On the Wall

Coming from choir practice, I got to Exposure Rock Climbing Gym about an hour after the rest of the group. After watching a cheesy orientation video, I harnessed up and made a quick trip to the top of their 'we just want to be sure you're comfortable with the equipment' wall and belayed for Rachel as she went up. I made a beeline for John and he pointed out a couple of walls that he thought would be good to start on. Most of the time John and I would alternate between belaying and climbing but we got someone else to belay so I could take pictures and then so he could. I only climbed one wall that was a real challenge. John picked it out for me and coached me to the top. At one point, I had to jump to reach the next handhold, but fell off the wall because I couldn't get a grip that would hold me. Back on the wall, I tried it with a different foothold and didn't have to jump. My forearms were so tight after that climb. After two and a half hours, most everyone was ready to go, but I kept climbing as long as I could and was the last one out of my harness. That's one more thing I can check off my list, and definitely something I will do again.

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