THE ASCENT OF EM

Stoked Gold Highline - 93 ft. long - 400 ft. high!!

2012-01-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went highlining with a bunch of awesome slackliners from Golden, CO. My friends Josh Beaudoin and David Stallman had scoped out a highline about 400 ft. off the deck in Clear Creek Canyon and went out there to bolt it. It ended up being THE SCARIEST highline I've walked in Colorado, for sure. It was super exposed and pretty long!! The first day we hiked up there in the snow and it was a pretty gnarly approach. I had the absolute WRONG shoes on for it (I wore my adidas approach shoes and they ended up being super slippery for snowy conditions). There was a lot of slipping and falling! We got up there and didn't end up getting the line up that day (we ran out of sunlight). So, we left everything up there for the night and went back early the next morning. That day instead of hiking we all jugged up some fixed ropes. It was a long jug, but totally worth it. We got the line rigged in just under 2 hours and all got to play around on it until we started running out of sunshine.

When I got onto the line I really wanted to on-sight it in my swami belt (like a harness with no leg loops - it makes it scarier because you HAVE to catch the line or else it will really hurt). I was a little mentally off that day and for some reason not "on it" like usual. I got out there and tried to stand up in my swami. My head started freaking out and I couldn't focus. I kept telling myself to just keep stepping, keep breathing, but then thoughts would come into my head like "nope, you can't right now...you'll fall. you won't catch. look how far that is!". I fell and caught the line. I heard my friend Scott encouraging me to try again, so I did but it was all of the same thoughts in my head. I just didn't feel ready for it. My longest swami as of right now is 88 feet. This was only a few feet longer but I wasn't in proper mental space. I put on my harness and walked it no problem. It's amazing what a little bit of security can do for you mind!

Here are some pics of the line.....enjoy!

"Dude, dude....you've gotta try this tea!"

Buck gettin' after it!

Getting ready to walk....this line was definitely a challenge!

That's me!

Double drop knee looking into the exposure.

Heading back to the stable ground.

Scott Turpin in double drop knee! He just learned the trick about a few weeks ago.

Scott on his walk

Almost there!

Coming back.

The jug up to the line.....400 feet!

My first "Showreel"

2012-01-12T14:50:00.001-08:00

Here's a video of what I've been up to for the past couple of months! Highlines, longlines & tricklines.....enjoy!!

Ouray Highline "Alternate Ambling" - 40 ft. long

2012-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely loving my new home in Colorado. Years ago I dreamed about living here someday and now it's real! There's so much to do, such beautiful landscapes & radical people to adventure with. It's been such a fun winter so far! Recently some friends and I drove down to Ouray to rig up a highline at the Ice Festival they hold there. We drove 8 + hours and when we got there they shut us down! They didn't seem so keen on having a highline rigged at their event although there was one last year. Apparently someone had free-soloed the line last year and that turned them off of the sport. I understand the want to free-solo lines but it's SO important to remember the effect is has on the sport. It's going to take a lot of work to get the people at the Ice Festival back on our side.

We didn't let that stop us though; we went and found another spot to rig up a line and it turned out to be a great day! The line was about 40 feet long and maybe 100 ft. high and we named it "Alternate Ambling". We rigged it from a bridge directly over a gorge and to a tree. The rig was pretty simple and it was such a beautiful line. Everyone was able to challenge themselves in some way; I always love seeing people out on the line pushing past their fear. Highlining is such a beautiful thing for both the body and mind. Below are some photos of the day!

The crew on our long drive!

Finishing up the rig, getting ready to walk!

Scott Turpin on his first walk of this line. Beautiful!

My Pup!

Buck Crockett sending his second highline ever!! Go Buck!

Me very happy!

Me on my first walk of this line. Such a beautiful view!

Quinn Carrasco on his first send.

Mickey Wilson "Calling his Mom"

Rad trick!

Getting ready to try some tricks.

"Drop Knee"

Walking Terry's 100 ft. Chain

2011-12-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

I recently traveled out to Fruita, Colorado where my friend Terry lives. His yard is FULL of slacklines/highlines and this 100 foot long, really burly chain that is one of the most difficult things I have ever tried to walk. Only about 10 people have ever walked it and now....I am one of them!!! About a year ago I spent a lot of time trying it and was only able to get about 20-30 steps. But this time I was so much more stable and I could really feel how much better I've gotten throughout the year. I walked it on my 4th try. Here is a little video I made of it. Enjoy!

Creek Line

2011-12-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

The other day Josh and I rigged a line over a creek in Boulder, CO with some rad slackers from CU. It was pretty cold out so falling into the water would have been very unpleasant! Here are a few pics and a funny little video from one of their GoPro's ;-)

Moving to Boulder

2011-11-30T14:05:00.001-08:00

I've moved to Boulder!!! It's been only a few weeks now that I've been here, and I am LOVING it so far. I left Moab, Utah because I was starting to get the itch to go somewhere new and Boulder just felt right. So far I have met countless slackliner's that are super stoked on the sport, so I have a feeling I'll be fitting in just fine :) I've also starting working on a new program with Gibbon Slacklines. It's called the "Slackline Scholarship Challenge". I'm partnered with Josh Beaudoin, an amazing slackliner from Golden, CO and we will be traveling across the state of Colorado spreading the sport in high school's and colleges. As we tour the state, we will be spreading the sport and also getting kids excited and involved in 5 regional competitions in 2012. The top 3 competitors from each competition will be invited to a statewide competition for a chance to win a scholarship, sponsored by Adidas. I'm super excited to be involved in this program; I think slacklining has the potential to change many people's lives, they just need to be introduced to it!

Yesterday, Josh and I did our first event at Denver East High School. Here are a few pics! And if you are interested in getting involved, join the Slackline Scholarship Challenge Facebook Group

I also just got back from Moab for a Thanksgiving highline festival. It was so rad!!! Slackers from around the world came, and there were 8 highlines up, maybe even more at one point. I walked my longest highline to date, it was 135 feet long and about 400 feet high. I was also able to attempt the first ever "Space Line" rigged by Alexander Schulz from Germany. He came up with the idea of having 3 highlines rigged over a gap, while connected at the center. So, when walking any 3 of the lines, you are walking into space!! Below are a few pics of it!

Most epic line EVER!!!! Anyway, below is a video of my best attempts on it. Enjoy!

Oct. 2011

2011-10-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

hey guys!! it's been too long.....i need to post some of my most recent videos :) First is a video I made from the US National Slackline Competition in Dayton, Ohio.....it was such an amazing event. We had 16 competitors from across the US and a total prize purse of $ 2,750! I loved meeting everybody and seeing all the new tricks. I was so inspired to train and start working on my flips and my rotations for the next comp. The next event is in Boston and there will be a Men's AND Women's competition. I cannot wait!!! Anyway,here is the video:

Also, I have been competing in an online slackline competition called "Queen of Slackline". A trick is posted online every week and in order to advance, you must post a video of yourself performing the trick. Check out my videos on my youtube page!

MY YOUTUBE PAGE

That's about it that's new....although, I am moving to Boulder, CO next month!!!! I can't wait. I have loved living in Moab but it's time to move on....I can't wait to explore Boulder and all it has to offer. Stay tuned for more adventures and videos soon! -Emily

News August 2011!

2011-08-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a little while so I thought I'd include what I've been up to this past month!

First, is the trailer to Hayley Ashburn, Jill Kuzman and I's first film! We have decided to create a girls team combining the 3 sports of rock climbing, highlining, and BASE jumping. Below is a trailer to our first film! In the next couple of months it will be released :)

Next, is a video I created for Elli Schulte, female trickliner from Germany that came to visit for the Gibbon Games in Salt Lake, and she also came to Moab afterwards! It was great getting to know her and so inspiring to trickline with her! She walked her first highline, and taught me some new tricks.

Now, Alpha Mike's first video that he edited of his 540 attempts. So funny! I love the way he put this together.

We also did a rope jump this month here in Moab and here is a video of Jan Kaeding, co - owner of Gibbon Slacklines!!

It's been a great month full of a lot of different adventures. Thanks for checking out my videos :) I'll post again soon as the month of September will be full of more projects!

California!! Mt. Tam Highline & Taft Point Highline

2011-08-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

I took a trip to California and had a great time seeing all my friends and family! First I went to San Jose to visit a good friend Julia from summer camp years ago :) We went to see Neon Tree's in the park and then I headed up to Lake Tahoe to meet up with Hayley Ashburn. We rigged two highlines in Cali, Mt. Tam Highline in the Bay Area and Taft Point in Yosemite. It's really empowering to be rigging lines with Hayley, us both being females in the sport. There are so few of us - it feels like we're doing things that really haven't been done before. We want to keep pushing our limits in as many ways as we can.

Mt. Tam has been a long standing project for me, I've been up there SO many times to try and walk it and this time I finally did. It was the best feeling to rig it AND walk it! I feel like I've progressed so much as a slackliner! Friends Jared, Bess and Layla joined us and Jared took some photos. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and helped us out. And congrats to everyone who got out on the line and gave it a try!! Here are some photos of Mt. Tam Highline - 115 feet long at the top of Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley, CA. Complete view of the San Francisco Bay from the top! One of the most picturesque lines I've walked.

Andrew Tysinger getting getting to get out onto the Mt. Tam Highline!

Hayley Andrew and I enjoying the sunset.

Damian Cooksey rockin' Mt. Tam!

Me on my first send of Mt. Tam!! 115 feet long....such a challenge but I finally pulled it off.

Hayley standin' up!

Riggin'

The crew that came out with us. Such a beautiful place!

And here are some photos from Taft Point in Yosemite.

Hayley and I!

Me sending :)

Yahoo!!

Beautiful Shot by Hay

Hay in the splits!

Bess!! This is her first highline send ever. I am so impressed! A yosemite highline is so exposed and she walked it on her 3rd try. Congrats!!

Bess!!

Hay in exposure

Thanks for reading! This past month has been really great for self improvement. I really needed to go on a trip and just explore.....I feel refreshed and ready to be back in Moab! Next on the list - theFirst Annual Gibbon Games in Salt Lake City!! I am competing in a co-ed competition and cannot wait to see slackers from all over the US and abroad! I'll be taking photos at the event so stay tuned :)

Going your own way

2011-07-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

I found this on the web today and I think it says, in perfect words, what I am realizing lately.

"The principle of going your own way and doing your own thing is the principle of non-intervention. This principle is lived by those who have an enlightened consciousness. The principle is the principle of freedom. You are free from having to meddle with the affairs of others, and are free to live according to your own goals and agenda. Every man’s purpose is to follow his own path and only engage with the affairs of others where it intersects with his path. Always live in the center and never move off the center.

Seek to relate with those who can best fulfill your life purpose. You have no business to relate with everyone in the world. Successful people are the ones who concentrate on their goals and harness all their resources towards the accomplishment of their aims. This might be the selfish way to live, but it is selfishness with wisdom. Everything is done for the Higher Self, and the Higher Self leads you by desires within yourself. No matter how noble something seems, it never feels right when it is not your life path."

