Well, this government shutdown business has taken a serious turn. Forget food stamps, Pentagon budgets, and Obamacare–if legislators and the White House don’t keep this rig rolling, my AMGA rock exam will be cancelled.
Now you’re listening, eh? Red Rock is a national conservation area, so therefore exposed to the madness of DC politics. My guide exam hangs in the balance. Crying for me yet? Calling your Senator?
Yeah, right. Who cares? In the big picture, I’ll deal if the thing gets jettisoned into the floodwaters of our jackknifed gov’t. I’m hoping if we get shut down, I’ll bump my exam to the April edition, thereby giving me another few months to climb and train, but also stacking it a month after my ski exam in Rogers Pass, Canada, in late February. Providing I get into that one.
Indeed, it’s a tenuous gig. Staying fit and healthy, getting into courses, the works. Poor me, the college-educated white guy who could make more money writing if I cared to, but enjoy guiding so I do it…yeah, it’s a hard life.
In the meantime the weather is perfect for fall climbing. Eldo might be closed, but it’ll force us to check out some new areas like Staunton State Park and beyond.
Get out there and enjoy, folks!
