Of course, the reason our county is so progressive, and the reason that we have wealth etc. is because we have mastered the art of multi tasking, working non stop etc. I’m not advocating that we stop working hard by any means. That’s what makes our lives comfortable here. And it is also simply a cultural difference. But I am advocating that we all take time to see how much we miss out on life if we are not slowing down and stopping to enjoy life, family, friends, and leisure time as well.

I wanted to share, over the next few days, what some of the lessons I learned from climbing are.

There is nothing that is truly impossible.With determination, the right tools, the right training, and the right people, you can accomplish anything.

When I began climbing, I remember standing at the base of Route 2 (5.3) at Ralph Stover State Park’s High Rocks climbing area. I had big clunky hiking boots on, and was a bit overweight and probably hadn’t done ANY kind of exercise for a while… and was sure that I’d make it to the top. But much to my dismay, I did not make it more than 5 feet off the ground.

Now, many people may have given up at that point. But I, by nature am a very determined person and did not give up. Yes, on that day, I realized that it was impossible for me to make it to the top. But instead of throwing in the towel and thinking “This is for everyone else…even though I want to do it. I guess it’s not for me,” I went home and gathered up whatever money I had from my job as a waiter, and bought a pair of climbing shoes, a rope, a harness, 7 carabiners, and 100 feet of webbing. Then I bought a book that would teach me how to climb. I poured over whatever material I could find to learn how to do it, and I made sure to ask as much advice as possible from the people who took me out climbing for that first time.

I began to run, do pullups, and lift weights. I began to surround myself with climbers who could teach me, and within 3 months, I easily climbed Route 2 at High Rocks State Park. As soon as I stood on top of that cliff, something clicked. I realized “WOW! It wasn’t impossible,” and from that moment on, I vigorously pursued climbing.

Now I am getting nostalgic and feel like writing more and more. But I won’t say too much more, except that as soon as I got to college, I got involved with Quest, the climbing guiding service at the University and continued to train hard and push myself. I remember saying “Climbing is great! But I’ll never do that Trad Climbing thing. That is just WAY too scary.” Well, within 3 months of being at college, I learned enough about trad climbing that I set out and bought my own rack, and led Route 2 at High Rocks State Park as my first trad lead. One thing continued to lead to another, and I eventually become a climbing guide and coordinator for Quest.

Through the experience I gained in climbing, I also became involved with conducting team building and leadership development programs through Quest and Corporate Institute, and even changed my major to Organizational Communication, with a concentration in Outdoor Leadership.

And here I am today, having started my own climbing guiding and team building company, founded upon the principles and life lessons I have learned through climbing.

So how did all this apply to me starting my own company?

Even though many people seemed to be in my way, and there were SO many obstacles to overcome, never once did I think that I wouldn’t be able to do it. I wanted to make it happen, so I was confident it would.

I made sure to surround myself with people who could help me. Building relationships not only benefited my business, but it also improved my life as I have been able to meet so many people.

I was not afraid and am not afraid to invest in my company. By making my initial investment into climbing, it opened the doors to a whole new world, and the same is true in business.

What might look difficult on the road ahead, only looks exciting to me now. Difficulties and trials only excite me more!

NEVER stop learning. NEVER think you know it all.

]]> http://www.ascentadventure.com/2009/06/reflections-on-how-climbing-helped-me-start-my-business/feed/ 0 http://www.ascentadventure.com/2009/06/mount-kilimanjaro-report/ http://www.ascentadventure.com/2009/06/mount-kilimanjaro-report/#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:39:55 +0000 brandon http://www.ascentadventure.com/?p=1345 Here is an interesting an informative video on Mount Kilimanjaro and the condition of the glaciers.

The video helps us to see the impact that global warming is having on this mountain and how it directly presents a danger to the people that depend on the springs and glacial runoff from this mountain to survive.

VIEW THE VIDEO ON HULU.COM: Mount Kilimanjaro Earth Day Report
If you want to see these glaciers before they dissapear forever, come with us next February on the Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition!

Over the next several days/weeks, I’m going to post short (one paragraph, or even less) blurbs on how climbing translates into all of life.

Ascent Adventure Consultants, Raleigh North Carolina’s professional rock climbing guides, offer s a multi day alpine climbing package,  July 21-August 2nd 2009, to introduce people to the sport of mountain climbing and to give them the opportunity to summit some of the most beautiful mountains the country has to offer.

Apex, NC USA May 18, 2009 — Standing atop a snow capped, glaciated mountain peak is something that appeals to many outdoor adventure lovers and athletes. However, it is often a lack of knowledge, skill, and experience that keeps people from believing that they can accomplish these goals. This summer, July 21- August 2, 2009 , Ascent Adventure Consultants is offering a climbing trip and package that begins with the basics of alpine climbing, and ultimately leads to the successful summit of the mountains that participants have only dreamed of in the past.

