In 1994, one of my friends first introduced me to mountain climbing. I started out in a climbing gym, but soon made plans to go outdoors. We went for a week down to Red River Gorge in Kentucky and climbed for the entire week. I love the challenge of the climb, and the feeling of accomplishment and serenity as you make it to places that you know very few people have ever been to. I also love the challenge of solving the routes; it is fun to try different climbs up the same routes and to challenge yourself to use different holds and moves. I climbed quite frequently for several years - reaching around a 5.11 level, but then my schedule got pretty hectic and I had to cut back.
Near the end of 1998, I started climbing regularly again and did many trips. There was an excellent trip to Garden of the Gods where I led a totally exposed multi-pitch climb on the edge of a flake. It was an incredible feeling and view. Shortly after, my brother and I did another ten day climbing trip to Joshua Tree. I reached around a 5.12 level, but then got hooked on another sport. Lather, rinse, repeat.
I have done all types of climbing - top roping, sport, and traditional climbing; in all types of environments. This includes mountaineering, mixed routes and ice climbing. Currently, I feel pretty comfortable leading 5.9 routes, and can climb 5.10/5.11 routes. I have climbed in many great areas; Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, California, Oregon, Canada, and Washington in the states; and many locations oversees.
I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had to climb. Here are a few pics of some of those opportunities. In this pic, I am doing a my first lead climb at Joshua Tree in California. My little brother and I flew out to visit a friend in Los Angeles and headed south to the Mojave Desert to do some camping and climbing.
Back when I was really in practice, my brother and I did some free climbing around ledges and overhangs in Kentucky. (This was after we had already climbed it many times with ropes.)
Here is an interesting view. This is looking down from a 5.9+ climb in Tennessee.
To anyone who is interested in climbing, I suggest looking into a local climbing gym. While learning the ropes there, (pardon the pun) you will meet other climbers who will most likely be looking for someone to climb with.