The Organic Climber – Vegetarian running, cycling, swimming, rock climbing and raw foods.

When I say epic, I mean bad! It’s crazy to think how people have begun to describe awesome adventures as epic when nothing disastrous came about. I also tend to associate the word “epic” with climbing mishaps. But really, epic adventures can happen with any sport.

This past weekend my bike ride in a way, turned epic, and it caused me to think while waiting out a thunderstorm under a gas station awning, “what would I have done if I blew a flat 30 miles from home, how would I manage to get home if I bent a rim, or what do I do when I ride into the only thunderstorm cell within miles, as I did the other day?”

When I left my apartment Friday afternoon I checked the weather on my iPhone and saw that there was zero chance of rain all day, but what I didn’t know was a storm cell was sitting just south of Austin, right where I was planning on riding. As I pedaled south I began to see the sky darken and the drops begin to fall. I thought the rain would just pass and kept riding, but it only got worse. After attempting to wait it out under an awning at a storage facility I decided to just put on a smile and enjoy a wet ride. But, before too long the rain began to fall hard and I couldn’t even see where I was going, and the rain felt like sharp needles smashing into my face. Thankfully I came upon a gas station and was able to take shelter there.

This “epic” caused me to ponder many of those questions about how to avoid the inevitable epic. So, I came up with a guide to avoiding an epic and turning your ride into the epic everybody wants to remember.

How to Avoid an Epic Bike Ride

1. Most importantly remember to have a good attitude and put on a smile. It’s amazing how much more enjoyable something can be when you just smile. I’ve had a few runs where I got rained on and I just decided to smile and enjoy it. The same can be said for many adventurous climbs I have been on. When things seem to be going bad, just adjust your mindset, smile and enjoy the ride.
2. Bring your smart phone. While waiting out the storm, I was able to check the weather and get encouragement to continue the ride from friends on Twitter. It can also be a lifesaver if you get stranded. Never leave home for a ride without a phone in hand. You never know when you might break down and need to call for help.
3. Pack a spare tire or two along with an air pump, bike tools, and a patch kit. I have all three of these in my bike bag. For an air pump I use a small CO2 bike tube inflator (along with a couple cartridges), I always have at least one spare tube along with a patch kit in case another tire goes out or I forget to replace a tire I used. The bike tool is good for minor repairs and adjustments.Note: After writing this post I was on another ride and blew out TWO tires. But, it wasn’t because I hit something again. It was because I did not check the tire itself to remove any debris that had come through the tire. Also, make sure that you check for more than one foreign object. I also patched a hole in the second blow out and found a shard of metal in the tire, but what I didn’t know was I had a second piece of metal in the tire, so when I aired the tire back up, air began to leak immediately. At this point I had to call for help since I had used my last CO2 cartridge. Thankfully I had my cell phone!
4. Know how to make minor adjustments to your bike. Merely bringing the tools to fix your bike isn’t going to help if you don’t know how to make minor adjustments. Most bike adjustments are very easy to make. There are plenty of good books on the subject of bike repair, and simple Google searches will help you learn all you need to know.
5. Know your route. Before leaving for a ride study the road maps and know exactly where you are going. This will ensure you don’t end up riding on dangerous roads. Google Maps has a bike direction feature that is nice for planning one-way bike routes. It will even highlight bicycle routes if they exist. If you plan on riding on busier roads, make sure you ride in groups. This will ensure you are more visible to motorists and it will also force them to go around you rather than passing as close to you as possible. Google Pedometer is another great resource for planning routes. It seems to be resource not many people know about. There are even Firefox Plugins that allow you to export your route into GPX format and import it into your GPS. You can even pull up a USGS topographical map.
6. Check the weather! This is one I learned the hard way. Even though the local weather might say there is a zero percent chance of rain, it would be wise to check the radar to make sure there are no storm cells along the route you plan to ride. If you do perceive a chance of rain it would be wise to pick another route, or come prepared with a raincoat and good attitude.
7. Ride with friends. It’s always better to ride in groups. There is safety in numbers, and if you break down there will be somebody there to help you. If you are new to riding and don’t know any other riders yet, just call your local bike shop. Most of them have several group rides a week. Here in Austin, there are SEVERAL bike shops, and all of them have weekly rides. It’s a great way to meet fellow cyclists and find riding partners. Riding with groups is also fun. You will learn more about the sport and other riders will challenge you to become a stronger rider.
8. Let others know where you are going, and carry an ID. In the event of an accident you will want to be identified so that your emergency contact can be called. There are even great products such as Road ID that you can wear while riding that display your name and emergency contact number. Letting a loved one know where you are going and when you will be back will also ensue your safety if a break down occurs when you are not riding with a group. I also recommend carrying a few dollars or a credit card.
9. Stay hydrated and stay fed. When going on long rides it’s very important to stay hydrated and consume small amounts of easily digestible food. This is especially important in the warmer months, as dehydration can easily occur. Without proper hydration and fuel, your body will shut down and your ride will be over. You should be consuming 8-10 ounces of water ever 15 minutes during exercise. If you will be on a ride lasting longer than 90 minutes you should be consuming a drink with electrolytes. It’s also important to hydrate yourself before the ride. I can tell you from experience, dehydration is not fun. So, make sure you drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes.

