Merry Christmas to everyone.
Sorry for the absence, things have taken a different dynamic.
I will let you all know of the update soon.
Nate
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Glory Glory
Well one of Fergie's many signings that have failed to deliver to the hype and their transfer fees has finally broken the dry scoring spell and smashed in a beauty of a late winner.
And it couldnt have come at a better time.
Javier Hernandez, a Mexican summer signing saw off the Valencia home side with an 85th minute strike that silenced the crowd, and his critics.
A vital away win at the tough home ground in Spain, Man United had to rebound from their disappointing draw with Bolton at the weekend. With a newly fit Rio Ferdinand returning to the back line, and some late substitutes to cover the out-of-form Wayne Rooney, the win was Im sure a weight off every Reds' shoulders. I was unable to watch the match, as its not exactly football mad, here in Revelstoke, but I anxiously awaited the result.
1-0 to United!! and cue the fist pumps.
Now I can only hope they continue this form this weekend, as they face Sunderland.
Now Im just waiting for my call up to the first team, so I can start my United scoring legacy......
The North Face Paclite Jacket
This is a new model, released this year from North Face's Summit Series line, dedicated to alpine and mountaineering requirements. Usually this means, light and functional.
And it is.
Ive been rocking it for about 3 weeks now, and its awesome. Its GoreTex, which means waterproof like a rubber duckie, and its breathable, like the screen door to my trailer I keep running into.
It has full draw cords, to tighten nicely around your melon, and it has a rigid peak on the hood to let the rain fall down like a Hilary Duff song. Oh and it fits over a climbing helmet.
I like that its super light, and like most lightweight jackets, can be packed away into something the size of a McChicken. And of course it has to be black, otherwise I will soil it like a poopy diaper.
Heres a photo from the website, and you might notice me rocking out in it in a few of my own.
Its a no-brainer that its coming with me to the jungle, and Im counting on it to keep my backside dry while Im peddling around the Mexican countryside....
It retails at $299, but worth every penny when you want to keep dry during a climb, or a hot date!
And it is.
Ive been rocking it for about 3 weeks now, and its awesome. Its GoreTex, which means waterproof like a rubber duckie, and its breathable, like the screen door to my trailer I keep running into.
It has full draw cords, to tighten nicely around your melon, and it has a rigid peak on the hood to let the rain fall down like a Hilary Duff song. Oh and it fits over a climbing helmet.
I like that its super light, and like most lightweight jackets, can be packed away into something the size of a McChicken. And of course it has to be black, otherwise I will soil it like a poopy diaper.
Heres a photo from the website, and you might notice me rocking out in it in a few of my own.
Its a no-brainer that its coming with me to the jungle, and Im counting on it to keep my backside dry while Im peddling around the Mexican countryside....
It retails at $299, but worth every penny when you want to keep dry during a climb, or a hot date!
Update.
So today I trekked the Balu Pass, in Glacier National Park, about 40 mins east of Revelstoke.
Its an epic hike, where once you scale the 2100m sub-alpine summit, you are surrounded by a panorama of snow capped mountains, and receiting glaciers. Its truly amazing, and I was lucky to have such awesome weather!
The corner office?Or the trunk of a rental car, converted into the typically crammed gear pile, serving as the temporary conference room?
Ha Ling
Tibetan Prayer Flags.
Where in the world is Nate?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
The first post that was written same day in 4 months!
YAAAAY!
He's finally done it! He got his life together and entered a post the same day as it occurred!
Its actually a bummer, because although Ive been writing offline, and editing them before I upload, it takes away from the writing. Whenever I do it same day, or at most a day after, I remember the important details, the small ones like sights, smells and things I would normally forget. Instead, I'm trying to regurgitate them from months ago, and it just isn't the same...I still have 2 weeks from my Miami hitch that haven't been entered, from back in March!
And it probably also doesn't help that the first day I do so, could very well have been the most boring day Ive had all summer(I'm not even kidding)
Here goes!
I initially woke up at what my cloudy eyes determined to be 6:47am. Or maybe it was 8:47am. I don't know. All I do know is it was way earlier than I wanted. I rolled over and attempted a few more hours.
