Becoming a Rock Climber

she says:

“I would try this route man, but it looks a little chossy. Besides after that last climb my forearms are totally pumped and my tips are shredded.”

With every new sport comes a new lingo and the case certainly holds true with rock climbing. Before Smith Rock I climbed a bit in some rock gyms and annually at the rock wall at summer camp. I always enjoyed myself however never found the right venue to pursue my interest in rock climbing further, until of course I met Jeffrey who was already a proficient climber (better yet, he had a ton of extra gear I could use.)

And so as I laced up the borrowed climbing shoes, strapped on the worn harness and tied in to the top rope that Jeff set up. I was nervous, but thrilled to be outdoors and climbing. With the first few hand holds and foot pockets what struck me was how the rock almost seemed designed for climbing. I remember being back in the rock gyms and thinking, “these plastic holds are completely unrealistic, no rock has hand holds like this.” Well I was mistaken; Smith Rock has holds like that.

Incredible, what a place! With each day I got a bit more comfortable on my feet, with each evening I tried to digest the techniques Jeffrey has taught me so I could put them into practice the next day. Like with any new skill, you have your good days and your bad days and what keeps you going is the satisfaction of successfully getting through the crux of a route, putting into practice a new technique, feeling the advantage of proper foot placement, reaching out a grabbing that killer hand hold to pull you through and the promise that with perseverance you can keep climbing more challenging and trying routes (and maybe even lead one day.)