Daddy a Fidey Fighdo

Columiba Fire Department

I recently completed my second week of training at the South Carolina Fire Academy, and it was no joke.

Thirty recruits started training to acquire our first certifications in Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  We were given two attempts to achieve a minimum of eighty percent to continue on to the next certification in Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Awareness.  Unfortunately, two members of the recruit class could not achieve the percentage needed to continue in the Academy. It was a bitter-sweet end to the second week of training.

From January 11th - January 19th we read the EMR text and tested in EMR, CPR, and Applied Skills. On January 20th we reviewed Chapters 1-3 in our Fourth Edition - Hazardous Materials for First Responders text and proceeded to test on that material. Fortunately the remaining twenty eight recruits passed with the minimum seventy percent or more standard.

South Carolina Fire Academy

We are now starting into our Fifth Edition - Essentials of Fire Fighting text. The pace at which we are working was described as hitting the ground running. Which could be an understatement seeing as we are required to read the first five chapters (230 pages) and do the Essentials of Firefighting Study Guide (68 pages).

After a year of Midnight Shifts (10pm-4am) at United Parcel Service, it was quite the experience to readjust my sleeping habits. Recruits arrive at the facility at 7am to march to breakfast and then proceed to Physical Training (my area of expertise). After physical training we hit the classroom with five to ten minute breaks on the hour.  We march to lunch at 12pm and march back to our classroom to hit the books at 1pm. I've never been one for school, so I'm re-learning how to 'hit the books' when I arrive at home at about 6-7pm.


I had enough time to hang out with my girls, Nicole and Ava, last weekend on a fun filled Saturday. Ava proudly states,"daddy a fidey fighdo" or daddy is a fire fighter for those of you who don't speak two year old. Ava is truly being a trooper with all the changes going on around her. She has been heading to several awesome sitters that absolutely adore her. Our family could not function without the help of these magnificent ladies and families that we are proud to call our friends. Thanks to you all (you know who you are).

I also managed to make it to the mountain for some much needed stress relief last Sunday.  I read my text book on the way to Crowders Mountain State Park, had a blast climbing and as soon as we hiked down the mountain I hit the books for the car ride home.

Rumbling Bald, North Carolina

I am currently writing this while taking a break from reading (I just finished chapter 2 after hitting the books at 12pm).  Alas, it may rain tomorrow but I am still going to try and get some climbing in at Rumbling Bald, North Carolina.  Hopefully, the big guy in the sky will allow it. If not, we'll probably head to ClimbMax Climbing Gym in Ashville or a bar nearby to have some drinks.  Some form of stress relief is better than no stress relief :-)

Anyway, time to hit the books again. In the words of a good friend of mine, "Raining rhymes with Training" so get to it!

Goodbye 2011 Hello 2012

The Nutcracker - Orangeburg Civic Ballet

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I left you last with a post about Hobby Fair, since then I've been a busy bee with performing 'The Nutcracker' in Griffin, Georgia and in Orangeburg, South Carolina, working PEAK SEASON for UPS, family Christmas time, and of course finding time to rock climb!

First things first, I danced ballet professionally until my beautiful baby girl was born and then my priorities changed.  After two years of not dancing professionally, I was quite surprised to receive some phone calls asking if I was still dancing and if I was able to perform.  At first I didn't want to try and jump back into ballet because quite honestly it's HARD.

Luckily, it's like riding a bicycle. The muscle memory is there but one sure has to work to get strength and stamina back. The performances in Griffin, GA and Orangeburg, SC both went very well. I was invited to go back to Griffin, GA for there May performance of  "The Little Mermaid".  Dancing is also very good cross training for climbing. It's taught me to dance up the mountain!

UPS Peak Season was somewhat disappointing, I was hired last Peak Season and it felt like it was never going to end. Maybe the fact that I was a New Hire and didn't know what to expect made it that much harder because this Peak Season flew by quickly.  Our belt received several 'prizes' for being the 'best belt' in the HUB.  I acquired a UPS trucker hat and a UPS sweater. Good news and bad news.

Bad news first - I had to put in my two weeks notice at the beginning of the year. They told me that I would have good Re-Hire status if I ever wanted to come back.

