Zen Climb

A. Most Impressive Individual Clients

1. Jenna overcame her fear of heights to reach the top of a tough route on Nov. 27th, at near freezing temperature!
2. Aaron proposed to Sarah half way up a route on Sept. 24th, and she accepted it!
3. Daniel persistently fought against his weight and went up a tough chimney route on Aug. 25th. I felt that he was a great father and role model to his daughter (who was there) by exemplifying the meaning of "never give up"!
4. Cassandra climbed on July 21st as part of her weight reduction journey.  All instructors were impressed by her effort!
5. Trevor chose the most precarious spot to practice setting up a top rope anchor before his risk-taking wife would take that spot to set up an anchor on May 21st, while Trevor himself was not all that comfortable with the exposure of that precarious spot.  He made me to understand and appreciate what love is about!
6. Dave and Sharjeel took our Improvised Self Rock Rescue course on Feb. 12th in snow.  Canadian, eh?

B. Most Impressive Client Groups

1. A trans-gender youth group climbed with us on Sept. 15th.  Their courage to honour who they are in spite of adversity impressed all instructors who have, through reviewing literature and video clips prior to the climbing event and interacting with the group members during the climb, broadened their understanding of the trans-gender issue and become stronger allies to the trans community.
2. Adrienne booked a climbing stag party from Saskatchewan for a wedding she and her partner were to attend in GTA.  It was a high-octane party for a group of super fit guys on the cliff on July 28th.
3. Berton took his 8-year old son and 6-year old daughter to climb on real rocks twice in the summer. I watched the son gaining maturity as he became a responsible belayer and the daughter gaining confidence in trying various climbing holds and moves, and the bonding between family members.

1. Top rope anchor setting and climbing at Rattlesnaek Point in April.
2. Sport and trad climbing at Devil's Glen in Ontario in May.
3. Multi-pitch trad climbing at Seneca Rocks in West Virginia in June.
4. Top rope anchor setting and climbing, and sport and trad climbing at Metcalfe Rocks in Ontario in July.
5. Multi-pitch alpine rock climbing in Canmore in Alberta in August.
6. Top rope anchor setting and climbing at Rattlesnake Point, twice, in August.
7. Top rope anchor setting and climbing at Buffalo Crag in Ontario in September.
8. Sport and trad climbing at Mt. Nemo in Ontario in October.
9. Year End Climbing Event in December (see details below)

We will organize events in climbing gyms in GTA throughout the winter.  Our first one will be held at True North Climbing gym in Toronto, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Saturday, December 15, 2012.  All Zen Climb course graduates receive 50% of discount on their day pass to attend this event.  Coffee, muffins, cookies and veggie dip will be provided.  Graduates are welcome to bring friends and preferred drinks or finger food.  RSVP at info@zenclimb.com by December 8th. Please include your name, your friends' names, whether your friends know how to belay.

Xiaoping Li

Chief Instructor