The holds have been cleaned, the wall re-painted, and a new light added in the garage just above the climbing wall — just in time for the holidays. And I picked a cheery color theme to fit the season and match my green holds: deep chili-pepper red.

So last night I jumped onto the board to give it a try — something I had  not done for a very long time.

Immediately I was reminded of how humbling of an experience the moon board is. Even the easiest problem feels absolutely impossible. Every single move was a struggle, and I could not ever visualize myself linking the moves together and sending the problem. This reminded me of how Luke and I felt last month when we were working the Huber Variation pitch on Freerider — shut your mind off and commit yourself to the problem with all your determination and optimism, despite the fact that your body and sole are telling you that it cannot be done. (Of course the difference here is that I am at home in the comfort of my garage.)

After an hour or two what seemed like a miracle happened: starting from the ground I got through the first move, thought that it was over when I just about got the 2nd move, then the 3rd, the 4th, and so on up to the top. I sent the problem. I was in disbelief.

Now I have to translate this experience to everyday life.

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