My first week back at the Train Station has been good. It took a couple of days to get everything moved over from the Shack, but we are all settled in for the winter season. Mornings typically begin with a 6am run around the waterfront - a short 4 mile loop that begins right from the front door. A few hours of puttering on the computer, drinking coffee and eating my breakfast then I'm ready to head outside...

Lately I have been spending more time climbing at Portland Rock Gym - usually 3-4 times per week. About a year ago my rock climbing peaked at 5.10. After trying a couple of 5.11 routes I started having chronic finger pain. Originally I thought I had injured myself and took a break from climbing at PRG. After a few months I was still having problems and saw a couple of specialists. By then the problem was becoming more systemic (all my fingers) and I was told possibly related to arthritis. I tried a couple of finger exercises and taping techniques with little success. The jury is still out on what the problem really is and the pain is still there. However I have been able to adapt enough to resume climbing at PRG. I'm taking glucosamine daily and icing my hands after each visit to the gym. The good news is that after almost of year of off and on again climbing, I'm able to climb most 5.9 routes and even a couple of 5.10 routes. I'm not sure when or if I'll get back into lead climbing again, but we'll see.

Besides climbing, I have also been running more consistently - about 4-5 times per week. On Saturday Kerry and I did a 8.25 mile loop from the Train Station to the Pittock Mansion via the Rose Gardens and down through Macleay Park. The run took about 90 minutes and had some serious hills to tackle. Sunday I was so sore all I could do was limp my way around the waterfront loop and climb with Kerry for a couple of hours at PRG. Next year I hope to run the Mount Ashland Hillclimb Run which is a half marathon, all uphill with a total elevation gain of 5600 feet. I also plan to run Hood to Coast for the first time.

As I've mentioned before, the summer climbing season is pretty much over and ski season doesn't start for another couple of months. I keep thinking I should look for a job one of these days, but the weather in Portland is still very nice and there is so much to enjoy outside. I just don't seem to find the time to update my resume. My latest adventure idea and research project is to go to Ecuador for 2 weeks in January to climb Chimborazo. Right now I'm trying to convince Leisure Life Larry he needs to go with me...