* 28 FRAMES: Brian Delaney

I found out on Sunday morning that Brian Delaney had died the day before in a climbing accident.  I was headed to photograph a wedding and was trying to stay focused, but I was already scouring the web for whatever information I could find.  Why? How? The journalist in me was making sure facts were being found and checked against news reports and climbing forums. Are we sure this is true?  I was hopeful that somewhere I would discover a shred of evidence that this was a cruel lie.

The wedding proved a needed distraction.  I was still in shock, but I put my photographer hat on and managed to make it through the day.  During his toast to the newlyweds, the father of the bride had a moment of silence for the bride's grandparents who had just passed.  She sobbed and my heart skipped a beat for her grandparents and her family's pain from their passing, but also for Brian.  "Keep it together," I told myself.

For a couple days, I was in photographer mode, editing images and such. I took breaks and again scoured the news reports for any updated information and new photos of Brian I hadn't yet seen.  It was so sad yet comforting to see his photo, him climbing on various trips, doing what he loves, always donning that sublime smile of his.  I'm not sure if I realized that I was still in shock.  However, I did know I was anxious to head to work at the rock gym on Tuesday.  I wanted to be there, but I didn't.  I wasn't sure how I would react, knowing that Brian would never walk through the Maine Rock Gym doors again, bringing his wave of calm that everyone felt when they were around him.

Brian's death finally hit me Tuesday afternoon.  Lots of talking.  Ran brought in a photo of Brian. I hung it next to me at the desk. More talking.  Brian's wife Kris called the gym and I spoke to her for a few (a slideshow celebration night will be held at MRG soon). Then as Jess was trying to buy a membership, I lost it.  The gym was slammed.  A dad and his two sons even walked out, but I'm sure they had no idea what was going on.  Jess kindly offered a hug and I hid my tear-streamed face behind her small shoulder, thinking I barely know her, but I need something right now.  I feel lost and hollow, angry and sad.  "Keep it together," I told myself again.  Back to work. Get through the day. Tomorrow will be better.

I finally had the courage to pull the RAW images I shot of Brian during my Day In The Life shoot for the photo studio I work for, emilie inc. photography.  It was back in October and one of my images of Brian made it into the final slideshow edit (ironically, bouldering).  Looking through the RAW images, I pulled anything that had Brian in them.  Even the out of focus ones with the tilted horizon line -- that doesn't matter now.  The 28 frames right in a row, a digital film strip of Brian climbing and down-climbing a problem in the cave, that same smile on his face -- that made me smile.  

Finally, my first moment being able to think and see more clearly; I could handle doing something with these images.  Initially, I just wanted to process the photos and share them with folks. But I found myself not wanting to do anything to the images really, other than just color-correct the white balance for the gym lights.  For me, I wanted these "unedited" 28 frames to just be a beautiful record of a mere minute of Brian's life.  Writing this post and creating this short piece has me in a better place amongst my grieving process. Maybe it will help someone else as well. I did pretend that Brian was there editing with me.  Would he like this if he saw it?  Would he approve of it? I kept those questions in mind, and I think (I hope) I have succeeded.

I only knew Brian in the gym capacity.  I never had the privilege of climbing with him outside.  But now that he is gone, I realize how much a person like him affected me.  I am only fully understanding this now.  It is amazing what you can learn from others, if you're willing to be open to it. Brian was one of those people who probably didn't realize how much he taught others -- how to be happy, conscientious, curious, and bold.  I just feel lucky to have crossed paths with him during his lifetime.

Last Wednesday was the last time I saw Brian. I was working at the desk, and he waited until I was off the phone to say hello and ask how I was doing, because that's who he is.  I had no idea that would be the last time I ever spoke to him.  I am sad it wasn't a longer conversation or that I didn't give him a high-five or do more.  Oh, to have that moment back again.  However, I am so thankful I  had that moment at all.

Brian, you are so missed by so many.  I have no doubt though that your spirit is living on.

Link to still photo gallery.

* MRG Climbing '80's Theme Night!

Totally rad climbers bouldering and top roping during the 80's theme night at Maine Rock Gym in Portland, Maine.  This colorful decade inspired some gnarly neon costumes.  Okay, maybe it was less about the climbing and more about the outfits this night.  Theme night winner Erin rocked the quintessential eighties-riffic attire - accessorized with a hot pink scrunchie for her side ponytail and rocked a gold fanny pack - receiving a free one month membership.  Thanks to everyone who came out - it was totally awesome!

Click here to see the full gallery of images.

Below are a few fav's....

 

 

 

* MRG Climbing Lights Out Theme Night!

Lights out at the ol' MRG!  What shows up?  Headlamps galore, a miner, a robber, a light-up LED harness (with the coolest trippiest Einstein tshirt), and a bat, just to name a few! 

Click here to view all the photos!

Thanks for the HUGE turnout folks!  So. Much. Fun.

However, I have a feeling our next theme night will be even bigger:  get totally rad for climbing 80's style!  See you Friday night, February 21st!

* MRG Climbing '60s Theme Night!

A groovy good time climbing at the MRG for sixties theme night!  Jimmy Hendrix even came to boulder!

Click here for more photos!

* Climbing... I love you

Almost one year ago, I fell hard.  I fell hard in love.  With rock climbing.

As the years press on, I have made choices more and more based on doing something because it makes me happy.  I say I had my quarter-life crisis when I moved back to Maine from Long Beach, California after working in the marketing and PR world for a number of years and decided to change careers to become a photographer.  Despite the obvious lifestyle and financial change that come with that artistic territory, that choice has made me very happy.  