A lot of these tips even translate into running, as well as climbing. If you play it smart you are sure to have a safe adventure.

Although my ride was somewhat epic, I had a great time. The town of Buda looked pretty cool. Next time I take this route, I will probably make a day out of it and take the 45 mile route out to San Marcos.

Cross Training, Cycling, Running by OrganicClimber
cycling, epic, Running, safety
3 comments

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First of all, it’s important to understand why nuts are healthy and good for you. Next to hemp seed protein, nuts are one of the best plant sources of protein available. They are also rich in fiber and antioxidants. Additionally, nuts are high in fat – the good kind! They contain mostly omega 3 fats (most nuts), which are great for reduction of inflammation and helping metabolize fat, this is very important for athletes.

Almonds are one of the post popular nuts and are especially high in vitamin B2, fiber and antioxidants. Almonds are the most nutritious nut of all. Walnuts are also a very healthy nut, and highly beneficial to athletes. They are rich in B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. They also help retain electrolyte levels, which is important to help athletes stay hydrated.

Now that you know some of the health benefits of nuts it’s time to learn how to include more of them into your daily diet. It should be noted though that since nuts are high in calories they should serve as a replacement food, and not an addition to our daily caloric intake.

1. Snacks: Everybody loves snacks, but often times we tend to choose unhealthy options. Making healthy choices can be difficult when vending machines are readily available and clients bring good into the office. Nuts are great to keep around your desk to curb those hunger cravings. Seasoned nuts make for an very tasty snack, there are many store bought options, but most are not raw. You can make your own raw, seasoned nuts, at home; just check out my recipes here.
2. Nut Butters: Almond butter is pretty much a staple food in my diet, I often put it in my smoothies or spread it over a piece of Ezekiel bread, topped with banana and occasionally agave nectar. Cashew butter is considered a delicacy in my book, but can be easily made at home if you have a high-speed blender such as the Vita-Mix.
3. Raw Deserts: You would be surprised at how many delicious raw deserts are out there that involve nuts. Susan over at Rawmazing has a new book out full of delicious raw deserts; it’s well worth checking out. There are also plenty of great raw food (and a few cooked) recipes on the site.
4. Energy Bars: Nuts are a great source of complex carbs and protein, and are easily consumed in the form of an energy bar. Check out the recipes I have here on my blog. There are also plenty of store bought raw energy bars, but it’s much more cost effective to make your own if you can find the time.
5. Almond Milk: Easy to make, and highly nutritious! Simply blend up 1 cup of almonds to 3 cups of water and strain through a milk bag or fine cheesecloth and you have your self a highly nutritious non-dairy beverage that is great in smoothies, with granola, or as a simple morning drink. You can also sweeten your nut milk by using dates, stevia, or agave nectar. Almond milk is also a great substitute for dairy and soy products to use in your tea or coffee. Store bought almond milk is also a good alternative.

The Benefits of Soaking Nuts

Soaking nuts before you consume them is very important. Nuts have a natural enzyme inhibitor that makes them more difficult to digest. Soaking nuts (and seeds) neutralizes the enzyme inhibitor and makes them easier to digest. Additionally the amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and essential fatty acids your body can absorb increases. Soaked nuts are simply put, more nutritious.

Soaking Times

• Almonds            8-12 hours (the only nuts that sprout*)
• Cashews            2.5 hours
• Walnuts            4 hours
• All others          6 hours

Although these nuts sprout, you will not see tails. They only swell.

Feel free to share your favorite nutty recipes here. Also, be sure to check back on future Fridays for great nutty recipes.

Nutty Friday, RAW Food by OrganicClimber
almonds, cashews, healthy, macadamia nuts, nuts, omega-3, pecans, RAW Food, raw nuts
7 comments

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Since I started dating my current fiancée we started off our relationship long distance, so my opportunities to go climbing had decreased since we were spending our weekends together. But, this past weekend we both packed up the Subaru and drove north to the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas for a weekend of climbing. It had been several months since my last trip up there; so needless to say, I was pretty psyched to get back up to the climbing area I had been helping to develop.

