Simon Rowland and Roger Yang invited me to go rock-climbing at Rock Oasis (Front and Bathurst) last Friday (2006.08.11). Richi Plana and I headed there after he dropped his backpack off at the hostel, and I texted Jedediah Smith and Quinn Fung to see if they’d be interested in joining us. It turned out to be such a terrific experience!

Although I went rock-climbing with Cyril Tubianosa and other college friends a long time ago, I couldn’t remember enough to climb on my own, so I registered for the introductory class. Richi did too. Quinn and Jed were waitlisted for the class, but made it in when the other people didn’t show up. It was fun learning a new skill with close friends.

While we learned the ropes, Simon and Roger took turns climbing
challenging walls. By the time we finished, they were also done!

Fortunately they were not too tired to help us. I asked Simon to belay
for me as I tried climbing. The 5.7-level wall turned out to be a bit
too challenging, so I went for the 50′ 5.6 wall instead. I had
completed a 5.6 wall during the beginner class, so I figured I could
handle it.

50 feet, apparently, is quite a distance, particularly for someone new
to climbing, with a weak grip and little endurance. When my fingers
gave up, I used anything else I could: the side of my palm, my
forearm, even my elbow. I frequently shook my hands to get rid of the
fatigue and often sat back to figure out a strategy for making my way
up. Whenever an approach failed, I’d try another, and another, and
another. Hold by painful hold, I made my slow way up.

Every time I lost my grip, my friends learned more about the limits of
my vocabulary. They knew I was getting serious when I graduated from
“Ay, CRAP!” to “DARN!” They were rather amused when I tried out
“Fish!” and “Fudge!” for size. (I like “Fudge!” It makes me think of
chocolate.)

It took me more than thirty minutes to reach the top. Aside from a
brief break to get a drink and maybe a quick climb, Simon talked me
through the entire thing. Every time I’d get stuck on a set of holds
that seemed impossible, he mimed different strategies for getting past
it. When I was about to give up, he told me that I was over the hard
part already. (Why I believed him, I don’t know. ;) ) He kept
encouraging me further and further, making sure that I kept the ground
I gained.

I reached the top and slid back down to the ground in blissful relief
and accomplishment. “You’re such a trooper,” said Simon.

And hey, yeah, that’s true. If I think something’s worth it, I’ll keep
going for it—and that’s just so much more fun with encouragement. =)

On Technorati: rockclimbing, friends