My Day at Rocky Face Recreational Area...
I've been wall climbing for about 17 months. In that time I have...
-strengthened existing friendships
-made new friends
-tested the limits of my courage as it relates to challenging myself with difficult routes
-gained physical and mental strength as a result of overcoming those challenges
-been coached by extremely selfless individuals
-started coaching others based on what I am learning
...and as a result become a contributing member to a community that 2 years ago I never would have imagined I'd be a part of.
Recently, a group of us took part in an outdoor climbing experience that I can honestly say was the best day of my almost 2-year climbing journey! Prior to the experience I consulted friends within my climbing community to get a sense of what I was getting myself into. Responses ranged from...
-You are going to love it!
-It's more difficult than climbing in a gym because there are no "holds" on the rock face.
-Trust your feet when you are on the rock.
-Just go out there and have fun!
With that beta in mind, I prepared for the experience. A good friend of mine who could not attend let me borrow a helmet for safety. Having that helmet made me feel like all of the coaching she has provided recently, with regard to using good foot technique, was literally, in my head.
When we got to our destination, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, I was immediately awestruck by the beauty of the man-made, granite crag. One of our friends was already there claiming as well as preparing the routes we would be attempting to climb. Remembering not to expect the multi-colored slopers, jugs, and pinchers that make up the routes I am used to in the gym, I approached the rock face with a healthy dose of anxious anticipation. Something fascinating happened as I got closer. The rock actually started to "reveal to me" places where my hands and feet could go. It was at that moment that anxiety was replaced with excitement and an overwhelming urge to; climb. The words that follow ultimately will not be able to communicate how I felt going up that first route, and subsequent routes, but I will try my best.
As soon as I touched the rock face I could feel the cool granite "speaking to me." Saying things like...
-Step here
-Try putting your left hand in this crack
-Move your right foot 6 inches to the right
-You may need to smear here
My belayer was also speaking to me. Her intimate knowledge of the rock that made up the route was obvious and very much appreciated as I continued to communicate to both; making my way up at a pace I could not have imagined. I bumped into the rock face a few times coming down learning that I needed to keep my feet wide in front of me while looking down so I could continue downward without more bumping. When I got to the bottom a rush of emotions flowed through me that took the form of hugs, smiling, laughter; pure joy!
This day was not just about my climbing journey. Five other friends were first-timers (climbing outdoors) as well. Our group is very supportive of one another so while I was getting out of my climb I noticed that one of my friends was preparing for her first climb. I immediately went to her route to encourage and cheer her on. Again, words can never do justice to the feeling you get when you see someone you care deeply for challenging herself and having fun in the process. As this friend went up the rock we cheered her on and celebrated her success when she reached the top and "high-fived" her and each other when she came down!
I climbed 3 more routes during our time at Rocky Face. The one I am most proud of was graded a 5.10-. This outdoor grade would be the equivalent to an 5.11a or b on an indoor route. I did not know this going into the climb. I just knew it was more difficult than the 3 previous routes I had climbed. This route tested my limits of courage and confidence. It required me to implement every technique I had learned in the gym. I had to trust my feet, I had to smear, I had to mantle; I had to "let go" and listen to both my body and the rock. My belayer, a new friend, was an amazing guide and confidence booster as he was ready with perfect beta whenever I got stuck with what to do next. It felt like he was physically behind me at certain points during the climb pushing me to realize new levels of courage and confidence that were in me, ready to come out and help me "send" the most difficult route I have climbed since my climbing journey started 17 months ago.
The two videos I am sharing here capture the emotions that were flowing through me as I finished this climb. Realizing that I had just done something I never imagined I would be capable of, I started to cry when I got to the top and made my way back down. It was the happiest of cries; a release of joy that I have never experienced. In that moment I realized that I am capable of anything I put my full attention, body and mind to! In that moment I realized that my climbing journey is not about any one climb; it's about being present, learning from whatever experience I've taken part in, having fun, and always continuing to challenge myself.