It was a successful attempt, however, I woke up with a sharp pain. I was going through some new gear last night and didn't clear off the bed when I went to sleep. Trekking pole rib shot works quite well to stir people in a heavy slumber. After rolling around, headlocking the pillow for a while, I flicked on the TV, got my daily dose of sports highlights and news. Of course I had to deal with my Viking appetite, so I decided it was time to whip up some breaky, and since I was feeling crazy last night, buying Banana Nut Cheerios(they're new, and they're better than you think) thought Id give them a whirl. Well after something like six bowls, I made the switch to toasted Nutella, nothing short of amazing. Think of a big knife spreading clouds and unicorns across a warm toasty bread. But instead, its Nutella.... Yeah, I know.
So breakfast was yummy, and I had a big day ahead. That big day consisted of nothing but hanging around my small hotel room, and blogging. Wooo. Well I threw some Cosby Show on, and got to it. I'm at a crossroads with my strategy to upload; unsure as to whether or not I go alllll the way back several months and begin from there, day-by-day posts, or if I just start uploading some recent stuff, that would be a little more contemporary for you folks to read. The downside would be that its not in order, and random-ness would occur, not something that would make for easy readying. Or maybe Im just thinking about it too hard..Regardless, Ive been writing boatloads, and today was the Ironman of blogging, despite my break to watch a bit of tennis, and the French football match. The fun bit is also going through the heaps of photos that have compiled themselves into a million folders.
I also took the time to reply to the plethora of emails that Ive been meaning to respond to.
Every now and then I get an email from an old friend, or a stranger, and sometimes even someone I didn't particularly care for telling me their support, which is beyond encouraging. Just the other day I got an email from a girl in New Zealand that had stumbled across my blog and became 'addicted to the hitchhiking stories', a girl who sold me pants over a year ago in Ontario emailed me a while back, and Ive only finally been able to reply, (Kelly!!! I never forgot!) and then I got an email from one of my buddies' dads who expressed his support. (Greg, it was so good to hear from you! Hi Karen!!!) I often wonder if anyone even bothers with it, because I don't keep it up to date, and as well, the topics seldom interest people, it seems as though they would rather read something better than some kid hitchhiking around. But then I get the email from someone who does read it, and when one person contacts me in support, its worth while, and I get the feeling to just keep it going, and then some.
So today I didn't do much. The sun was shining, and it was about 25C outside, but I vowed to stay in. Well, it didn't help my tan(less) situation, but it did for blogging reasons. In Blog I must. I spent my afternoon organizing and uploading photos, writing and watching re-runs of Friends.
Its now coming up on 830pm and I have to be at the airport for noon tomorrow, to greet the new group. Were then scooting off to Vancouver Island, where we begin with the Juan de Fuca trail, followed by 3 days on the island, then ferrying back to mainland for some tours in the Squamish area. A world class climbing face is there, the Stawamus Chief and we'll be going up it! Its a mecca for local climbers, tons of videos have been shot there, and yours truly has climbed 3 routes! That's followed by a hike to Lake Garibaldi, one of the most beautiful scenes Ive seen in Canada. Its simply amazing, but getting there is no picnic, I think the last route we did was something like 6km with a 2000m rise in elevation, which if you know, is quite an incline in altitude. Anyways, I'm excited to get back, it was a good break, but I'm anxious to get into some fun again!
The hotel I'm staying at, the Beach Grove in south Vancouver, was actually the location for the new Owen Wilson and Jack Black film, so there's a copy of a few of their movies in the rooms, and after seeing most of them, am resorting to watching Marley and Me tonight. Its not emasculating, I'm eating steak and working out during it. Not actually, more like cuddling up with some cereal so don't hate.
Anyways, its an early morning, my bags are packed, I did some laundry, washed my rope, and showered!
I figured I had to post a photo to accompany the post, otherwise it would just be a bunch of boring words.
In a bored spell I decided to jump on the bed.... I does what I wants!
The Chief! Its got tons of routes, even more pitches, and provides a pretty awesome view! More or less western Canadian El Capitano
And me on top of it!!
He's finally done it! He got his life together and entered a post the same day as it occurred!