The biggest downside to the trip was having a nine-hour drive, as opposed to the five-hour drive from Dallas that I was accustomed to. But, having an awesome traveling companion helped the trip go by fast. We even had a dine-in rest stop along the way and still arrived at the mountain with plenty of daylight left.

Upon arriving at the campsite, we promptly threw on the climbing pack and headed down to the climbing area. Our friends Gary and Mark had already been there, and passed us on our way down. Gary was grabbing new batteries for the drill to install bolts at the top of a couple of new routes, so we waited at the top of the cliff for him to return and enjoyed the views. Despite the cloudy haze over the mountains it was an enjoyable sight, with crisp pine scented air. After Gary arrived back at the top of the cliff he drilled holes for two routes and installed the bolts on one of the routes. After he finished up we headed back to camp to set up the tent and make dinner.

Upon unpacking the gear to make dinner I realized I was missing the hose line to the propane tank for my Coleman stove, so we ended up having to use my backpacking stove to make our quesadillas. The two-cheese blend along with a Texas style hot sauce made for a scrumptious meal. My evening meals are typically my only cooked meal while camping. For breakfast I will usually eat fruit and sometimes pack a smoothie for the first morning, and I will snack on fruit and nuts throughout the day.

The next morning we arose early, Kristy hadn’t slept a wink so decided to go for a hike, rather than risk poor judgment on the climbing wall. This weekend trip to the crag was the first weekend we had newcomers come out to enjoy the fruits of our development. It was fun watching other climbers enjoy (and struggle on) our established routes.

Most people stuck to moderate climbs, I opted to re-climb a moderate 5.7, that was the first climb I established, but ended on a 5.8 climb to the right. I ended up failing on the send though. I couldn’t commit to the crux move. Even though it was well protected with a number six Black Diamond Camelot, my mental game was not there. Gary then finished the route for me and I cleaned on top rope, sending past the crux move without a problem. Had I been consistently lead climbing for the past few months I’m sure I would have pulled the move on lead.

After about a half hour of resting I ended up climbing an easy 5.6, mixed trad and sport route. It was a climb I had never been on before and is probably the most well protected climb at the crag. I sent the climb without any problems. Compared to the rest of the climbing area this one is over bolted, which was great for me seeing as how I hadn’t lead in quite a while.

The next climb I did was Spearhead Arete, an FA (as the second) for the trip. Gary was celebrating his 50^th birthday and wasn’t going to let the weekend slip away without another FA under his belt. Having finished the route, his belayer offered me the follow. I respectfully tried to decline, but ended up being on rope. The climb was a 5.10a that was fairly sustained and started off with a heel hook move onto a ledge. After pulling onto the ledge you have to move around the corner of the arête and work your way up on delicate feet. After moving further up you can either move around the arête again and pull a roof using an under cling, or you can go straight up on small holds and no feet, only smearing. I made a few attempts at the overhang, but ended up going up the face, spearing on the lichen covered wall, just praying my feet didn’t slip out from under me.

Upon making it to the top Gary and I set up a top rope and let others be a part of the FA ascent. Three other climbers made there way up the route, thus getting their name in the guidebook as Gary’s Birthday Bash FA for Spearhead Arête. After finishing up this climb we made our way north to the most newly developed climbing area. While other climbers enjoyed a couple more hours of sends I decided to go back up to the campsite and join Kristy who was back from her hike.

That evening we enjoyed a “dump”, which was basically crab boil, shrimp, snow peas and venison all boiled together. I occasionally will eat seafood so took place in enjoying the dump, sans venison of course. I did end up with a small stomachache though, likely from the juices of the venison. The food was delicious though, and beers enjoyed by all. A lot of the climbers stayed up later into the night around a campfire, but Kristy and I retired fairly early due to a sleepless nigh for her. Sadly, that night ended up being somewhat sleepless for me, as I tossed and turned all night.

The next morning we got off to a late start and arrived at the base of the cliff around 9:30 a.m. after lots of bushwhacking through trees and bushes. It was hard for me to find my way around with all the overgrowth of trees. The last time I had been out there was during the late winter, so finding my way around was easy.

Upon arriving at the wall a couple of climbers were already on their way out but had a rope on a climb I had established earlier that year, so Kristy and I decided to make this our first climb of the day. Kristy made it up the route without a problem – not bad for a girl who hasn’t climbed in over two years. After finishing the route I jumped on and had another fellow climber give Kristy a lesson on belaying, seeing as how we will be climbing a lot more in the future.

