New adventure - rock climbing.

Always looking for new ways to enjoy the outdoors and stay fit, I tried my hand at rock climbing for the first time ever today.

Now that my son, Kellan, is old enough to do some serious adventures, we took a beginners class from ApexEx up in Boulder, CO together. Our guide, Craig, was super cool, knowledgeable and patient with our n00bness.

After fitting up our harnesses and super uncomfortable (by design) climbing shoes, he showed us how to tie the figure 8 knot.


Photo courtesy of chockstone.org

Using such unforgetable terms as "choke the alien head and poke it in the back of the head". Which I will now always think of whenever I tie this knot.

I was amazed at how quickly we were climbing, belaying and lowering each other. It was just the 3 of us for an hour and Craig was going to advance to doing a multi-pitch climb, when he got a message on his phone that some late shows were on their way. Soon after a couple of 20 something young ladies showed up, but they had some previous climbing experience, so soon we were all up to speed.

Unfortunately the multi-pitch climb was abandoned, but we then began to send up 2 climbers at a time on the 3 ropes craig had anchored. Unfortunately, Kellan didn't get an opportunity to lower anyone. Being 90 pounds soaking wet with bricks in his pockets, Craig was going to show us how to use a ground anchor so he could lower my 180 pound frame, but with the new comers we didn't get to it. Instead, we got a chance to do some repelling instead and that was very cool as well.

Another cool thing we learned, which is common in some team shooting drills as well, was the command and confirm terms. A 3-2-1 structure, based on syllables. The idea being that, even if you can't hear the exact words said by your partner, due to wind or distance or whatever, you could pick out the syllable count.
3: On Belay! Said by the person belaying the climber signaling that he's ready. 2: Climbing! Said by the climber, signaling he's ready to ascend. And 1: Climb! Said by the belayer, confirming a go ahead to ascend.

We had a great time and look forward to learning more and climbing more together. If you're in CO, and interested in rock climbing, check out ApexEx. They hav some great prices and our guide, Craig, was top notch!