Its actually a bummer, because although Ive been writing offline, and editing them before I upload, it takes away from the writing. Whenever I do it same day, or at most a day after, I remember the important details, the small ones like sights, smells and things I would normally forget. Instead, I'm trying to regurgitate them from months ago, and it just isn't the same...I still have 2 weeks from my Miami hitch that haven't been entered, from back in March!
And it probably also doesn't help that the first day I do so, could very well have been the most boring day Ive had all summer(I'm not even kidding)
Here goes!
I initially woke up at what my cloudy eyes determined to be 6:47am. Or maybe it was 8:47am. I don't know. All I do know is it was way earlier than I wanted. I rolled over and attempted a few more hours.
It was a successful attempt, however, I woke up with a sharp pain. I was going through some new gear last night and didn't clear off the bed when I went to sleep. Trekking pole rib shot works quite well to stir people in a heavy slumber. After rolling around, headlocking the pillow for a while, I flicked on the TV, got my daily dose of sports highlights and news. Of course I had to deal with my Viking appetite, so I decided it was time to whip up some breaky, and since I was feeling crazy last night, buying Banana Nut Cheerios(they're new, and they're better than you think) thought Id give them a whirl. Well after something like six bowls, I made the switch to toasted Nutella, nothing short of amazing. Think of a big knife spreading clouds and unicorns across a warm toasty bread. But instead, its Nutella.... Yeah, I know.
So breakfast was yummy, and I had a big day ahead. That big day consisted of nothing but hanging around my small hotel room, and blogging. Wooo. Well I threw some Cosby Show on, and got to it. I'm at a crossroads with my strategy to upload; unsure as to whether or not I go alllll the way back several months and begin from there, day-by-day posts, or if I just start uploading some recent stuff, that would be a little more contemporary for you folks to read. The downside would be that its not in order, and random-ness would occur, not something that would make for easy readying. Or maybe Im just thinking about it too hard..Regardless, Ive been writing boatloads, and today was the Ironman of blogging, despite my break to watch a bit of tennis, and the French football match. The fun bit is also going through the heaps of photos that have compiled themselves into a million folders.
I also took the time to reply to the plethora of emails that Ive been meaning to respond to.
Every now and then I get an email from an old friend, or a stranger, and sometimes even someone I didn't particularly care for telling me their support, which is beyond encouraging. Just the other day I got an email from a girl in New Zealand that had stumbled across my blog and became 'addicted to the hitchhiking stories', a girl who sold me pants over a year ago in Ontario emailed me a while back, and Ive only finally been able to reply, (Kelly!!! I never forgot!) and then I got an email from one of my buddies' dads who expressed his support. (Greg, it was so good to hear from you! Hi Karen!!!) I often wonder if anyone even bothers with it, because I don't keep it up to date, and as well, the topics seldom interest people, it seems as though they would rather read something better than some kid hitchhiking around. But then I get the email from someone who does read it, and when one person contacts me in support, its worth while, and I get the feeling to just keep it going, and then some.
So today I didn't do much. The sun was shining, and it was about 25C outside, but I vowed to stay in. Well, it didn't help my tan(less) situation, but it did for blogging reasons. In Blog I must. I spent my afternoon organizing and uploading photos, writing and watching re-runs of Friends.
Its now coming up on 830pm and I have to be at the airport for noon tomorrow, to greet the new group. Were then scooting off to Vancouver Island, where we begin with the Juan de Fuca trail, followed by 3 days on the island, then ferrying back to mainland for some tours in the Squamish area. A world class climbing face is there, the Stawamus Chief and we'll be going up it! Its a mecca for local climbers, tons of videos have been shot there, and yours truly has climbed 3 routes! That's followed by a hike to Lake Garibaldi, one of the most beautiful scenes Ive seen in Canada. Its simply amazing, but getting there is no picnic, I think the last route we did was something like 6km with a 2000m rise in elevation, which if you know, is quite an incline in altitude. Anyways, I'm excited to get back, it was a good break, but I'm anxious to get into some fun again!
The hotel I'm staying at, the Beach Grove in south Vancouver, was actually the location for the new Owen Wilson and Jack Black film, so there's a copy of a few of their movies in the rooms, and after seeing most of them, am resorting to watching Marley and Me tonight. Its not emasculating, I'm eating steak and working out during it. Not actually, more like cuddling up with some cereal so don't hate.