The climb was slightly different than I remember, but the crux move was a layback with a toe jam into the crack. After making this move you sling a tree growing out of the rock, grab the tree, layback and pull a tiny roof. After this, the route is pretty much over, only two moves left to the anchors. The fist ascent was a ground up establishment though, so the anchors ended up being in a slightly different place than where the route actually finished.

After finishing this route, we move into the shade and watched others take turns climbing Natural Ice, a 5.8 dihedral with a V0 start. The climb got its name last January when we attempted to ice climb. The dihedral was iced over very well, but nobody was able to make it to the top. But, that is the reason for the climb’s name, “Natural Ice.” After the other climbers finished I had my turn and grunted my way up the sustained 5.8 climb. It’s definitely not something I would have wanted to lead that weekend. I’m just glad I was able to make it up and not be humiliated by a climb that is well under the grade I am capable of.

After finishing up Natural Ice it was time to head home, so Kristy and I made our way back to camp and broke everything down. Before leaving I took a “hobo shower” from the well pump next to camp. I always try to do this before leaving sense the rock here is so dirty; I always finish up with my arms and face covered in dirt and lichen. Cleaning up before leaving makes for a more enjoyable drive home.

The drive home seemed to take a lot longer, but perhaps that was because half the drive was after dark. It feels good to be back home in Austin though and getting back to work. Well, working on getting work is a better way to put it, but I’m really enjoying live here and I’m glad I can call Austin home now. Really, the only down side to living here is that I’m further away from some of my favorite climbing areas, but I’m sure I will grow to love the climbing areas around here, not to mention the great cycling routes, and greenbelt access

Climbing, Trip Reports by OrganicClimber
arkansas, camping, ozark national forest, rock climbing, sport, trad
5 comments

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Wow, I’m so sore today after spending the weekend in Arkansas, climbing and bushwhacking through the overgrown brush on the trail. I’m cut (from thorns), bruised (from the rock), and tender all over from climbing the steep lichen covered rock. I haven’t been climbing as much lately so this fun weekend really did me in. But, despite beat down feeling I have decided to bring you a new smoothie recipe.

After a trip to HEB last night we came back with lots of nectarines, one of my favorite fruits. I also had some mangos left over from the pervious week that were not ripe enough to dry for the climbing trip; but, upon returning home they were the perfect ripeness for a smoothie. So, this morning I tossed a couple of nectarines in the blender along with a mango and two bananas, and came up with a delicious smoothie.

The Recipe

• 2 fresh, ripe nectarines
• 1 small mango
• 2 bananas
• 4 TBS of agave nectar
• Optional: greens and, or protein powder
• Ice
• Note: Serves Two

Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend. For super blending power, check out the VitaMix blender, it’s my FAVORITE kitchen tool. Using the link on my web site you get free shipping and I earn a small commission.

RAW Food, Smoothie Tuesday by OrganicClimber
banana, fresh, mango, nectarine, RAW, raw smoothie, smoothie, Vita-MIx, vitamix, Vitamix discount
1 comment

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There is no better way to fuel your adventures than with raw foods! Whether you are a climber, a runner, a cyclist or backpacker – raw foods are the optimal source of energy. Just a few years ago you would have found me at the climbing area with a bag full of gummy bears, orange slices (not the fruit, the candy) and maybe a peanut butter sandwich. I have even heard other climbers and hikers refer to these sugary snacks as energy. Sure, they may provide a quick boost and large amount of calories; but, it will quickly wear off. Additionally, these types of snacks are void of any real nutritional value.

When fueling your adventure, you want to give your body the most nutrient rich, easily digestible food possible. Foods high in calories and carbohydrates are going to be your best option. This is important so your body doesn’t start burning protein as a source of energy, thus reducing your bodies’ ability to build up muscle tissue. It’s crucial that your body burn fat as a source of energy, not muscle.

Most importantly though, simple carbohydrates are the best source of “quick” fuel available. They are easy to digest and provide a quick release of energy. These simple carbohydrate foods are what Brendan Brazier calls a one-step nutrient; they can be directly used as fuel by the body.

Foods rich in simple carbohydrates
Bananas
Dates
Mangos
Pineapples
Berries

Another reason to focus on simple carbohydrate foods as fuel, is that your body requires the least amount of energy to process, thus providing your body with more energy by conserving energy during digestion. Your goal is to gain the most amount of energy with the least amount of food, also the goal of the Thrive Diet.