I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau

2011-06-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

I've decided that it's time to focus on myself. I've been in and out of relationships for so long (since highschool!) that I really just need some time to be ME. To not worry about anything but learning more about myself and what I stand for. I feel like I have a pretty solid idea, but there are definitely some things missing. For a month and a half, I am going to be on my own. 2 weeks in Moab, 2 weeks in San Francisco/Tahoe, 1 week in Yosemite National Park, and then to the first annual Gibbon Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is going to be an experiment in self discovery that I am thrilled to begin. I can't wait to find peace and solidarity; not depending on anyone or anything for happiness, but only myself. I am so grateful to have had such a great boyfriend that is allowing me the time to do this. Mike is a truly kind, understanding, and wise person that sometimes I'm not even sure he's real! He is more supportive of my decision to take this time than anyone could possibly be. He's been there, at this point: where I know I NEED this. Some things I plan to do on my trip are:

- Rig and walk Mt. Tam Highline (115 feet) in Marin, California. A line that has defeated me about 5 times previously.

- Wakeboard and Waterski at Hayley's family's house in Tahoe, CA (for the first time since Camp in Maine 4 years ago! I used to be a waterski instructor there, but once I left.....I never got the chance to do it!)

- See old friends and family in San Francisco (Andrew, Damian, Gail, Nick, Julia, and my Aunt Lane and Uncle Tom along with my Grandmother who has just moved into a home there).

- Wander the city of San Francisco, ALONE.

- Rig Taft Point Highline in Yosemite -115 ft. along with the Rostrum lines -20 ft. and 70 ft. and possibly the Yosemite Falls Line - 128 ft. (we'll see).

- Place in the top 3 at the Gibbon Games.....I better start training.

There are many more things that I want to do, but these are on top! Here are some recent pictures of my life:

"Twin Arches" in the Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park

A Keyhole I found

Me on our Canyoneering trip through the Fiery Furnace

Bess Rappeling

Canyon whipping on Lead, Ryan's Route on Potash Road (5.12 - 5.13)

Life goals

2011-06-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've taken the time to write about my life. I've been busy focusing on improving myself and the way that I look at life. I'm sure I'm not the only one that often finds myself coasting along, each day being just another day rather than the most beautiful gift we've been given. It's hard to look at life like that all the time, but I want to try. I want to be filled with joy and gratitude for being alive rather than forgetting how lucky I am to have the opportunity. When live becomes mundane and repetitive I lose my passion, and so I've been trying to include a lot of different things into my day. Such as : good food, taking photograph's, listening to my favorite music, spending time with my dog, laughing, actually getting to know someone, and driving around town with the windows down and music blasting.....right now mostly Florence and the Machine and Grace Potter ;-) I know these things help me see the beauty in the world.....I just need to remember to do them!

I have some goals as well that I really want to accomplish by the end of the summer. I want to beat my highline and longline personal records. I want to walk AT LEAST a150 foot highline (for me, this is really difficult.....I just need to relax while I'm out there, the longer the line is the longer you have to maintain focus.....and so far I've gotten out to the middle of the 150 and lost my focus and fell). For longline, I want to walk AT LEAST a 500 footer. Right now I've walked 413, and I know I can keep pushing.

Some other goals are: to make it into the top 3 at the first annual Gibbon Games at Outdoor Retailer. I know that I can do this....I just need to start training ;-) Also, I am saving up for a van that I can start traveling in. It's time. I am so ready to get out there and start living day to day in completely new places with new people and new experiences. I've been dreaming of this for a long time, so now it's just a matter of saving up the money.

Anyway! Thanks for reading. I've included a few pics I've taken recently (and a couple taken of me) that I LOVE. I'll write again soon and hopefully by then I'll have reached some of my goals :)

Me working on the 150 footer (i fell in the middle and then tried to get back up and walk back)

Ryan Matson working on a 5.13 in Mill Creek. This is after his recent ankle injury ( he's killin it!)

Some flowers that I love.

Mike sending the 150 like a champ ;-)

Me again on one of my attempts.

Bouldering at Big Bend :)

Why do we slackline?

2011-06-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

I recently took the time to take a poll on facebook....Why do we slackline? I know why I slackline, but honestly I think that hearing it from upwards of 20 different people explains it a lot better than I ever could. Here are some of the responses that I got! Enjoy them. and feel free to add your own reason in the comments section!

- - Sam Salwei A wonderful tool that cuts away all the crap allowing you to see your true essence....instantly!
    Yesterday at 10:42am · · 1 person
  - Brenden Gebhart I feel how life should be when I'm on the line.
    Yesterday at 10:43am ·
  - Gabriel Aglio I don't know, I just love!
    Yesterday at 10:46am · · 1 person
  - Tony Sukiennik Slacklining has allowed me to continue to stretch my limits even though my aging joints continue to try to limit me... But more important than physical balance, being able to mentally balance wanting to accomplish a goal without wanting it so much that you can't function at your peak is why I am enthusiastic to be a Slackliner...
    Yesterday at 11:17am ·
  - Julia Gebhardt it´s kind of space.
    Yesterday at 11:17am ·
  - Stevie Greenwald Slackling is everything. It instills a sense of wonder yet anyone can learn it. It can be as simple as some webbing and some trees or as complex as a doubly redundant highline deep in the mountains. It is as relaxed as yoga or as intense as skating a half pipe. It's the one think anyone would need while stranded on a desert island.
    Yesterday at 11:19am ·
  - Emily Sukiennik i am loving these!!! keep 'em comin :)
    Yesterday at 11:23am ·
  - Megan Drewyor Calms the mind and scults the body
    Yesterday at 11:40am ·
  - Philipp Freudigmann Since I started slacklining my family has just grown so much! Luv it!
    Yesterday at 12:19pm · · 1 person
  - Cody Peterson When ur on the line its feels like everything that's wrong in ur life doesn't matter anymore!
    Yesterday at 12:32pm ·
  - Paris Slack turn out ur brain for few intens minutes!!!
    Yesterday at 12:40pm ·
  - Thomas Sloss Balance.
    22 hours ago ·
  - Jordan Tybon money and bitches.
    22 hours ago ·
  - Dylan Buffington I'm with Jordan! and . . . everyone else!
    22 hours ago ·
  - James Gallerani Jr Because everyone's just walking around on their damn cellphones now. It's nice to relax, get on the line, and socialize. Often it stops passers by in their tracks.
    20 hours ago ·
  - Thibaut Zwolinski just feel the balance of life i think... all is about balance. Slackline show it.
    20 hours ago ·
  - Jono Armstrong Babes, chicks, ladies, and hoes.
    20 hours ago · · 1 person
  - Brent Cain because it added BALANCE and ZEN LIKE FOCUS to my life like nothing i have ever seen or experienced!
    16 hours ago ·
  - Emily Hodge
    that's a good question. I ask myself that sometimes. why the heck do I love slacklining?? I think because it constantly challenges me, forces me to set goals, cures my boredom, makes me overcome my fears, makes me focus on breathing. It can...See More
    16 hours ago · · 1 person
  - Jeremy Louis Because you can be active and lazy at the same time!
    14 hours ago · · 2 people
  - Andrew Tysinger Because it can be as relaxing or intense as you want, depending on how you feel. It also trains a physical attribute we use every day.
    14 hours ago ·
  - Ross John Miller to keep from being a square.
    12 hours ago ·
  - Emily Sukiennik i love all these responses guys, thanks so much!
    a few seconds ago ·

My best photos so far! I'm loving my new camera.

2011-06-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been spending a lot of time taking photos with my new camera. I finally invested in one for myself (after years of saying I would) and have been having a blast figuring it out and playing with all the features. I really want to get into photographing extreme sports (rock climbing, highlining, and base jumping in particular). But, so far I've been having fun taking pictures of a whole bunch of different things. I thought I would post a few of my favorite shots that I've taken so far. My favorite things to photograph have been people and animals. Enjoy!! :)

A bus that I saw at a junkyard here in Moab.....I wish I owned it.

A portrait of my boyfriend, Mike

My roommate's dog, Sweet Pea, on a walk

Hayley Ashburn after walking a 40 foot highline (and looking like a badass)

Hayley Ashburn sitting by the side of a highline in Moab

Andy Lewis with his guitar

The view from the front porch of my house

A couple of boaters at sunset in Moab

Alpha Mike's latest video. Check him out!

2011-06-02T13:14:00.001-07:00

The Highlife in Moab - May 2011

2011-05-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Hayley and I out at the highlines.

May has been a great month so far. Mike and I have had lots of visitors in Moab! First we had our friends Kate and Carissa come stay with us for a week. We did some climbing, hiking, highlining, and camping, petroglyph viewing....etc ;-) We went to see the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park; it was my first time out there as well and it was soo beautiful!! The hike was really pleasant, and once you get to the Arch it's just so astounding how something like that was created. We also did some pondering about how the heck Dean Potter free soloed that thing.

We did some climbing on "Wall Street" as well, which is a super well known crag here in Moab. You just drive up to the climbing wall, get out, and climb. There's no approach whatsoever. I think this is why it's so popular. The climbs are 95% trad, which is awesome because that's what I'm psyched on getting better at right now. I've been leading a lot more trad climbs and am starting to feel more comfortable with it....it's really different than sport climbing in a scary yet really good way. You have the control over where to place your protection, it's not already set there for you. And,, you have control over the placement as well. It takes a lot more confidence in yourself beacause not only are you trusting your body to climb, but your trusting your mind to place the gear properly. I love how challenging it is.

The three of us along with Hayley went highlining and camped out there for the night (just us girls). The guys were there with us for the day and when they were leaving us someone asked " Um, is it just you girls camping out here?" and we had a hilarious boys vs. girls dispute on whether or not we would be okay on our own. Hayley had the best one liner " Hey, Andy....I left a whistle on your pack. Make sure you use it when you get lost". Bahahaha.

We had spent the previous day rigging and walking the lines; neither Kate or Carissa sent that day. But, the next morning we stuck around and encouraged them and they both sent a highine!!! Carissa sent the 22 foot highline, and Kate sent the 47 footer. Both lines are very exposed, about 350 feet off the deck. Below are some pics of their visit. I am so proud of both of them and am ecstatic about getting girls out on the lines ;-)

Kate sending "The Chiquita" 47 feet long :) Woo!!

Should we get out there? Hmmm.....

Carissa sending "The Cerry"! 22 feet long

Me on "From Switzerland with Love" - 102 feet

A Gibbon Ad ;-)

Crazy badass cactus!!!

Hayley sending "The Cherry" - 22 feet

Next we had Phillip come visit from Germany. He's traveling around the world taking slackline footage for a video he's making and it was great to hang out and show him Moab as well. We did some highlining, tricklining AND longlining. Below are a few shots that he took while he was here!

Riggin'

The Alpha

Hay Hay sending a 210 footer after her knee surgery- so glad she's back!

mid- desert trickline

Hay and I

Sir Kinloch Mason Earle

Canyon Cain sending his personal best!! 210 feet, hell yes!

