Peace 5.13d

I can’t say exactly when I saw this route for the first time but it was sometime in my teens and it was a poster of Ron Kauk on it. It spoke to me. Here was this person on this totally vertical, gently textured rock wall, body stretched and reaching upward and at the bottom of the poster was a peace sign. This seemed profound. It was something I wanted to do, a place I wanted to be. It represented so much for me, it wasn’t just a climb, it was Peace. This past summer I had the privilege, for the second summer in a row, to stay in Tuolumne Meadows – the high country of Yosemite and the home of this route called Peace. I had come to the decision and realization that spring before that I would go to this route, that I would put myself in that place I had wanted to be for so many years. Ironically enough the two people that helped me on this route just so happened to be the one I had seen on it so long ago, Ron Kauk and his son Lonnie. This was a sign, for sure, that things were moving in the right direction.

Lonnie and I worked the moves on this climb over a period of a month; getting to know it’s subtleties, moods, and demeanor while it told our bodies what to do. It felt amazing to be up there, so much so that there are no real words to express the feeling it gave. Being there with Lonnie and seeing him up there, flowing through the moves, linking things together and continuing his father’s legacy added a whole new realm and meaning to the climb. The day that he successfully lead the whole climb, bottom to top, with no falls was so fulfilling for all of us, but I knew that the elation I had felt for his achievement would only be heightened by my own success. The following week, almost to the day of Lonnie’s climb, I, too made it – bottom to top with no falls. 150 feet of sheer vertical granite knobs passed under me in a pattern of holds and placements. I knew where I was going, how to get there and where it would take me. I had really gotten to know this climb and it me and for those 20 minutes or so I was up there leading through the moves I really felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. As I clipped my rope through the anchors Lonnie cried out congratulations and the wind picked up just a little bit more. I knew that I had found my path and that Peace was the entrance way to it. Back on the ground and some months later reflecting back on it I can see that this “path” is the journey into myself with the help of this place, Yosemite; and this journey is one in which this Yosemite will shape me into that self.

I returned today, from my holiday travels, to the granite of Yosemite. The previous week and a half were spent among family, celebrating the last year with it’s giving of new life, taking away of the old and the constant change that comes with both. This year’s trip back to the mystery of  Louisiana and the hills of North Carolina was one of the best trips back to see everyone. I say that mostly because so many lessons were learned this year; I was completely open to be me and really grasped what it means to have that freedom and know that being happy truly does come from within.

While these things were being shown to me through my family, my thoughts were drifting back to Yosemite; to having the choice and the freedom and the vision to climb the granite rocks here. I was in great excitement about returning.

The trip back to California was slightly brutal and heightened my want to be here all the more. Alas, today I organized myself to go to Arch Rock and stretch myself out on one of the best routes of time. I made my way to the top of the cliff, through the talus field and sloped side, under manzanitas and bay trees, and along side the tracks of deer – it was so refreshing and energizing. I went to set my rope on Anticipation, a minitrax – solo day. I anchored the rope and slid down to the base of climb. Ready, to feel myself move with the cracks and fractures. It felt good – the rock, cool and grippy and my body fell into motion of what to do. My breath soon followed and my thoughts turned to the present, to climbing up this rock. It was meditative and timely. Reaching the anchors, I felt transformed. There I was at the top of this climb, one that had passed through my thoughts a few times during those holiday travels. I had flown across the country, had a taste of what my fellow Americans are up to, threw myself into the mix of a media driven society and stayed true to myself and my reality, only to return to be standing at the top of Anticipation. Looking down at the Merced River I was so happy I felt like singing and I knew then with every inch of my being that I had made all the choices that led to me being there. I was thankful that I stayed on this path, with all it’s training of the mind, heart and body to get me to this place.

So, this is new to me but I decided to try it out and see where it takes me. It’s basically a place for me to share my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with you. I hope you enjoy.

Katie