Rocky Relationships~

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are particularly hard,
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subject to extreme ups and downs,
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making you feel perpetually unsafe,
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like you might, at any minute,
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fall off a cliff.
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People often wonder,
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why be in such a relationship?
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They may not share the love of the challenge, the discipline, the risk.

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Cheers to you from beautiful Utah and the remarkable rock-hounds who choose to defy gravity & win~

257 thoughts on “Rocky Relationships~

  1. As always, beautiful pictures. For me as never before from you, work that would quickly drain my adrenals. I am reading this as they climbed those rocks because they were there, and you photographed the climbers because they were there scaling the cliff.

    1. I watched them for awhile and I got the sense that they were chess players and the rock face their board. It takes the same sort of cerebral strategizing. The only difference is the stakes were much higher here, than in any game of chess. I admire them~

  2. Wowsers, those rock climbers are CRAZY!!! tee hee! How scary that looks! Brave people! I love the color in that rock!!! So gorgeous and vibrant! Hugz to you Cindy, Happy Thanksgiving wishes! Hugz always, Lisa and Bear

    1. That is true. And yes the emotions on the face of the first climber got me hooked. I saw the interplay of feelings as the problems were presenting themselves, the pensiveness, but also confidence and coolness under pressure. Most impressive~

  3. My two daughters and husband have done some climbing in our mountains here, and did the summit of Longs Peak, but I prefer keeping my feet more grounded on firm footing. 🙂 Utah is a great place too for rock face climbing and using the more technical skills.

    1. Yes the technical climbers are fascinating people and I had never really watched their process before. It is like this silent game of major high stakes chess. So much of it cerebral and psychological. Remarkable. Happy TG to you and your family Joyce~

  4. They are very brave, Cindy 🙂
    I do understand, that they wish to enjoy this view, but this look very risky to me.
    I like to walk at a mountain even it is not always easy, but this kind, no thanks.

    1. It takes training, a special sort of psychological make-up, and absolute physical fittness. I think they may love the views, the challenge, and the mastery of both fear and gravity~

    1. You did! Fascinating! Might you be tempted to post some photos and tell us about it? It would make a amazing post. People want to know about the motivation, the feelings while climbling and after. People being me, laughing…….No people really do want to know. If you do post please alert me so I don’t miss it~

    1. It’s always interesting to me to explore the lives of people who are different than myself. I am so glad we have this diversity among people other wise we would be boring. I thought the first climber was showing fear. They could be fearless or maybe they just like overcoming their fear. I don’t know, but I respect their difference.

  5. Timothy Price

    We’ve been way out in the middle of nowhere and came across rock climbers on shear cliff faces. I’ve done a lot of dangerous things in my day, but rock climbing is not one I’ve ever been interested in. Great photos.

      1. Before we met, Lynn shattered her heel falling off a ladder from the 3rd step while changing a lightbulb. And she was on a carpet. 7 years later and she still suffers from it. Nope. I’ll send a kid up the ladder. They bounce!

  6. Omg, I could never do this! I’d immediately get dizzy and be an instant casualty, lol. I’ll hang out at the beautiful pond and wait for the others to return 🙂 But the photos are gorgeous nonetheless ❤

  7. The pictures are dizzying and stunning. And amazing how just a few well chosen words can unveil an entirely different life perspective – I got goose bumps Cindy 🙂 Kudos.

    1. I learned a lot watching these climbers. I learned that what they most rely on in climbing is cerebral and emotional, plotting their moves and controlling their fear when their moves don’t work, which is often the case. I love seeing life from other people’s perspective and I so appreciate you noticing and responding to this. Thank you Dahlia. I am touched by your thoughtful words~ <3

      1. While looking at the pictures I was wondering why anybody would do that and that I would never ever do such a thing. But your words made me think – don’t we often do this in life – if not literally then figuratively? The images and the life parallels have stayed with me since – as I said a thought provoking and impactful piece 🙂

  8. Amazing! It must take such courage, focus and determination to climb like this. The perfect recipe for getting the best out of life! Cheers Cindy x

  9. Wow! The only way I’d try something like this is if I were also wearing a jet pack as flying off would be great consolation for WHEN I slip and fall – I say “when” because I’m basically an accident waiting to happen! Fantastic pictures of all the action… so some of us can enjoy this vicariously! 🙂

    1. Laughing, “WHEN I slip and fall,” I caught this immediately! I think I could attempt bouldering where you basically climb ten foot boulders. I saw people doing it and the reason I didn’t join them was because I could imagine how ridiculous I would look and someone would take my photo and put it in their blog! The thought was too humiliating….. 😉 😉

          1. Yeah there was a lot of information in that book that we don’t often hear (even accounting for all this information we can access on the Internet). The one part of the book I had a hard time with, and that I remember distinctly, is where the book described how some researcher terminated a parrot’s life to find out what was in the parrot’s crop. I was thinking, isn’t there some non-invasive ultrasound you can use for that? Other than that, it was a great book (though I suggested in a review that they should cover various species’ sleep habits in a future edition since most parrot species need more than the human “ideal” of 8 hours per night, and many parrot caretakers don’t know their parrots are sleep-deprived).

