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Topic Date User

TR: The Obsidian Depression (Bare Rock Projecting) 29-Aug-2016 At 11:25:46 PM PThomson

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Hehe. I was worried that this blog update might be a bit too "woe is me" (though that wasn't the point I was trying to make) for Chockstone, but I posted it anyway as most of the peeps I know from this forum in the Real World are actually very rad (even if they're occasionally d!$ks on here). I was actually hanging onto it for a while hoping to have a "win" back here in the Blueys to finish it off on a high note (with no luck there).

I'm glad you guys enjoy my blog. I love writing, and I love talking about those "million star adventure routes" in the guidebooks that everyone talks about doing, but no one ever does.

Neil and I joined forces yesterday to do a repeat of Red Edge, which totally felt "just like old times" and was an absolute blast. TR coming whenever I get around to writing it. =P

Simey - Can my blog inspire you to pull on the rock again, mate?

technogeekery - Thanks for the response, it's well thought-out and well-written. I appreciate the time you spent to reply here, mate.

All of your points are totally valid, and similar ones have joined the crescendo in my head over the last few months. I guess my experiences on The Obsidian Obsession -as a route- was a metaphor for the chaotic culmination of 8 years as an obsessed climber, and the last 2 as a professional climbing bum(bly). And the lack of success coalesced with all the other difficult life/climbing/working/future questions that I've been struggling with in increased intensity as my time in Tassie progressed.

It was a hard blow to my ego to really invest time in trying to take a big step forward in the technical difficulty of my climbing (on a route, and in a place that inspires me) -the sort of time 99.9% of climbers can never afford to expend- and then come away empty handed. Trying to swallow that pill was particularly bitter (but only for egoistic reasons). It's really forced me to consider what I really want out of my climbing, moving forward.

And you're right, mate. I have no regrets about my fortuitous journey, nor do I take it for granted. It's been bloody rad... And while I look for work back here in the Blueys, I'm inevitably climbing 5 days a week, cause I just can't stop my frothy self.

=)

- Paul