Butt Bizounce

Mr. Lewis

"The Bad Apple" - 88 feet

Ya-ya! Heinz Zak and Andy Lewis being macho men

120 footer at the Serenity Bowl

2011-05-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mike, Faith, Janek, Terry and I went out to the "Serenity Bowl" and rigged a 120 foot highline on this crazy European webbing called "Eon". It was super light, a bit slippery, and VERY static. We backed up the line with Vectran (a similar webbing that's popular here in the US) so the line was unbelievable light and static in general. I thought this would make it easier to walk, but because I am so used to walking on type 18 webbing or tubular webbing it was actually more difficult for me! The line moved in a very different way. The reverberations are hard to explain, it's just a totally different experience in my opinion. I really struggled on this line; my first attempt I got about to the middle and took a real nice whipper. Then I had about 5 falls until I finally sent it one way. It seemed that all of us were having trouble on this line, but we all ended up sending (except for Terry who made some nice attempts). It was a fun experience to try this crazy webbing, but I think the conclusion Ive made is that it's just a bit too light for my taste. I am a fan of the traditional heavy highline, and that's what I'm used to! But, a true slackliner can master any type of webbing at any tension, so it's always nice to try something new.

Here are some shots Mike took of me on the line. the first one is one of my failed attempts , and then is the success :)

Jumping off Cliffs!!!

2011-05-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Jumping off Cliffs in Utah from Mason Earle on Vimeo.

Thanks to Mason Earle for making and filming this little video :) This is a 200 foot rope jump that we did here in Moab. It took me about 20 minutes to actually jump off the cliff but it was SO worth it! It felt like free fall for about 2 seconds before the rope caught. The fun part was definitely climbing back up, hahah :)

I broke my personal longline record!!!

2011-04-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

Today Mike, Hayden, Jared and I set up a 413 foot longline in the park (in Moab) and the "send-ergy" was high. I smashed my personal record with an on-sight! I am super stoked to have finally beaten 300 feet; It's such a milestone! I feel like I have been stuck at 300 for quite some time. It only made me more excited to try and break the 500 mark very soon. I'm SO excited to be living here in Moab because there is so much opportunity to do everything that I love.....climbing, tricklining, longlining, and highlining. I decided to get a job here waiting tables so I can spend as much time here as possible. ;-)

Mike sending the way back

Hayden sending!

Jared beaking his personal record!

Me!

annnd me again.

Why I Highline and Climb: Questions Answered

2011-04-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take a minute and talk about why I highline and why I rock climb. I'm sure for those of you who don't do either of these activities are curious as to why it's so appealing! Why would someone want to climb hundreds of feet up a rock? Or, why would someone want to walk across a 1 inch piece of material over a void, over and over again? I can understand why this would be so baffling to some, but that's why I am taking a minute to explain.

I've found that by challenging myself mentally and physically, I have something to feel proud of. After walking across a void without taking a fall or feeling scared I feel like I've conquered the fear inside of me that is so inherent. Everyone has an innate fear of heights but by exposing myself to it and pushing myself into it, I begin to feel fearless. In both sports, the challenges are endless. As the highlines get longer, the scarier they are! You have to be calm and focused for so much longer on a 100 foot line than you do on a 20 foot line. It's the same with rock climbing: the longer the climb and the harder the moves the more mentally prepared you have to be. I have to say that these two activities have completely changed my life for the better. I feel stronger, and I feel like I can push through anything that comes my way.

I've always seen slacklining as a metaphor for life. You stand up on the line, you balance, you struggle, and a lot of times you will fall off. But, with patience and determination you will find your center and are able to take steps. As the line gets longer it becomes more shaky and by pushing through the shakes and the wobbles and the fear, you become stronger and more able.

Here are a few commonly asked questions that need answering:

Are you in the circus? No, I am not in the circus. Slacklining is an activity that anyone can participate in regardless of their age, gender, or physical shape. That's why I love it so much! It's the simple act of balancing.

Have you seen Man on Wire? Yes! I have seen Man on Wire and am inspired by his passion. I would love to walk a slackline between sky scrapers someday, if the law allows :)

Is it safe? YES. Highlining is extremely safe. If you have the proper gear know how to rig, highlining is statistically safer than rock climbing. The accidents I forsee are probably not going to be due to gear failure but rather to human error.

Are you scared? Always. It's pretty rare that I will walk up to a highline and feel completely calm. But, that's my goal. I want to get to the point where I am no longer scared. Where I can step into a void and remain completely composed.

How do you get the line from point A to point B? It depends. Sometimes you can walk it around, sometimes you have to rappel down and then climb up the other side. It really varies and that's why I love to combine the two sports of highlining and rock climbing...it really opens up a lot of doors!

Do you wear a harness? Yes, I do. I am always tied into the line. Although, I have recently begun to challenge myself with something called a Swami. A Swami is like a harness, but it has no leg loops. So, if I fall it might hurt (there is the risk of breaking a rib). The reason I've decided to start experimenting with this is because if I know I can walk a line without falling and feel completely confident, I want to add the extra risk; scare myself a little more. So far I've walked about 5 highlines in a swami and havent fallen once. I perform well under pressure.

This is what a Swami looks like.

2011-04-18T21:51:00.000-07:00

Click the photo to see the whole album! This is a 90 foot line in Moab.....about 300-350 feet high. All photos are by Jared Alden.

those that inspire me

2011-03-29T16:31:00.001-07:00

Id like to take a second and talk about some people that I truly admire in my life. It's important to realize how much of an influence we are on those around us and the following people have truly impressed me with who they are and have influenced me in many positive ways:

Libby Sauter

Libby was the first woman to walk the Lost Arrow Spire Highline and was truly my inspiration to walk it as well. I had seen her video and heard so much about her that when I got to meet her I was so psyched! It turns out that not only is she a badass highliner, rock climber, sky diver, AND traveling nurse, but she is down to earth and a great friend (not to mention quite silly). It takes a lot to balance that many things at once but she does it with ease and probably has no idea, but helps me to try and do the same.

Jerry Miszewski

Jerry is, in my eyes, the most solid and knowledgable longliner on the planet. Despite his talent, Jerry is so modest and kind and just a pleasure to spend time with. Sometimes its hard not to let ego run your life, but to me it seems like ego isn't even on Jerrys radar. He continues to push the limits with longlining, rigging, and developing new revolutionary gear for the sport.

Taylor Fultz

Taylor has shown me so much strength in the past year I don't even know how to sum it up. I became close with her directly after her boyfriends traumatic climbing accident in October 2010 and since then I've seen such a beautiful progression into the person she is today. She has gotten through almost losing someone she loves while simultaneously transforming into a very talented trickliner, loyal friend, and true beliver that everything will be ok in the end. I am so proud to call her my friend!

Andrew Tysinger

Andrew fell 100+ feet in a climbing accident last year that we all thought he wouldn't survive. Despite severe head trauma, a broken leg, and other extensive injuries Andrew pushed through a Coma and is today, 5 months later, taking steps on a slackline, rock climbing, and getting re- tested for his drivers liscence. All the nurses called him a fighter and one of the strongest patients they had seen. Andrew was, and still is, determined to getting back to 100 percent. I am so inspired by his will to live. I can personally see now that bad things are bound to happen, but with a positive attitude and will power there is nothing we can't get through in this life.

Elli Schulte

I met Elli in Germany this year at the ISPO slackline competition. I was so inpressed with all of her trickline videos prior to meeting her and was amazed to see that she is just as good in person! She has inspired me to work hard at tricklining and to branch into an array of tricks that I never thought I could do (jumping, butt bounce combos....flips). Elli was the first female ever to land a front flip AND backflip on a slackline and is really one of the sweeetest most modest people I've met in the slackline community thus far.

Mike Payton

Yes, he's my boyfriend. I considered not mentioning him because I'm sure I have a bias. BUT, despite our relationship I have always been intrigued by Mike and his view on the world. Being one of the top all-around slackliners in the world (world champion trickliner, top male highliner, and skilled longliner), he gets a lot of attention and praise. But, he doesn't let it get to his head. He doesn't embellish himself or talk incessantly about his skills, rather, he rarely brings it up. Every time he gets on a slackline I am wowed by how solid he is. He works really hard at it and pushes himself not for the fame or attention, but for the love of the sport. He's # 1 in my book ;-)

Newest Trickline Video and a Highline Extravaganza!

2011-03-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

Soooo....I'd like to start off this post with our newest video! A couple weeks ago, Mike and I went to Berkeley, CA for a day, met up with a bunch of our slackline friends and played around for 8 straight hours on the slacklines at Bridges Rock Gym. We got some great footage of the day, so here is the video! It features Alpha Mike, Myself, Dan Portik, Brad Schneider, Alex Mason, and Damian Cooksey. (Editing by Dan Portik and I have to say...he has outdone himself!)

Besides that, Mike and I have been busy with Gibbon Events, but have been able to spend time at home the last couple of days (in Moab). It's so great to be here and have the opportunity to climb and highline! We went climbing the first two days and I got to practice my Trad skills. The third and fourth day, a crew of us went out to a new highline area and rigged 3 lines...a 70 footer, a 115, and a 150. I was able to walk the 70 and the 115 but just couldnt get into the right mindset to walk the 150. Right now, 150 feet is my goal and for some reason it's really tripping me out! I walked out to the middle of the line twice and just started to freak out and fell. I know I can walk any length highline - i just really need to focus on my mental state and relaxing.

It's funny - a lot of times when my life is stressful and I have a lot on my mind, I get A LOT more freaked out walking out onto a highline. But, when things are going well and I'm content with my life...I can focus and feel a lot more confident in my abilities. It's amazing how the mind is so involved! Even things in your unconcious can affect your performance.

While we were out there we had some great sends and great attempts. Some noteworth sends were:

Eddie Marovich - 70 footer! Also, an intentional whipper and some great catches.

Charlie Long - 70 footer: multiple walks.

Thomas Sloss - 150 footer! He was super solid and impressed me with his ability to just keep getting out there and trying again.

Hayden Nickell - 70 footer!

Jeremy Louis - 150 footer. Ridiculously solid. He basically sprinted across on his first walk!

Mike Payton - 115 footer. Unfortuntely he wasnt there when we rigged the 150 the next day (i know he would have sent it!)

I've chosen a few of the best photos of the day to post : Enjoy! (Click on the photo for an enlargement)

Latest Trickline Sesh! San Diego, CA

2011-03-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

.Mike, Brad, and I are now in San Diego, CA visiting Frankie and had a fun slackline sesh at the beach! Check out some new tricks I've been working on :) I think I've finally mastered the butt-bounce and can now move on to some combos (see video).

You MUST watch this!!

2011-02-22T04:29:00.001-08:00

Phillip did such a freaking awesome job editing this video. This is what we do!! So many amazing tricks and combos. It was such a pleasure to meet ALL of you and I cant wait for what's to come! Rock on!

My Favorite Photos by Patrick Riffel from ISPO 2011

2011-02-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

Me in Competition

Tim in the fashion show!

Elli in the fashion show

Me making it to the semi-finals (I love the facial expressions)

Mike getting some big air!

Florian

Me, helping Lisa to learn a new trick

This is hysterical....the top 3 in the comp!

