GORUCK AAR Directory

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1. diffrentworld says

   September 22, 2017 at 10:59

   AAR for GoRuck Ascent Boulder CO

   We arrived in camp Thursday before 9:00 am and promptly got our tents and gear set up so we could head out to our first objective at 9 from our camp we headed to Boulder Canyon to learn to climb and repelling. After we arrived I could see why there are not a lot of AAR on Ascent it is truly based upon Class ability and weather both of which play a heavy impact on the scheduling of the days to come. Cadre Brent instructed us on how to make a Swiss Seat and we used it the remainder of our weekend for climbing and repelling. Due to the fact I had never climbed or repelled I found a whole new muscle group that was being taxed with the elevation being around 8,560 ft. being from sea level definitely didn’t go unnoticed. After we spent the day belaying and climbing as well as repelling we grabbed a bite to eat and met back at camp to go over tomorrows agenda and Q&A over what we learned and any questions we had for the day.
   That night went quickly as we had to be ready by 4:00 to drive to Torrey and Grays peak both of which are above 14,000 elevations. Upon arriving we moved on toward Grays and as we ascended Chris Way was quick to inform us this is not a race to pace ourselves. Part of the group flew out like a flash while the rest moved along at our own pace. At about 13,200 I was sucking wind staring at the ground trying to catch my breath when Cadre Brent came up and ask what I was doing. I told him I was catching my breath and he said I know that look around and take it in. At that point for the first time I realized that my whole life I have been so focused on the goal that I have missed all the beauty around me while I was in the middle of it. That if it was the only lesson I learned was worth the price of admission. It seemed like every turn was one more turn from the top as we passed people coming down I was met with encouragement letting me know we were almost there. Upon the arrival at the summit my body was consumed with goose bumps at the view of Gods wondrous glory what a view. As we made it down to the switchback Cadre informed us of the time left to make it to the top of Torrey. That and a very strong wind made me decide to go ahead and start my decent back to the entrance. Along the way started to warm up and Po who was ahead of me kept tabs on each other till we got back to the entrance. Totally smoked at the bottom feeling very proud of the feat of the accomplishment. We then grabbed a bite to eat and headed back for debrief and info for tomorrows agenda.
   Day 3 raining premorning so we worked on knots and had to show presentence in4 of the five learned. Loaded up and headed back to boulder canyon to apply what we had learned as well as doing dual repelling and much more difficult climbs. I finally finished a 5.6 and a 5.8 which was outstanding and a 80 ft. repel.
   I worked more on belaying and had some time to talk with the Cadre on there advice to apply what we had learned over the past couple of days. We then got together and said our thanks to Cadre and to each other for having each other’s back through the past couple of days. Even though I have done my best to recall all that went into the past couple of days we covered so much more that I’m sure there are parts that I have forgotten. If ask was it worth it absolutely yes and yes I would sign up again in a heartbeat. To the Cadre I owe the greatest of complements for being so patient and imparting their knowledge upon us. Lessons I hope to remember the rest of my days. Thank you if you made it this far and please sign up you will not be sorry, Sincerely Justin Turnbow

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