Scantlings

Not sure if this fits on Scantlings, but it appeals on a few levels. Amazing athletes and a message worth sharing.

I am planning on getting tickets to take my Mom to the latest Cirque Du Soleil show, "Totem".

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWypWe9UAhQ[/youtube]
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Phenomenal strength. Cirque Du Soleil has something in common with Triathlons - even while you're watching it happen, you find it hard to believe that humans can be capable of doing it.

My daughter and I saw the Cirque du Soleil opening Totem show recently. Amazing stage sets, good music, and an incredible mix of athleticism, strength, and choreography. I highly recommend seeing it.

For 10 years I had a rock climbing partner, a fire captain and former army Ranger, impervious to panic or nerves, whom I trusted like that- totally, utterly, completely confident in each other to handle the situation well, each to be the guy on the end of the rope who would keep the other from death. We almost never let anyone else belay either of us. He was very well known in the climbing community, through him I met and climbed with a who's who of international climbers, but Dave and I always roped up together.

Dave retired from the fire department about 7 years ago, moved first to Yosemite, then Hueco Tanks as head of the guide service. I went through about 5 or 6 different partners, but never found anyone I trusted like Dave. I found that, without trust, I tended to hesitate in sketchy, difficult spots. I no longer had the bulletproof confidence to throw that hard, runout crux move, knowing my belayer was on top of it.

I still stay fit working out on my climbing wall at home, but haven't been outside in a couple of years now. Sucks. I miss climbing, a lot, but I've seen so much poor procedure, and seen so many people hurt or worse by stupid partners, I'm not willing to place my life in the hands of people I can't, well, trust.

Great vid Lin, got me thinking. We should go sailing some time.

Rob, great read. Trust is a big deal! I have a friend I sail double handed races with that's like that. There are a lot of times when I'm on the bow of the Moore-24 when I have to push the edge a little during a jib change or spinnaker gybe. When I'm crewing on his boat it's the same way, I'll hit to bow with confidence, never a worry that the guy driving will stuff me into the back of the next wave or round us up and slide me off the deck. With almost everyone else, I hesitate and we don't sail as well. More importantly, it's just not the same. Not as fun. BV

Rob, that says it all. I can say no more right now as this has impinged on to my personal experience. You put it into words perfectly.

Thanks

Rob, what a thoughtful, tangible reply. I recall talking to you about your climbing partner and how much you respected him, and the inerent trust you had in him as a climbing partner.

Going offshore is similar in that I really need to trust the skipper or watch captain when I go off watch, or I would never sleep. Indeed, I would not go offshore with them. You are that kind of skipper and friend ~ worthy of much trust and respect.