            1. Well, and I am dead serious, you should write the next book, start with an article, post it online. Your knowledge and passion here is obvious to me and quite special. Please tell me if you post it.
              I do know one thing. Unfortunately I often know the bad things, and that is that exotic and endangered birds are killed regularly in one of the most revered wildlife and bird sanctuaries in the world. The usual method is to grab the birds head and spin it around.
              People who know parrots, don’t like this.
              I hear you. I always do.

              1. Ugh, that’s awful what happens in supposed “sanctuaries,” “refuges,” etc. Really makes me want to establish one of my own somehow, someday!

                Yes, I’ll definitely let you know when I contribute to the literature on parrots!

    1. Very perceptive! It is called rock varnish and it all over the southwest. It can vary in color from black, to blue to gray and orange. I photographed petroglyphs on these same rocks that showed up beautifully due to the bluish-black varnish. You have a good eye~

  10. These are great shots. You must have had a very long lens or the ability to fly. 🙂

    I think FDR said something like “When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on”. Although I would myself add – try another rope. 😀

    1. Or as Churchill said, since we are on the topic of good leaders & My grandfather’s painting of Churchill is looking at me as I type, “Keep buggering on!”
      Love them both, the quotes and the leaders~

  11. Cindy I spent 15 years climbing outdoors. I loved it. The mental challenge, the physical challenge and being in the beauty of nature. I hate to admit that once I turned 50 my brain and body seemed to grow tired of the adrenaline and the stamina it took. Loved these photos and it took me right back to those special days.

    1. Have you posted about this, because if you did, I forgot? I would love to see & hear more about your experiences. I find the mental discipline of climbers to be unique and most impressive. I also understand completely why you stopped at 50!

  12. I’ve never attempted anything as difficult as depicted here, but I’ve done my fair share of rock climbing. My short stocky legs are perfectly suited for mountaineering ascents. It’s the going back down which was very frightening!

    1. I have experienced a bit a what you are talking about going down steep trals. The descents have given me shin splints which hurt, and torqued my front thigh muscles severely. I think it’s because it uses these muscles much more intensely then normal. These guys get to rappell down, which is about the only easy thing they do!

    1. That is the cool thing! There are all sorts of people on this planet that are different from each other. It’s the difference that makes them interesting! Cheers to you & hope all is well with you~

  13. I admire people who take on challenges like this! A couple of weeks ago I injured my knee/leg lifting something too heavy (I should have known better). Now, taking a first step in the morning has given me a new insight into those who must manage pain. Choosing to move, knowing that there will be pain is an act of courage. Another beautiful post, Cindy. Hugs and love coming your way…

    1. Yes, pain, physical or mental is an eye opener. It suddenly makes us recognize our vulnerability, something we don’t like being reminded of. People have a tendency to forget the details of their pain when it passes, If we didn’t do this, we would be kinder to ourselves and others. You already know this because you are a very kind person Rebecca. I am so sorry about your injury and your pain and I hope it leaves you in peace soon. Rest well and take good care my friend. Perfect time for a good book. I just finished ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ by JD Vance. It was a tour de force. You may enjoy it if you are looking for a riveting read~ <3

  14. Good questions. I am amazed by the braveness, physical strength and intellectual from the rock climbers. Once you started climbing, I think the priority start shifting or perhaps it is about survival and reaching the top.

    1. The experiences may shift the way they live life, but I don’t know. I don’t know if there is a carry over effect when get off the mountain but I am certain you are correct, when they are on those sheer faces “it is about survival and reaching the top.”

  15. come grande appassionata della montagna non posso che amare questo reportage!
    Quando guardo le montagne ho i sentimenti delle montagne dentro di me: li sento, come Beethoven che sentiva i suoni nella testa quando era sordo e compose la Nona sinfonia. Le rocce, le pareti e le scalate sono un’opera d’arte.
    Reinhold Messner
    grazie e felice giorno Annalisa

    1. Reinhold Messner, Jon Krakauer, Junko Tabei, Tasker & Broadman, sono affascinato dai alpinisti e leggere tutto il possibile su di loro. Condivido il tuo amore per la montagna e dei luoghi selvatici. Saluti a te e mantengono e si desiderano molti altri ricordi di montagna!