When climbing or hiking my favorite simple carbohydrate foods to pack in my bag are: dates, bananas, and dehydrated mangoes. Really, the mangoes would be better fresh because they help in maintaining hydration, but when dehydrated they are lighter and easier to carry.

Fueling your adventure when running or cycling with these clunky fruits can be a bit more difficult, but have no fear. There is a great solution. I have developed my own energy bars, raw “shot bloks”, and energy gel to help fuel your endurance sport. Below is a list of recipes I have posted throughout the blog that use dates and agave nectar as the primary source of fuel. They also contain a small amount of protein as well.

Recipes to fuel your endurance sport, hiking or climbing trip
- Raw Shot Bloks
- Raw Energy Bars
- Raw Energy Gel (this recipe is coming soon, I thought I had posted it already)

Another favorite of mine that is easy to make if you have a food dehydrator is my raw buckwheat treats. These tasty snacks are actual full of both complex and simple carbs that will help provide you with longer lasting energy. A quick note on complex carbs; these are essential for providing high-quality protein but take longer to process and are not as readily available as energy to our body.

Climbing, Cross Training, Cycling, Health & Fitness, RAW Food by OrganicClimber
complex carbohydrates, cycling, energy, RAW Food, Running, simple carbohydrates
4 comments

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This past Saturday, I went on my first bike ride since moving to Austin. I teamed up with a group ride that left from Mellow Johny’s bike shop in downtown Austin – the shop is owned by Lance Armstrong. I was torn between two different rides they offered, one of them being a slower paced ride that explored the bike routes of Austin, the other being a faster paced ride that leads you outside of town through the scenic hill country. I ended up opting for the second ride, because I figured I would be bored riding 12 mph and having to wait for people every few blocks. I’m very glad I chose the faster ride, we ended up getting back from our 35 mile ride around the same time the other group got back from their 15 mile ride.

The ride left from the bike shop in downtown Austin and headed out west, down Bee Cave road. The highway eventually ends up in the town of Bee Cave where we turned around. I don’t know the exact distance for the trip out, because I accidently paused RunKeeper at one of the stops. The ride was a “no drop ride”, meaning that no rider is left behind. We had about three stops total through the course of the trip.

Coming from North Texas, I expected the hills to be a bit of a challenge, but surprisingly I found myself doing fairly well. I never had any problems making it up the hills, and often times I was at the head of the pack going up the hills. I did however end up getting passed on a few of them towards the top of the hill. I am definitely not as efficient at attacking the hills as I could be. I’m sure I will learn though the more I ride. Throughout the course of the ride we had well over 2,00 feet of elevation gain.

The scenery was amazing too. It beats riding down the flat lands of North Texas. The surroundings themselves make the ride more enjoyable. I can hardly wait until the next ride. I look forward to trying out other routes and pressing my limits. I’ve already been tempted to upgrade my bike to a carbon frame after visiting another local bike shop and learning of the advantages a carbon frame brings. During this trip the faster people in the group had a max average speed of 18.5 mph. On a carbon frame I would probably easily be riding 21+ mph. However, with climbing and running being a huge hobby of mine too, I’m unsure if I will ever make that investment.

To fuel my ride I consumed a delicious smoothie and drank lots of water. I did however feel lacking in the energy department during the ride. I felt I would have performed a lot better had I brought a little bit of food with me. On my next long ride I will be sure to pack some raw snacks with me. I had planned on doing that for this ride, but never got around to making anything.

The bike community here is pretty huge. There are numerous bike lanes and excellent bike routes. Just check out this bike route map of the city. I plan on riding my bike around town for general commuting purposes a lot on the near future. The first week I spent just getting used to being here and this week it has been raining every day. Hopefully, I will begin my bike commuting habit very soon.

I am very excited to live in such a bike friendly city. Not only do I look forward to more bike commuting, but getting plugged into that community and meeting other people that are passionate about cycling and bike commuting.

Cross Training, Cycling by OrganicClimber
austin, bee cave, biking, community, cycling, hill country, ride, texas
1 comment

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Colorado, is and always will be my favorite place to visit. I still hope to live there one day, but for now the amazing town of Austin, TX will have to do. The final installation of this trip report is long overdue. I’m glad I have finally found the time to pound it out. This report is very photo heavy, so I hope you enjoy it.