Anyways, its an early morning, my bags are packed, I did some laundry, washed my rope, and showered!
I figured I had to post a photo to accompany the post, otherwise it would just be a bunch of boring words.
In a bored spell I decided to jump on the bed.... I does what I wants!
The Chief! Its got tons of routes, even more pitches, and provides a pretty awesome view! More or less western Canadian El Capitano
And me on top of it!!
Random Rant.
Well my last night in Naramata was quite a bit of fun. I went down to where a majority of my friends are staying, and we watched a couple of movies. Vlad, the Argentine cooked up an awesome fruit salad, Dom who had just returned from Nepal made ribs and popcorn, and the Peruvians rolled something fragrant up. We watched Hot tub time machine, which was funny, but not nearly as funny as I was expecting. I was however, more entertained by the soundtrack, which keeping in theme with the movie was full of 80s hits. I loved hearing the old stuff, and they were gems! Funny movie, but don't expect much.
I was also really unimpressed with a movie I thought was going to be awesome; Youth in Revolt, the new Micheal Cera movie. I normally like his acting style, the lovable geek or whatever, but this movie, which could have been brilliant, turned several directions I wasn't expecting, which just instigated the decline of the movie. Needless to say when the external drive disconnected 15 minutes to the end, I wasn't upset, and just went to bed.
I rarely get time to watch a movie, and was excited at the prospect of two new films I was expecting to enjoy, but they turned out to be more or less crap.
But there's always worse. I think that the cast from Jersey Shore is still alive, which I'm beginning to consider altering.....serious. I do alot of grocery shopping, and lately its been for 12 people, so I stand in line and all I can see are images of a washed up whore (Kardashian) making millions for nothing, and if not that, its about a group of douchebags and whores-in-training poisoning the minds of youth. 'Scuse my French, but its true. Mainstream celebrities have more control than the entire Canadian government, which is ironically just as awful.
Anyways, its my mid-day rant after coming back from grabbing some grub(Nutella, yo!) and I felt compelled after seeing another People magazine dedicating their cover to some useless puppet that should have no real influence in society.
Have you ever heard of Katie Spotz? I didn't think so. Well shes a young girl who just rowed from FUCKING AFRICA TO BRAZIL. ALONE. (!!!!) It was in effort to raise money for safe drinking water globally. She completed it, received some media support, and doors have opened up for her, but not to a degree she deserves. She raised near $100,000. Fantastic, but if Kim Kardashian did an appearance at a hotel opening, she would make the same. Why? Does she deserve it? I don't think so. Sure shes worked to have her face as a household image, but for what? Being 'hot'. She had a sex tape, got famous and now doesn't do anything but sleep with pro athletes. I walk down the street and see plenty of girls more attractive.
Now, if I could only get them to talk to me.....
I was also really unimpressed with a movie I thought was going to be awesome; Youth in Revolt, the new Micheal Cera movie. I normally like his acting style, the lovable geek or whatever, but this movie, which could have been brilliant, turned several directions I wasn't expecting, which just instigated the decline of the movie. Needless to say when the external drive disconnected 15 minutes to the end, I wasn't upset, and just went to bed.
I rarely get time to watch a movie, and was excited at the prospect of two new films I was expecting to enjoy, but they turned out to be more or less crap.
But there's always worse. I think that the cast from Jersey Shore is still alive, which I'm beginning to consider altering.....serious. I do alot of grocery shopping, and lately its been for 12 people, so I stand in line and all I can see are images of a washed up whore (Kardashian) making millions for nothing, and if not that, its about a group of douchebags and whores-in-training poisoning the minds of youth. 'Scuse my French, but its true. Mainstream celebrities have more control than the entire Canadian government, which is ironically just as awful.
Anyways, its my mid-day rant after coming back from grabbing some grub(Nutella, yo!) and I felt compelled after seeing another People magazine dedicating their cover to some useless puppet that should have no real influence in society.
