Rock Climbing

[dancersdreamland]

Have members of this Forum ever been rock climbing...indoor or outdoor?

My fiance bought us a "beginner belay" course package for my birthday/our anniversary. We went yesterday and had the BEST time.

It was a two hour course (indoor) where we learned the basics for climbing and belaying. To start with technique, they had us climb around a room, rather than up and down a wall. It was a LOT harder than I expected it to be.

Then, we spent the other half of the course learning to belay and climb up the wall (about 20 feet). I am petrified of heights, so this was definately a growth experience for me.

With belaying, you basically control the slack and tightness of the rope for your climbing partner. My fiance and I belayed for each other...what a trust gaining experience! You have to trust that if you were to fall, your belaying partner would have your rope secure that you wouldn't come crashing to the ground.

If you've never rock climbed and someday have the supervised, safe opportunity, please do so...it's AWESOME!!!!!

PS: Be ready for very SORE muscles the next day...

[Swing Kitten]

I did a day of indoor rock climbing and I loved it!

since you need a partner I've never been able to do it since :(

I'm always on the look out for fun ways to strengthen my hands, arms and shoulders. I had a reeal blast... now I suspect I'll begin wanting ti do it again -- shucks!

[dancersdreamland]

Does the place where you indoor rock climbed before offer instruction or an auto-belay? If so, you may be able to climb without a partner. If not, it's time to make some new "climbing" friends. :wink:

[Swing Kitten]

they offer instruction ... no "auto-belay"

I would really like someone to climb with... and the funding to support it ;)

[dancin_feet]

Used to do indoor rock climbing every couple of weeks. Did outdoor a couple of times as well. A lot of fun and gets you really fit, especially your arms!

[dancersdreamland]

My arms are definately "screaming" today. :D

[Swing Kitten]

my hands were the first to give

[SDsalsaguy]

Years ago I spent part of a summer at a wilderness adventure camp where we did a good ammount of rock climbing and white water canoeing.

I too am not all that fond of heights, so trying to overcome that psychological element was certainly the most challenging aspect for me.

[dancin_feet]

Aaahhh the callouses - you guys are bringing back memories! :D

[LindyQuest]

I haven't ever gone to one of the indoor rock climbing places (although they look like fun), but I really enjoy hiking and climbing mountains! :D Last October I hiked Angel's Landing in Zion National Park in Utah - what a blast! And then I did a seriously cool (but very difficult) hike in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona (that's where my avatar pic is from). It would have been easier if it hadn't been 102 degrees out, and if we hadn't run out of water and gotten lost three times...but the view from the top was definitely worth it!!! I might even do this hike again someday...

[Sagitta]

Did it once. Enjoyed it. Don't have enough time to do more of it. :)

[dancersdreamland]

I haven't ever gone to one of the indoor rock climbing places (although they look like fun), but I really enjoy hiking and climbing mountains! :D Last October I hiked Angel's Landing in Zion National Park in Utah - what a blast! And then I did a seriously cool (but very difficult) hike in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona (that's where my avatar pic is from). It would have been easier if it hadn't been 102 degrees out, and if we hadn't run out of water and gotten lost three times...but the view from the top was definitely worth it!!! I might even do this hike again someday...

Way cool...I bet that was AMAZING!!!!

BTW - I LOVE the quote in your signature!!!

[LindyQuest]

Yeah - it was amazing! If you're ever in Utah, you should check out Zion - it's the most incredible national park I've ever been to - some of the views are completely indescribable! The Superstition mountains in AZ are great too, but I wouldn't recommend them in the summer - the temperature can get upwards of 115 degrees.

Thanks - I love this quote, too, especially since dancing and reading are my two favorite things! :D