The day after we climbed the First Flatiron in Boulder we had planned on climbing Lumpy Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park the next day, but decided to opt for a rest day instead. We did bring our climbing gear with us though in case we changed our mind. For our rest day, we spent some time in a Starbucks in Estes Park going over our plans for climbing Ellingwood Arete on the Crestone Needle. After enjoying a cup of decent java we decided to drive the famous Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous highway in the United States, more than eight miles of the road stretch between 11,000′ and 12,183′. The road provides spectacular scenic views of the Rocky Mountains, including the Continental Divide! It was a blast driving the gentle grades and broad curves in my Subaru Outback. I love it when I get to drive roads like this because it allows me to take advantage of the fly-wheel shifting.

We had originally planned on only driving to the top of the road and turning back at the gift shops and restaurant at the peak elevation, but we ended up driving the entire length of the highway. It was truly an enjoyable experience though to see such majestic mountain views form a highway that was contracted between 1926 and 1932. I don’t know why exactly, but for some reason I love driving long distances, especially in the mountains. I think it’s because there is some skill involved to it and you always have to be acutely aware of what you are doing.

While on one hand, I was a little bummed we didn’t climb this day. the Trail Ridge road experience was something to remember. I would definitely recommend it to anybody visiting Rocky Mountain National Park or Estes Park. There are also a few pullouts along the way to hike to take pictures, and hike to the top of ridges. We ended up stopping on four different occasions to check out the views. Two of them were forced stops though due to road construction. If you are not familiar with road construction on two-lane roads in the mountains; only one lane at a time gets by. This means one lane is completely stopped while another side of traffic is coming through. It can often result in long waits. It was enjoyable though, as it allowed us to get out of the car, take pictures, and hike around.

Crestone Needle and Ellingwood Arete

The final portion of the trip was climbing Ellingwood Arete on the Crestone Needle in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In the end, we wished we had planned this climb at the beginning of our trip. To make a long story short, we were tired at the end of the trip and weather was iffy. We got rained on towards the top of the hike in and the weather forecast was calling for up to 50% chance of rain in town, depending on what source you checked. So we ended up deciding to not Summit the fourteener. We did however have an enjoyable hike in to the South Colony Lakes and an overnight stay.

The hike in ended up being easier than expected. We heard the four wheel drive trail was closed and we would have to hike in six miles. But upon arriving we discovered that only two miles of the trail was closed, so we were able to take the Subaru slowly up to the first 4 wheel drive trail parking lot. From there we had to hike (4 miles) because of trail closure, but it was a good thing, because the Subaru would not have made it up that portion of the trail without blowing a tire.

It was a fairly easy four mile hike in to the South Colony lakes at the base of Crestone Needle. Once we reached the upper 4 wheel drive parking lot it was only a 1.5 mile hike in. We ended up getting rained on about a mile into the hike and the clouds continued to hang around until we went to bed that night. Thus the reason why we called off our ascent. I was a little bummed though when we made our hike back to the car the next day, rain free.

It was well worth spending the night at the base of the Crestone Needle though, the views were spectacular, and seeing the peak bathed in morning sunlight was a splendid experience. Even though we did not summit it was just enjoyable to be in the backcountry away from everything. The only part that sucked about the trip was the marmot infestation around our campsite. I think it was largely due to my irresponsible behavior of taking a leak close to our campsite. The marmots hung around digging in the ground for what seemed like eternity. I would keep scaring them off, but they would just return. One of them also tore a hole in my MSR tent while on a short hike and chewed on my backpack. So, lesson learned; ALWAYS remember to use the restroom at least 200 feet away from your campsite.

My partner and I do plan on returning to Ellingwood Arete for an ascent. I have wanted to bag this fourteener since I first heard about it last summer. The peak looked way more daunting from the base than any photo we saw. We plan on climbing as much run out multi pitch we can though to prepare for our return. Hopefully we will be able to go back next summer. I have also wanted to bag more alpine ascents since my first on the North Face of Longs Peak.

Also, don’t forget to become my friend on Facebook.

Climbing, Trip Reports by OrganicClimber
backpacking, Colorado, crestone needle, ellingwood arete, Estes Park, mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, sangre de cristo, trail ridge road
No comments

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Whenever people ask me what blender I suggest, I always tell them the Vita-Mix 5200, and this was even long before I was an affiliate (offering free shipping). In my opinion there is no other option if you are going to be making smoothies every day. There are numerous reasons for getting a Vita-Mix 5200, so I have composed a list of reasons to make the investment.

