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TA’s Recent Blog Posts
- Boatbuilding as a Full Contact Sport
- Finding Centre and Other Life Lessons from Boatbuilding
- From Stem to Stern
- I’m Always Climbing A Mountain or “How I climb anything is how I climb everything…”
- Visual Soliloquy #1280 It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure…
TA's Adventures that Move
Aconcagua Ama Dablam Aoraki/Mount Cook Buddhism Canoe Canyons Denali Elbrus Elbrus-06 Everest-007 Everest 3.0 Everest 2010 Find Your Fit Fire&Ice17 Great Big Walk Great Himalaya Trail Gunnbjørn Fjeld Highest Peak Kanairiktok River Kilimanjaro Labrador Life Loca-venturing Logan Memorial University Mera & Island Mission 5959 Motorcycles Newfoundland Ojos Orizaba Paddle 2 Peaks Photo Gallery Photography Pumori Sea Kayak Ski Slackline Tajumulco Teaching & Learning Tibet Bike Toubkal Video Vinson Visual Soliloquy Volcanopalooza WaterBlog Tags
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Antarctica Antigua Atlas Mountains Buddhism Canada canoe Chile Churchill River climb Elbrus Climb for my Dad El Salvador Everest Everest 3.0 Everest 3.0. school curriculum Everest 2010 expedition Eyes of the Spirit Find Your Fit GHT Go for Greenland Grand Canyon Great Himalaya Trail Greenland Guatemala Hat Trick of the Americas Iceland Kanairiktok River Karuna Kilimanjaro Labrador Lojong Slogans Mission 5959 Mista Shipu Morocco mountain Mountains of Morocco Nature Nepal Newfoundland NOLS north Africa Notakwanon River Nunatsiavut Ojos Oma peak photography Post by Voice prostate cancer Quotes School Curriculum sea kayak sea kayaking Seven Summits St. John's Sweden Tire Pull train training Travel trek Twillingate Vinson volcanoes What's TA Climbing Next? WOKies YukonRecent Comments
- Carolyn ` Paul on From Stem to Stern
- Anonymous on I’m Always Climbing A Mountain or “How I climb anything is how I climb everything…”
- Jill on I’m Always Climbing A Mountain or “How I climb anything is how I climb everything…”
- Anonymous on Arms Wide Open and Other Lessons I Learned from Jim
- TA Loeffler on Everest 3.0: Out of the Fog, Flights to Nowhere, and Seeing the Mountain Blush
TA’s Photo Galleries
Author Archives: TA Loeffler
Boatbuilding as a Full Contact Sport
Using the linear planer is intense. I’ve adopted the role of board puller which means I’m face and eyes into the sawdust. I think I like it because it reminds me of skiing across Greenland or Sweden when we faced … Continue reading
Posted in Newfoundland
Tagged 2017, boatbuilding, dory, Winterton, Wooden Boat Museum
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Finding Centre and Other Life Lessons from Boatbuilding
Day three of boatbuilding school at the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador has come to an end and we’ve learned many more skills, ideas, and vocabulary today. We’ve focused on finding centre from almost minute one of the … Continue reading
Posted in Newfoundland
Tagged 2017, boatbuilding, dory, Winterton, Wooden Boat Museum
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From Stem to Stern
Marian, Michael, and I are spending this week at the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador in Winterton learning how to build a Grandy Dory (pictured above). I’ve been trying to get to a workshop here for a few … Continue reading
I’m Always Climbing A Mountain or “How I climb anything is how I climb everything…”
If I said to you that I was following an exercise program with discipline, eating food of the highest nutritional quality, making sure that I’m getting lots of sleep, doing lots of body care, and seeing progress each day, what … Continue reading
Visual Soliloquy #1280 It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure…
It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure. –Joseph Campbell
Posted in Photography, Visual Soliloquy
Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy #1279 If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind ?”
If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?” –Mary Ann Pietzker
Posted in Photography, Visual Soliloquy
Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy #1278 Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us…
Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us. ― David Richo photo Credit: Megan Frost
Posted in Photography, Visual Soliloquy
Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy #1277 “It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always . All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story…
It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story. ― Patrick Rothfuss
Posted in Photography, Visual Soliloquy
Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy #1276 I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity…
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy #1275 The only real battle in life is between hanging on and letting go…
The only real battle in life is between hanging on and letting go. ― Shannon L. Alder
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Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy # 1274 I grow plants for many reasons: to please my eye or to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, for novelty or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow…
I grow plants for many reasons: to please my eye or to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, for novelty or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow. — David … Continue reading
Posted in Photography, Visual Soliloquy
Tagged 2017, garden, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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Fire and Ice 2017: Time Flies
Today we travelled from Vik to Reykjavik. Vik means bay so when you see Vik in a name it likely is on a bay on the coast. This is the famous hole in the wall near Vik. We reached this … Continue reading
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Fire and Ice 2107: More Ice than Fire
It was another full day exploring the sights between Vagnsstaðir and Vik. We spent much of the day marvelling at the ice in all of it’s forms. Glacier tongues, lagoons, and crevasses drew our attention over and over again. I … Continue reading
Posted in Fire&Ice17
Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire and Ice 2017: You Gotta Know when to Fold ‘Em
Hey Hey, as they say in Sweden. This will be quick. We’re down safe, we’ll fed, and ready for bed after getting up at four followed by a 13 hour climb. We reached out turnaround time without reaching the summit. … Continue reading
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Fire and Ice 2017: Brief Update
A day filled with lots of ice! Glacier ice A busy day moving across southern Iceland to be in place for the big climb tomorrow. Up at four am so hitting the hay. More tomorrow after a big big day … Continue reading
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Fire and Ice 2017: Transitioning to Iceland
After a appetizer visit to Stockholm, we spent much of the day transitioning to Iceland. Keflavik Airport kept us longer that we wanted but once released, we headed for a point of land that allowed us to look west to … Continue reading
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Fire and Ice 2017: Trains, Trams, and Sunken Ships Oh My
As we returned to trees and rocks and pastures and forests this morning out the train window, Marian and I reflected on our Northern Sweden experience. We shared our highs, lows, and things we learned. Life in Stockholm initially seemed … Continue reading
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Fire and Ice 2017: Transition from Mountains to Villages
Today is a transition day from the mountains through villages to the train that will take us far from snow and ice for a few days. We took the scooter from Kebnekaise to Nikkaluokta this morning. It took about an … Continue reading
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 9: Kiruna to Stockholm
Today after our overnight train ride, we will explore Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Did You Know? Volvo, a Swedish company invented the 3-point seat belt system, and instead of patenting it to make their own company a lot more … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire and Ice 2017: Up Close and Personal with Some Ice
Today was an ice day. We skied down the scooter track a ways and then cut right to ski up to an ice filled canyon. First, though, we had to find a snow bridge over an open stream. As we … Continue reading
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 8: Kebnekaise to Nikkolauda to Kiruna
Today we will head out from Kebnekaise Mountain Station to Nikkolauda. There, we will catch a bus that will take us to Kiruna. There, we will catch a train to Stockholm. Did You Know?