Fashion show-ers ;-)

Mike and I after he beat me in comp

Florian on a butt bounce

Andy....with quite the look of fear on his face!

Elli in her new hat :)

Annnd....another great one of Andy.

Nick getting some air on a butt bounce

ISPO 2011

2011-02-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Germany!!! What a cool place. I just got back a few days ago from the ISPO Trade Show in Munich. Mike, Me, Andy, and Frankie were flown over from the US for the event and to compete in the competition. This was my first time competing in a big comp, and it was against all guys except for Elli! We both did super well and I think it was a big step for women in slacklining :) Elli came in fourth place!! And, I made it to the semi-finals. Below is a video of me competing against Mike in the semi-finals (yes, my boyfriend Mike). We start competing at 7:08 (first is Andy Lewis vs. Frankie Najera).

I had such an amazing time. It was my first time in a country that speaks a foreign language, and also my first time on the mainland of Europe (I have been to England, but that's different). It was so neat to see how different the culture is! EVERYTHING was different. The chairs, the tables, the signs, the food.....I was constantly in awe. I am so glad that I got to go, and now I just want to go back and explore! Now I understand why so many people backpack around Europe. I never really understood before why Europe was so popular, but it's just so diverse! I can't wait to travel there again.

Here are some choice pictures from the event!

Tippy toes ;-)

Making it to the Semi-finals!

Me competing against Mikey :)

Party!!

Me crowd surfing!


Winners! 1st - Andy 2nd- Momo 3rd- Mike

Elli in competition!

Atomic butt bounce

TIME TO RELAX

2011-01-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

I'm here in Moab until Feb. 4th doing nothing but what I want to do! I've been on the go for God knows how long now and it's nice to have a little break. So far I've been highlining 3 days, climbing 1, and resting 2. Tomorrow, I'm headed to Indian Creek to climb with my roommate Trish and hopefully Brent and Canyon as well! I've never been to the Creek and I've only heard amazing things about it. I'm pretty new at Trad climbing, so I will probably be mostly top-roping, but that's okay! I've gotta perfect the art of crack climbing before I can master leading, right?

Anyway! Once the 4th oh so quickly arrives, Mike and I are flying to Germany for the ISPO Trade Show in Munich. We're being flown over for the Slackline Competition mainly, but also to meet everyone and get to know the slackline community around the world!

I've heard that there will be no girls competition, which is a bummer. But, we've been welcomed to compete with the men (Elli and I, the only two women who want to compete). I am in NO way expecting to make it that far, but I hope to do well and pull off all my tricks! Mike says the most exciting part about being at the ISPO is mingling with everyone and learning new tricks and combos! I'm excited for the experience, especially because I've never been to the mainland of Europe. This will be my first experience in a country that speaks a foreign language (besides Canada, but most of them speak English as well as French).

Micki Sending!

So, back to highlining. The past few days we had our friends Hayden, Brad, and Micki visiting us here in Moab. We rigged 4 highlines total and had a blast out there rigging and walking. Micki and I rigged a 22 footer together, and having never sent a highline before, walked it like a champ!!! It was so awesome to see. Brad got out on it to tape it, and he also got out there for a few attempts but wasn't able to overcome what we call "the fear". Next time, Brad!!! Hayden, Myself, Mike, and Ryan all sent the 120 footer that we rigged which was very exposed in a breathtaking yet terrifying way. I'm super impressed by everybody and was very proud of myself as well.

I did the best I ever have on a line of that length, meaning that I wasn't scared, and my mind wasnt cluttered with random stupid things like it normally is. I was competely focused, relaxed, confident, and precise with every movement. It felt amazing and I can't wait to get back out there again!! What I want to rig next is a 150-160 footer that I failed at in November. I hate using the word failed, but I just couldn't get myself into that zone, the necessary zone you need to be in to send a line that scares you. But, I'm ready now!!!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

2011-01-21T22:43:00.001-08:00

Best show ive seen......EVER.

2011-01-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Ive decided to re-evaluate my life a bit and focus on more important things. For the last two years I have been seriously focusing on myself (meaning on my athletics, my job, and my happiness). But, as 2011 has rolled around Ive decided that there are much more important and valuable things that I need to pay attention to. Friends, is the first. I do not want to be that friend that is really hard to keep in contact with and i sometimes feel that I am that friend. That being said, my efforts are going to go towards spending much more time with the people that i love in my life, and calling them! texting them! etc! My friends are what put the color in my life, and I cannot put that aside.

Secondly, I really want to GIVE. I feel like sometimes I get caught up in what I am receiving. I think its part of the human existence; overcoming the ego and wanting everything for ourselves. Ive found that part of me poking out a little bit too much and I want to focus more on giving to others instead. I feel so much better after seeing someone smile when i've helped them, or gotten them a present, or just said something nice. I find a lot of joy in that, quite possibly even more joy than I feel when I receive something for myself. Id love to encourage all of you who took the time to read my blog to try giving to others more than you normally do and see how your life changes for the better :)

I am currently in Salt Lake City for one of the biggest Outdoor Retailer Shows in the US (if not THE biggest). We all just finished setting up our booth today and are excited for the first day tomorrow. Its always a blast showing people slacklining for the very first time and seeing how intrigued and excited they get! I'll be sure to post some pics of the show.

After the show I'm off to Moab until I fly out to Germany for the ISPO Trade Show in Munich! I'm so excited to experience Germany (it will be my first trip to a country that speaks a foreign language!!) AND I'm excited to compete in the competition! Apparently there will be no girls competition so I will have to compete against the guys, eek!!! Pictures soon :)

Surf Show Jan. 2011!

2011-01-06T12:10:00.001-08:00

Highlines I would like to attempt in 2011

2011-01-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

The Frog, Moab, UT - 70 ft
Taft Point, Yosemite, CA - 100 ft.
Long Lost Arrow Spire, Yosemite, CA - 110 ft.
Mt. Tam Highline, Marin, CA - 115 ft. (ish)
Yosemite Falls Line, Yosemite, CA - 128 ft.
Long Monkey Face, Smith Rock, OR - 130 ft.
Astrodome, Joshua Tree, CA - 141 ft.
Shakes McCoy, Moab, UT - 150 ft.
Upper Slack, Boulder, CO - 160 ft.

Golden Spire Highline Vid

2010-12-29T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hayley, Taylor, Cassie and I walking the Golden Spire Highline in Golden colorado! Cassie sent her first highline this day.....and I jumped off of a highline for the first time (intentionally). Check it out! We had a blast playing around :) Thank you Hayley for rigging!

Move to Moab

2010-12-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

Mike and I just moved to Moab, Utah and are beyond thrilled to be here!!!! It is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been (EVER)....not just because of the landscape, but because of how much there is to do! So far we've gone for a hike with our buddy Ryan to "The Fins"....the picture to the right is where we went. Look @ all that highline potential!! Next time we're going to bring our gear and rig some lines ;-) I really want to get into bolting and establishing my own lines...as soon as I learn how to bolt properly, I'll be sure to post my lines!

We're living with some friends Trish and Mari Sol. They are GREAT and they're house is beautiful. From the house, there's a view of an enormous Sandstone wall spanning all the way into town, and on the other side - the Lasal Mountains! Theres a horse on the property, two dogs and two cats....not including my dog. I'm pretty much in heaven here already. Below is a view of the mountains from the house, and Mikey chillen in the yard.

Mike and I are here for about one more day, and then we're heading back to the Denver area for the holidays. From there, I'm going to Orlando with the Gibbon Team for the SURF Show (an expo of all sorts of ski and snowboard gear...and also the Gibbon booth ;-) )....and then it's going to be super busy until March! I'm glad in a way because the weather isn't super amazing here in Moab for climbing and highlining....and when I get back, I hope its going to be warmer and sunnier! I can't wait to start Trad climbing regularly, and highlining whenever we want!! I'll write soon with more updates and I am busy with Gibbon events!

Here is a video of our recent slack sesh @ the park....Mikey, Me, Canyon (14 years old), Brent, Ryan, and our new roommate Trish :)

Where we live!!

2010-12-22T11:04:00.001-08:00

Mike tricklining! Sheesh...

2010-12-19T12:54:00.001-08:00

Lets talk about cute!!

2010-12-16T15:40:00.001-08:00

View from our new place!

2010-12-16T07:20:00.001-08:00

More trickline! As requested

2010-12-14T18:27:00.001-08:00

Trickline sesh

2010-12-12T18:00:00.001-08:00

Butt bounce combos :)

Myana and I

2010-12-09T12:10:00.001-08:00

Me and my cuz.

Myana's Slackline Video

2010-12-08T21:13:00.000-08:00

My cousin Myana is 8 years old. She has fallen in love with slacklining and has been practicing for months now. She says she wants to be like me when she grows up, and this makes me feel like I've accomplished something in life!! That is the biggest and best compliment I could have ever gotten. I made her a video so that the world can know how great she is. Take a look :)

Some amazing photos

2010-12-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some amazing photos from our trip to Moab! All taken by Jared Alden (my favorite photographer in the world, obviously).

Brian Mosbaugh walking the 115 ft highline....with style!

Thomas Sloss walking the 130 footer....such a great guy to be around.

Faith Dickey free-soloing a 75 ft. line

Andy Lewis posing for a night shot!

Hayley Ashburn chillin out by the highlines

Mich Kemeter walking the 165 ft highline

Andy's song about Slackline!

2010-12-04T23:20:00.001-08:00

A song Andy wrote about slackline that I absolutely LOVE. Check it out!

Moab Preview!

2010-12-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a video that my new friend Julien Millot made of our Moab trip....just a little preview of what it was like to be in the desert highlining! Enjoy!

Moab Road Trip Part II : Lifestyle from Julien Millot on Vimeo.

2nd Birthday...1988

2010-12-04T07:39:00.001-08:00

Thank God for Papay and his camera.....i now have SO many beautiful photos of my childhood. I am so grateful.

Sissy and Me

2010-12-03T11:34:00.001-08:00

Gobble Gobble 2010

2010-12-02T13:37:00.001-08:00

Another Thanksgiving in Moab and another unforgettable experience. 8 highlines all in the same location.....36 ft, 37 ft, 75 ft, 92 ft, 115 ft, 130 ft, 165 ft, and 200 ft! I sent all but the last 2....and beat my personal record by sending the 130 footer! What i really wanted was to send the 165 foot line, but couldnt seem to get into the right mindset. I would get about 4 steps and bail out. My legs are still bruised from all the line catches, but thats how i know i tried!

One thing i love about highline trips is challenging myself, but what i love even more is watching and encouraging others as they push themselves further than they have ever gone before. There were quite a few beginners this year and it was so rewarding to see them take it step by step, conquering their innate fear of falling. Only 2 beginners sent.....Davis and Charlie. The rest had trouble standing and walking but every single one got out onto the lines. I was particularly impressed with Taryn....she took a pretty intense fall onto her leash but didnt let her fear get the best of her and remained calm the entire time. Cassie and Taylor also did a great job getting out there despite their fear!

Some accomplishments of the trip:

Brian Mosbaugh walked his personal record at 165 feet (full man)

Hayley Ashburn walked her personal record at 92 feet (and the line was wicked loose!)

