Yes, this IS, in fact, post #2 within 12 hours! Amazing, I know. Actually, I had it written last night, but figured I'd give you some time in between. Looks like my impatience won here..
Let's see, the most interesting thing to
But let me tell you, outdoor climbing is WAYYY different than climbing indoors. For one, you're at a MUCH greater risk of hurting yourself, or at least, it seems that way. We set off to climb somewhat early in the morning. Graham, our main instructor, wasn't able to make it, so Simon, (along with the help of two Trinity Outdoor Pursuits students, who specialized in rock climbing) got us geared up and on our way. The place we went to climb was right along the Pembrokeshire coast, not too far from where we had hiked (see above). Actually, I'm pretty sure we hiked right past it on our overnight trip. Simon organized it so that we had a couple different challenges. With the experienced Trinity students, we had about a 30 foot climb as well as a 40 foot climb, and later, a 55 foot climb, all in which, they belayed us from above. Belaying is the feeding of the rope through a "B" clip - if you've ever been climbing, you know what I'm talking about. If done properly, should the climber fall, the stress on the rope kind of "locks" the rope in place, sparing your hands from rope burn caused by trying to support the person from falling any further. Then, a few yards away, from another cliff, Simon set up a situation in which we could practice the technique of belaying from below.
That being said, I wasn't quite ready for the responsibility of Simon's area, so I practiced first on the 30 foot cliff - one that dropped straight down into the ocean (as shown to the left).
Little bit nerve-wracking... especially when I first started. In order to ensure that the rope was as taut as possible, I had to plant my feet, and lean back over the edge, trusting
that the rope, and the Trinity student, was going to hold me. Thankfully, they both lived up to their expectations, and I was at the bottom, ready to climb up before I knew it.
Which leads me to difference #2. Believe it or not, hand and foot holds aren't highlighted in neon colors when you're climbing a steep cliff face. I found this out the hard way... So I was scaling up, not doing too bad for my first, legitimate time rock climbing, and all of a sudden, I'm stuck. My left toe is balancing delicately upon a lip, maybe 5 cm wide, and my right hand has a hold of the only hand hold I could see. Within seconds, my right leg, which I have just pressed up against the rock, starts shaking uncontrollably. The Trinity students call it "Elvis Leg."
Rightfully named, my leg was bouncing all over the place. But at this point, I was in panic mode. I didn't have control of my body, and I knew if I stayed in one spot too long, trying to hold on, I would wear myself out. So I called up to my belayer, asking him for any suggestions of possible options. He pointed out that there was a GREAT handhold about 2 and a half feet up, which, unfortunately, was just out of reach for me. At that point in time though, it was my only way up and I refused to back track and try a different route. So, I dug my toes into the wall as hard as I could (seeing as there was no good foot hold) and pushed off my right hand (which had a good
hold), and reached as far as possible with my left hand for the AWESOME handhold that waited above for me. Here's how the sequence of events played out: Grabbed the handhold with my left hand. Feet slipped out from under me. Panicked, grabbed ahold of the handhold with my right hand too. Sat there dangling, in sheer terror, for about half a second before I realized that I was going nowhere. Then I dug in again with my feet, able to pull myself up until I found a good foothold and then, made it the rest of the way up. It was exhilarating!
After a few more runs on that cliff, I ventured over to where Simon was and tried that face out for size. After learning how to belay him from below, Simon took off up the wall, and along the way, placed these tools called “nuts” into strategically located crevices. From these devices, he clipped in the rope he was trailing, which would then be used as the lead rope for the next
person to climb up. Once Simon reached the top, the next
person started up, following the same path. It was the second person’s job to replace the lead rope with the rope he was trailing, which would then become my lead rope. Once the second person reached the top, and the rope was
switched out, I started up. By this point in time, I felt like an expert. I was only hesitant to c
ross the MASSIVE crevice at the beginning of the climb, but from there, it was easy as cake. On the way up, my job was to
remove the nuts as I reached them. Simon pretty much told
me I was an expert! The trick was to see which was they went into the crevice, then you just push them out the same way they went in. But if that didn’t work, I had a handy, dandy tool that made it easier. I really didn’t think twice about it, and before I knew it, I was at the top!
Ahhhh.. was it an experience! I've found that I enjoy rock climbing because it has the perfect balance of riskiness. On one hand, you can slip and be holding on for dear life, but on the other hand, you know that rope has you and you're never going to fall too far. Kind of like a dream. You can get into all kinds of trouble in a dream, but you know that you’re only a pinch away from waking up. I’m pretty sure rock climbing has been my favorite thing to do thus far! And I like it so much, that I’m seriously considering buying my own climbing shoes and harness when I get home. After all, I am a part of the rock-climbing club at school, I just haven’t taken advantage of it yet! Plus, Hoosier Heights, an indoor facility in Bloomington, is just a 40 minute drive away! I’m pumped! And we're climbing again this Thursday!! So look for yet another
awesome blog! Until next time!
The tallest/highest challenge
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