Patti was itching to go climbing outside but I was not itching to climb outside especially since Patti and crew were going rock climbing at Jackson Falls.
I had misgivings about going because I've never climbed outdoors and I know next to nothing about what kind of equipment is needed and I like to do my research. I know that I would have been in good hands but the trek to Jackson Falls was going to be an all day affair and I just didn't feel like I had all day.
I pouted internally and I was a little bummed out and part of my pouting was due to my inflexibility and need to be in control.
I was wondering if I should go to the gym at all but knew if I didn't I would be haunted, later on in the day, by thoughts of going rock climbing. I headed to the gym but even my harness wasn't cooperating; it was all twisted and tangled. After I down climbed my warm up route, I was looking around and saw this guy and we made eye contact.
Him: Are you waiting on someone?The old me would have never agreed to climb with someone I did not know. For that matter, the old me would not have been climbing.
Me: No.
Him: Do you want to climb a few routes together?
Me: Sure.
He (Joe) asked how long I had been climbing and if I felt comfortable belaying. I told him that I was completely comfortable belaying and that I had been climbing seriously for about six months. He had been climbing for two years but had taken a hiatus. I later learned that Joe had been afraid of heights, he's never taken a rock climbing class and his friend taught him what he knows. Said friend also started him off by rappelling down a 60 foot cliff.
It's funny that people don't believe you when you say that you are not crazy about heights. You get so focused during climbing that you concentrate on the task at hand. Eventually, the sensitivity to heights falls by the wayside.
I'm still pondering how the universe gave me what I wanted. I got to rock climb without relying solely on the auto-belay and I enjoyed watching such a skilled climber; Joe was hugging the wall and doing heel hooks while tackling 5.10s and such. One day...
Route Tally:Have you ever been surprised by getting something that you thought you could not have or achieve?
Sponge Bob, 5.7 (Climbed and Down Climbed 3x's)
Bright Idea, 5.8
Face Plant, 5.8
Rainbow Bright, 5.8
Sounds like you had a very nice climb! I have done a lot of things I thought I was afraid of. Of course losing weight, but there are other personal things as well!
ReplyDeletevery cool that you found a connection with another climber...
ReplyDeleteIts not as easy to talk in the pool :)lol
@Diane,
ReplyDeleteIt definitely turned out to be a much better climbing outing than I expected. I love it when you can look fear in the face and get something done despite your worries.
@midlife_swimmer,
I see that you don't have a Chatty Cathy at your pool. :) There is this woman that is very sweet but, if I see her at the pool, I try to put as many lanes as possible between us. Otherwise, not much swimming will happen...