
I have goals in life. I like to think of myself as willing to try new things. Definitely not boring but certainly not a risk taker. I used to do unexpected things. I've backpacked through Western Europe, lived in the Middle East, drove cross country and camped out in the Western U.S. for a summer... you know fun, "live like you mean it" activities. But somewhere in between working a full time job and since starting a family, I have become a little dull around the edges. Let me be the first to say that my children and my husband are the most important things in my life. I am proud of who I am, what I do and the choices I have made. That being said, sometimes you get so covered in layers of diaper changes and melt-in-your-mouth teething cereal that you lose sight of your daring side. I have to be practical now and reliable and responsible. No drag car racing or bungee jumping for me... or so I thought.
Today was a whole new day. I entered the world of Earth Treks in Rockville, MD. Now I had no idea what rock climbing was about. No idea what it would look like. I knew it was an indoor gym of some sort with rocks to climb. Boy did I have no idea what I was getting in to. I entered the door, met my good friend Josh, and walked into what looked like the interior of someone's mouth. That's right. I felt like a dentist walking into a life size set of gums. These huge peach walls with their curves and ripples towered above me covered in these multi-colored hand grips and foot rests along the way. Each route taped in a different color and labeled for difficulty at the base. You might think the numbering would start at 1 or even 0 for the beginner level. But rock climbing is an activity that marches to its own beat. Numbering begins at 5 and then levels are added in increments such as 5.1 or 5.2. These would be "easy" climbs whereas a 5.9 or 5.10 would be for the most skilled climber.
After receiving my harness, we walked to the beginner wall, which I might add is 40 feet in the air!!!! I thought rock climbing would be a series of rock hills to climb up with large flags at the top. Sort of like hiking but on rock. While there are grooves within the rock and archways on some paths, most of the climbing goes in one direction.... up.

glad I could be a part of it!
ReplyDeleteyay for you! We saw this totally crazy movie at the Banff film festival in NYC about these climbers that free climb (with NO ropes!) up Half Dome in Yosemite...can you imagine? Something to aspire to? Ha ha! Keep it up. Looking good.
ReplyDeleteI love your adventures but please never free climb! I am so proud of you! To the top and on your first day! So exciting! When you are visiting your Dad, Cole and Steve can watch the children and we are going rock climbing. There is a beautiful new rock gym in Worcester. Xo
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic! I had to give up climbing because of my foot, but since the surgery, it's feeling better and hopefully I'll be able to do it again someday. It love it because you're competing against yourself, and, like you said, solving a puzzle. Belay On!
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