Last night was a night to remember in the gym.
My friend and I decided last week to commit to going to the Gorge over Labour Day weekend to do some climbing with some friends of mine down there. That in it self has motivated me to take my climbing to the next level which Ive been waiting for for years.
Many of you know that Ive been climbing since before I can remember. Ive got an awesome pic of my dad holding me up to the rock as a tiny baby. In Devils Lake, I remember being a wee lass clambering up some of the shorter routes while my dad pulled me from the top. Many summer days were spent outside on the rock all the way up until college. Thats when my climbing had a pause. I didn't go as much and thought indoor climbing was laaaame. Then I started to find myself a climbing community and enjoyed my nights in the gym. Ive learned more in the past few years and have wanted to been wanting to advance my climbing for a few years but it hasn't been the "right" time.
Last summer I had an amazing intern that also liked to climb. The rest is history. Im so lucky to have this chica in my life to support each other (literally), push each other and better ourselves on the wall.
A week ago, we decided that I should start my baby steps towards lead belaying and climbing which is when you take the rope up with you to clip in as you go. Its been something Ive wanted to do for awhile but haven't had someone to teach me in a way I was comfortable with. Well, now was the time! We did some easy climbs while still attached to the clip-and-goes and then I went home to practice my clipping.
Last night was the night. I went up a wall and felt so awesome clipping in! Every clip felt natural and easy (save for a few which happens...). Did a bunch of practice runs leading and belaying. Then the suggestion "Do you want to really lead?" I got excited nervous and couldn't wait to get on the wall. I went slow and steady and felt like a pro! I came down with a huge smile on my face and got tons of encouragement and high fives from my partner. My first and second ever climbs less than a week from the time I learned to lead. YES! Then, after another practice round of lead belaying, my partner got on the wall and had complete faith in my abilities!
Not only did I get my first real lead practice for the Gorge, but I also busted out a 5.11- without falling (only one take, but I could totally do it). Training for the Gorge is going well and I can't wait to get out there and really bust out some stuff. Its going to be awesome.
The perfect night of climbing ended with a perfect evening sitting in Kadish park watching the Riverwest 24 which is a 24 hour bike race through Milwaukee. We sat in the park with my favorite view of the Milwaukee skyline and watched bikers with awesome lights zoom by. Someone had a great DJ set up near us playing some great beets to set the mood and in the distance, for German Fest, fireworks were going off above the skyline.
Gosh what an amazing night. I was so jazzed when I got home that I couldn't fall asleep until 1am!
Red River Gorge, here I come and I(we) will conquer you.
My friend and I decided last week to commit to going to the Gorge over Labour Day weekend to do some climbing with some friends of mine down there. That in it self has motivated me to take my climbing to the next level which Ive been waiting for for years.
Many of you know that Ive been climbing since before I can remember. Ive got an awesome pic of my dad holding me up to the rock as a tiny baby. In Devils Lake, I remember being a wee lass clambering up some of the shorter routes while my dad pulled me from the top. Many summer days were spent outside on the rock all the way up until college. Thats when my climbing had a pause. I didn't go as much and thought indoor climbing was laaaame. Then I started to find myself a climbing community and enjoyed my nights in the gym. Ive learned more in the past few years and have wanted to been wanting to advance my climbing for a few years but it hasn't been the "right" time.
Last summer I had an amazing intern that also liked to climb. The rest is history. Im so lucky to have this chica in my life to support each other (literally), push each other and better ourselves on the wall.
A week ago, we decided that I should start my baby steps towards lead belaying and climbing which is when you take the rope up with you to clip in as you go. Its been something Ive wanted to do for awhile but haven't had someone to teach me in a way I was comfortable with. Well, now was the time! We did some easy climbs while still attached to the clip-and-goes and then I went home to practice my clipping.
Last night was the night. I went up a wall and felt so awesome clipping in! Every clip felt natural and easy (save for a few which happens...). Did a bunch of practice runs leading and belaying. Then the suggestion "Do you want to really lead?" I got excited nervous and couldn't wait to get on the wall. I went slow and steady and felt like a pro! I came down with a huge smile on my face and got tons of encouragement and high fives from my partner. My first and second ever climbs less than a week from the time I learned to lead. YES! Then, after another practice round of lead belaying, my partner got on the wall and had complete faith in my abilities!
Not only did I get my first real lead practice for the Gorge, but I also busted out a 5.11- without falling (only one take, but I could totally do it). Training for the Gorge is going well and I can't wait to get out there and really bust out some stuff. Its going to be awesome.
The perfect night of climbing ended with a perfect evening sitting in Kadish park watching the Riverwest 24 which is a 24 hour bike race through Milwaukee. We sat in the park with my favorite view of the Milwaukee skyline and watched bikers with awesome lights zoom by. Someone had a great DJ set up near us playing some great beets to set the mood and in the distance, for German Fest, fireworks were going off above the skyline.
Gosh what an amazing night. I was so jazzed when I got home that I couldn't fall asleep until 1am!
Red River Gorge, here I come and I(we) will conquer you.
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