Have you ever heard of Katie Spotz? I didn't think so. Well shes a young girl who just rowed from FUCKING AFRICA TO BRAZIL. ALONE. (!!!!) It was in effort to raise money for safe drinking water globally. She completed it, received some media support, and doors have opened up for her, but not to a degree she deserves. She raised near $100,000. Fantastic, but if Kim Kardashian did an appearance at a hotel opening, she would make the same. Why? Does she deserve it? I don't think so. Sure shes worked to have her face as a household image, but for what? Being 'hot'. She had a sex tape, got famous and now doesn't do anything but sleep with pro athletes. I walk down the street and see plenty of girls more attractive.
Now, if I could only get them to talk to me.....
Alright, well as the posts will start pouring in, some of them will be out of order. I will be doing my best to keep them in timed accord, at least specifying when they happened.
Since I left the blog, Ive hitched from Sudbury to Quesnel, BC. I treeplanted a few weeks before rupturing my MCL. I then hitchhiked south to the Okanagan, where I spent a few months rehabilitating it, and working in the orchards. I was finally able to freely move it, and did everything I could with my new found mobility. After cherries, my buddy Yann asked me impulsively one night if I wanted to go to San Francisco with him. The next day. I of course said yes, and we hitched down for a wild wild two weeks. I flew home, and after only one day, I got an email saying to get to Revelstoke immediately, I'm starting as a mountain guide the next day. And that's what Ive been doing, now on a 10 day break, where I hitched from Calgary to Vancouver, taking my time and enjoying it. I begin again tmrw, and I'm making sure to get lots of rest, Nutella and finish this blog, despite the beautiful sunshine.
Here goes nothing!
Since I left the blog, Ive hitched from Sudbury to Quesnel, BC. I treeplanted a few weeks before rupturing my MCL. I then hitchhiked south to the Okanagan, where I spent a few months rehabilitating it, and working in the orchards. I was finally able to freely move it, and did everything I could with my new found mobility. After cherries, my buddy Yann asked me impulsively one night if I wanted to go to San Francisco with him. The next day. I of course said yes, and we hitched down for a wild wild two weeks. I flew home, and after only one day, I got an email saying to get to Revelstoke immediately, I'm starting as a mountain guide the next day. And that's what Ive been doing, now on a 10 day break, where I hitched from Calgary to Vancouver, taking my time and enjoying it. I begin again tmrw, and I'm making sure to get lots of rest, Nutella and finish this blog, despite the beautiful sunshine.
Here goes nothing!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
SO! in the last 48 hrs, Amir; a contractor who invited me to his condo for dinner with his wife and adorable daughter, a suicidal dude who had just split with his girlfriend, an hilarious pro mountain biker, an amazing lady named Nat and her smartest-on-the-planet-children who had to pull over so I could almost vomit due to an extreme Banff hangover, (and took me out for breaky in Lake Louise!)Donovan, a cool dude my age returning from a Christian retreat, and a nameless Parks Canada warden who said she felt bad seeing my heavy bags walking down the main street. Does it resemble the list of people you normally think pick up hitchhikers? Or does it kind of contradict, and prove that anyone with an open mind is willing to extend a hand? Hippie-dippie, I know, but good golly hitchhiking sure is great fun!
Oh and I randomly run into two people from treeplanting, we go camp for the night enjoying a fireside plethura of stories and an exhange of updates between mutual friends. A rowdy Raven woke me up only to start my day of hiking to Begbie Falls.(nothing short of awesome-ness)
Tmrw, I will be climbing at Begbie Bluffs in Revelstoke with some new climbing friends I met about an hour ago. Im now at the base of Mt Revy in a chalet, jamming to oldies while we cook up a feast, chatting and getting pumped for a day of sport climbing and maybe even a free climb! Then after all zat, I hitch to Naramata to meet with a few prodigal friends, and Ill spend 1 day in the Okanagan Valley, hopefully climbing at Skaha, and then making my way to Vancouver, in preparation of my next touring group with my new job, Alta expeditions, and Hauser exkursionen!
I know this doesnt suffice as a proper entry, but Im still on track to update the blog during this break, so be patient punks!
Anyways. You will all hopefully hear from me in a short while. If not, Im sure someone will auction off my stuff.
