Pre Employment Thoughts / Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness Center

Following my work as Manager of Rentals for Granite Chief Ski and Mountain Shop I found myself investing a lot of time applying for alternative managerial positions.  I applied for a position as a supervisor at Sportsman's Warehouse, making about the same I did at Granite Chief.  I applied for a position at the Student Conduct Office for UNR making $60K a yr.  There was a large degree of variety in the options I took into consideration, but few results.  The process was emotionally draining and I began to realize that despite having the degree, despite having managerial experience, despite having a standing ovation of performance and ingenuity from Granite Chief, there was no 'quick' way to get a position of authority, at least not at any cool job I might genuinely be excited for.  I applied for a job at Mesa Rim, not knowing what I should expect.  Now that I've had time to take in more about the company I expect I will grow as an individual at Mesa Rim.  I anticipate that in addition to just climbing more, progressing to grades I haven't touched in many years, I will also develop a greater degree of self awareness and humility, and whether I stay with Mesa Rim or not I plan to take these tools with me wherever I go in life.  Mesa Rim represents a company with a set of ethics and way of both being honest with itself and with the world around it, principles you observe in climbers and in a 'climbing lifestyle'.  This will be my first experience working for an organization that can say as much for itself, so begins the journey.  July 31st here we come!

Exploration / Twin Crags; Tahoe City CA 7/6/17

Early July Amanda and I did a half day hike out at Twin Crags, above Tahoe City and Alpine Meadows (South Side of 89). We were greeted with easy to navigate directions from the Tahoe Locals North Shore Guidebook, and a reasonable trail up through the talus field.  The climbs appear to be polished volcanic rock, vertical, top rope mostly, with an interesting column like feature to them that I haven't seen anywhere else in Tahoe.  I hope to return here this coming fall when the temperatures are a little more forgiving.

Half Day Trad Climbing / Pie Shop; South Lake CA 6/11/17

Early June I had finally gotten confirmation of my employment at the soon to be Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness Center under construction here in Reno.  After much searching and a little banging my head against the wall I felt like I had found a job I was excited for and that would also challenge me as a person.  I shared the good news with my best climbing partner and we made plans to climb the very next day.  We drove out to Pie Shop arriving around noon.  Surprisingly enough it was snowing in Tahoe in July, raining everywhere else, but given that it was such an exceedingly light and dry snow we were still able to climb.  We jumped on the route Crepes Corner, a 5.7 slabby hand crack that is effectively one pitch, though there is a 5.5 solo to the base of the climbing.  The climb protected very well, the movement felt good, I just wish the rappel bolts had been closer to the top out of the climb to reduce rope drag while giving a follower a belay from the top.  This was a fun lead and I hope to return to Pie Shop possibly this fall to try something a little harder.

Personal Review of Area : Rock/Climb Quality 7/10 - Size 6/10 - Accessibility 6/10
Public Information : https://tinyurl.com/y7en56kk
Approx. Location : http://tinyurl.com/zt5x6le
Contact Info @ Bottom of Page.