We want to belong and feel validated for our values and beliefs.

Tip: call your family members once a week, let your friends know you love them, have a pot luck, join a book group, find a place you can have the conversations that matter most to you. We have a need to be seen and heard by others…give this freely and it will be given to you!

4) Passions – What blows your skirt up? You may have heard the phrase “follow your bliss”. What are the things that excite you and make you feel most alive? This is very different for each of us. Allow your passions to change and evolve over time as you change. Remember…your passions are ‘not who you are’ – they come from a more authentic you…not your ego.  When you are passionate; you are vibrant, enthusiastic and very happy.

Tip: mix it up and try new things!  Be adventurous. Make sure you do the things you love each and every day. Notice how easy it is to put these things off for the “to do” list. Go dancing, draw a picture, write a song, sing Karaoke or climb a mountain.  See the world through the eyes of a child.

5) Contemplative Space - It is important to put aside time to tap into your spiritual, sacred and divine nature. This will be an activity that gives you the space to go inside yourself, be fully present in the moment and give you the sense of something bigger than yourself. Nature is a place where I easily feel awe and wonder for this amazing life. It is harder to take life for granted when you feel this deeper connection.

Tip: meditation, yoga, walking in nature, church, spiritual group, prayer or setting daily intentions. Practice paying attention to gratitude, abundance and appreciation. Get up a half hour early to be still.

6) Learning – keep the brain firing. Studies show it staves off disease and increases happiness. It will inspire you to remain conscious and aware of the wonders of the world. Challenge yourself to be a life long learner…never be complacent as the wonders of this world are endless.

Tip: take a class, learn a language, take music lessons, find a dance partner, join a book club, read about topics you know nothing about. Take interest in current events, make a difference on this planet, take an on line class, travel.

7) Creativity – is something that is “inspired”, it comes from the Supreme force and divine nature of the planet and of ourselves. It is present in our hearts, not our heads. You can not think it up, it will come to you when you allow yourself the space to be open.  Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself and have fun in the process.

Tip: whether you believe it or not, everyone is creative. Try things that are not familiar to you such as writing, drawing, painting, sculpting, gardening, decorating, cooking, poetry or dancing. The possibilities are endless.

Feel free to mix the ingredients and add new flavors as you go. If you find the combination that is right for you….you WILL be fulfilled and happy. If this seems challenging, I’d love to point you in the right direction!

For a free Life Coaching sample session, please give me a call! 970-623-2442. Get in on our three-month summer special. Call to inquire.

Kim Reynolds
Certified Coactive Coach

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Lessons from my Cushion

Sunday, August 9th, 2009
My Cushion

My Cushion

Upon my return from a 10-day silent retreat with 100 hours of “extreme meditation”, it dawned on me that the experience is reminiscent of coming off of a major alpine climb. Whenever I’ve come down from above, the world always looks different – or at least I am different.  Colors appear more vibrant, odors are pungent, a feeling of accomplishment resonates throughout my tired body, I’m glad it’s over and best of all, I feel very alive, acutely aware and transformed in some way. Another handy side effect is I don’t take as much for granted, loved ones feel extra dear, simple moments are precious and my dog is more happy to see me than usual!

I let go of climbing big peaks and living a more vagabond lifestyle over ten years ago and with that, part of me has felt left behind and nostalgic. Last week while sitting on my cushion learning Vipassana meditation, I began to understand the restlessness climbers experience when they attempt to replace this passion with more “responsible” options such as family and/or professions. Sometimes we don’t have a choice and the path we’ve been on is altered forever.

Balance...

Balance...

