I’m new to this whole StrayRocket thing…I know, kinda cliche, right? Anyways, one of my Facebook friends and co-founder of Stray Rocket got me started on this. Didn’t really talk to him, just found this link and decided to join. Anyways, I guess this should more appropriately be a short bio, but you can decide for yourself.

I am 19 years old, (20 on November 3) and have been participating in outdoor activities since I was 6 months, yes MONTHS, old. That leaves me with 19 1/2 yrs of outdoor experience, more than some people have that are twice my age. So naturally after all this time, I have really had some good times as well as some bad ones. I have been many places, but sadly, never left the country…YET!

I started with the simple family tent camping as I progressed to camping out in the backyard by myself, which was a cool thing to do when you were 7 yrs old. I quickly moved ahead with previous hiking experience to longer, more strenuous hikes for a young gun like me. My dad then introduced me to backpacking, which I thoroughly loved! And as I got more experienced in that, I kind of introduced myself to new things.

Climbing was my next big feat… I started it and from the first sound of a buzzer on the climbing wall that started me out, I was hooked. I have bought simple bouldering gear because I really prefer bouldering over trad climbing because of the freedom of not being tied in. My junior year in high school, I started wrestling, and seriously messed up my left knee… I was DEVESTATED! There went hiking, backpacking, and climbing…all in one stupid, freak accident. I din’t think my life was ever going to be the same, especially after I was told I needed knee surgery.

Reluctanly, I had knee surgery and was waiting for it to recover so I could try climbing again. During that time, I was reintroduced to water sports…Whitewater Rafting, and Kayaking.

I thoroughly love both of them, but right now have a preference fpor rafting as I am still learning how to control a kayak in whitewater. I used that as an alternative to climbing and eventually started focusing on rafting and kayaking and deciding to use climbing as a side sport for me.

I believe had it not been for my reintroduction to rafting, I would NOT be the person I am today. It saved my life and I am glad for it. I now consider myself to be an environmentalist and can’t wait for my next big feat… I plan to tackle the Class V Cheoah River in Robbinsville, NC exactly 31 days from today, the date this blog was written (9/3/2008). It should be fun and I can only hope that it continues to fuel my passion for the outdoors and adrenaline rushes!

To all the people that have helped me over the years, THANK YOU! It has truly made a difference in my life!

P.S. The Cheoah River will be my biggest feat yet since the 100+ mile backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains in 2004 before my knee surgery!

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON: www.strayrocket.com