Good news - I had to put my two weeks notice in because I got hired to be a Columbia City Firefighter Recruit. I have orientation on the 5th and I start recruit school on Jan. 9th. Wish me luck!

Happy Holidays

Nicole, Ava, and I all had a fabulous Christmas. It was exciting to see Ava grasp the idea (maybe too well) of opening presents. Anywhere she went, and saw presents, she was all about trying to open them. Ava is just too smart for a two year old. We spent our holiday season here in Columbia with Nicole's family and relatives. Tell you what, I thought I could hold my alcohol, these people are professionals ;-)

Stronghold Gym

I took a three week hiatus from climbing to be able to do "The Nutcracker" performances and I was feeling worn out after my performances (old knee conditions acting up).  I started climbing at the gym to get a feel for what I was working with. I lost a lot of grip strength and endurance but otherwise I was feeling mentally strong on lead in the gym.  I managed to end the year with a lot of last minute ticks that I didn't expect to achieve.  I am rather please with my last two weeks of climbing in 2011! For 2012 I want to try and onsight a (5.12). Might as well go 'balls to the wall,' right?

Rumbling Bald, North Carolina

I went climbing January 1st at Rumbling Bald, North Carolina and had a wonderful day guiding a group of friends from Columbia. It was a great way to start 2012, I just wish my girls (Nicole and Ava) were there too.

On a rather tragic note, there was an accident at Rumbling Bald, N.C. on January 2nd. Unfortunately, it did not end well. The gentleman involved in the accident did not make it. He was a Irmo, South Carolina local and climbed at Stronghold Gym. Some of the details can be obtained here. My condolences to his wife and three children. What a horrible reminder that climbing is actually very dangerous. We as a climbing community need to remember that safety and risk assessment should be at the top of our checklists.

2011 Noteworthy Ticks and Highlights

Middle Finger (5.7)

1) Middle Finger (5.7) TRAD - Redpoint - First BIG FALL. I fell 15ft-20ft due to a broken hold. I got the Redpoint on my second attempt.  CROWDER MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

Nuclear Arms (5.10a)

2) Air Show (5.8) TRAD - Onsight - First trip to Moore's Wall. MOORE'S WALL, NORTH CAROLINA

3) New Yosemite (5.9) TRAD - Redpoint - First CRACK climb. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough big gear when I was leading and had to settle for a Redpoint with borrowed gear on the second attempt.  NEW RIVER GORGE, WEST VIRGINIA

4) Nuclear Arms (5.10a) TRAD - Onsight - First (5.10) Traditional Onsight. RUMBLING BALD, NORTH CAROLINA

When Shrimp Learn to Whisle (5.11a)

5) Scramble My Feedback (5.10a) TRAD - Onsight - Second (5.10) Traditional Onsight. CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

Focus (5.11c/d R)

6) When Shrimp Learn to Whistle (5.11a) SPORT - Redpoint 1st pitch/Onsight 2nd pitch - I combined both pitches into one long endurance pitch. Very proud send! PILOT MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA



7) Focus (5.11c/d R) MIXED - Onsight - First 'R' in the (5.11) grade. RUMBLING BALD, NORTH CAROLINA

8) Red Red Wine (5.11b) SPORT - Onsight - Second Sport Onsight of the (5.11) grade. CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

Axis (Bold as Love)(5.11c/d)

9) Axis (Bold as Love) (5.11c/d) MIXED - Redpoint - HARDEST CRACK CLIMB SENT! CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

10) Slimebelly, Snakeass, Sodhole, Skunkpie (5.12a) MIXED - Redpoint- First MIXED climb sent in the (5.12) grade. I did it twice on two separate occasions. CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

Fashion (5.12b)

11) Silence the Critics (5.12b) SPORT - Redpoint #2 - Stoked to get the repeat after a year a two months since the first Redpoint. It felt a lot different since the first time, easier! CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE  PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

Fashion Direct (5.12c)

12) Fashion (5.12b) SPORT - Redpoint - Proud send after only three trips and five attempts! CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

13) Fashion Direct (5.12c) SPORT - Redpoint - This route adds a hard boulder problem to the original Fashion. I got it the first try after the Fashion (5.12b) Redpoint. CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

Thank you friends and family for a fabulous 2011. I'll see you at the mountains!