Canyoning!!!!
"What is canyoning?" I hear you ask.
Canyoning is the art of using technical climbing methods to descend a canyon. Basically, you hike up the side of a canyon to the point where you enter the water course (i.e. river). Now you just follow the river back down the canyon. Canyoning usually involves rappelling and/or jumping down pitches (i.e. waterfalls or cliffs), swimming, hiking, and downclimbing.
I have been in need of a good adventure. Hikes and trips to the beach and bike rides can only stave off the craving for so long. I signed up with UCSB Adventure Programs to go canyoning (yeah I know it is called 'canyoneering' in the states but that doesn't sound as cool) in the San Ysidro Canyon this past Saturday. It was a blast. There were about 10 pitches that we repelled down. The day was beautiful, and the sun was shinning. The water was cold but not unbearable. I can't wait till I get to go again. Here are some pictures. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am not in any of these pictures, but just imagine that it is me doing all those cool things.
*You can click on the slideshow to view the pictures in a separate window. The slideshow seems to be quite cropped.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Some Great Reads
Just finished reading some great books. My dad gave me "The Last Lecture" over the Christmas break. It is a full of great and small bits of advice and information.
The next two books that I read were written by a guy who also writes (or used to write) for Outside Magazine. My brother got me a subscription to Outside for my birthday and it has been the best gift, except for the fact that it gets me all excited about going on adventures and doing awesome things that I either can't afford or don't have time for at the moment. Anyway, Jon Krakauer wrote "Into the Wild" and "Into Thin Air." This first book is a true story, derived from journal entries and photos, about a guy who leaves his 'normal' life to go and live as a tramp. It is a quick read and very entertaining.
"Into Thin Air" is a description of the events that took place on Mt. Everest in 1996. Jon Krakauer was sent to climb the mountain and report about the experience to Outside. He does a great job of describing the climb and what made it difficult as well as, of course, the incidents that took place. I have always loved to climb and hike and be outdoors so this book suited me very well.
The next two books that I read were written by a guy who also writes (or used to write) for Outside Magazine. My brother got me a subscription to Outside for my birthday and it has been the best gift, except for the fact that it gets me all excited about going on adventures and doing awesome things that I either can't afford or don't have time for at the moment. Anyway, Jon Krakauer wrote "Into the Wild" and "Into Thin Air." This first book is a true story, derived from journal entries and photos, about a guy who leaves his 'normal' life to go and live as a tramp. It is a quick read and very entertaining.
"Into Thin Air" is a description of the events that took place on Mt. Everest in 1996. Jon Krakauer was sent to climb the mountain and report about the experience to Outside. He does a great job of describing the climb and what made it difficult as well as, of course, the incidents that took place. I have always loved to climb and hike and be outdoors so this book suited me very well.
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