Well... not exactly. But it marks my 1 year of climbing with Stephen and one year of climbing consistently. Stephen likes to buy fun outdoorsy stuff, and I like to play with fun outdoorsy stuff. So, to maximize both our likes Stephen has set up this reward system for climbing. Basically it goes like this, achieve a huge milestone in climbing-- and you get new gear!!
My milestone: Flash a 5.11a
I have worked hard on my technique and I may not have progressed as quickly as some people do, but I would consider myself a strong climber. So when I finally was able to flash my first 5.11a that was a huge accomplishment.
So what was the new gear?? New climbing shoes!!
The process of finding shoes has not been an easy one. We are at the end of March, and I reached my goal in January!!
This is why:
1. I wear the most common women's shoe size. Size 7.5
2. I have shallow heels-- You wouldn't believe how troublesome this is for a climber
3. I have a hard time telling if a shoe fits
4. Stephen made me try on EVERY brand of shoe and in nearly EVERY model
Here were my wants in a shoe: Velcro Straps, and have purple or a color in the same range as purple.
After trying on shoes at REI SF, REI Berkeley, Lombardi, Iron Works, Mission Cliffs, Evolv Demo, and Marmot Mountain I still was shoeless!
I settled on the La Sportiva women's Katana. A grayish purple leather, with straps, slightly aggressive, and totally perfect! So we found them at a good price on Moosejaw they came and didn't fit! We sent them back for a small size, my heel doesn't even come close to touching the bottom of the heel! Sent them back.
So finally after two long months of looking I finally settled on a shoe!
I present to you my new babies, my 5.10 Anasazis!!
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