Simple Tips for Driving and Flying Green

I spend a ton of time driving to and from climbing spots, and flying to and from climbing spots. There are a few simple practices that I have adopted in my travels to help my traveling become a bit greener.

1. Keep my own coffee mug in the car. That way when I stop at Starbucks to get coffee, they can use my mug, and not use their paper cups.

2. Use Google Maps on my cell phone. Almost every cell phone has the ability to either download a Google Maps app or connect to Google Maps. Use your phone to get Google Maps directions to your destination rather that printing out all the directions and maps. It saves a ton of paper!

3. Bring an empty reusable water bottle to the airport. You can’t bring water through security, but you can bring an empty bottle! That way when you get into the terminal, you can fill your bottle up at the water fountain and save having to buy and use a plastic bottle of water at one of the airport stores!

Nothing fancy about it, but every little bit counts!

Happy Adventuring!

Brandon Hensinger

Ascent Adventure Consultants- Bringing Adventure to Life

Reel Rock

We just signed the contract to host the Reel Rock Film Festival this fall in the Triangle area. More details to follow.

Reel Rock

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

TAKE ACTION: Obama to Increase Appropriations for Public Land??

Because the past 8 years has left public land managers and forest managers with meager funds to maintain trail management teams, search and rescue teams, and more, there has been limited access to some of the country’s most beautiful and precious outdoor recreation resources, for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and camping. Understandably so, since without the infrastructure to support this type of land use, the land managers have no choice but to restrict the activities. This is something that the Access Fund specifically targets and works on with these land managers, however the Federal Government has made it extremely difficult because ultimately they are the ones providing the lack of funding.

BUT NOW THE GOOD NEWS….

Barack Obama, along with promoting an excellent energy plan, and making the oil companies use their windfall profits to help consumers, is also planning on increasing appropriations for public land….and therefore will most likely help to give access to many, many areas.

Their administration needs our support to get this done. Please visit Outdoor Alliance and choose to Take Action, and send letters (via the website) to Barack Obama, to help open up access to these public lands.

Along with a better energy management and energy use system, the funds that are going to be provided to these land managers will help conservation of our natural resources, including “roadless areas” that will be protected. This country is taking a turn in the right direction!

Thank you and Happy Climbing

Brandon Hensinger

Ascent Adventure Consultants- Sustainable Rock Climbing in North Carolina

The Government….Becoming Greener?

Today, I posted my first of many blog postings on WholeTravel.com. Whole Travel is a GREAT resource that, per their website “is for researching and booking directly with the world’s best green hotels and resorts. We’ve searched the globe and put our findings into a streamlined site so that you can start and finish your travel planning in one place.”

A few months ago, I read an article about the state of North Carolina allowing mining and development that will greatly impact the state’s streams and wetlands. Many people and organizations protested, but to no avail. It looks like the permits will be granted. Read the info here.

Then, like a breath of fresh air, this morning I read an article on USA Today that was very encouraging. In West Virginia, the EPA has decided to hault all mountaintop coal mining permits so that they can evaluate the projects’ impact on streams and wetlands! They even denied permits that the Army Corps of Engineers was requested to fill streambeds and wetlands with mining waste!

It is great news to see that the wilderness and resources that we love are finally being protected by the government rather than being destroyed. West Virginia is one of the Eastern United States’ best resources for outdoor adventure and wilderness experiences, and it would be sad to see the mountain tops blasted and the streams filled with waste. I think that with the government becoming “greener”, and with the push of eco tourism in the travel industry, we will see our natural resources, and our outdoor adventure opportunities protected and increased over the next several years.

Anyone who is reading this blog should consider becoming part of an organization that lobbies and promotes sustainability and green-living. One of my favorite all around resources is WeCanSolveIt.org. Check it out.

The Importance Of Getting Outside and Climbing, Hiking, and Playing

Today I read an article on UsaToday.com about the importance of “playing” during these difficult and stressful financial times. The author, Janice Lloyd, spends time reviewing Stuart Brown’s new book Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul. ( See the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-23-play-stress_N.htm)

Stuart Brown is a proponent of making sure that everyone, adults especially, take time to “play” and do things that are enjoyable and invigorating for them. Without doing this, it doesn’t just lead to boredom, but rather depression and discontentment.

Getting away from cell phones and computers and enjoying the outdoors is the best way to do this. Of course, leisure activities such as video game playing is still relaxing, but until you take action to get away from all things that can distract you, you won’t truly be refreshed.

I often find that when I get away from all the daily responsibilities and demands of running my company, I come back with a renewed vision and determination for Ascent Adventure Consultants success. Often, it can be easy to think, “There’s no way that I can get away….I will miss opportunities.” However, the opposite is true. If you don’t get away every once in a while, you will miss opportunities because you will get burnt out and discouraged.

This coincides with some of the postings we have done last year: Escaping the Normal Routine of Life

Visit our website today to: Take time to play and enjoy life! We only get one life…so make the most of it! Climb some cliffs, hike some mountains, or whatever else you may enjoy!

