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.