Participants will be able to choose from four course lengths: 4, 7, 10, or 13 days, starting with a four-day basic course set on beautiful Mt. Baker in the North Cascades of Washington State. The first three days will be spent learning the skills to climb in a large alpine mountain environment, such as snow and glacier travel, ice climbing, roped travel, crevasse rescue, and more. This portion of the course will culminate with a summit attempt of Mt. Baker on the fourth day.
At the conclusion of the 4-day section of your trip, those who choose to add on extra days will be ready to head into the heart of the North Cascades and put their new skills to use on some of the most stunning peaks in the lower 48 states.  Each 3-day course section will find us attempting a new summit and learning new skills and techniques. More information can be found by visiting their alpine climbing trips and classes website.

“We love to teach people the climbing skills and techniques that they need to accomplish their dreams, and then provide them with the context to do it” says Brandon Hensinger, owner and professional climbing guide of Ascent Adventure Consultants. “To know that we can be a part of such a significant moment in someone’s life is amazing. The climbing experience that they have will impact them for the rest of their lives.”

If participants are unable to do the entire 13-day course in one climbing season, they can do part of the course then complete it the following year. At the completion of our 13-day course participants will have the skill to begin to get out into the mountains on their own.

Ascent Adventure Consultants is a professional rock climbing, ice climbing, and mountaineering company, as well as a professional team building and training company, headquartered in Apex NC. They conduct climbing courses and team building courses locally, nationally, and internationally.

For more information, please contact Brandon Hensinger, owner of Ascent Adventure Consultants of Apex NC, at bhensinger@ascentadventure.com, or 877-254-4617. More information can be learned about Ascent Adventure Consultants by visiting their website at http://www.ascentadventure.com.

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Apex, NC USA May 1, 2009 — Ascent Adventure Consultants is about impacting people’s lives and setting them out on the journey and adventure of a lifetime: when people experience climbing a cliff face, they are instantly aware of the existence of a whole new world; when people engage their fellow teammates or employees in a team building activity, they realize the greater degree of unity and success their team could be experiencing.

Out of a desire to increase their ability to do that very thing, Ascent Adventure Consultants has re-branded the company, and has launched a new website, aimed at communicating their core message: “Bringing Adventure to Life.” Their new identity communicates that they are not simply a climbing guiding company or team building facilitation company, but rather they are a company that helps people escape from the normal routine of life and experience something new and invigorating, and accomplish something that previously may have seemed out of reach. They do this through their  climbing trips and team building programs.

“Our new image will increase our ability to guide individuals on climbing trips and help business succeed through team building, which brings us great joy,” expresses Brandon Hensinger, owner of Ascent Adventure Consultants. “We look forward to seeing how our re-branding helps us impact our community through our courses in an even greater way, and to seeing how we can increase our ability to introduce people to a whole other world that exists.”

To support the re-branding of the company, Ascent Adventure Consultants has many climbing events coming up this summer and fall, along with new classes and new trips being launched. Make sure to visit their new North Carolina rock climbing and team building website at www.ascentadventure.com.

Ascent Adventure Consultants is a professional rock climbing guiding and team building facilitation company headquartered in Apex NC. They guide trips and facilitate training courses throughout NC, the USA, and the world.

For more information, please contact Brandon Hensinger, owner of Ascent Adventure Consultants of Apex NC, at bhensinger@ascentadventure.com, or 877-254-4617. More information can be learned about Ascent Adventure Consultants by visiting their website at http://www.ascentadventure.com.

We have officially launched the most exciting and unique program that we have ever offered…check out the Intro to Alpine Climbing Class.

If you have ever dreamed of standing on top of a snow capped peak in a remote setting, or if your skills are just a little rusty Ascent Adventure Consultants has the course to fit your needs.

Choose from four course lengths: 4, 7, 10, or 13 days. Starting with our four-day basic course set on beautiful Mt. Baker in the North Cascades of Washington State. The first three days will be spent learning the skills that you will need to safely climb in a large alpine mountain environment. We will culminate this portion of the course with a summit attempt of Mt. Baker on the fourth day.

At the conclusion of the 4-day section of your trip, you will be ready to head into the heart of the North Cascades and put your new skills to use on some of the most stunning peaks in the lower 48 states. Each 3-day course section will find us attempting a new summit and learning new skills and techniques. If you are unable to do the entire 13-day course in one climbing season you can do part of the course then complete it the following year.

At the completion of our 13-day course you will have the skill to safely get out into the mountains on your own.

I just wanted to give my quick advice. The leader never carries a pack, but always the second. And instead of carrying it on their back through the chimneys, we simply use a tagline. I prefer to use a piece of webbing, and then just hang the pack from the harness of the second and then it can be pulled up through the chimney. Just a quick piece of advice!

http://www.ascentadventure.com