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire and Ice 2017: Lots of Ice (and some fire)
Today we said good bye to our ski expedition teammates. They rode out to Nikkaluokta by scooter, scooter being the Swedish name for snowmobile. Many folks ride between Kebnekaise and Nikkaluokta by scooter taxi while others ski or hike the … Continue reading
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 7: Kebnekaise Climb
. Today is the big day. We will try to make our way to the highest point in Sweden, the summit of Kebnekaise (2099 m.). Did You Know? Haparanda in Sweden, and Tornio in Finland, are so close in proximity … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire & Ice 2017: Safe in Kebnekaise
After following the red crosses of the Kungsleden for six days and nearly 100 km, we are enjoying celebrating at Kebnekaise Mountain Station. We had some fantastic weather and some horrible weather. We had to push hard some days but … Continue reading
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 6: Kebnekaise Mountain Station
Today we say good-bye to our ski teammates and meet our climbing ones. We’ll do some preparation for our climb of Kebnekaise (2099 m.) as well as rest and make everything ready for the climb. Did You Know? Something that … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 5: Salka-Kebnekaise
This will be an exciting day as we will see Kebnekaise (2099 m.), Sweden’s highest peak, for the first time. We will be trying to spot the route up that we will use when climbing the peak. Today we ski … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 4: Tjakta-Salka
Today the rhythms of our ski days should be set as we make way from Tjakta mountain hut to Salka mountain hut. Did You Know? In Sweden, the traditional Christmas visitor is the “nisse” or “gnome”, a short, good-humoured sprite … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 3: Alesjaure-Tjakta
Today we ski from Alesjaure mountain hut to Tjakta mountain hut. The huts were are using are maintained by the Swedish Tourism Association and help make the Swedish outdoors more accessible to everyone. Did You Know? “Lagom” is an important … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 2: Abiskojaure-Alesjaure
Today’s plan is to ski from Abisko.jaure-Alesjaure. We are learning all about the Letter “A” Did You Know? Between 300,000 and 400,000 moose (“Alces alces”) roam the Swedish woods. The moose is also considered the most dangerous animal in Sweden. … Continue reading
Posted in Fire&Ice17
Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 1: Abisko Mountain Station-Abiskojaure
Today’s plan is to ski from Abisko Mountain Station to Abiskojaure mountain hut. It will be our first day out so we must take very good care of our feet since they will be adapting to the large volume of … Continue reading
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Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire and Ice 2017: Headed Out
Marian and I skied a bit of the rout for tomorrow for today and we’re excited, nervous and now ready to go after a flurry of activity. Our packs are heavy and the next few days will be tough but … Continue reading
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Fire and Ice 2017: Our Ski Route…
This map shows our entire ski route from Abisko to Kebnekaise and then finishing in Nikkaluokta. We will be carrying some of our food supplies in our backpacks and acquiring some items along the way. Out backpacks will weight between … Continue reading
Posted in Fire&Ice17
Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Fire and Ice 2017: Arrival in Abisko, Sweden
Hello from 68 Degrees North! After 45 hours of almost continuous travel, we arrived in Abisko midday. Going directly from the plane to a sleeper train reminded us how civilized train travel is. The extra space and ability to walk … Continue reading
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A Invitation to Fire & Ice 2017
Marian and I are off on another adventure and we’d like to invite you to come along. We are calling the expedition, “Fire and ice 2017” and we’re off to points north of here in Sweden and Iceland. The name … Continue reading
Posted in Fire&Ice17
Tagged 2017, climb, Iceland, Nature, School Curriculum, Sweden, Travel
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Visual Soliloquy # 1273 The river has taught me to listen; you will learn from it, too. The river knows everything; one can learn everything from it. You have already learned from the river that it is good to strive downwards…
The river has taught me to listen; you will learn from it, too. The river knows everything; one can learn everything from it. You have already learned from the river that it is good to strive downwards, to sink, to … Continue reading
Posted in Photography, Visual Soliloquy
Tagged 2017, Nature, photography, Quotes, Travel
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In Honour of Michael Beecher Smith 4/27/2007
With today being Bell’s Let’s Talk day, I’m thinking of Michael and his family. He is dearly missed by so many. I thought I would re-post this blog entry that I did from Everest basecamp on April 27, 2007. Location: … Continue reading
Posted in Everest 3.0, Everest-007
Tagged 2017, Bell Let’s Talk, climb, Seven Summits, train
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