Faith Dickey onsighted her longest line at 165 feet in a swami (full babe)

Andy Lewis free soloed his longest line at 130 feet (full man)

Hayden Nickell sent his longest highline at 130 feet

Jared Alden also sent 130 feet, his longest!

And my man Mike Payton walked his longest highline of 200 feet (full man)

If there are any accomplishments i forgot please let me know!! I want to include everyone.

It was a lot of fun hanging out by the campfire and getting to know everyone. I met some awesome highliners i hadnt met before (Thomas Sloss, Harlan, Tancrede, Julien, Mich, Charlie, Davis, Emily, and Nathan).

The weather was frigid, some nights it was below zero! Mike and i zipped our sleeping bags together so we were pretty warm....we woke up one morning to 3 inches of snow, our bags frozen to the tent and water dripping down onto our heads!

For Thanksgiving a few of us went into town to stay with friends Brent and Canyon.....everyone else stayed and watched Dylan slaughter a live turkey, clean it and cook it over the fire! Im sorry i missed that!

Brents Tree Nets!

2010-11-29T11:55:00.001-08:00

Brightest Rainbow Ive Ever Seen

2010-11-21T12:12:00.001-08:00

Mini East Coast Tour

2010-11-18T20:50:00.001-08:00

Mike and i just finished a mini tour of the east coast that consisted of the Boston Ski Show, a demo at Funtastik Skate Shop in Mechanicsburg PA and two EMS demos.

The Ski Show was super busy and pretty exhausting but a ton of fun. It was Me, Mike, Hayden, Frankie, and Kate as the riders and Emilio and Jaime as well! We stayed with Emilios sister Febe in Tewksbury Mass. and had a great time getting to know her family. We are so grateful to have met her and her husband Leo, her daughter Nikki, and two sons Niko and Jake. They all came to the demo at least once as well. We did about 4 pro demos per day (showing off our skills and teachiing people what slackline is all about). The rest of the time was spent monitoring the lines, making sure everyone was being safe and answering questions. We almost sold out of lines!

The Funtastik Skate Shop demo was by far one of the best demos we have done. This was our second demo for this store and weve become great friends with the owner Aaron and his wife Birdie. They let us stay at their home and Birdies Mom cooked us a traditional PA dutch meal! We LOVED this event. It was for a high school PE program. We did a demo for about 5 classes and taught the kids how to walk the lines and showed them what is possible. Kids are my favorite to teach, especially high schoolers. They arent as afraid and a lot of them want to try tricks! There were a few people trying butt bounces and 360's ! Mike nailed 4 of 5 front flips and wowed everyone and there was this adorable 16 year old kid who asked for my number, haha!

The EMS demos were very slow - but the staff members were excited to learn and kept us company :)

Now were off to Moab for Thanksgiving to rage some highlines!! Its been a while since ive challenged myself on a long highline and i cant wait. Not only that, but there are going to be a lot of people trying highlines for their first time and this is one of my favorite things in the world - seeing people conquer their fear and get across. Eeeek!! My goals are to walk a 150-200 ft highline and at least attempt anything longer. I also want to jump off the highlines from the middle....i did this for the first time a few weeks ago and it was SO fun.

Anyway!! Ill post when i get back from Moab with a ton of epic photos. The people who i expect to walk their first highlines are:

Taylor Fultz, Dan Portik, Brent & Canyon Cain, and Taryn Edmonds. :) Ill be sure to include their progress in the next post!

My Dad 180s

2010-11-14T13:40:00.001-08:00

Location : Address not available

my lifestyle

2010-11-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

in boston for the ski show...the first day was CRAZY. SO many kids, so many people, eeek!! but it's so much fun watching people discover slackline for the first time. my favorite thing is showing kids what's possible and then watching them try the tricks and jumps. kids are the future of the sport, someday they're gonna be landing stuff we never even dreamed of. this is why i love my job!

getting to slackline with the guys all the time (mike, hayden, frankie, andy, etc) i get to learn SO much and try so much. there are so many things that I would NEVER have tried if I hadnt been encouraged to. for example, front flips! or butt bounce combos. i think my success in slackline can be attributed not only to my drive, but also the the guys (and the few girls) that i hang out with. so a BIG thanks to all of them. not only the guys, but on a rare occasion i get to slackline with women that are pushing the sport as well (like libby, faith, and hayley). this is SO much fun because i don't feel like the only girl in a group of guys anymore. we can swap tricks and ideas and actually be GIRLS. it's nice :) i cant wait to highline with faith and hayley in moab....less than a week til then!

so my life right now is pretty much, purely travel. every week i'm somewhere different slacklining at an event, a demo, or a competition. it's rare that we're in the same place for over a week. this is exciting but also exhausing at times! i am SO glad i get to have this opportunity and see the world before I get old; I am excited though to relax and get my own place. mike and i are going to rent a place in Moab where we can chill on our time off. moab is definitely the place that i want to live....theres SO much to do there, i dont think i could ever get bored. climbing, highlining, cliff jumping, mountain biking, hiking, running, skiing, arrow-head searching.....

anyway - i currently dont have a computer and therefore cant upload pictures (im using other peoples computers right now...). hopefully my computer will be fixed soon and i cant start posting pics again. ill post soon!

Ski Show Denver

2010-11-09T14:59:00.001-08:00

Hi all! Just finished the Ski Show in Denver with the team (Mike, Hayden, Hayley, Dan, Frankie, & Chris). We all had an awesome time learning new tricks and getting people stoked on slackline! I leearned how to go onto my tippy toes, then down into a crouch still on tippy toes and also how to turn around! Its one of my new favorite tricks now. After the show, Mike Taylor and I went to a trampoline gym in Denver and worked out jumps, butt bounces and flips! I feel a lot more confident with fronts now. I cant wait to start landing on the line.

Mike and i are now headed to Boston for another ski show. Im excited to be on my home turf ( new england) and also try some flips. And hopefully see my fam!

Anyway! Gotta pack and such....tonight Hayley Mike and I are having a welcome back Andy dinner *he just got back from Italy where he won the first Slackline World Cup!*

Location : 981 11th St, Boulder, CO 80302,

Alexandria

2010-11-01T00:45:00.001-07:00

Mike and his neice! Alexandria Payton :0)

Location : 1654-1686 30th St, Boulder, CO 80303,

Women of Slackline

2010-10-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a few videos of the top women in slacklining! (That I know of). I think it's SO important at the beginning of this sport, or any sport for that matter, that women push the envelope and set records in the female category. I believe that in order to push other women, women must stand apart and push EACHOTHER. This is in no way saying that we are less than men and therefore have to be in a separate category; I believe that women and men have different strengths, different weaknesses, and styles...so should be celebrated. Anyway! Below is a compilation of women's videos that I've seen from around the world (many of these girls are my good friends and have been an inspiration to me throughout my slackline career!)

Libby Sauter - USA

Hayley Ashburn and Myself - USA

Faith Dickey - USA

3.03 from vacaspurpuras on Vimeo.

Stephanie Siedel -Germany

Jelena and Ingrid - France

Elli Schulte - Germany

Taylor Fultz - USA

Carol Rangel - Brasil

as of late

2010-10-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

i am currently in boulder, colorado staying at my friend hayley's apartment. hayley is a fellow slackliner and one of the only other good females in the sport! mike is busy packing up his things at his parents house as we plan on moving soon! hayley and i are planning on rigging a 500 ft. longline tomorrow to break the current women's world record longline send (given we send, and given we dont get kicked out of the park!). in boulder, we get kicked out almost every time we set up a longline....hopefully tomorrow luck will be on our side.

plans for the next month are pretty busy. first, we have the dever ski and snow show with the gibbon team....then, we fly to boston for another ski and snow show where we will then drive a van down to pennsylvania for another demo with our friends at funtastik skate shop! hopefully while in pennsylvania i will be able to visit my best friend jenelle, who just got married in july!! from there, back to boston, back to boulder and then to moab!!! in moab (my favorite place in the WORLD) we will highline with people from all over the US and abroad. i can't wait!! it's going to be a great place for people to highline for their first time, for the experienced to challenge themselves on long long highlines (anywhere from 100 feet to 300 feet! and maybe longer!). this is one event i look forward to each year, as the community grows more and more people come and the more people i get to meet!

in other news....my grandfather is slowly fading away as he is not in the best of health. for the last year, he has been suffering. all his life, he has been a handyman; always working on something, fixing someones window or door, or railing, or building toys for us....he could never sit still. since he has been sick, he hasnt been able to do anything but sit in a chair with an occasional trip to the bathroom. it as been the biggest challenge of his life, no being able to do what he loves or what makes him feel important. it's been hard for my everyone in the family to see him this way and as he's fading now, i am glad. i am glad that his suffering will end and that he will no longer feel useless in the world as he sits in his chair. i know that he is ready to go, and i am excited for whatever is to come for him after this life. he has been such a loving person in my life, there for every christmas and every birthday. there being his silly little self, cracking jokes and showing the world what hard work really is.

thanks for reading! i will update soon as this next chapter of my life continues.

How cute is my dog!

2010-10-23T13:45:00.001-07:00

Location : La Costa Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92009,

Slackline - the worlds newest craze

2010-10-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Frankie, Mike and I are preparing for our America's Got Talent Audition on Sunday. We've been asked to audition by the producers because they've seen some slackline videos online. At first, we didn't want to do it....and I'll tell you why. One - slacklining is a sport, not an act. Two - we don't want to get up there and be labeled as a circus act (like people often do). Slacklining is a sport and a lifestyle, and we want to keep it that way. But, we realized that this is an amazing opportunity to expose millions of viewers to the sport and get the word out there! We don't plan on winning (and don't think we would). We just want to show the world what slackline is, and also demonstrate what's possible! Many people that slackline (and i'm not speaking for everyone) can only walk; and the reason for this is because they don't know what the next step is: Tricks! Slackline is similar to parkour, balance beam, and even tight rope walking, but it adds personal style and the attributes of a trampoline. It's bouncy, so you can trick, jump, and even flip! All in the comfort of your own backyard. It's a great challenge for anyone to try - kids, adults, even the elderly!

Keep a look out for us on the Ellen Show, and on America's Got Talent. I want to express why we've chosen to go on these shows, and please know that we're not steering away from who we are and the lifestyles that we live. Mike and I are still dirtbag's at heart (meaning we love to be on the road, explore, get dirty, and spend most of our time outdoors). Thanks for reading!

Nor'Easter to San Diego!

2010-10-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I'm here in San Diego working with Mike and Frankie Najera on our Slackline 101 film for Gibbon.....it's going to be fun :) The film will be for sale at REI, EMS, and other retailers that carry Gibbon Slacklines. Be sure to stay tuned, i'll post when it releases!

Below is a picture of my slackline toys ( I recently acquired, or went broke buying, the rest of my longline set-up!)

Since my last post, Mike and I have been to New Hampshire, Ohio, Colorado, and California.

