So here I am, living in the Red River Gorge, some of the best climbing in the world and it being winter and all, I didn't think I'd actually be able to climb. But the weather got pretty nice and with some luck, the guys here were able to take me out TWICE this week!
Sunday we did a night climb. It was my first night climb and it was pretty bad ass. It was a long route but not being able to see the ground was pretty interesting. I couldn't see how high I was! At one point on the wall, I turned off my headlamp, let my eyes adjust to the night sky and sat in the beautiful darkness. Darkness has a certain feel to it, its more dense and fresh. It has a texture of deepness and intensity. Being alone at night, hanging from a rock was pretty cool. I watched a plane in the distance move for a little bit before I got back on the wall and finished the 5.9 route. I was pretty impressed with myself that I finished it because:
A) I haven't climbed in a few weeks and climbing strength degrades pretty quickly.
B) It was a suuuuper high route (probably about 3 gym routes high) so I was just expecting to get half way
C) It was my first outdoor route in a few years and outdoor vs indoors is pretty different.
D) It was cooooold!
I was sore the next day.
Yesterday we went to a new place in the gorge were we set up a bunch of different routes. Ty was able to finish his first climb ever which was a pretty hard 5.7. Thats pretty good for a first time climber! He also made it up halfway on a 5.8.
I attempted a 5.10a and later finished it with Ty belaying me. I made it to the overhang which I couldn't do earlier and didn't think Id make it but totally rocked it (pun intended).
It was just super nice to spend the day outside with some cool climbers getting some much needed exercise. And also, Im glad it worked out that my weekend corresponded with some of the days off that the guys had.
I love climbing!! Too bad I couldn't do some hammocking there too...
Sunday we did a night climb. It was my first night climb and it was pretty bad ass. It was a long route but not being able to see the ground was pretty interesting. I couldn't see how high I was! At one point on the wall, I turned off my headlamp, let my eyes adjust to the night sky and sat in the beautiful darkness. Darkness has a certain feel to it, its more dense and fresh. It has a texture of deepness and intensity. Being alone at night, hanging from a rock was pretty cool. I watched a plane in the distance move for a little bit before I got back on the wall and finished the 5.9 route. I was pretty impressed with myself that I finished it because:
A) I haven't climbed in a few weeks and climbing strength degrades pretty quickly.
B) It was a suuuuper high route (probably about 3 gym routes high) so I was just expecting to get half way
C) It was my first outdoor route in a few years and outdoor vs indoors is pretty different.
D) It was cooooold!
I was sore the next day.
Yesterday we went to a new place in the gorge were we set up a bunch of different routes. Ty was able to finish his first climb ever which was a pretty hard 5.7. Thats pretty good for a first time climber! He also made it up halfway on a 5.8.
I attempted a 5.10a and later finished it with Ty belaying me. I made it to the overhang which I couldn't do earlier and didn't think Id make it but totally rocked it (pun intended).
It was just super nice to spend the day outside with some cool climbers getting some much needed exercise. And also, Im glad it worked out that my weekend corresponded with some of the days off that the guys had.
I love climbing!! Too bad I couldn't do some hammocking there too...
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