Rock Climbing- New Mexico

Many people don’t know this, but I happen to have a minor fear of heights. Although I have this fear, I still made the decision to go rock climbing on immersion. At first, I didn’t think I would be able to do it. The walls looked too tall and it didn’t really look like there was anywhere for me to anchor my hands or feet. Through all of these worries and fears, I powered through and began to climb.

The first climb went something like this: I kept feeling like I was going to fall straight down the wall and I didn’t want to climb any further. Luckily, I had my friends and teachers by my side cheering me on the whole time. Since it was my first time climbing, I only went halfway up the wall. To me, that was a major accomplishment and I was super proud of myself.

As the day went on, I was able to climb some different routes and eventually made it to the top two times. Going up and down many times helped me learn the safety terms and procedures for rock climbing. The very first thing that you must do is check with the person belaying you to make sure they are ready for you to start climbing and that you are secure in your harness. Being secure on your harness means that the carabiner is securely closed on your harness and the belt loop is double backed. For this reason, the carabiners have a place for you to tighten them so they won’t come loose. You then need to ask “On belay?” This term is french and means safety so you are literally ensuring that you are safe. Once you hear a response like “Yes” or “On belay,” you know it is safe to start climbing. Then, once you are ready to start climbing, you step to the wall, and say “climbing.” At this point, the belayer takes up any slack in the rope so that they can feel the climber and replies “Belay on.” In order to make sure your guide is ready for you to come down, you must call down to them and say “Lowering.” Once they respond and say “Ready” it is safe to some down. While you are coming down, you need to be careful to extend your legs fully against the wall to ensure you come down safely and injury free. All of these procedures will make it so your rock climbing experience is safe and enjoyable.

Rock climbing was a great because it was a challenge by choice activity. This means that I had a choice for which activity I wanted to do. There was also another option to go on a tour, but I decided to accept the challenge and go rock climbing for the first time. A challenge by choice activity also gives you a sense of security because nobody is allowed to make you do anything that is not in your comfort zone. For example, if you are only comfortable going half way up the climb, nobody will push you or force you to go further. This makes doing the activity that much more easy for you to do.

Another really amazing thing about rock climbing is getting to the top. The satisfaction you get when you reach the top of the climb is uncomparable to anything else. You feel very accomplished, but even better, you get to take in the view. If it was up to me, I would have stayed up there on my harness all day. Since you are so high up, you get an aerial view of everything around you and that is just breathtaking. It is so awe inspiring and humbling to see all that HaShem has created.