Mountain Climbing as a Metaphor for Life

Precariously cleaning the pitch -ha! Crack climbing is a cruel pursuit for a large man .😂 #crackclimbing #tradisrad #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #oldguyproblems #rockclimbing #climbon #mountainlovers #peak #climb #climber #climbingphotography #climbingislife #photooftheday #instagood (at Squamish, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/COfzJFRLnG0/?igshid=17c2pwip6hh0z

The regular ski season is over at Crystal Mountain and what a great one it was, we had more powder days than I can remember in a long time. Thank you @crystalmountain for staying open and for your great management through the Covid crisis! # Following the seasons, now we set our sights on summer adventures and the upcoming climbing season. # Throwback to tagging the summit register on the Mathes Crest and looking forward to more summer fun in the mountains. What does everyone have planned? #yosemite #mathescrest #rockclimbing #aacgram #climbon #climbingislife #mountaineering #mountaineer #tradisrad #peak #photooftheday #instagood #climb #climber #climbing #climbingislife (at Tuolumne, Yosemite National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN4_SDPrS6K/?igshid=qxw36hl7in9e

What a season we have had @crystalmountain ! So many powder days and epic views of Mount Rainier. A breath of fresh air during these trying times. 📸@crystalmountain #staypositivetestnegative #mountainlife #mountainsarecalling #mountainview #mtrainier #cascades #skiingseason #skiinglife #neverstopexploring #pictureoftheday (at Mt. Rainer) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkYbt_r5Tc/?igshid=tm7c684cqbqn

The middle couloir of Powder Bowl is in perfect condition, but keep it to yourself. :) Enjoy your winter my friends. #pnwlife #pnwadventures #freeski #freeskier #runninglaps #powderskiing #steepskiing #snow #cascades #videooftheday #ski #skier #skiingislife #neverstopexploring #staypositivetestnegative (at Crystal Mountain Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK9WCO6Ah69/?igshid=19n6fac4n78ht

#throwbackthursday to great times last fall climbing in #britishcolumbia - now they won’t let us in the province due to Corona virus concerns so I have to live through my photos. # In all seriousness, as concerning as the pandemic has been, it has also been a great time to slow down and reflect and heal. After experiencing nerve damage from my last expedition (see previous posts) and shoulder surgery the year before - I was feeling a bit beat up and yes - old (ugh no, did I admit that). # Until my sister @suevipond told me about a portable medical device that she was using that increases micro circulation (the Bemer). She sent me one to try as my knees were hurting from all my Covid hikes. Before using it, I actually thought I was going to have to go see an orthopedist for the pain, but after a few sessions with this little wonder everything feels great again. I use it on a daily basis now and am able to train hard knowing that I have something to help me recover. Armed with my new friend, I am hopeful that I will be able to go on beating the crap out of my body for another twenty years. Stay safe my friends ! #fitforlife #performance #recovery #squamishclimbing #britishcolumbia #neverstopexploring #aacgram #rockclimbing #tradisrad #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbon #mountainlovers #peak #photooftheday #instagood #climb #climber #climbinglife #oldmanstrength (at Squamish, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZS8wVgGDY/?igshid=19jjoj0t8pfdg

Keep posting your memories my friends ! Throwback to sunny days in Yosemite fooling around on the Super Slide on Royal Arches #Dorfman #Flounder #memoriesforlife #quarantinelife #quarantineandchill #covidsucks #stayhome #stayhealthy #yosemite #royalarches #rockclimbing #climbingvideosofinstagram #climbinglife #instagood #neverstopexploring (at Yosemite National Park, USA) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UfGOxgX-i/?igshid=1bp1flwa7z1i3

Re- living adventurous times in this time of quarantine . Flying through the Col through the Annapurna Massif with Machapuchure (Fishtail Peak ) greeting us as we come through the col on the way home from a day of heliskiing the Himalaya. #chillandquarantine #bethankful #countyourblessings #neverstopexploring #himalayanadventure #heliskiannapurna2019 #firstdescents #skiingislife #lifeisbeautiful #thanksfor doingyourpart (at Nepal) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PXp_rgz-X/?igshid=1rjp1d1s91g9z

Friends, given our current state of affairs, now more than ever is a good time to post throwbacks of our happy memories and know that our current crisis is only temporary. However, now we must all #quarantineandchill and practice #socialdistancing at all times to do our part for the world. # Throwback to last summer when we climbed perhaps one of the best 5.8 route In North America (IMHO). If you like lie backing, “Dierdre” at Squamish is an Uber classic. #squamishclimbing #squamishisawesome #rockclimbing #aacgram #climbon #climbingislife #tradisrad #peak #photooftoday #instadaily #tbw #climb #climber #climbing #climbingrocks (at Squamish, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B94TwaGggO0/?igshid=x9n1jqqwrb1t

