How is History Made?

On Sunday, we went out to Sweetwater with Kyle. I got the first ascent of our project and named it "True Grit." Ashley climbed it too, and we discussed what we should rate it. It felt like V8 to Ashley, and on the easy side of V7 to me. So I've settled on V6. It's probably slightly easier for people who are taller, and I don't want to over grade it. I don't think anyone would find it easier than V6. Some of the holds are pretty slick and core tension is required to keep them. Conditions weren't perfect, but not bad either. Warm temps were improved by a stiff breeze, and a cloudy afternoon.

Kyle rode out with us, got a tour of what we've done so far, filmed us on a couple problems, and did three first ascents.

Kyle standing on the top of the second problem he established.

And topping out on the third one.


Kyle does good film work! And his current project is a film documenting the history of climbing in Lander. Which got me thinking about history and how it shapes, but is also created by the future. Because history is only history if it is important, if it affects the future in a significant way. But in the moment you never know what events will end up being significant, and which will be completely forgotten. Probability is involved.

Ashley and I are just bouldering for fun, at generally moderate grades, at an area that's been bouldered at sporadically for over a decade now. We aren't making history. We're not trying to, or expecting to.

But if others join in, and development of Lander bouldering continues. And the Lander area one day becomes a significant center of bouldering activity. Then the areas we helped develop could have some significance in that progression.

Future events decide what will be history, and what won't be. So future and past times are tied together in a mysterious way, somewhat detached from the present moment. And it's like this for everything. And I should get some sleep.

We went out for an after school session last week at the Cheesegrater boulders. Smoke from prescribed burns up canyon made it smell like we were bouldering right next to a campfire, but also made the sunset look pretty.

Well, I really do need to get some sleep. That's all the history for this post. We'll see what else is history later.