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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 2, 2014 - 01:32pm PT
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A Documentary about an ordinary climber who spends one year climbing every single day, with no days off-----to go beyond the limits of diabetes in the vertical world.
Presentation at The Gordon Ranch in Joshua Tree
Sat. Jan. 25th at 8 PM
$5.00 donation ($ goes to Living Vertical; company that promotes diabetes awareness and dealing/adapting to diabetes.
Raffle/door prizes
Beer/pizza
Climbing in Joshua Tree
Warm house to hang out
Community support and involvement
Give back to the climbing community
Tucker Tech will be there.
Beer, bolts, babes
Support our climbing bro
Have fun.
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Springdale, UT
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awesome! Thanks for posting this Todd!
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2014 - 02:07pm PT
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Here's the deal...the full poop. This dude, Steve Richert, has diabetes. People with diabetes often stuggle w/the challenges associated with having diabetes. Steve struggles with it. Steve and his wife Steph are my personal friends and I think alot of them. Anyways;...he came up w/this plan to climb 365 days in a row, without a break, to educate, inspire, and help people become more aware of the stuggles, challenges and options people with diabetes have. I believe he also wanted to see what challenges he would be faced with while executing this mega-plan, and how he would deal with it, be able to deal with it, and hopefully help and inspire others with diabetes to set their own personal goals and adventures. Maybe through this adventure, Steve could provide them with some insite into dealing with diabetes while really pushing it in the outdoor arena. Anyways;..he did it, and I followed him on his website and on facebook throughout the year. He had lots of successes, lots of days he got his ass handed to him,, lots of highs, lots of lows. I think he learned a lot about himself, diabetes, and how to share information, knowledge, and strategies he used to control the diabetes and "get the job done" while dealing with the challenges he faced on the cliffs as well as with his blood/sugar levels. He often checked in with me for advice about areas, routes, climbs, equiptment, logistics,......sometimes he took my advice;..sometimes he didn't (because he's a young buck that often needs to learn the hard way.....like we all did when we were young and full of it....)...
I look forward to his presentation, his story, and seeing the fruits of his labors. I am proud that he did this project, stuck it out a whole full year, and that he survived the year and is psyched to share what he learned throughout this awesome journey. I believe he has alot to share with the climbing community, and especially people who have to live and deal with the challenges of diabetes. We all have our own personal "demons"...our own challenges in life and our own "diabetes"...so to speak.
I hope many of you can make it to my house this evening;.....it should be fun, and I think it's important to support Steve, his efforts, and this project. I also look forward to climbing with Steve and kicking is ass at the crags this weekend too. It will be my pleasure...........
My goal is to get 100 people in attendance for this event;...so think about planning a weekend of climbing and an evening w/Steve at my house that weekend.........
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Andy Fielding
Trad climber
UK
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My goal is to get 100 people in attendance for this event;...so think about planning a weekend of climbing and an evening w/Steve at my house that weekend.........
Todd I'm the wrong side of the pond, however, I'd happily donate the $5 to this worthy cause. Please email me some details and say congrats to Steve.
Andy
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2014 - 04:09pm PT
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Thanks, Andy;... Todd Gordon, P.O. Box 138 joshua Tree , California 92252 USA and I'll make sure Steve gets it and it's gets to Project 365.
Give me five.....
Von Gordon;....loves that chalk...(who don't like chalk...)....
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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I met Stephen when he was in Joshua Tree starting out that year of climbing, having learned about his project earlier on this very platform.
He had asked some questions about working as a 401(c)3and gave a brief description of his concept, and a few offered nose-in-the-air "help" and others put him down and accused him of trying to vacation on other people's dime.
Stephen made that 365 days on a beyond-frayed shoestring budget, and kept going when the going got very tough. Along the way, he inspired a LOT of people, and the universe laid out a life-changing path toward something pretty amazing.
Todd-you are the man, to open your place up for the Joshua Tree showing!
I haven't seen the film yet, but it will be showing next Tuesday up here at the Gunks at the Rosendale Theatre - link for info: http://livingvertical.org/ai1ec_event/p365-rosendale-theater/?instance_id=17
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2014 - 08:51pm PT
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I want to come clean about Steve though.......just so there are no surprises;.....unfortunately Steve is ....is...he's a pebble wrestler....yep;...a boulderer......I just want you to know;...yes;..he is a pebble wrestler and climbs on tiny rocks...BUT;..he also is a real climber;..ropes, gear, cams, slings, harness....REAL rock climbing.......Sure..he will don the beanie, smoke a clove cigarette, carry a maxi-pad on his back, wear a tank top with a coffee stain on it (from Starbucks), ....even roll up his levis so he can see his feet/shoes while he boulderers.......just wanted to come clean with this;..in case anyone has a problem w/this...just wanted to be up front w/this........we good?.....