#tbw to the celebration of Holi in Kathmandu that is currently taking place now. One of the purposes of the Hindu festival is to purify and renew society,and to bridge over critical moments. America right now is in a critical moment and we all need to stay positive, stand together and follow the protocols. Stay safe and healthy my friends.🙏 #ommanipadmehum #holi #coronaviruspreparation #bevigilant #beprepared #washyourhands #socialdistancing #avoidcrowds (at Issaquah, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mTOYwAWd7/?igshid=j6lt8qdbg2cx

Our house! Finally got a bluebird ski day in the #pnwonderland . #freeski #freeskiing #freeskier #runninglaps #powderskiing #snow #cascades #pnw #videooftheday #ski #skiing #skier (at Crystal Mountain Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wPOdLgGoQ/?igshid=j5culp6xl0h5

Wow, take a break from posting and loose 2,000 followers - rough crowd 😂. # It is raining so hard in the #pnw that we can’t even ski! Here is a throwback to this summer’s climbing trip to Squamish. The Mandalorian @arminfisher leading “Skywalker” high above Howe Sound. At the start of the pitch at the belay anchor there is a small plaque glued to the rock that says “May The Force Be With You”. # #themandalorian #maytheforcebewithyou #squamish #britishcolumbia #neverstopexploring #aacgram #rockclimbing #tradisrad #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbon #mountainlovers #peak #photooftheday #instagood #climb #climber #climbing_is_my_passion (at Squamish, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8T0pgrAjhf/?igshid=un3pxzr6ofvw

Driving south down Rainier Ave. you never know who is going to make an appearance. The scenery changes in Seattle on almost an hourly basis due to the the variable weather patterns and depending on the time of year. Happy Fourth my friends! 📷 @alberthbyang #mtrainier #mtrainiernationalpark #seattle #seattlepride #pnw #pnwonderland #pnwphotographer #pnwisbeautiful #washingtonstate #mountains #mountainsarecalling #mountaineering #climb #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #neverstopexploring #gameoftones (at Downtown Seattle) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzevqXsAXZO/?igshid=ktxcvyicxfvc

Friends, on a recent heli ski trip to Annapurna I got sick in Kathmandu and took some Cipro for what I thought was a routine case of “Delhi Belly“. Unbeknownst to me Cipro carries a “Boxed Warning”. This is the most serious warning from the FDA, and it means that the FDA considers the drug to be potentially dangerous in some capacity. The boxed warning for Cipro specifically states that this fluoroquinolone antibiotic may increase the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in people of all ages, which can lead to serious side effects, such as nerve pain, chronic pain from induced myalgia, burning, numbness, or weakness in the joints and muscles, and swelling and pain in the joints and tendons. “These symptoms may come on after just one or two doses and may last for years. It is unknown yet whether some of the symptoms and changes, especially nerve changes, are permanent” – Geez. # Although I did not experience any tendon rupture, I experienced most of the other symptoms and for over five weeks when I first got home I could barely walk. I was starting to think that this might be permanent, however in the last two weeks I have been feeling much better and am starting to train again for some upcoming adventures. Still after two and a half months, I have not fully recovered. The strange thing is that I have taken Cipro before on previous expeditions and did not experience any side effects. # So, to my fellow adventurers I offer you a word of caution as to what you decide to take for some of the infections that you encounter during your travels and advise you to consult with your doctor in advance. I have learned through my research that these adverse symptoms occur often enough for the FDA to release a warning that doctors should only use fluoroquinolones, such as Cipro, when no other treatment options are available. Unfortunately , now I understand why. Just a quick share so you don’t have to experience what I went through. Have fun, be safe - Bill #tbw #climbersofinstagram #climberslife #climbing #neverstopexploring #climbingrocks #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #adventurenthusiasts #adventurers #climb #climbon #climbers #yosemitenationalpark (at Yosemite National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BynLzkaANHp/?igshid=wh3z6fhyca1u

The current crevasse situation on Mt. Rainier. Have fun, be safe my friends. 📷 @strumfio #mtrainier #mtrainiernationalpark #mountaineering #mountaineer #mountaineers #climbersofinstagram #climberslife #climbing #neverstopexploring #climb #climber #climatechange #climbingpicturesofinstagram #seattle #washingtonstate (at Mt. Rainier) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByVJOMlAtZ9/?igshid=b39oyiv8bbn6

The line to summit Mt. Everest this morning. I am not there, this photo was sent to me. #neverstopexploring #highaltitude #mountaineering #mteverest #himalaya #nepal #climbing #climb #climber #mountains #climbersofinstagram #climberslife #climbing_is_my_passion #climbing_pictures_of_instagram (at Mt. Everest) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0rkAFgYXq/?igshid=1tmq8uha60l6b