In New Hampshire, we attended the Nor'Easter Climbing Event! It went really well, our slackline booth was the most popular by far. We got about 10+ people super stoked on slackline and are now following them on facebook and seeing their progress :)

After the Nor'Easter, we went to Pennsylvania to do a demo for store called FUNTASTIK. It's a skate shop in Mechanicsburg. It was one of our best demos by far. Aaron and Birdie, the owners of the shop set it up so that we did a demo in front of 3 high school gym classes, that are now implementing slackline into their curriculum! the kids were super excited to learn, and very impressed by what we could do on the lines. Some of them were even trying butt bounces as i held their hand! (It took me a while to get the guts to try a butt bounce). We are going back to Funtastik next month to do some more demos - we are so excited to see our new friends Aaron and Birdie again and to teach some more kids to balance!

The Gearfest!

After PA, we headed to Dayton Ohio for the Gearfest. We met up with Team Riders Hayden and Brad and had a blast. The festival actually allowed us to set up a highline!! About 15 feet high and 90 feet long. It ended up being my first semi free solo (meaning I walked it without a harness) AND Haydens first highline! It was super rad to walk highlines in front of a crowd. Everyone just stopped and stared.

Our set up for people to try :)

Hayden Nickell raging the line!

Then, Mike and I headed back to Colorado and from Colorado we drove to Humboldt CA for the Humboldt Classic Slackline Competition! It's basically a bunch of hippies and stoners that live there (it was awesome!) It was so great to see everyone again (Jeremy, Andy, Hayley, Phoxx, Jono, Jerry, Susan, and many more!) Mike won first place in the Expert Division and Dan Portik came in second (SO proud! he's progressed so much since I saw him last). I won the women's division and Hayley came in second (I had a blast competing against Hayley, we're on very similar levels and she's such a great high spirted girl). Check out the video below for some footage!

After Humboldt, Mike, Jeremy and I drove down to Berkeley for a Gibbon DEMO at REI. On the way, we drove through the Redwoods!! So beautiful!!

It was a blast to slackline with Nick and Dan in Berkeley (and Dan graciously let Mike and I crash at his house for a week). Below is a video from the Demo! You may witness some levitation....just sayin.

Now, we're in San Diego working on our Slackline 101 Film with Frankie. I'm psyched to get it done and have it available for sale! While were here, we have also been invited to audition for Ameritca's Got Talent. I know, right!! We'll see how it turns out (we're not sure how we're going to make slackline into a real SHOW).

Stay tuned......Mike and I are going to appear on the Ellen Degeneres Show in November, AND America's Got Talent in 2011!!

SURF Show --> Pennsylvania

2010-09-20T22:04:00.000-07:00

East coast touring these days with Mike. We started in Orlando FL where we worked the SURF Show with a bunch of the Gibbon Team (Hayden Nickell, Brad Schneider, Micki Ricchetti, & Chris Smith). It went really well! Sold out of all the slacklines and there was a constant crowd trying them out. Yayyy slackers!! I discovered this game called "Icing" where if you open something up and theres a Smirnoff Ice there you have to get down on one knee and chug it (apparently this is a 'bro's icing bro's' game in the words of Chris). Anyway, hysterical. See below.

Once the rest of the team left, Mike and I spent a day at Disney World! I got some fun pics with my GoPro cam of the day.

So now we are in Pennsylvania staying with our friends Jared and Bess. We havent seen them for about 3 or 4 months so I'm psyched! Their little girl Layla is 1 year old now :) Jared is going to continue on the tour with us until we reach the Nor'easter climbing festival in New Hampshire where we're gonna climb & slackline like crazy! Jared's been asked to photograph some of the professional climbers during the festival, so he's gonna get to watch some epic climbing for sure.

Anyway, all for now....

Surf Show Day 3 - Hangovers

2010-09-12T06:56:00.001-07:00

v
The Gibbon Team is hungover at the Surf Show in Orlando....hehe.

Accidental portrait

2010-09-03T11:45:00.001-07:00

Just bought myself a GoPro camera and while trying to figure it out i took a pretty cool shot of myself at the ampitheatre in boulder, co.

things since may

2010-08-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

it's been since april or may since i've written!!! a lot has happened, and i am excited to write about it all.

me on my dad's home line!

first: mike and i were sent to the east coast for some gibbon touring AND we got to spend some time in new hampshire, climbing at rumney with our friends jared, bess, and their darling baby layla! the tour was fun - we got to drive from colorado -> pennsylvania all the way to maine - into canada, and then BACK to colorado. it was tons of driving, but some of the demos were GREAT - as well as our attempt to get into canada with an enterprise van full of slacklines and metal structures. we were treated like bandits! mike almost lost it (and he NEVER gets that way). needless to say, we made it into the country but were informed that if we didnt leave in one week, there would be a warrant our for our arrest. NICE.

after the tour, we climbed. and i have to say. that week is when i actually progessed the most, ever, in my climbing. we would climb all day, almost every day. jared and mike were also up for really hard climbs, so bess and i had to try them! i lead my first 5.10, with many more, AND one 5.11a. i felt fearless! it was also great to spend time with such awesome people, i hope to see them again soon (and layla!!). please check out www.jaredphotography.com to see some of jareds work. you'll enjoy it, i promise.

after the tour, mike was shipped off to germany for slackline events and competitions. so, i was left on my own for the first time with no place to live and no plans. being a nomad and living that lifestyle with mike as a companion was one thing, but ALONE?! it was one of the scariest things i ever had to face. just me and my dog. what to do? for the first couple of days. i stayed with my friend evan in boulder, co. he's a ginger (just had to put that in there). evan will always be the guy who took me for my first trad climb. and it was the beginning of my obsession with getting my own trad gear! (for those of you who don't know what trad climbing is - it means that there are no bolts in the rock for you to easily clip into. to trad climb, you need gear that will fit inn the natural cracks and features of the rock, so that if you fall, that gear will save you.). my first trad climb was a 5.7 in boulder canyon at a place called "the blobs". it was a blast!!!! i now have my own set of nuts and am saving up to buy my first cams. thanks evan!

after boulder, i continued on to moab, utah (pretty much my favorite, and the most beautiful place in the US). there, i stayed with my friends brent and canyon and got to climb, slackline, and goof off for a month! in moab, i lead my second trad climb, called "lucy in the sky over potash" and it's rated 5.10a. i climbed it a bunch of times on top-rope first to feel comfortable, and then lead it trad . so terrifying, yet so amazing at the same time. i spent most of my time climbing, hanging around the water holes with my dog, helping to weave the tree nets in brents yard (see photo below) and meeting awesome people @ free lunch (if you go to moab theres a free lunch provided for anyone, offered by volunteers: please attend free lunch, u will meet amazing folk guaranteed - including a gentleman who's live for 10 years without utilizing money AT ALL).

these are the tree nets - brent taught me out to

weave, and i was addicted!

this is my friend ross, be-"laying"

and this is my beezer, playing in the water :)

when i would get sick of moab (which was hard to do) i would drive about an hour to terry's house in fruita colorado. there, he has a sanctuary of slacklines (longlines, highlines, 100 foot chains, you name it), not to mention the location is astounding. so, i would crash there for a few days, spend my alone time, and then trek back into moab for some more adventuring.

eventually, finally, after what it felt like a millenium: mike returned! i picked him up in salt lake city, where we stayed for the outdoor retailer show with the gibbon crew! such a blast - we got to meet all of the team members from across the country (neil, micki, hayden, brad, and new employee in the office : glynde!) glynde is 48 years old. glynde throws back flips off of the slackline. also, he rides skateboards on his hands in the middle of the night....see video below.

http://www.facebook.com/emily.sukiennik?v=app_9953271133#!/video/video.php?v=521141367040&subj=1068669277

alas, mike and i are back to colorado where we park it for a few weeks, and then fly to san diego, ca for the action sports retailer show for gibbon. which was, a blast! we stayed in this GORGEOUS house with a pool, a hot tub, a sauna in one of the bathrooms....you name it. we had fun at the house, and also rocked it at the show. we had a competition which gathered a crowd, and hayden nickell won! congrats to him. his prize: a brad new surf line, AND to compete against alpha mike (yes, my boyfriend mike). below are a few pics fro, the show (oh - and we were across from the miss reef 2011 photo gallery booth thingy- which we gibbonized).

no caption.

that's all for now. enjoy! :-)

Moab...coolest place ever!!

2010-04-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hanging out in Moab, Utah ROCKS. It is definitely my new favorite place in the US!!! Mike and I have been doing a lot of highlining and climbing here, and are staying with friends Brent and Canyon (who have so graciously let us crash on their couch). We accompanied Andy Lewis as he rigged the World Record Highline of 330 feet and have been attempting the line until a few days ago. The line turned out to be WAY too heavy to walk!! The record was 28 steps, which is surprising considering Mike and Andy are two of the best highliners in the world. Here is a video that I made summarizing the trip :)

The line was really intimidating, super loose and super heavy. The boys tried so hard that they completely exhausted themselves both mentally and physically (you shoulda seen the bruises!!) I didn't really focus my energies on the world record line. Seeing the two of them fail really didn't give me much hope. So, I focused more on the 120 footer that would be my personal record if I walked it. This line had only been rigged once before by Dean Potter, who did a B.A.S.E jump off of it. Andy rigged the line and I avoided it for about a day. I didn't want to think about it until I was actually ready and standing up to walk. When I did....I was completely in the zone. I didn't want to fall. I didn't want to have to crawl back to the beginning and try 10 more times, so I pressed on as hard as I could. I lost my balance due to fear a couple of times but fought it, hard. In the middle I had the most trouble...I started to think about where I was, the exposure, the risk of falling and having to begin again; but, then I heard Andy's voice..." calm, relax em....breathe!!!". So, i did. I relaxed and I felt my entire body let go of all its tension. I tried to hold that until the end....and when I got there I realized that I had on-sighted Dean Potter's B.A.S.E line. EEK!!! My biggest accomplishment yet. Not only was it my longest highline, but my longest on-sight. I was satisfied. I tried to walk back, but was completely distracted by the accomplishment so I let it go and basked in the glory of beating my personal record :)

Here is a photo of me on the line!

Some other accomplishments:

Ryan Matson walked his first highline ever, along with three others! (22 feet, 47 feet, 66 feet an 92 feet)

Justin Adkins also walked his first highline and all three of the others!

Libby Sauter and myself both walked our first highline in a swami belt (meaning no leg loops....so if you fall, it could potentially hurt quite a bit).

Hayley Ashburn sent her longest highline of 66 feet!

Andrew Tysinger sent the 66 footer after quite a bit of hesitation, or what we call "The Fear"

Taylor Fool did a tyrollean on a highline: her first highline experience!

Brent and Canyon Cain both did a Tyrollean and Canyon also did some intentional whippers (he threw his body out into the abyss)!

and MUCH more was accomplished during the trip.

We also did some climbing as well, which was fun for me because I haven't in such a long while! Brent and Canyon put up some routes for us and I was honestly amazed at Canyon's ability....he's 13 years old and leads 5.13 TRAD!!! Here are some shots:

Canyon Leading

That's all for now!! Mike and I are off to the East Coast to do demos for Gibbon and to climb/highline as well! I'll be sure to update soon.

