We got rained out at Red Rock and embraced the situation like a number of locals we chatted with... we turned the car toward the Mojave desert, destination Joshua Tree. I was nervous about my ability to lead — anything — at Joshua Tree, but my climbing partner is a strong leader despite being newer to climbing, so I figured we'd find something to have fun on. We spent our climbing day at the Lost Horse area, home to some fantastic "easy" routes. I followed my climbing partner on a surprisingly cruxy 5.7, then decided I'd better play it a bit safer for my lead. We headed for a 5.6 but another party was on it, and a 5.7 crack to the right caught my eye. You can read that long story on my blog but I'll summarize here — I lead it, and it was awesome. Complete with a cheering section of excited Orange County girls who made me feel like a total bad ass. Sure, it's only 5.7. But for a girl who thought she'd never lead a pitch at Joshua Tree, that lead made the entire trip worthwhile.

Now, I think about my places with history a bit differently. Each trip is an opportunity to find some reason to come back. Each project revisited is a chance to feel the difference in my self from year to year — to feel my body get stronger, and my mind grow calmer. They're an opportunity for me to stop and inventory my climbing life, and my life outside of climbing.

What are your places, routes, or problems with history? Please comment on this blog!

For more about Sara Lingafelter, visit her blog: rockclimbergirl.com