Flaking the rope, finding balance
Harness on…rack up
Double check the guidebook…re-count the draws
Lace the shoes, Helmet snug, Tie in
Sweaty palms….shallow breaths….
*BREATHE*
Close your eyes…
Clear. Your. Mind.
*BREATHE*
Partner checks…
Double backed, knots good…carabiner locked and loaded
Belay is R-E-A-D-Y
Are you??
Stare up at the route…access the risk…find the moves
Chalk up….
*BREATHE*
“Climbing!”
Remember to have fun
Crimp, sloper…high right foot
Move up….keep climbing
Back-step, toe in, stand up tall….first bolt
Quick draw in, rope in…
*BREATHE*
Climb on
Losing balance
Your foot slips
5 feet to your next bolt
Heart pounding in your chest
Sweaty palms, anxious
Looking around for better feet
Pebble on the left
Edge hard, crimp harder
Stand up
*BREATHE*
Right smear, side pull
Stand up
*BREATHE*
Quickdraw in, rope in…
*BREATHE*
Climb on
Feeling stuck
Nowhere to go
Mind racing, heart pounding
You can see the chains
Forearms burning, legs quivering
Tiny ledge, right toe finds the sweet spot, stand up
*BREATHE*
JUG…YES!
REST, BREATHE
Center.
Clear. Your. Mind.
Left smear, crimp
Move up
SO CLOSE
Fatigue. Sweat.
Power through.
You’re losing your grip…
20 foot whipper
Initial panic
Then…
Sheer fun
Disappointment. Laughs. Frustration. Happiness.
Smiles
Get back on.
Fix the sequence.
Send.
Climbing. Is. Life.
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