  16. Este lugar invita a grandes paseos por su grandiosidad y, quien se atreva,tiene posibilidad de practicar este deporte tan impresionante. Un abrazo desde Madrid, amiga 🙂

  17. I did some of this when I was young. I have memories of a climb that I have no idea how I survived. I look at these photos and have a visceral reaction which I can’t quite name. Terror might be the word I’m looking for, but of course when we’re young we’re invincible and just do stuff without even thinking. But still . . . . Don and I plan to go parasailing next week 🙂
    Alison

    1. Parasailing is nice because when you fall, you fall in WATER!!! Your viseral reaction sounds post traumatic and I can see why. Part of your brain was probably flashing danger warnings.to you which have remained. Thankfully, I can’t remember most of the dangerous stuff I did when I was young, probably because I was a chicken and their weren’t any, or because there were too many to count!!!
      You and I are still risk-takers to some degree, look at our life styles! But at least now the risks are more reasonable.

  18. Great article! Fortunately, my love plays music… and I love all of the high & flat notes.
    Thank G he doesn’t climb rocks. … Well, okay he climbs music rocks.. and roll … and jazz and blues..and I love you, Cindy!

  19. Don’t know whether to say they’re crazily brave or bravely crazy. Either way I’d never even dream of climbing a sheer face like that…, unless there was one really big net below me. Great pics, Cindy. Pleasant day to you & yours tomorrow. 🙂

  20. Pingback: Rocky Relationships~ — – Thought in Photo

  21. Ooops! 😀
    Heights are not my thing – but I can imagine vividly that it must be exhilarating to get to the top and have the world at your feet!… Maybe in my next life? 😉

  22. Wow, I’m envious of those people who can do that.. I’m not so good with heights 😉 I love how you liken the climbing to relationships – I’ll stay clear of rocky territory! GREAT photos xx

  23. Wow, Cindy! Quite the photos. Very creative how you intertwined words concerning rocky relationships with the images and then ended the descent with a pool of serenity. Actually, I tried scrolling quickly down the images and it felt like I was falling into the water. Interesting! Amazing post! <3

  24. Bonjour CINDY houlà l’escalade dur dur

    Nous voici bientôt au mois de décembre et à l’approche de Noël

    Mois d’amour et de gaité

    Entre nous , soyons dans la paix et l’amitié

    Ce mois de décembre doit-être plus beau que celui de 2015

    Pour moi

    Mes amies amis vous êtes des anges

    Des anges de l’amitié

    http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/274183anges.jpg

    Un peu pardon et de partage afin tout le monde soit heureux

    Mes amies amis au cours de cette année qui vas s’écouler

    Vous m’avez donné du temps en venant faire un passage sur mon blog par vos écris

    Merci à tous bon Week-End

    Bisous , BERNARD

    1. Bonjour Bernard! La saison de Noel est presque ici. Je vous souhaite a vous et a votre famille une joyeuse fete! J’attends avec impatience une autre annee de blogging avec vous! Merci et bravo a vous!

    1. I can only imagine, but I suspect they do it for the discipline and the challenge. They control their emotions or they couldn’t climb, which is really impressive and useful I would imagine in their lives~

  25. I like the juxtaposition of the words with the beautiful photographs, all though observing those photos I would say that instead of rocky relationships is …..a damn scary one! Who are these nuts that decide to climb those things….. it´s beautiful seeing them but I´m not to sure about the climbing part.

    1. They seem to be brave, disciplined, methodical, and love the mental and physical challenge. It’s a form of extreme sport, it just unfolds slowly and requires patience and problem solving. I would never do it, but I find it fascinating.

        1. Some are. A fair number of bloggers who are retired technical climbers have weighed in here in the comments, and they are living without the adrenaline, possibly more happily than the norm. It would be an interesting study to see if climbers are more or less happy than the norm after retiring from climbing. If I had to bet, I would guess they are more happy than the norm, because of their discipline. perserverance and full life living. These traits may well benefit them all their life long~

  26. Been a long time since I climbed rocks, but I still remember how it felt. I’m awfully glad I did it. I’m not sure if I’d want pictures from it… but yours are beautiful.

    1. I do small saturation enhancements, but not with people photos since it turns them unusual colors. The rocks in Red Rocky Country are just naturally amazing hues and tones~

  27. Some people need to fall to feel alive. Ever been skydiving? There you don’t even have a cliff to cling to or a rope to belay. Not to belabor the point. I still remember the sensation of falling, and I yearn for it. But I’m not throwing myself out of any more aircraft to get there. 🙂

    1. Really, you yearn for it! That’s amazing! Good for you. Maybe when your kids are grown, you can do it again. I think people are fascinating not when we are all the same, but because we are unique and different. I find difference refreshing.

  28. Wow these are really great photos 👏🏼 I think in every relationship has their are some rocky moments but you have to support and guide each other through it kind of like rock climbing!

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