1. Ease of use – It’s just simpler. Just this morning I was trying to make a smoothie using my old Cuisinart blender that my fiancé currently has at her apartment. It was a very difficult process. Ever so often, I would have to stop the blender, take a spoon, and push the fruit back down into the blades. That is rarely ever needed when using the Vita-Mix. The base of the hopper is wide and the blades are flat. Things just blend well in the Vita-Mix! The two horsepower motor will pretty much blend rocks. This ends up being a huge time saver too, as blending your smoothie will only take seconds – and is fuss free!
2. Tamp it down – There are occasions where you will want to blend a large amount of fruit or create something like a sorbet, or a smoothie without much fluid to help the blades turn and process the contents of the hopper. The Vita-Mix comes equipped with a tamper that can be used to press down the contents without having to stop the blender. This is something other commercial grade blenders don’t offer. This again makes for an easier smoothie making experience.
3. Making breads – With a Vita-Mix you can easily knead sprouts and grains to make bread. I have made a couple of different raw breads using the Vita-Mix.
4. Chopping Nuts – The Vita-Mix 5200 is a variable speed blender that allows you to perform tasks such as chopping nuts. I have used this a couple of times to chop nuts for energy bars. It’s also good for creating things like almond flower and grinding flax seed to powder.
5. Breaking down the cell wall – With it’s two horsepower motor, the Vita-Mix blender will break down the cell wall of fruits and vegetables, releasing a plethora of nutrients otherwise not available from chewing.
6. Overall health – Owning a Vita-Mix blender will improve your overall health and well-being. Because of it’s ease of use you will find yourself making delicious smoothies and other wonderful recipes a lot more frequently. The only time I ever don’t make a smoothie for breakfast is when I meet eat at a restaurant with friends. As a result of owning this wonderful machine you will be giving your body wonderful nutrients provided by raw foods.
7. It’s easy to clean – The hopper is not dishwasher safe, but is very easy to clean. Simply place some dish soap in the container, fill half way with water, and blend on high power for a few seconds to a couple minutes and your container is clean.

If you are still using a conventional blender I would strongly encourage you to invest in a commercial grade blender; especially if you are making smoothies on a daily basis. The machine comes with a 7-year warranty. It’s guaranteed to work like new for seven years. For somebody consuming a large amount of raw foods daily and using a blender regularly, performance and a long lasting piece of equipment is key.

Before purchasing my Vita-Mix I did A LOT of research because of the price tag, but I firmly believe I made the right decision. I have never regretted it.

RAW Food, Smoothie Tuesday by OrganicClimber
5200, food, RAW, smoothie, Smoothie Tuesday, Vita-MIx, vitamix
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Nutty Friday, RAW Food, Recipes by OrganicClimber
cashew, cashews, lemon, nuts, pepper, RAW, seasoned, seasoning
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One aspect of health I think a lot of people forget about is their career. You might be asking yourself, what does my career have to do with my health? Well, way more than you might think. There are many aspects of health and well being that are tied to your career or vocation.

Currently, you might just have a  “job.” By this I mean, you go into work, you punch the clock, perform your duties, and then leave. You may even be great at what you do, but on the inside you are miserable. It’s possible you are even in a job where you don’t even like what you are doing. There are lots of people out there who merely have a job. But, having a “vocation” is what you really want.

Those individuals that have a vocation, or vocational calling will be more likely to succeed in their work. They will be happier and healthier individuals, overall. If we remain in jobs we hate, we cause our bodies unwanted and unneeded stress. When our bodies are stressed our immune system is weakened (after prolonged periods of time) and we become more susceptible to sickness. Additionally, we end our days feeling drained and lack the desire for physical activity, often. Although, I do believe you can be dissatisfied in your job and be very active physically – in fact, I encourage it.

I believe that our overall happiness is vitally important to our health.  Additionally, our health suffers as a result. Brendan Brazier in his book Thrive states, “Stressed people do not burn body fat as fuel as efficiently as do those who are not stressed.” As a result we have a lack of energy and our bodies don’t operate as efficiently as they could be.

Stress is also linked to one of the leading causes of illness, so why would you remind in a job that is taking a toll on your health? I know a lot of people will say that their job is secure or that they have to provide for their family. Aside from the fact that simply isn’t true these days, what good is having a secure job if it brings you misery and affects your well being at home and your overall health? It’s only a matter of time too before your body just can’t take the stress anymore and begins to break down and sickness sets in.

Stress can also lead to adrenal fatigue, which can lead to all sorts of health related issues. The most noticeable problem though will be a lack of energy. The adrenal glands control our energy levels, amount other things. Most of the recommendations to overcome adrenal failure involve diet, but many do not. Some suggestions are, getting more sleep, exercising, eliminating negative people in our life, and laughing. I would venture to say that you could throw in worthwhile career in there as well.