I used to work in Production at the photo agency Aurora Photos.  It was started by some National Geographic photographers and focuses on outdoor adventure photography.  This is where my curiosity peaked about sports like climbing, skiing, and surfing.  I worked with the images that renowned photographers -- like Corey Rich, Ben Moon, and Jimmy Chin, just to name a few -- submitted to the agency and was in awe of the extreme sports being captured.  I knew what ropes climbing looked like and often thought those folks were crazy, but I was in awe of bouldering.  The more images I saw of the sport, the more I wanted to do it.  

A few years passed without me acting upon my curiosity, but for some reason that urge resurfaced a year ago.  I was bored at my regular gym and walked into my local Maine Rock Gym and said, "Hi, I'd like to do that," pointing to the bouldering area.  I had followed through on my word, making the choice to do something I said I would, and ultimately found happiness in the sport of bouldering.  I had dug out some old climbing shoes that a friend had passed along to me and off I went.  It wasn't pretty, folks.  Still isn't to this day at times.  But after one session, despite my flailing and fears, I was hooked.  I eventually added ropes climbing to the mix, and finally got outside to do both bouldering and lead climbing.  Recent acquisitions are a cushy new crash pad for bouldering (they sure do look smaller as you get higher) and a shiny set of C4 cams for mixed/trad climbing.  Maybe a little cart before the horse there, but I've got to start somewhere.

This last year has been pretty freakin' cool.  The Maine Rock Gym community is great.  I've been lucky enough to meet some amazing climbers that are sure to be lifelong friends.  I competed in three of the Dark Horse bouldering competitions and actually made the podium.  I took some falls lead climbing and still have the bruises.  I realized I don't really like heights (well, I think I learned that on the Knife Edge at Mt. Katahdin last year), but I reaffirmed it this year.  My solution is to suck it up and keep climbing with the least amount of whining.  I have experienced mental blocks and plateaus in my bouldering.  I have learned to overcome some of them.  My brother says I now have "man hands" and for me not to touch him with them.  I climb to clear my mind and balance my soul.  Like surfing, it is one of the few sports where you can actually be in the moment, which is an amazing feeling (I learned to surf this year, too, but it took a backseat with my addiction to climbing).  I'm a bit of a late bloomer, having never climbed until now at the age of 32, but I love that I have plenty of years ahead of me to keep learning about this sport, about this obsession.  I now have a new subject to document with photography.  Again, I have a long way to go, but I'll get there and have fun doing it.  I am happy.

"Maine Rock Gym: I's rather be climbing!"

Here are a few shots, inside the Maine Rock Gym and at Acadia National Park.  The Dark Horse photos from the November competition are done, I just have to make a post for you all to see.  I'm trying to catch up on my long back log of editing climbing photos, so stay tuned for more!  Thanks for reading and looking!

Rajiv Ayyangar, Jeff Luce, and Russ Norton have found their Solution.

One a few gym dogs who lounge on the bouldering pads, Moose looks up at his faithful owner Nick Foster.

Rajiv pulls extra hard in the cave donning a weight vest.

Crazy leggings and dyed hair.  Must be Gwen Wolf.  "Bhap!"

Tess Jacquez on Otter Cliffs for a beautiful, but rainy ocean-side climb at Acadia National Park.

* Singles: Dusk on Peaks Island, Maine

"Singles," a new category for short posts of mostly single, stand-alone shots, instead of the more comprehensive photo stories I more often do.  Capturing one single frame that tells a story is just as difficult as multiple frames telling a more detailed story.  I keep working to be better at both.

I am a sucker for sunsets and dusk, particularly from the deck of my little abode.  Here is tonight's.  Not an epically beautiful one, but I try to never take witnessing one for granted.  It reminds me of another day gone.  Did I appreciate the day?  What was the best part?  I sent a V4 boulder problem at the rock gym that I've been working on the past couple days.  OK, technically it might be more like a V3 and a phenomenal 8-year-old climber might have set the route, but I was happy I finally got it.  Made my day.  How was yours?!

  

 

Mount Washington's silhouette is visible in the distance against the orange sky.

* Winter Surfing in Scarborough, Maine

I have been learning to surf since right after Hurricane Irene hit the east coast at the end of last August. It is a total blast, but I, of course, have a long way to go. I have managed to downsize from a tanker of a surfboard at 10'10" to a barge of a surfboard at 9'4" -- they really are the size of small boats. And, hey, did you know there is a pile of rocks in the middle of Higgins Beach? The ones you can see from Route 77? We had our moment during a storm in December -- starfish style, as I like to say -- but we're friends again. Despite all that, I still wish there were some waves for me to get tossed around on. In the meantime, good thing I'm learning to boulder, another addictive activity to attempt. I started right after my surfing incident, so maybe it was my subconscious way of making peace with the rocks at Higgins by deciding to learn how to climb them instead of bouncing off them. These old photos of friends who can actually surf, unlike myself, made me contemplate all this. It was a cold February day at Scarborough Beach State Park in Scarborough, Maine with clouds rolling in and out. This year we failed to have a winter as such, although I hear there may be some surf this weekend.....

* Greendrinks: Maine Rock Gym + WCYY

Portland Greendrinks held at the Maine Rock Gym on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 and sponsored by WCYY radio station, New England Sustainability Exchange, Peak Organic Brewing, Sebago Brewing, and Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill.

For more images from this event, please click here.