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Springdale, UT
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I dont know if it helps address that concern Todd, but I do happen to suck at bouldering! I always hurt myself or fail to complete even the simplest problems...it's just easier to get decent climbing photos from a spotter than from a belayer ;)
In all seriousness though, the 2014 project should make you feel much better about my crustiness, as it will have a decided trad/alpine focus!
Happie, thank you so much for all your support through this process. You and Todd have been nothing short of amazing. I can't tell you how much that love has meant to me!
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2014 - 09:17pm PT
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Here we go....that's more like it......(although that rope looks a wee bit tight...)....
As for the bouldering.....don't try to explain yourself;....just hang your head in shame, get over yourself, and walk away........
Focus on REAL climbing, OK......(we'll get through this together...)....leave the pebble wrestling for them city folk, plastic pullling, prana-wearing bent-gate, lycra-clan, coffee drinking, carrot farming, pot smoking, trustafarians, OK......are we clear?...
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2014 - 09:25pm PT
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If Steve's presentation is not enough, Kelly Corbin (sax master and local hopeful climbing ace) had joined the entertainment ticket for the evening. Kelly (AKA Doctor Corbin or The Corbinator) is a most awesome jazz sax man and has played all over the US and has played with greats such as The Temptations, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, larry Koonse, and Marshall Hawkins.......
This should be an awesome evening.
AND....remember;..if you don't like climbing presentations OR jazz music, pizza/beer, or free stuff....you can always have a beer and rub shoulders w/Tucker Tech..........
The keyboard dude in this pic toured w/George Benson......just saying;..this is "A" team sheit......kelly is cowering in the background here...
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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How does someone pay the bills and climb every day? I really want to know the secret.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2014 - 09:34pm PT
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I think Steve got sponsership from a company that does the blood tests for diabetes...and donations...stuff like that.......maybe he can chime in on this one......
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Springdale, UT
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Kalimon-- I sold all my stuff and lived out of a junky 1987 station wagon. I reduced my bills to the point that the money I made selling my stuff was sufficient to cover the first half of the project. 0% interest credit cards have always played a big part too. I asked friends and family to help me create the film and we got some help there since that involved a greater cost than simply doing the climbing for my own benefit and it seemed like a film would allow for the message to reach a wider audience.
No big sponsors starting out--but halfway through the project I was asked sell some footage for a duracell commercial and I was privileged to be asked to be a spokesperson for the company that makes the blood glucose meter I use to check my sugar.
That money has sustained the remainder of the project and I did 100% of the editing myself to keep costs down on the video production. I am currently at a point where I am either going to go have to pick up sponsors who like the direction and message of LivingVertical or be satisfied with the creation of this film and let it go out into the ethers to do what it will.
edit: Goal Zero gave me solar panels and a battery to charge my camera batteries and laptop. Clifbar gave me some protein bars and shot bloks. Darn Tough VT gave me 4 pair of socks, which, incidentally, changed my life.
There isn't a secret or a trick. There are only choices. I took on the project knowing it could go nowhere. I traded certain securities and comforts for experiences I wanted to have, just like anyone who takes extended climbing trips. Monetizing something you do can be great, but it also adds pressure, accountability and scrutiny that is not there if you're just on vacation.
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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I appreciate your candid response . . . good on you for following your heart.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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I really wish that i could be there...didn't know about his project, a lot of tenacity for sure. It's right before we leave for Patagonia.
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Springdale, UT
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Thanks! I appreciate your appreciation! I struggle/d a lot with the whole idea of trying to find a way to share a message I believe in through my passion while supporting myself...it's a ball of wax to sort through that! I am wrestling with these things now as I try to figure out if this is just something that is a one and done, or if I can still follow my heart and be true and still build on what has been created up till this point. It's really tricky and I worry about it a lot.
I figure that I have to keep doing what I feel and if it's not meant to be then easy come easy go and the experiences and relationships are benefits that are well worth whatever the costs of financial failure. At the end of the day, since I have started looking at the "business" end of things (predominately marketing) I have realized that there is a lot of money out there going to things far sillier than what I am doing, so if I can keep sharing a good message and not starve, that's what I'll try for!
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Springdale, UT
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I could make an unscheduled tour date for Patagonia ;)
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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I remember when you were getting lambasted so to speak on here about this project. Good for you to see it through. I hope the film is a success. Need to make it to the Gordon ranch one of these days. Hope the turnout is good.
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Springdale, UT
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Hahaha I was wondering if anyone remembered that! It was SO hard for me to deal with hearing those things...but in the end it helped me because I realized that I have to be clear about my communications because people who don't know you won't always give you the benefit of the doubt. It also helped me to really examine my intentions and make sure I was on the right path---it was hard though, but in the end, necessary in a way.
I appreciate the support though and the kind words. It means a great deal.
Steve
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