2010-03-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

Amazing sunset the other night....

Knee still hurts. Not good! I'm a bit concerned that it won't be healed in time for the trail, which would be a big bummer. Injuries are no fun!! It's so hard not to climb and slackline as usual. I feel so....trapped! I just want to move around, but I'm stuck sitting on my butt. I guess I should stop whining about it and be patient (patience is a virtue, right?).

Anyway, in better news....my last day at work is tomorrow and then I am going to Indianapolis for Gibbon to slackline with Jeremy. I'm gonna have to take it easy because of my knee, of course, but it should be fun! Then after that I start packing and moving out of my apartment. Eek!! A new chapter shall begin. Mike and I will head to Boulder, CO where his parents live....and we'll hang out around there for a little while and see how my knee progresses. From there, we'll figure out the next step. I've always wanted to check out Boulder, so I'm psyched about that! And of course seeing all the slackers that live there.

Hollywood and Santa Monica Beach Trip!

2010-03-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, Mike and I were sent down to Hollywood for a Television show called "The Doctors" on CBS. We were representing Gibbon Slacklines and were on the show to demonstrate and explain why slacklining is great for the body! I had never been on television before so it was a bit nerve racking at first. We had to do a rehearsal the day before the taping, which was very relaxed and kinda silly...."stand here, but don't stand there! don't stand too close to this guy...he needs his space. be sure to be excited. but don't talk too much. be brief!" I tried to obey all of the rules :) We made up a little slackline routine and Mike had to bow afterwards. SOOO not him! Anyway....it was quite the experience and I'm glad I got to go. It was cool to see what goes on behind the scenes! So many cameras, sooo many people with different jobs to do (lighting, maintenance, stand in's, audience that claps at certain times, people that give you the microphones, people that escort you to and from, make-up and hair stylists, etc). It was totally weird seeing myself on TV.....not sure I liked it. I had to wear gobs of make-up too which wasn't fun! Mike certainly didn't enjoy that part either.

After the show, we had the whole day to ourselves so we went to Muscle Beach in Santa Monica and hung out by the water, ate at "Bubba Gump Shrimp" just like in Forrest Gump (which we had watched the night before!), and slacklined over the sand. Met some really great people that day! I'm really glad I got to go and have that experience.

25 Random Things About Me! (This is what happens when it's slow at work...)

2010-02-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

1) I am addicted to chapstick. I keep it by my bedside just in case I wake up in a fit of chapped lips.

2) I can walk highlines thousands of feet off the ground, but I cannot willfully jump off of things. It terrifies me!

3) I laugh hysterically when people fall down to the ground (and are alright, of course). Sometimes it get me in trouble :-P

4) I was the most bratty/selfish little girl you would ever meet (don't worry, I realized it, and I've changed).

5) I really don't like being around negative people.

6) Sometimes, I have the strangest urge to swim in extremely cold water.

7) I have an affinity to balancing (gosh, it's fun!).

8) I absolutely love dogs. I LOVE them. If I'm grouchy, show me a dog and I'll be instantly cured.

9) If I could live at any point in time, I would choose to live with the Native Americans. They truly lived life fully, and in a way that I would love to experience! No creature comforts.

10) I believe in many, many different kinds of love.

11) I'm terrified of childbirth.

12) I keep a box of letters that I've received throughout my life, from friends and family, and read them about once or twice a year. It truly refreshes me and helps me gain perspective on how much things have changed, and how much things will always change. It's also nice to reminisce!

13) I have recurring dreams that I can fly, but I only do it at night when no one can see me.

14) I think that happiness is a choice, and I've chosen it.

15) One of my favorite words is "Sneeze".

16) I'd like to experience as many new and different things as possible in my lifetime.

17) I've lived in 8 US states and hope to live in many more!

18) I was born with a large red birthmark on my left shin that looked exactly like a rose. People would ask WHY my Mom tattooed her daughter. The birthmark disappeared around age 3 or 4. Strange!

19) After all the sports I've participated in (pretty much every sport under the sun) I've NEVER broken a bone. Lucky me!

20) My Dad had me on ice hockey skates when I was 6 years old. Then when I was 7, I was the only girl on an all boys hockey team. Such a tom-boy!

21) When my sister was born, I suggested that she be named either "Booshoo or Clupup". They proceeded to name her "Malorie Kathleen" which didn't stick. They changed it later on to "Kristen Renee".

22) I think that society has created a very skewed view of life in general.

23) The only thing I want to spend my money on is Gear and Travel!

24) My mother is the most loving, caring, and intuitive woman I have ever known. As Jenelle says, she is a kindred spirit.

25) I really hope the world doesn't end in 2012. I'm having too much fun!

Recent Turn of Events!

2010-02-18T16:12:00.000-08:00

Instead of continuing on with life as planned, I've recently decided to hike the Appalachain Trail this Spring/Summer/Fall! How crazy is that? AlphaMike asked me to hike it with him, and my gut reaction was YES! So, why not? I'm a believer in following your gut, and I've always wanted to experience pure simplicity, freedom from society, absolute connection with nature, and living at it's most basic form. I'm beyond psyched for this experience.....but also quite nervous about the physical difficulty. I've always been an athlete, so I know I can do it. I guess I'm referring more to the mental struggle it will take to keep going for 2,178 miles. Eek!! This will be a life changing experience, no doubt about it. The cool thing about it, too, is that I'll end up in the northeast and I'll get to see my family! Yahooeeey!

Here is a picture/map of the trail. We're starting at the end of March/Beginning of April and it should take approximately 5 months. We're going South ---> North (well, so far that's the plan). More details to come!

It's been so long!!!

2010-02-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

Recent Epiphanies!

* You must give in order to receive. I know this sounds cliche, but I truly believe this. I think the world works in mysterious ways and will give to you only after you give to others. Try it! It works! And it feels amazing.

* LET IT BE. Seriously, just do. You can't plan for the future because things are always changing! You can never predict what is going to come your way.....and isn't that fun?!?

* PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. I know it's hard not to rush and want things right away, but the fun is in the wait!!! If you just accept that, you will experience pure joy. I know I have :)

* If you can't figure out the answer, just wait....it'll come. I've finally discovered that there IS such a thing as "just knowing"...I've always been skeptical of this feeling, but it does exist!!!

Anyway, those are a few things I wanted to share with the world because they have come to me at the perfect time.

Here are a few pics from my recent travels!

Things I'm looking forward to in 2010!

2009-12-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

- New Years! Although I have no plans yet, I'm looking forward to what comes to be...
- Seeing The Lovely Bones in theatres!
- The SLC Outdoor Retailer Show w/ Libby!
- Chris coming back to the states in March!
- My best friend in the world is getting married this coming summer, goodness! Marriage? What is that?
- My little Bellina turns 3.
- My little sister turns 21.
- I'm traveling to Europe for a slackline/highline excursion in July and August!
- More to come...

New Year's Resolutions

2009-12-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolutions for 2010

* Learn to be content and happy alone (don't base happiness on others!)*

* Live in the moment, every day! Learn to see that's there's always something beautiful if you just look*

* NO EXPECTATIONS - LET IT BE*

*Don't make excuses, just do it (in terms of highlining of course)*

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2010 is to learn to be comfortable and happy alone. On Christmas this year, because I couldn't be home for the holiday's, I took my dog to the park and watched her dig holes (she put on quite the show), drove around blasting random music that I love (Radiohead & The National specifically), sat on top of Indian Rock in Berkeley to watch the sunset, and went out for a drink with friends. I actually allowed myself to have fun alone; it's seems that I've realized one of the secrets to life!

Happiness comes from within....wherever you are, in that moment.

I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg (The best book ever)

2009-12-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg

I like you and I know why.
I like you because you are a good person to like.
I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it's special
And you remember it a long, long time.
You say, Remember when you told me something special
And both of us remember

When I think something is important
you think it's important too
We have good ideas
When I say something funny, you laugh
I think I'm funny and you think I'm funny too
Hah-hah!

I like you because you know where I'm ticklish
And you don't tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes
But if you do, then I know where to tickle you too
You know how to be silly
That's why I like you
Boy are you ever silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you

I like you because you know when it's time to stop being silly
Maybe day after tomorrow
Maybe never
Too late, it's a quarter past silly
Sometimes we don't say a word

We snurkle under fences
We spy secret places
If I am a goofus on the roofus hollering my head off
You are one too
If I pretend I am drowning, you pretend you are saving me
If I am getting ready to pop a paper bag,
then you are getting ready to jump
HOORAY

That's because you really like me
You really like me, don't you
And I really like you back
And you like me back and I like you back
And that's the way we keep on going every day

If you go away, then I go away too
or if I stay home, you send me a postcard
You don't just say Well see you around sometime, bye
I like you a lot because of that
If I go away, I send you a postcard too

And I like you because if we go away together
And if we are in Grand Central Station
And if I get lost
Then you are the one that is yelling for me

And I like you because when I am feeling sad
You don't always cheer me up right away
Sometimes it is better to be sad
You can't stand the others being so googly and gaggly every single minute
You want to think about things
It takes time

I like you because if I am mad at you
Then you are mad at me too
It's awful when the other person isn't
They are so nice and hoo-hoo you could just about punch them in the nose

I like you because if I think I am going to throw up
then you are really sorry
You don't just pretend you are busy looking at the birdies and all that
You say, maybe it was something you ate
You say, the same thing happened to me one time
And the same thing did

If you find two four-leaf clovers, you give me one
If I find four, I give you two
If we only find three, we keep on looking
Sometimes we have good luck, and sometimes we don't

If I break my arm, and if you break your arm too
Then it's fun to have a broken arm
I tell you about mine, you tell me about yours
We are both sorry
We write our names and draw pictures
We show everybody and they wish they had a broken arm too

I like you because I don't know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you
I can't remember when I didn't like you
It must have been lonesome then

I like you because because because
I forget why I like you but I do
So many reasons

On the 4th of July I like you because it's the 4th of July
On the fifth of July, I like you too

If you and I had some drums and some horns and some horses
If we had some hats and some flags and some fire engines
We could be a HOLIDAY
We could be a CELEBRATION
We could be a WHOLE PARADE
See what I mean?

Even if it was the 999th of July
Even if it was August
Even if it was way down at the bottom of November
Even if it was no place particular in January
I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again
That's how it would happen every time
I don't know why
I guess I don't know why I really like you
Why do I like you
I guess I just like you
I guess I just like you because I like you.

Moab Pics!!!

2009-12-16T21:34:00.000-08:00

My first walk of The Spliff, 76 ft.
Moab, Utah

Walking back, The Spliff, 76 ft.

The Spliff, again!

Again.....it was my favorite line to play on!

:-)

Me on the 102 footer, laughing at myself

Sending it!! 102 feet, "The Bub"

330 footer

2009-12-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Cedar Rose Park in Berkeley to set up a 330 ft. longline with Damian. My parent's were in town for a few days so I wanted to show them what a Longline looked like! It was a beautiful day, and we all had a great time. The line was pretty difficult; I only got about half way across but I came to a great realization about slacklining. The realization was....just have fun! I put my headphones on and just had a blast walking on that line in the beautiful sunshine. Even though I couldn't walk it all the way, I was satisfied. It really feels great to relax about everything, finally.

