Abbey Smith

Abbey Smith

Pick up any publication pertaining to the sport of rock climbing, and chances are, you will see a smattering of descriptive chronicles highlighting the travels and adventures of the prolific scribe Abbey Smith. A climber and writer for over 10 years, Abbey travels extensively, financing her jet set lifestyle though her writing, allowing her more opportunities to pursue her love of adventure. Abbey has reported on a myriad of topics. From the exclusive hobby of vintage motor racing, to sassy, healthy-savvy posts on BeThree.com, to being on the editorial staff of the independent green publication elephant journal, a quarterly magazine devoted to living the "mindful life" through conscious consumerism, sustainability, eco-fashion and non new-aged spirituality.

Abbey's energy for writing is ravenous. When she speaks of it, her article ideas roll out of mouth in constant barrage without commas, periods, or other punctuation, but when placed in front of a computer, the word stream subsides into descriptive prose reminiscent of Joanne Harris. Dead Point Magazine is privileged to have her as a contributing blogger.

 

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Abbey Smith: March 2010 Blog

When I jumped into the driver’s seat of Trevor Turmelle’s black Toyota 4Runner, it finally sank in -- I’m going home; my Hueco Tanks season is over. We were already 150 miles away in Alamogordo, Texas; I felt numb to the environment, time and taste. As I pressed the gas pedal, and steered northward along New Mexico’s desolate back roads, mile by mile I moved swiftly into the next phase of life. For the next four hours, the sun shinned brightly against the sapphire skies as I reflected upon my season in Hueco Tanks -- the brilliant abundance of boulder problems I had climbed, the good times spent with close friends, and waking up to desert solitude for four months. “I’m ready to go home,” I thought to myself in a state of peaceful happiness, while Trevor and Bobby Moelter drifted away to dreamland.

When Highway 84 met I-25, my driving shift was over. We stopped to stretch our legs and grab a quick snack in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The air was eerily quiet and smelled of snow. As I took my first bite of chips and salsa, which tasted more like Italian tomato sauce, the snow began to fall. It was 6 p.m. and we were only one-third of the way into the drive. The Mexican food already didn’t taste nearly as good as El Pasito’s delicious burritos. My senses were no longer numb; the sting of reality hurt. I began to question my decision to return home. That night we drove wide-eyed and white-knuckled at 50 miles per hour max along the icy interstate through incessant snow and a gauntlet of hasty semi drivers who blew us into the shoulder as they sped by. We arrived in Eldorado Springs at 3:30 a.m. emotionally and physically exhausted. While carrying oversized bags on each arm, chest and back, I post holed through three feet of freshly fallen snow, and clawed my way up the ladder to the summit, that is my house. That night I slept like a baby in my down-filled bed.
 
 

 
For the last month, I’ve been reconnecting to society and transitioning into mountain living, new projects, long workdays and short climbing sessions in Eldorado Springs Canyon. With hassle free access, little-to-no approach and endless climbing, Eldo brings me back to the calm sanity that I reached while living in Hueco’s desert remove. However, March can be one of the most frustrating months in Colorado with 70-degree spring like weather followed by several inches of oppressively wet snow. Luckily, one of the most beautiful days this month was March 18, my birthday. To break up the monotony, that evening, Lucia Robinson, Caine Delacy, Jason Kehl and I dressed to the nines for the sold out Paper Fashion Show premiering at the Denver Mile High Station. It was an unforgettable evening. Dozens of models strutted down the grand runway wearing vibrant, flamboyant and wildly creative art pieces -- all made of PAPER and bound together with glue, tape, wire and thread. Wearing a dress that could tear easily and induce paper cuts requires serious confidence and fearlessness.
 
 

 
The following day, it snowed again. As I write this blog over 18 inches of heavy snow has fallen since last night. I was content with being sealed inside to write all day, that is, until I poured pancake batter onto the hot griddle and the power went out before I could flip. I’m restless for spring...
 
 

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