I miss you all, some more than others....
Oh and I randomly run into two people from treeplanting, we go camp for the night enjoying a fireside plethura of stories and an exhange of updates between mutual friends. A rowdy Raven woke me up only to start my day of hiking to Begbie Falls.(nothing short of awesome-ness)
Tmrw, I will be climbing at Begbie Bluffs in Revelstoke with some new climbing friends I met about an hour ago. Im now at the base of Mt Revy in a chalet, jamming to oldies while we cook up a feast, chatting and getting pumped for a day of sport climbing and maybe even a free climb! Then after all zat, I hitch to Naramata to meet with a few prodigal friends, and Ill spend 1 day in the Okanagan Valley, hopefully climbing at Skaha, and then making my way to Vancouver, in preparation of my next touring group with my new job, Alta expeditions, and Hauser exkursionen!
I know this doesnt suffice as a proper entry, but Im still on track to update the blog during this break, so be patient punks!
Anyways. You will all hopefully hear from me in a short while. If not, Im sure someone will auction off my stuff.
I miss you all, some more than others....
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Ok, well I have almost two weeks of a break between now and my next contract. I do, and I mean DO plan to have the blog up to date, thats alot of writing, but its a goal Ive set, and golly, I want to meet it, that includes; my hitch out west, treeplanting, hitch south, working in the OK, hitch to SanFran, and my new job as a mountaineering guide. Its alot, but its coming....heres a few snapshots of recent times.
This is climbing the First Brother, a series of 2000m+ peaks in Manning Prov Park.
This one is 2272m, as marked on the post. To use as a reference, Everest, the highest peak in the world is 8850m, so about 1/4 of that altitude. It was a good one, and we had a snowball fight on the south side!
With the group ahead, I snapped a quick one through the Juan de Fuca trail, Vancouver Island.
Well children, thats all for now, but until next time, have your pets spayed and neutered.
Shout out to the boys in Ottawa! Miss you losers....
This is climbing the First Brother, a series of 2000m+ peaks in Manning Prov Park.This one is 2272m, as marked on the post. To use as a reference, Everest, the highest peak in the world is 8850m, so about 1/4 of that altitude. It was a good one, and we had a snowball fight on the south side!
With the group ahead, I snapped a quick one through the Juan de Fuca trail, Vancouver Island.Well children, thats all for now, but until next time, have your pets spayed and neutered.
Shout out to the boys in Ottawa! Miss you losers....
Monday, August 9, 2010
Oh, Hi Mr Blog, how are ye?
Excuses, excuses, I know.
Ive been away from maintaining the blog for so long, but I promise its only been with good reason. A) was treeplanting, but we all know how that ended.(I did keep a journal for the most part) B) was me taking off down south to the Okanagan where electricity was scarce, Internet even more elusive. C) My side trip to SF, and now....my new job!
I am currently working as an assistant guide for a mountaineering expedition company, and we've been hired by a German outfitter to take on one of their groups. My first day went swimmingly well, we hiked the Balu, near Rogers Pass just outside of Revelstoke Ntl Park. They were all quite keen on seeing their first bear, and although they had been spotted in the area, we weren't so privileged.
Holy snap, just saw the time. I'm off to bed, tmrw we are climbing in Kokanee Glacier Ntl Park. Photos and in depth recap of the last 3 days to follow.
Elephant shoe.
Excuses, excuses, I know.
Ive been away from maintaining the blog for so long, but I promise its only been with good reason. A) was treeplanting, but we all know how that ended.(I did keep a journal for the most part) B) was me taking off down south to the Okanagan where electricity was scarce, Internet even more elusive. C) My side trip to SF, and now....my new job!
I am currently working as an assistant guide for a mountaineering expedition company, and we've been hired by a German outfitter to take on one of their groups. My first day went swimmingly well, we hiked the Balu, near Rogers Pass just outside of Revelstoke Ntl Park. They were all quite keen on seeing their first bear, and although they had been spotted in the area, we weren't so privileged.
Holy snap, just saw the time. I'm off to bed, tmrw we are climbing in Kokanee Glacier Ntl Park. Photos and in depth recap of the last 3 days to follow.
Elephant shoe.
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