Moab

2009-12-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

The only picture of me so far on the highlines in Moab is below!! Oh, it's beautiful.... :-)

Gear....

2009-12-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

Gear that I really want/need for rigging my own badass highlines:

* Petzl ID

* Slack Banana

*Ascender

$$$...

2009-12-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

Today, I had the pleasure of wasting 3 hours trying to install/renew my anti-virus software as well as spending an unnecessary 40 of my precious dollars. Gotta love that!

But, in better news....my car has been repaired! Finally, after two weeks, it's ready. Brand new brake pads, a new fuel pump, something about an O ring and steering fluid....I am 968 dollars poorer. But I'm free!!!!!!! I can drive wherever I pleeeease!

A spendy, but good day. I would also like to recommend the song "Heartbeats" by Jose Gonzalez. Peace!

Gobble Gobble Bitches Yeah 2

2009-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

I had such a wonderful time on my week trip to Yosemite and Moab! We started out in Yosemite where we hiked up the Yosemite Falls trail to walk the long Spire line (115 feet I believe), but when we got up there, there were about 60 mph winds! It was unreal. So cold with the windo chill. We were all laughing hysterically as the line flew up and down in the wind. The only soul brave enough to try the line was Kornie, and he gave it about 3 respectable go's! He got about 10 steps or so and then said his toes were numb and he was confused about where he was. HA! Kinda funny if you think about it....standing in the middle of an abyss. Anyway! We wanted to wait for the weather to clear up but it wasn't looking good, so the next day we hiked back down in the snow to Camp 4 where we camped for the night. I passed out pretty early but I do remember lots of noise coming from the Polock's tent. :-P

The next day we decided to rig the Taft Point line, which is about 100 feet I think....but when we got to the Glacier Point Pass that would take us up there, it was closed!!!! SO BUMMED. I was psyched to try that line because it is right within my range of difficulty. Instead, we drove further down the road to a place called Mariposa Grove, where we set up a 150 ft. mid-line amongst the GIANT Sequoias. It was beautiful, and I walked it on my second try! It was great training for me because it was just high enough but the exposure was minimal. I felt really solid on it. I finally found a way to relax on the line; I've started repeating "in the moment, in the moment" with each step and it truly helps me realize the beauty of where I am and how capable my body is. Janek did a free solo of it, which was cool to watch. The SICK photo below is of Brian on the line, taken by Jordan Tybon (props!). OH! and this day....Brian and I were wrestling and my tooth collided with his head.....leaving my tooth loose! It still is, almost a week later. Uh oh....

The next day we set out on our 16 hour journey to Moab, UT where we would meet up with a bunch of highliners from across the US. The ride was extremely long, but the company was great. We even listened to Lord of the Rings on tape....which was, needless to say, hilariously entertaining. We arrived mid-day on the 23rd of Nov. and there were already 2 highlines rigged. One 40 footer and one 76. I started out on the 40 to warm up which I onsight full-babed (meaning- walked it on my first try, both directions). My first onsight full-babe! We had a campfire that night and laughed and laughed and laughed.

The next day I got on the 76 footer and walked it both directions...felt SUPER soild on it! Spent a lot of time on that line training my mind...back and forth. Then hopped on the 62 footer that Janek rigged, which felt kind of strange actually. Didn't feel so great on that line for some reason, maybe it was the tension (it was a bit tighter than the other ones). So....now I had walked three of 4 lines that were up, the next one being the 102 foot line. My personal best was set at about 90 feet and I really wanted to break that on the trip. The 102 footer was looming at me and I really started to freak out about it. For me, most of highlining is mental (and I think that's the case for most people). I know I can walk an 100 foot line. I've walked way longer than that close to the ground! So, clearly I was inhibiting myself mentally. I tried about 4 or 5 times and fell over and over again. I even got about half way across and fell, which was devestating!! I totally felt like I was in the zone. I decided to take a break, and that's when Jerry started to attempt the 177 foot line that had just gone up. (Below is a photo of 3 of the lines, the 62, the 76 and the 102....Janek, Kornie, and Damian)

I spent the rest of the day watching Jerry and others attempt the 177 foot line, which was honestly one of the most beautiful lines I have ever seen. I just sat in AWE of it....it was SO long, so exposed, so.....perfect. I was sure that Jerry would on-sight it, but he didn't. It's really crazy to some of the best slackliners be beaten! It reminds me that we are all human, and all struggle. Jerry gave it lots of go's, and then Mike Payton got on. He gave it about 2 or 3 tries, falling each of them. Then, on his 4th try he got into it....We all sat together on the ledge watching, gripping eachother with each step he took. Silence. He was still walking. His focus was apparent and he took his time like I've never seen before, catching his balance, breathing, fighting....and a full 10 minutes later....he reached the end. VICTORY!!!!! First Ascent of the Great Bong-gina (yes, we named it the Great Bong-gina). It was like watching a film!! I hope that everyone get's the chance to witness something of that nature at some point in their lives. I wanted to cry I was so happy for Mike (Photos coming soon).

Later that day, I got back on the 102. I was so worked up inside and was letting everything just take over my mind....So, I decided to just stay "in the moment", to focus on each movement, each sound, each feeling. I stood up and started to walk. I repeated my mantra over and over again, only straying from this phrase a few times. I focused on Jeremy's green jacket as he slept on the other side of the line. Breathe.....I was in the zone! Sometimes it takes a little while to get there, but I did. I was half-way; past the hard part. I just need to maintain focus and I had it. DONE! PURE Adrenaline and joy came over me. SO HAPPY. :-) PERSONAL RECORD = 102 feet.

Later that day, I witnessed Andy walk the 177 footer, and on my hike out, I turned around and there was Jerry.....sending the line. Such a great way to leave....

(More photos to come....Brian has the camera :-P )

Back from Yosemite and Moab!

2009-11-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

Brian sent the Lost Arrow Spire Highline!!! Here is one of the best shots I've actually ever seen of this line....so proud of him!

I am now back from Moab (sadly!) and have so much to tell about...I'm just not yet in the mood to write it all down. So I will wait until tomorrow. Good news though: I sent all the lines I wanted to! :-) I look forward to writing about my trip and remembering all of the hilarious occurrences. I guess I'll say one thing: I learned of a new pastime called "Trundling", which is the act of throwing rocks off of cliffs. A jolly good time, actually!

I've got big plans...

2009-11-17T17:17:00.001-08:00

Just you wait and see.

Challenges

2009-11-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...sitting at work this lovely monday morning thinking about what to write. The only thing that I can think about right now is how badly I want to be in Yosemite with everyone!! Got a call from Brian this morning telling me that they were about to start hiking up the Falls Trail to rig the Lost Arrow Spire line....AH! I guess it's just my turn to miss out....but I really hope that Brian sends it! He's tried once and failed, so he will get it for sure this time (considering he just sent a much longer line a few days ago). He is a lot more prepared this time around. I just wish I could be there to see it happen! He will be back soon though and we will leave for our trip to Moab. YAY!!! God I love highlining....I can't even explain what it does to me, and what's it's done for my life. I feel complete when I am out there, challenging myself like I never have before, both mentally and physically, and overcoming the essence of fear. It's like I am finally truly living.

Brian sends the Mt. Tam Highline!

2009-11-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Brian and the slackers from Poland (Jan, Dameon, Kornie, and Jordan) went back up to Mt. Tam for their last day. Kornie, Jordan and Brian hadn't yet sent the line and we're determined to! I told them I better get a text message when someone sent....and sure enough, I got a text that Brian sent! 115 feet long, 4,000 feet above sea level and 80 feet of the deck....he full manned it! (For those of you reading this that don't know what full-man is, it means he walked it in both directions, that badass). I am so proud of him! It feels just as great to see someone else succeed. That's what I love about highlining and longlining!!

Anyway...today Brian left with them to go to Yosemite for a few days before we leave for Moab. I wish I could have joined, but I have to work (such is life!). I can't wait for Moab....terrifying highlines galore! 3 days!!

Defeat

2009-11-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here I am sitting at work after two straight days of attempting the Mt. Tam highline, 115 feet of pure difficulty, and I have again been defeated. I know that I can walk that line, I know that I have the physical skills and ability, but I was not allowing myself to be in the right mental space to do so. I sat there and my thought process started off fine, but was actually way off; "you are fine, this is where you want to be, just stand up because you know you can, feel the line underneath you....but don't fall, and if you fall you will be fine....". Its interesting, if you even think about falling at all, you fall! For a while sending lines was super important to me. I wanted to be the BEST at what I do. But what I've realized is that's too much pressure for me and that's not why I am involved in the sport to begin with. After trying, and trying, and trying yesterday and falling, and falling, and falling I realized that it's OK for me to accept defeat. It's okay to feel beaten and tired and say "enough". It's okay to feel good about how hard I tried even if I didn't reach my goal. The real reason that I love slacklining and highlining so much is the challenge, the people and the community, not the statistics or how good I am compared to others (although it's difficult to let go of that sometimes!). I grew and learned a lot yesterday without making it all the way across. I laughed a lot yesterday without making it all the way across. I enjoyed watching others try and I even feel accomplished without making it it all the way across. Go me! :-)

330 ft. Longline- First attempts

2009-11-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

A bunch of slacklining/highlining boys from Poland are staying at the gym for a few days and yesterday they set up a 330 foot longline in a park right by the gym. I rode my bike over during my break hoping to give it a shot with no expectations whatsoever (considering my longest line has been about 200 ft and this would be a huge leap). The guys were psyched on letting me try it out, so I got on and turned up my iPod featuring Radiohead (my favorite slacking music- of course). My first try I got about halfway across and then came off. What a fight!! The length really creates reverberations through the line that are SO hard to control. But it was SO much fun. It's such a mental and physical challenge and I love that. The guys re-tentioned the line a bit and then I got to give it another shot. This time I made it ALMOST all the way across until about 10-15 feet from the end!!! AH!!! It took so much effort and concentration to get there, to fight through every little distraction and movement and then BAM- off. I was so close that I couldn't help but shed a tear. It's funny; of course I was disappointed and wanted to send...but there's something about trying and failing that makes things worthwhile.

Moab in 2 weeks!!!

2009-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Moab in only two weeks!!!! I am SO psyched I can't even express it....It's been about 4 months since I've done REAL highlines, well okay....maybe not that long. But still! It's also been a ridiculous amount of time since I've had a significant time off from work, so I am a happy girl :-) I've also moved into my new apartment, which has been lovely. It's nice to no longer live in a shed...(yes, you heard me). Electricity is definitely nice to have. Belle is also quite happy to have more room to be her silly little self.

In addition, it's been over a year and a half since I have seen my mother (and over a year since I've seen my father)- so they are coming to visit me in December!!! My sister is coming too but she's is STAYING in the bay area. Yahoo!! Things are happening, folks.

Not too much else to report right now....I'll be sure to update after the trip to Moab!