Happy New Year! 2014 was one hell of a ride: our first Bike to Ski adventure, 6th year of Car-Free life and our 3rd year embracing 100%, completely Bicycle-Powered adventure. We traveled literally thousands of miles by bike to climb, ski, hike, party, eat, sleep, and generally enjoy this beautiful planet. I’m not one for resolutions but this time of year I do find myself taking stock of where I am, where I’ve been, where I’d like to be, this includes making sure I’m on track to be a better, more thoughtful, helpful, and considerate individual. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint, in fact, I’m often somewhat of an asshole, and while I continue to work towards being a more kind and compassionate individual, in my heart I know that this is who I am – a frank, no bullshit, straightforward kind of guy, and rather that try and stifle who I am, I think I’ll be more effective by embracing my personality and directing it in a positive and productive way. What exactly does this mean? Well, I’m still figuring it out, but it has a little something to do with this…
It seems to me that when it comes to the environment, sustainability, and leading an active, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, there’s a lot of bullshit and excuses out there, and while my tolerance for bullshit is at an all time low, I understand that responding with a negative attitude does nothing to encourage people to make positive changes in their own lives. After all, that’s my goal – to set a positive example and help show people how fun, easy, and rewarding it can be to make drastic changes in your lifestyle in the name of sustainability and environmental stewardship. That’s what it’s all about, being a steward, setting an example, being the change.
Now, like I said, I’m not much for resolutions, I figure if you want to change – just do it, if you need a crutch like the New Year to make that change then fine, but you’re probably too weak and will just relapse within a few weeks (prove me wrong) but this year I’m signing on, not much of a resolution as a pact, but I’ll count it. Black Diamond and the Access Fund have teamed up to create the Rock Project, a project aimed at inspiring responsible habits and behavior that will help keep climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment. The Rock Project is a series of events building this spring that’s getting kicked off with The Pact – a pledge to uphold good climbing ethics, protect the mountain environments where we climb, and ensure continued access to the cliffs and crags we love. The pact is an awesome way to pledge your allegiance to a more healthy and sustainable future of climbing and mountain adventure, I signed up, and so should you.
But don’t stop with there. Resolutions are flimsy and intangible while a pact is something concrete and committing, sign your name, cut your hair, tattoo your arm, do what it takes. Commit to being a responsible human in the 21st century – this means being considerate of the repercussion of every thought, action and habit on the Earth and those around you. Waste is waste, trash is trash, cut it out of your life. Do your part to encourage your community to support and help you throughout this endeavor, don’t hassle people, encourage them, then hassle them when they quit or give up and fall back into the comfortable habits of what “everyone else does”.
More than anything else – LIVE FREE OR DIE, don’t settle for the standards society has set, if you think it’s not okay, then say so, own up and set and example. Personal automobiles for every individual – I think it’s a bunch of bullshit and I’d be happy to tell you. Make decisions for yourself, gauge freedom on what you feel, not what your told. Quit your job, sell your car, buy a bike, and see the world. Happy New Year.