Joshua Tree Lemonade

When life threw me lemons, I made an unforgettable lemonade.

Though lemons may taste sour at first, if you get past their bitter skin and sour fruit, lemons are cleansing and refreshing. Then mix in a little sugar, love, maybe even some spice, and you'll have yourself a drink that transports you to warm sunny days.

Rewind back to December... not so sunny but I was motivated to train indoors and for the first time in 8 years I started to train specifically for climbing. I guess I had finally come to the realization that this is what I needed to do to take it to the next level. You could say that a light bulb went off in my head and I was really excited to incorporate this training regime into my long term climbing plan. The Pump House and the new Climbers Corner in Collingwood proved to be perfect training tools.

We hit the road after Christmas, as we always do for the winter months, migrating southwest in search of sun and rocks. This time of year is so exciting for us both, it is like a new beginning, a new but ever continuing chapter. Never will I get sick of the great open road, that feeling of freedom.

First stop on our winter migration tour was one of my favourite spots, Mesquite Nevada. Despite not climbing on real rock in months, I felt strong right out of the car, flashing 12+ and soon linking 5.13 in a day. Training actually works!!! With my final course/exam of the MPG PCGI certification level approaching, I climbed my face off for 2 weeks as I knew I would be climbing ropes more than rocks for the upcoming month in Joshua Tree. Near the end of our Nevada stint, I had one of those magical climbing days that I dream about all year: a beautiful cliff to ourselves, amazing new routes and perfect weather. I was so grateful for this perfect day. 

And then I blew out the A1 pulley in my index finger.

I couldn't believe that this was happening again, another injury, another setback.

With my tail between my legs and tears in my eyes, I put up the white flag. I was done with hard climbing, I was done with being injured, and it just seemed to no longer be worth the pain and suffering. This feeling left me incredibly empty, lost, sad. 

What do I do now? Find a new hobby? New career?  
What am I without climbing?

We then fled to our home away from home in Joshua Tree, California. There is something incredibly healing about that desert, those skies, trees and granite.

Obviously I didn't quit climbing, but I truly lost and found myself in Joshua Tree National Park.

Those sour lemons got mashed up with incredible friendships, unforgettably thrilling adventures, perfect weather, and a climbing paradise that has taught me more than anywhere else I have climbed.

This past month in Joshua Tree I have lived more "in the now" than I ever have in my life and it is a feeling that I never want to let go of. This mentality led to the most spontaneous adventures and seizing every moment as though it was our last day on earth.

These were and are 'the good old days'.

Summit views atop of Jaws, a classic 5.6R chimney route at the Hall of Horrors.

We've officially mastered camping!!! Kitted out the Trillium with a solar panel this year and it runs the fridge and lights. SICK

Lounging on the sundeck with Said Parirokh, Ian Achey, Lisa Aquino and Kyle Thomas. A crew of amazing new friends that I never would of met had I not got injured.

Kyle Thomas in "Beer Pose"on the Aguille de Joshua Tree

Multi-pitch adventures with On the Rocks guide Mark Toma on the classic 3 pitch Right On "5.5"

Finding my zen

Ryan and Sadie Brown head to the top of a beautiful boulder in the Ryan Campground circuit

As my wounds healed, I started to push myself on things that I have always avoided: slabs, chimneys, offwidth, scary mantle top outs, circus tricks, sandbags... the usual Joshua Tree flavors. I found joy in new movement and immense satisfaction from learning to push myself in new ways. It was easy to find inspiration with such a great crew of friends that were not only motivated, but incredibly encouraging and positive. I have been so blind sided by grades for years that I'd lost touch with my roots...adventures, adrenaline, learning, good energy and inspiration from nature and friends. There's always so much more to learn and Joshua Tree holds the key to the true essence of rock climbing, it is the training ground to becoming a real rock warrior.

"Joshua Tree rock climbing demands more than strong fingers, it requires a strong spirit"- Guidebook

It is good to have a goals, but I think it is more important to be present and take challenges as they come. Life is happening while you're busy planning it. I've had to let go of a lot of things here in Jtree, especially grades and my own ego. I pretty much climb a full number grade lower in Josh, but I am learning to find satisfaction with pushing myself to learn the art of this tricky granite, and control my mind in dangerous situations. I have climbed some of the most memorable routes/boulders of my life this trip and most have been moderate but incredibly thrilling.

This is the new updated version: Leslie Timms 2.0.

 Life is far too short. Try the things you've always wanted to try, make an effort to meet new people, do that thing that scares the shit out of you, see the places you've always wanted to see. Time has flown by faster than it ever has in my life and it is because I am truly living in the moment. This past month or two? has been the most fun I have ever had in my life! I am learning to hula hoop (always wanted to), I've reached new levels in my personal yoga practice (poses that I never thought I would be able to do!!) and I have finally learned to love that unforgivably subtle style of Joshua Tree rock climbing.

Hobbit Hole Offwidth truly dances on the line between torturous pain and hilarious fun. At this point of the climb I was undoubtedly regretting the previous nights dinner... "meat fest".

Kyle Thomas makes quick work of Secret Samurai

Making my come back on the perfect arete of Iconoclast 5.13.

There is always another level up to everything in JTree... here I am sending the "reverse traverse" of the Gun Smoke Traverse, a problem I'd done a dozen times. Rumor has it that John Bachar went back and forth on this classic traverse so many times that he stopped when he got bored. 

Space pod views from our campsite.

It was fate that our paths aligned with such amazing people.

OTR Guides Mark and Pam came out for an On the Rocks "business trip" to Jtree :)

Campsite yoga was part of the daily routine.

Warming up in the Ryan Mountain circuit, one of the many awesome bouldering circuits in the park.
Note the Muira Velcro's, quite possibly the best climbing shoe in the world.

Hidden Valley Hoops, jah

Standing atop the Aguille de Joshua Tree 5.6 R

Beer hooping skillz

House cleaning

Kyle eats Copper Penny V3R for breakfast...and then spit it out and went back to camp to drink coffee.

One sip of that delicious lemonade and I chugged the entire glass.
I've been drunk on life ever since.

And life tastes damn good when your truly living it.
I am growing more as a climber and person now than I ever have in my life, facing what I've somehow avoided for years... myself.

Lisa goes for the glorious jug of Yabba Dabba Don't

Another day in paradise

Nacho nacho night!!! Prepping dinner with a huge crew of incredible folks like Mike and Steve :)

Ryan scopes the top out and Lisa blows off the crux on the famous Slashface V3R.

Another day for the record books! The largest Slashface send train ever?? Not only did I flash Slashface, but each one of my buddies climbed it that day too. Here Ian Achey stands on top screaming out a loud seal noise which somehow became our team sending call.

Ryan Brown riding the Slashface train

Kyle Thomas follows suit. It has been amazing to see Kyle climb so well here in JTree, he is absolutely crushing and in some of the best shape of his life!

Said gets the jug for the win

<Insert seal call and strange clapping gestures>

Satellite Left V3.... scary

Trailer top sunset with two beautiful women, Colette and Lisa

Thanks to all of my amazing friends for the laughs, inspiration and perspective.

Thanks to Joshua Tree for keeping me humble and teaching me the true ways of a rock warrior.

Thanks to Kyle for convincing me to not quit rock climbing.

Life is like a tide...the waves are always moving in and out, just be sure to catch the surf when it rolls in and ride the freakin' shit out of it!!!!

YEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When it feels like life gets turned upside down, embrace the new perspective!!