If the root cause of human suffering comes from keeping our attention on our cravings and aversions, it is easy to become miserable in the process of this obsession.  Most of us have a sense that true happiness and contentment comes from living in the present moment where the law of nature/life exists. We can know this, say the words and even believe it, but it is a monumental leap to fully live it. This is why people climb and now I understand, this is why people meditate.  Climbing is a delicate balance between mind and matter as the body experiences pain, fear and the assortment platter of suffering, the mind is constantly working to create equanimity and ease the discomfort.  I use this strong mental determination when I step up to a difficult lead and it is this discipline that commits me to sitting perfectly still on my cushion for an hour at a time, moving through each sensation as they arise, trusting they will pass. This sharpness of my mind points me towards the moment and nowhere else.

Climbers keep going back for bigger and harder climbs with the addiction to recapture this delicate edge where life feels pure and harmonious. At the point we can’t or don’t want to venture to those heights, how do we fill that glass? I am grateful for meditation, an opportunity that is available in my simple, daily life – the highs, the concentration, the challenge, the insights and the fulfillment all survive on my cushion.  I never knew it was so simple.

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N. Face Mt Sneffels, Ridgway CO

Friday, May 1st, 2009
Mt Sneffels

Mt Sneffels

The jewel of the San Juan Mountains is Mt Sneffels, a fourteener that splits the long ridge running above the skyline of Ridgway CO. It is simply breathtaking and rivals the beauty of the Tetons…at least us locals think so. I stare at this peak from the picture window of my house and have always drooled over the Snake Couloir slicing the north face in half.

Traversing into the Snake

Traversing into the Snake

On May day, they finished plowing the road to Yankee Boy basin making the peak much more accessible by four wheel drive. Sara, Megan & I headed up with the gear to climb Sneffels and ski the Snake which means you come out on the other side of the range near the Blue Lake’s trailhead. There was only one catch, we didn’t set up a shuttle or have a ride out…..yet.  On the drive in, we started to make calls to see if anyone was free to rescue three cute girls after the descent and with no luck, we started skinning up anyway with the option to ski back to the car.

We cramponed up one of the south couloirs and when we reached the summit it was a windless and beautiful – I whipped out my cell phone and to my surprise, I had coverage. I began making calls for a pick up which sounded something like this “Hi Chris, it’s Kim. I’m standing on the summit of Mt Sneffels with two other girls and we were wondering what you are doing in a couple of hours? Would you be willing to pick us up at Blue Lakes after we ski the Snake? Oh look up, you might be able to see us waiving to you.”  Sure enough, he said yes which was perfect.

Skiing near the top

Skiing near the top

To get into the couloir we used ropes to traverse a steep chute to the start of the descent since there was definite consequences below.  Once in the Snake, it is one of the most impressive big mountain, classic, kick ass lines I’ve skied. Not hard or even that steep (but steep enough to keep you on your toes)  just an awe inspiring place to be!  We skied one at a time and made the sharp curve into steeper terrain that gives this classic it’s name – also known to some as the “S” Couloir.

Chris & the Girls

Chris & the Girls

It took about three hours to ski the line and find our way out through the thick woods. We hit the road and my trusty friend Chris Whaling was waiting patiently, throwing snowballs for his dog with a six pack of beer. Big points for this dude!  Once in a while you just get lucky.

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Viva Las Vegas

Sunday, April 5th, 2009
My family visiting the world of make believe

My family visiting the world of make believe

Here’s a good one….for my 50th birthday (last December) my mom wanted to take our entire family somewhere to celebrate the fact that I had actually made it this far. The destination was to be a surprise, so you can imagine my astonishment when I found out we were going to Las Vegas  – not to climb at Red Rocks but to play in the bright lights of that overwhelming city. Yikes.  Admittedly, I’m a good sport and I choose to see the best in most situations….so being wined, dined and entertained was rather fun I have to admit.  For an avid adventurer who seeks the solace of those quiet places where nobody goes…I was shocked into the reality of the human race. A city on steroids with ‘super-size me’ written all over it. If variety is the spice of life, then that trip was Hot! But there’s no place like home….there’s no place like home…..

