Climbing
Yesterday I went climbing outside with a group of people I’ve come to know through the climbing gym. It was fantastic.
I showed up at a Southington trail edge at about 12:15. I had to hike to the base of the cliff face and unfortunately got horribly lost for about 2 hours trying to find the crag. Finally with phone support, careful horizen geography, and landmark descriptions, I managed to get myself over to the cliff’s edge.
Pete, Irene, Katie, and John had set up three or four topropes that twisted down the 70-80 foot face. After warming up with a 5.6 and 5.7, I tackled a 5.11c with Pete’s beta (sequence instruction). It was really amazing, not only climbing such a forearm pumping strenuous route, but also just feeling the warm rock and sticking that desperate grab while blinded by the sun 25 feet above the tree tops and hundreds of feet above the valley below. Sharp rock biting into straining fingertips on a 3/8 inch ledge with prayers that that foot chip is as solid as it appears… it’s a feeling that’s hard to beat.
It was great spending time with this group as well. Talking rocks and relaxing in the perfect spring weather. I expect this climbing season to be extremely rewarding.
Authored by: mike d.