Kammerlander establishes extreme trad route

This is amazing: 5.14a Trad Route

I would love to know how he mentally trained to climb this. Too bad there isn’t climbing like this in North Carolina!

Introduction to Alpine Climbing with Ascent Adventure Consultants, in the North Cascades and Mount Baker

Introduction to Alpine Climbing with Ascent Adventure Consultants, in the North Cascades and Mount Baker.

We have officially launched the most exciting and unique program that we have ever offered…check out the Intro to Alpine Climbing Class.

If you have ever dreamed of standing on top of a snow capped peak in a remote setting, or if your skills are just a little rusty Ascent Adventure Consultants has the course to fit your needs.

Choose from four course lengths: 4, 7, 10, or 13 days. Starting with our four-day basic course set on beautiful Mt. Baker in the North Cascades of Washington State. The first three days will be spent learning the skills that you will need to safely climb in a large alpine mountain environment. We will culminate this portion of the course with a summit attempt of Mt. Baker on the fourth day.

At the conclusion of the 4-day section of your trip, you will be ready to head into the heart of the North Cascades and put your new skills to use on some of the most stunning peaks in the lower 48 states. Each 3-day course section will find us attempting a new summit and learning new skills and techniques. If you are unable to do the entire 13-day course in one climbing season you can do part of the course then complete it the following year.

At the completion of our 13-day course you will have the skill to safely get out into the mountains on your own.

Carrying a Pack on Multipitch Climbs and Chimneys

I have had several people ask me over the past few years what exactly I do when climbing chimneys on multipitch routes, in order to carry a pack up with food, water, approach shoes, etc, since climbing a chimney with a pack is so difficult!

I just wanted to give my quick advice. The leader never carries a pack, but always the second. And instead of carrying it on their back through the chimneys, we simply use a tagline. I prefer to use a piece of webbing, and then just hang the pack from the harness of the second and then it can be pulled up through the chimney. Just a quick piece of advice!

http://www.ascentadventure.com

North Carolina Climbing Classes- Climb Outside- Learn how to Climb Outside, Skills and Techniques

 

Climb Outside! Climbing Classes

Do you long to climb outdoors? Are you a gym climber who is looking to learn how to climb outside and you are ready to take that next step? Are you a new climber wanting to refine your skills? Often one of the biggest challenges that people face when they have a desire to climb outside, is that they don’t know where to begin, and they don’t have the proper skills and technique.  Our Climb Outside! Climbing Classes are designed to provide you with the knowledge and technical skills needed to pursue a lifetime of climbing outdoors. The classes consist of three 2 hour sessions, held at local meeting places, culminating with a full day of climbing at a local crag, to put all of your skills into practice. Topics covered include route selection, anchor building, knot tying, rope management, and more.  Price Per Person: $200.00 per person

April 2009- Cary NC and Pilot Mountain NC (click on the location for directions) Date  Time  Techniques and Skills Taught Location    April 1   6:30-8:30 PM  Climbing Styles, Equipment, Knots  Caribou Coffee, Raleigh NC   April 8   6:30-8:30 PM  Anchors  Caribou Coffee, Raleigh NC   April 15   6:30-8:30 PM  Belaying and Rappelling  Caribou Coffee, Raleigh NC   April 18   8:00 AM-5:00 PM  Practice Your Skills, Climbing, Rescue   Pilot Mountain NC

Don’t Get Weighed Down by Too Much Gear!

One of the biggest problems that new trad climbers face is being overburdened with gear on long multipitch climbs. Standing at the base of a climb, it can be so tempting to say, “Well…I might need that cam, and this hex, those 3 sets of nuts, 15 quickdraws…”, well you get the picture. I know that I personally ran into those problems all the time. One of my first long multipitch routes was Solar Slab in Red Rock Canyon NV. (Here’s someone’s trip report: Solar Slab.) I equated many pitches with lots of gear. I carried 2 full sets of cams, 2 full sets of nuts, a full set of hexes, 10 non locking carabiners, 10 locking carabiners, a nut tool, 12 quickdraws, slings in mass quantities, a chalk bag, and filled my pockets with food. Needless to say, I got burnt out and didn’t top out!

Many years later, I have learned from these mistakes and have learned how to streamline the process of choosing the right gear for the right climb. Over the next few weeks, I will post some thoughts and tips on these things.

• Read the route description and topos thoroughly. Often you can read about features such as “Hand Cracks”, “Off-Widths”, “Chimneys”, and “Thin Seams”. You can learn about directions, such as “Traverse”, “Pull the roof”, or “Hanging Belay”. Tips like these can help you learn what gear to bring. If a climb says that it is a hand crack, followed by a 25 foot traverse to the right, before a hanging belay on bolts, chances are you will not need small cams for that pitch…since it is a handcrack. You also most likely won’t need small stoppers, so just bring larger stoppers. You may need to double up on medium to large cams, and leave the smaller ones behind. You will need some slings to extend your pieces for the traverse. And you will need a cordellete or slings for the hanging belay, with 3 non locking carabiners and 2 locking carabiners. Your partner can bring up the gear that you didn’t carry, in case it will be needed for the next pitch. Hopefully you catch my drift. Study the route.