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Stairway to Heaven, Eureka CO

Saturday, March 21st, 2009
Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

The ice climbing season is quickly coming to an end with an unseasonably warm stretch of weather. Drat, I hate to see my favorite sport melting away.  My last climb on my San Juan backcountry tic list for this season is Stairway to Heaven outside of Silverton.  Mr. X and I had tried to climb it together but two feet of snow and high avalanche danger kept us away a few weeks before. In celebration of getting my ice climbing grrrr back, I decided to solo it. I haven’t soloed anything this long so I was excited to be there by myself with that intense presence and focus I love so much. It took a little over an hour to climb it and walk off back to my pack. The ice was soft and starting to get drippy, yup, it’s time to hang up my tools.

For me, soloing (climbing un-roped & alone) magnifies the fine line between the edge of the abyss and of life itself. As a climber, skier and kayaker…I have walked on that edge for thirty years and I have seen many friends fall off into the darkness of death. The awareness of the fragility of life is always with me.

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Bridalveil Falls, Telluride CO

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
Bridalveil Falls, Telluride CO

Bridalveil Falls

It’s been 11 years since I’ve climbed Bridalveil Falls in Telluride and back then, I didn’t lead the difficult 2nd pitch. For some reason, the climb has always intimidated me and for years it was closed, making it illegal to climb. This San Juan classic is now open to climbers and it sees ascents almost daily. It was the climb on my 50th year hit list that I most anticipated because for some unknown reason, I had decided that leading all of Bridalveil was something I didn’t want or have to do. But now that I was getting my grrr back…that perspective changed.

Mr. X and I headed up for the second shift on March 11th with a guided party ahead of us. As we walked up to the climb the beginning of the route wasn’t obvious to either of us and I kept staring at it wondering if I’d actually get on it. The party coming off happened to be good friends and we got a little beta which helped my confidence… at least I knew where to go. We got on the climb around 2:00 PM for the second shift, which was perfect.

Putting in a screw on the 2nd pitch

Putting in a screw on the 2nd pitch

This year, both the first and second pitch proved to have some interesting climbing on it and to my surprise, I actually had a lot of fun leading it.  Poor Mr. X got a scare right off the bat when I took off on the first pitch and my crampons skidded out from under me, on what we now refer to as the “gerbil ramp”. Luckily after that (not so) impressive start, I got my act together and enjoyed weaving my way through the ice on this sometimes convoluted route. As the belayer, you can only see the leader on the first few feet of each pitch – so to reassure my nervous partner, I yelled down occasionally to let Mr. X know how I was doing. I remember saying two things: “I’m having fun” and “watch me, this is tricky”, the irony being that he couldn’t actually “watch me” at all. That about sums it all up.

Kim & Mr. X

Kim & Mr. X

Climbing is an intense internal dance and I love holding it together while solving the pieces to the puzzle as I go. The complete and total focus of that moment, the camaraderie and trust of my climbing partner makes for a powerful shared experience. When Mr. X reached the top of the first pitch, we made eye contact and he said to me “who are You?”  Now that I think of it, I often wonder that myself.

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Crested Butte &The Ouray Ice Park

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Crested Butte Ski Buddy

Crested Butte Ski Buddy

Besides skiing & climbing, I love to dance and with this knowledge my girlfriend Alison invited me to the Red Lady Ball in Crested Butte. Since I love to do-it-all, going from a soft shell to a strappy red dress is my version of the perfect contrast. I even got a ‘Red Lady Transport’ from my cop friend, Mr. X (names have been changed to protect the innocent), who now also poses as my belay slave. Sweet.

Warming up in the Ice Park

Warming up in the Ice Park

After a fun night on the town, the next day proved to be one of best ski days I’ve ever had at a ski area. It didn’t hurt to get the insiders tour from Alison (my ripping ski buddy) and five other locals until my legs were absolute noodles by the end of the day.  My nearly perfect weekend ended with a backcountry ski with Mr. X’s good friend Steve before heading to Ouray that afternoon to get a lap in under the bridge in the Ice Park. My warm up for leading Bridalveil the next day.

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