I know that all of you have hobbies that you enjoy doing, and that you, more than likely, do quite well. I like to go rock climbing. Granted there is not to many places in East Texas that you can do this sport. Rock climbing is a sport that a friend of mine in California introduced me to but it is a sport that many people either enjoy watching or doing. I remember the very first time I went climbing. My friend, Paul who is an experienced climber, convinced me to go on a climb that we both knew was too difficult for a beginner such as myself.
I tried it anyway. Before we got started, Paul showed me how to make a harness out of a six-foot piece of rope and how to put it on. Then he showed me the basic of repelling, which is the quickest way down from the top of a huge rock. Repelling scared me at first because I am scared of heights but I soon got use to it. Then we went to one side of the huge rock and picked out a route that we would try to stick to as much as possible. We discussed where there were good handholds and footings, and if there were any possible dangers we might encounter while we were climbing. We took one last look and then we got started.
We pulled out the rest of the gear that we needed for the climb such as: ropes, carabineers, and hand chalk. Since Paul was the experienced climber he went up first to put in the safety catches in the climb so that if I fell, I would only fall a couple of feet instead of all the way to the ground. He made it up without any catches and made it look very simple. Once Paul made it up to the top, it was my turn. He threw down one end the of the rope, and I tied myself in. Once I Was tied in, I started my ascent up the massive rock.
The Essay on Rock Climbing in America’s National Parks
Before me spreads an ocean of grey. The granite wall looms above me and calls in its silent voice for me to go on, higher. Focus. My hand reaches out, seeking the depths of the crack before me. I make a fist and weight my body on this new hold, first testing it, then trusting it. I reach out with my other arm and clip my safety line to the bolted belay station. A wave of tension flows from my arms ...
In the beginning, everything went well and according to plan but about half way up I lost my foot hold and fell about 5 foot. When I fell, it scared the hell out of me, but I got my bearing back and continued my climb. As I got closer to the top I realized that I was in as good a shaped that I thought I was. My muscle starting growing weak and painful from the strain of the climb, but I kept thinking, ” just a little bit further and I’ll be at the top”. When I finally reached the top I was completely exhausted. We rested for a few minutes and then decided it was time to go back down.
Since I was also new to rappelling, Paul went down first so he could keep an eye on me just in case I got into trouble. Once he got down I strapped in like he showed me and started my descent. Needless to say the trip down was a lot easier then the trip up. I made it down without a hitch. We then packed up all of our gear and started back for home, but I will never forget the feeling I got when I reached the top of that rock. I had this feeling I inside of me like at that moment I could do anything and everything I ever dreamed of and be successful at it.
Even thought it might take a lot of hard work to get it accomplished, but that is what makes it so much worth while.
