Climbing is something which comes natural to humans as is breathing, walking, running, swimming and sleeping.
When I was a child I did not know how to swim, or so I thought. I remember I never liked going to my swim lessons at the age of 3 or 4 because my swimming teacher was fat, and she had a weird coffee stain on her swimsuit. I always thought that it was so strange. Anyway she would make me put my face in the water, and it was always very scary because her stained swimming suit was in it too. Years later when I was 11 I learnt how to swim. The swim teacher to jump into the deep end of the pool and if I didn't I saw what he would do. He would say ok go back to the line, however when you turned around, he would grab you and throw you in. Miraculously you already know how to swim! You'll automatically surface and get to the side of the pool. I think 1 in 15 kids didn't swim and they quit and sank to the bottom, in that case the teacher would cuss, and jump in after the kid. The kid would be fine. I jumped in and swam, my sister was thrown in.
Climbing came naturally to my sister and I. She started it however, she would climb doors, walls, anything that went upward. Her problem was coming down. She would begin to cry, and usually jump into my father's arms. I enjoyed climbing trees and interesting shaped buildings. However one day our teacher told us that it wasn't ladylike to climb. The whole fun of climbing trees was the fruit of the labor - tamarinds, palm, mangoes, coconuts, dates... so much yummy fun!
Years later, I have no more upper body strength, and developed fear of heights. I doubt that I can climb anything whatsoever. I wish and wish I could climb the rock wall in the University of Akron rec center, but I never have the guts to or find a buddy to go with.
Recently though I got the opportunity to at Kendall Cliffs, in Summit County. I have been climbing with my friends Renee and Mark. It has been quite the learning experience. In its entirety it is an exhilarating experience. You get a full body work out with the adrenalin rush, team spirit, trust building, strength building and mentally, physically and sometimes intellectually challenging.
The first few times I learnt the "codes" we are supposed to say such as "climbing" "climb on" "belay?" "belay on", how to tie the No. 8 knot. and to secure the harness. Then how to start the climb and use my arms and legs, following the color.
Recently however Renee/ Mark and Jeff stepped it up a notch, and taught be how to use my belay instrument, tie a few more knots, the secret to trying knots, also new techniques in movements, and holds. It sure made it more interesting and challenging. Realization to how much more I need to work on my core muscles, and arms. Also how we must use our arms and legs together. Usually Renee forgets to use her arms, and I forget to use my legs. So we learn from each other. I realized I trust Renee and Mark for belaying and everyone has different belay techniques. It all takes practice.
I started a new wall, and it was a puzzle and challenging. I would climb up four feet and then slip and fall to be caught by the belay person. Swinging like Tarzan (by mistake) from the rope is actually kinda "whoa". This wall had a very slight overhang and it had different kinds of holds... and now my thumbs hurt. Relearning how to climb again, and its fun and you use parts of your brain that we forget to use. We use muscles we didn't know we have!
Exciting! Intriguing! Believing! Achieving!
When I was a child I did not know how to swim, or so I thought. I remember I never liked going to my swim lessons at the age of 3 or 4 because my swimming teacher was fat, and she had a weird coffee stain on her swimsuit. I always thought that it was so strange. Anyway she would make me put my face in the water, and it was always very scary because her stained swimming suit was in it too. Years later when I was 11 I learnt how to swim. The swim teacher to jump into the deep end of the pool and if I didn't I saw what he would do. He would say ok go back to the line, however when you turned around, he would grab you and throw you in. Miraculously you already know how to swim! You'll automatically surface and get to the side of the pool. I think 1 in 15 kids didn't swim and they quit and sank to the bottom, in that case the teacher would cuss, and jump in after the kid. The kid would be fine. I jumped in and swam, my sister was thrown in.
Climbing came naturally to my sister and I. She started it however, she would climb doors, walls, anything that went upward. Her problem was coming down. She would begin to cry, and usually jump into my father's arms. I enjoyed climbing trees and interesting shaped buildings. However one day our teacher told us that it wasn't ladylike to climb. The whole fun of climbing trees was the fruit of the labor - tamarinds, palm, mangoes, coconuts, dates... so much yummy fun!
Years later, I have no more upper body strength, and developed fear of heights. I doubt that I can climb anything whatsoever. I wish and wish I could climb the rock wall in the University of Akron rec center, but I never have the guts to or find a buddy to go with.
Recently though I got the opportunity to at Kendall Cliffs, in Summit County. I have been climbing with my friends Renee and Mark. It has been quite the learning experience. In its entirety it is an exhilarating experience. You get a full body work out with the adrenalin rush, team spirit, trust building, strength building and mentally, physically and sometimes intellectually challenging.
The first few times I learnt the "codes" we are supposed to say such as "climbing" "climb on" "belay?" "belay on", how to tie the No. 8 knot. and to secure the harness. Then how to start the climb and use my arms and legs, following the color.
Recently however Renee/ Mark and Jeff stepped it up a notch, and taught be how to use my belay instrument, tie a few more knots, the secret to trying knots, also new techniques in movements, and holds. It sure made it more interesting and challenging. Realization to how much more I need to work on my core muscles, and arms. Also how we must use our arms and legs together. Usually Renee forgets to use her arms, and I forget to use my legs. So we learn from each other. I realized I trust Renee and Mark for belaying and everyone has different belay techniques. It all takes practice.
I started a new wall, and it was a puzzle and challenging. I would climb up four feet and then slip and fall to be caught by the belay person. Swinging like Tarzan (by mistake) from the rope is actually kinda "whoa". This wall had a very slight overhang and it had different kinds of holds... and now my thumbs hurt. Relearning how to climb again, and its fun and you use parts of your brain that we forget to use. We use muscles we didn't know we have!
Exciting! Intriguing! Believing! Achieving!
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