Notes From the Weekend: Climbing High and Watching the SEC

Austin mornings are crisp when you get out of bed early, and that’s exactly how I like it. Chalk bag packed, harness slung over my shoulder, I hit the limestone walls outside the city before most people even finish their first cup of coffee. There’s a rhythm to climbing that feels a lot like life: reach, balance, trust your grip, move forward. By the time I top out, I’m tired but clear headed, and ready for the rest of the day.

Of course, my weekend doesn’t end with climbing. This is SEC country in spirit, even if Austin is technically Big 12 on the map for now. Saturdays belong to football. I spend the afternoon with friends, grill smoking, screens glowing, and the talk loud about who looks like a contender and who’s already out of the race.

This weekend I’m watching closely. Georgia looks sharp, Alabama is reloading, and now Texas is in the mix, bringing Austin right into the SEC conversation. There’s pride in knowing my city is stepping onto the biggest stage. My Dutch girlfriend might call climbing the better sport, but she doesn’t know what it feels like to watch your team walk into an SEC gauntlet. It’s not just a game. It’s a proving ground.

So that’s my rhythm here in Austin. Climb high in the morning, let the SEC take over in the afternoon, and end the night with stories to tell. One way or another, I’ll be back next weekend with chalk on my hands, barbecue sauce on my shirt, and football on my mind.