Sudden Partnering: Hans Florine Interview

Hans Florine was gracious enough to round out another 16-hour day on his tour by granting me an interview.

Without a doubt he is “Mr High-Energy”! We enjoyed swapping stories about our public speaking gigs as well as aerial dancing. After spending some time with him, it’s easy to understand why he is the king of speed....going fast is always on his mind.

Sudden Partnering: Palomas Peak Interviews Vol 1

In October 2005 I traveled to New Mexico for a short series of interviews. Learning by trail and error, I hung out at Palomas Peak with many friends, climbing, and also video taping conversations and interviews. Here is a short clip of Carla Rachkowski and Cristina Radu talking about "Sudden Partnering".

Happy Birthday Dad!

Behind every successful woman, there is a strong, talented, wise and successful dad. Today is my dad's birthday. Here’s a few tidbits about him.

Top 10 Dad Fun Facts:
1. Together with my mom, he raised four rambunctious children and still has hair on his head
2. He works hard and plays hard
3. He is a good listener
4. He can repair anything in a house
5. He can repair anything in a car
6. He learned to ride a motorcycle at age 70
7. He is a generous man
8. He was a steam locomotive engineer in another life
9. He has held a Ham Radio license since the early 1950s
10. He can give a hug over the phone

Happy birthday day dad! Eat lots of cake!

Trip Report, McHenrys Peak (13,327)

Trip Report: McHenrys Peak (13,327)
Southeast Ridge - solo
From Glacier Gorge Trailhead
~14 miles RT
~4,500 feet elevation gain
8 hours RT

Up early and out the door – enroute to my park. Early on, two fat bunnies hopped across the trail. These were the biggest bunnies I’ve ever seen. Near Black Lake a large, brownish marten sauntered onto the trail, stopped and stared at me…point blank…with an expression that seemed to say…what are you doing up here?

Up, up, up into the large and empty Glacier Gorge basin. I heard one party on Spearhead but couldn’t see them. Up, up, on the granite rubble, I worked my way across the lunar landscape; feeling small and fragile within the vastness of this place.

Looking upward at my Stone Man…..I slipped deep into thought about my personal business plan, Jilly Inc. Ascending steadily, I climbed up, up, up mixing class 2, 3, & 4 moves together. One can pick their line and do as they please while dancing up the rock to McHenrys summit. This is what I like about going big and hanging it out in the park. There is an endless array of options.

After spending some time on the summit, taking in the scale and beauty of where I was, I started my descent….deep in thought. The word recreation swirled in my head. Late last week, it occurred to me….for the first time…that this word means to re-create. How brilliant in its simplicity! We “recreate” to “re-create”. What is it that we are all re-creating? We re-create our vibration, restoring it to its natural level…the one we come in with …. a vibration that is stress-free and joyful….a loving essence.

Poi Fire Dancers: Sudden Partnering

About two years ago, I began to take interest in film making again. At that time, many themes were converging in my life and the topic of partnering captured my attention.



Climbing and dancing are activities that I thoroughly enjoy, each requiring partners. Whenever I have a great day out climbing or fun swishing across the dance floor there is a certain essence within me. That feeling is “sudden partnering” it is as if all things are aligned properly and my full being becomes a breathe of air.

It is as if I am light as a feather and joyful……as if I have reached full nirvana. And so I became curious as to what others experience when they partner.

I have interviewed many dancers and climbers on this topic. Today is the first time my work is shared online. What do you think about it?

Over the course of two years, I have become a skillful interviewer. These earlier interviews make me cringe when I see them and the manner in which I was working with my subjects…..my film making partners.

The following link shows Poi Fire Dancers, Kris and Amy Kurey. I hung out with them on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.

Opening Day: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
2007/07/21
Roald Dahl’s Fantasy Adventure for Children
Dramatized by Richard R. George
Performed at the Magic Playhouse – Boulder, CO

Alison Salva as Grandma Georgina.

Today, our household embodied the classic actor’s opening night routine. For a mere two weeks, Alison has rehearsed with the cast of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

With a relaxing and leisurely start to the day, we puttered around the house. Running lines between chores, Alison was set to debut in her role as Grandma Georgina.

All the kids had a full plate and frankly I don’t know that adults would hold up under the demanding schedule they have had.

Q: How in the world did they pull together this performance in just two weeks?
A: Spirit channeled creativity!

Amidst the backdrop of fanciful costumes and outlandish sets, the cast held the space and entertained the audience for two hours. At one point in the show, strobe lights flashed while the children undulated slowly making it look like they were actually floating in space! Cool!

For more information see the Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids web site.

Trip Report: Keyhole Ridge

Trip Report: Keyhole Ridge, Grade III, 5.6
Longs Peak (14,255 ft), RMNP
Descent via Clark’s Arrow and the Loft
Roundtrip ~13 miles
Vert: 4,800+ feet
Climbers: Jill Salva and Kurt Traskos

Yesterday we started late for an alpine outing given the daily monsoons. We signed in at the trailhead at 3:15 am. Our hike up to the boulderfield under load was quick and easy. We passed about 12 people enroute to the Keyhole.

Neither Kurt nor I had climbed this route before, so we relied on beta from the Mountain Project web site. Most Alpine routes are committing and this one was no exception. After a series of class 2 ledges we roped up for fifth class climbing. Our first and subsequent pitches went fast. We did notice two 2-bolt anchors drilled into the east rock at the end of the first pitch.

At 8:30 am the clouds started to build. We continued to watch the weather closely and moved quickly on the terrain. Luck was on our side, the weather held. Of note on the route are the unique views of the Longs Peak towers, the west face wall and the Chiefs Head cirque.

Below is Guy Humphrey’s route description from the Mountain Project. We found it helpful.

“1.) After scrambling up the 2nd class ramp on the east side, follow low 5th class slabs and ledges to the false keyhole. (190ft)

2.) Climb the right side of the tower to the top. Belay in the sun or continue on. (5.5, 75ft)

3.) Climb down a 10ft step and traverse a ledge system on the west side of the ridge to a step. (5.2, 150ft)

4.) Climb one of the crack systems to the top of the small step, downclimb the baskside and follow ledge systems to the next notch.(5.4, 350ft)

5.) Climb slabs to the base of a large right facing dihedral. (5.2, 100ft)

6.) Follow ledge ststems on the east side, while gaining very little elevation. Cool exposure! (5.5, 180ft)

7.) Follow clean slabs up and then left to the next notch (5.2, 190ft)

8.) Climb through the notch, follow ledge systems on the west side, and find a place to belay in the talus. (5.2, 300ft)

9.) Unrope and follow the classic 3rd class ridge to the summit. (600-700ft)”

On the summit we met up with many climbers. There was much chatting and this summit crowd was the friendliest I’ve ever encountered. One guy was celebrating his 39th birthday so we all gathered around him and sang Happy B-day. After trading food and swaping some stories we were on our way down.

We chose to do a full tour of Longs, descending via the Clarks Arrow route, which skirts the Palisades. It was an awesome tour de Longs!

Click here for pics of the day

Have fun out there! Cheers, ~jilly