There is no reason you can’t be working in a job you love, and I truly believe that by doing so you will be a happier and healthier person. For the past several months I have been doing a lot of reading, including Dan Miller’s 48 Days to the Work you Love and No More Monday’s, Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crush It as well as other blogs and success stories of people who have stepped out in faith and pursued the career of their dreams.

I recently underwent career counseling with Kent Julian of Live it Forward and something he said was so simple, yet made so much sense to me. At the time I was working a job where I was good at what I did but hated the job itself, and to an extent did not like some of the work. But, Kent said it was like I was writing with my left hand (I am right handed). I can perform the job just fine, but it’s difficult, painful and the work that comes from it is not the best it could be. When working with your right hand, you are in a job you are passionate about, it’s where your best work will be performed and the place you will be most successful. Think about the richest people in the world. Do you think Steve Jobs or Bill Gates hated computers? Hell no! They loved computers and were passionate about the work the produced.

I firmly believe that our work will directly affect our overall health. I am currently into day three of self-employment and loving every minute of it. I have slept until 8 a.m. all three mornings (and woken up naturally without an alarm) and have been feeling more energized as a result of not waking up at 6 a.m. I am currently working on drumming up clients for design and web work, focusing on blogging more and working on a startup business selling raw snack foods and energy bars. I love the work I am doing now, and I firmly believe I will be successful because I am able to pour myself into what I am doing.

If you are currently feeling beat down by your job and have been thinking about making a career change or even going into business for yourself, I HIGHLY recommend you read the books mentioned above. I also suggest career counseling with Kent. It was a life changing experience for me. For the longest time fear had gripped me and kept me from moving forward, but Kent inspired me to go for what I really wanted since I was a little kid. Although you may think the career coaching is expensive, I assure you his fees are 1/3 the cost of other career coaches out there. If you decide to use his services, be sure to tell him I sent you. I promise, it will be well worth the investment.

I will also leave you with a few tips on how to pursue work that will bring joy and good health into your life.

Define where you are going – Figure out where you want to go. Make sure the work you pursue lines up with your passions and skill sets. Don’t settle for another job doing the same thing you currently do. For the longest time I continued to seek out jobs doing the exact same thing I used to do, but for a different company. Narrowing things down also helps with your job hunt. You won’t waste time applying for jobs that are not even a good fit.

Figure out your strengths – Take some strength finding assessments such as DISC and StrengthsFinder 2.0. They will help you figure out your strong points. To some it may be a surprise; to others it will confirm what affirm what you already know. Use this to encourage you and guide you in the type of work that will help you pursue a vocational calling.

Plan ahead – Work hard to plan your career move, especially if you will be going into business for yourself. You will want to have a good bit of money saved up before starting. Or build your business on top of your current job until you get to a point you can leave.

Ignore the road blocks – Just because you encounter a hindrance to your pursuit doesn’t mean you aren’t called to that. Years ago when trying to start up my photography business full time I gave up because I couldn’t get private health insurance. In hindsight, that was the dumbest thing I ever did. I know that if I pursued that diligently I would have succeeded and insurance would not have been a big deal. I could have easily saved money to pay for expenses that came up. Accept the challenges ahead of you, and don’t back down just because things get difficult. This is probably the most important piece of advice I can give.

Work with a career coach – This was the best thing I ever did. Working with Kent helped define my strengths and figure out what type of work I should be doing. Career coaching basically put a supped up engine and gave me the traction needed to go roaring off into the right direction. I’m happier than I have ever been before.

Read, read, read – Get inspired by what others have done. It’s the main thing that is keeping me going right now in my business pursuits. Anything you want to learn now days can be found in a book, e-book, or blog. So, get to reading and start dreaming up your big career change. There is no reason you shouldn’t be happy in your work.

Be Proactive – This is VERY important, especially when seeking out clients or a new job. Before the last job I held, I spent five years off and on looking for new work, and it took me that long to finally find something. The reason why it took so long is that I wasn’t proactive. There is no way you are going to differentiate yourself by firing off resume after resume. You have to create what Kent Julian describes as Top of Mind Awareness. You want the person doing the hiring to see your name at least three times. This means you have to do a lot more than just sending a resume. You have to make phone calls, send letters, write emails, etc. Do whatever it takes to bring your name to the top. Also, do your best to get the name of the person making the actual decision (and contact them). It my take a little work to find this information, but chances are if you try hard enough you will find it. This diligence will be seen by the person making the hiring decision. Lately I have hard a lot of horror stories in the news about people who have been out of work for over a year. Well, chances are they are not being very proactive in their job hunt.

Health & Fitness by OrganicClimber
career, health, vocation, well-being
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