Bridge Over Troubled Water

I've ridden my mt. bike over this foot bridge so many times that it isn't funny.

But during an early morning ride one summer day, I rode right off the bridge and landed in the small creek below on my right hip. It was painful.

Now I tend to walk my mt. bike over most small bridges.

I can't overcome that fear of falling again.

It's funny how certain things mess up your head for life.

"Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind.

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind."

S & G

On a Shoestring Budget (or 3 screws)

Ice climbing gear is expensive. In 86', I was a poor graduate student. I could only afford to buy 3 ice climbing screws.

So, up I went.

Each belay station only had 1 screw for an anchor. That left me with a single screw for my running protection.

Even though Shoestring Gully is a moderate climb, it was my 1st ice climb that I lead from top to bottom (in full winter conditions), so having a few extra screws would have been nice.

But I learned on that cold, windy day that "faith in equipment replaces faith in oneself".

That mindset has always stuck with me in everything that I do, even to this day.

And the thing is, I still have all of my original ice screws and I still use them because I trust myself more than I trust my equipment.

Shoestring Gully

Mt. Webster, NH

NEI 2