Lion's Head Lookout, July 2009. This is where the lightbulb went off.

I figure now that it’s officially February I can start telling this story without being overly concerned that you’ll dismiss things as just another new year’s resolution.

It’s definitely not that.

Truth told this whole thing started last year, on the day before my birthday.  And Between July 15^th, 2009 and today, I’ve had some of the more profound, life-changing experiences in a year that seemed to contain no shortage of them.  I’ll cover a lot of them during the course of this series.

For now though, all you need to know is that I’ve been inspired to challenge myself.  To take the Beta motto to heart (hell, it is February after all so this organ’ll definitely be a recurring theme).  To go beyond everything I’ve personally tried already.  To achieve something extraordinary.

So back to mid-July.

I had the good fortune of climbing a fair bit up at lion’s head and as much as I enjoyed every second I spent there, I have to admit that during my entire time up there I never got past a 10b on lead.  It’s kinda frustrating because this summer was the 3^rd or 4^th I’d gone up and didn’t seem to be making any progress to the harder climbs.  Even 10s like the legendary Limestone Cowboy and the odd 9 like Skunks Do It in Tevas presented more than their share of challenges, sketching me out on numerous occasions.

As I left Lion’s Head for the year I resolved that 2010 would be different.  I’d take things to a HNL (as the kids like to say)  The goal is this:  a 5.12 outdoors.   On lead.  Simple.  Well hopefully.

Even if it’s not, you, my good readers will know because I don’t plan to be timid about the process—I’ll reveal every ugly bit of the process in these pixels and look forward to your encouragement and advice.   You’ll be as much a part of the process as I am.  Over the course of the next month I’ll give you some background on getting to this point and then I’ll track my progress up until I send my project (whatever that’ll be, I haven’t identified the 12 yet and look forward to your input).  Have I bitten off more than I can chew aiming to lead a climb a full two grades harder than anything I’ve ever climbed outside?  We’ll see.  I’m mentally as ready as I’ve ever been and quickly getting into the best shape of my life.  So without further ado, let the games begin…

Stay Tuned.

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