On The Same Rope

Went climbing after a two and half week hiatus. Walked up to the counter to check in and saw Burke's shining face.

Me: Happy...

Burke: Don't Happy New Year me. Give me a hug.

One of my favorite Burke moments happened as I tried to get over the arête and he yelled Woman power!

Burke told me that he had set new routes. Cool. New year. New routes.

As I belayed for Mike, Frank's friend chit chatted with me. Mike asked for a take and the friend was like I better move on; It's a good thing that you don't talk with your hands. Ah, I've missed rock climbing humor.

Later on as I belayed for Jessica, I noticed that Erin (newbie) had on new shoes. She said that her daughters gave them to her for Christmas. But they're kind of tight with these socks on, she said.

Me: Socks? You can take those off now since you're no longer wearing rental shoes.

Erin: You're a liar.

Me: Look down at my feet. Look at the guy's feet over there. You're supposed to be able to feel the rock better if there's nothing between you and your climbing shoes. I would also advise you to get foot spray...

As I approached my last route, Jessica and I went through safety checks. I looked at my figure eight knot and back-up knot. Jessica checked her carabiner then said And we're on the same rope. I started cracking up. You definitely want to be on the same rope.

Overheard At The Gym

Note: All declarations were made at Upper Limits rock climbing gym.

Gravity is gravity, a father to son.

I'm just gonna hang out here for a minute while I get my act together, a woman ascending a 5.9 route.

When you're outside, you fall further and there's enough time for adrenaline and that feeling of imminent doom to kick in. Woman discussing lead climbing...

I've always enjoyed slabs. A woman about to climb Heeling the Pain, a 5.10 route next to Slabtastic, a 5.6 route

Climber: It's hard. Belayer: Well, it's a 5.10; shake it off and chalk up.

Youngin: Mommy, you're a bad rock climber. Mother: That's not polite; you won't have a turn until you can be polite again...

That's a mental crux, belayer to climber stuck on a route.

It takes too much energy to rest, Burke after ascending a challenging route.

I just want to quit my job and play all day. John, a young climber

Oh, no. Not the 'C' word. Ryan to her friend climbing The Greater Good, a 5.9 route

Do two pull-ups. Lick the pole. An excited Ryan to her friend who made it to the top of The Greater Good

I laughed so hard with Ryan that she turned red. We, rightly so, introduced ourselves after all of the laughter.


For the record, route tally for Wednesday, August 25th:

Where the Beer Flows Like Wine, Unrated
Grab the Jug, 5.8
Steller's, 5.8
Where's My Mind?, 5.8
Hermano?, 5.9
Pacman Revival, 5.9
Photosynthesis, 5.9
Scratch and Sniff, 5.9

Overheard anything memorable at your gym?