Do you take the high road even though it’s longer? Do you scramble to the highest point of the cliff to watch the sunset? Is it because it translates to a general ability to transcend the familiar path? Have you looked at a rock face and felt like you could climb it?
Summer Rock starts with an intro which makes you realise there is no norm to the type of person who climbs. Within the group of instructors and students there was no consistent body type, weight, personality type or background.
The opportunity to go away with a friend and some others came up one weekend when I was introduced to Summer Rock. I decided to do the six week in and outdoor course as I’d, for many years, wanted to learn to climb outdoors. I felt happy to see more of New Zealand (I’m from England and have been here a year), spend weekends in nature, meet lovely people and exercise; stretching and strengthening my body.
We learnt technical skills such as tying knots, preparing gear safely, foot work and holds; learning to top rope and lead climb, to belay and to abseil. We learnt on an indoor wall and then applied those skills on three outdoor trips away.
My first outdoor lead climb was close to petrifying. The base was fine; the holds significant. The top was fine but exposed and a little overhanging. I wanted to be lowered down but was determined to get to the top. I was so relieved to get there I nearly cried! The instructor sitting at the top (in about 25 degrees and in an area called ‘Animal Biscuit Valley’) said ‘I can’t decide whether that rock over there looks more like an old man or a dog’. What a relief; the perfect distraction and reminder to take in the view.
To start with not a lot of gear is necessary; a harness and shoes. The rest can come in time. It can be daunting to enter the climbing gym with little experience but you soon realise climbers are a friendly, welcoming crew. One of the instructors, at the end of the course, even professed to be happy to climb with any one of us in the future! You’re more of a natural than you think; climbing is primitive and intuitive.
Congratulations to all the Summer Rock 2013 graduates. Well done and happy climbing!