Last weekend my husband, son and I went to a local indoor climbing gym. My son started climbing at college, and it was one of the things I wanted to do with him this summer. Before we went I warned everyone that I would not be any good, and now I know I need more practice building confidence for climbing.
Since no one took a picture of me climbing we’ll have to go back!
The gym we went to offers classes for beginners and also has “open belay” sessions where you are matched with one of their staff members who belays for you. Since my son was not interested in a class, we did the open belaying. We were paired with a great staff member who was just as at ease with my son’s confidence as he was with my hesitation.
Building Confidence
I started off on the “easy” wall that my son didn’t even bother with. Climbing up was surprisingly easy and built my confidence. We moved on to a harder wall, and I watched my son go first. When it was my turn, I struggled where the wall angled outward, but was able to overcome my uncertainty, find a foothold, and climb to the top.
My husband wasn’t stymied by the angle changes!
Losing Confidence
The third wall nearly did me in. It was flat all the way up, so it didn’t look harder, but it was. We all struggled with the same spot, but I’m the only one who got “stuck”. Everyone was encouraging me to move my foot and reach for the next hold, but my brain would not let my hand let go. My arms were trembling. Doubt set it. I let go and swung away from the wall.
My son knows how to reach and climb!
I was afraid my “fall” would cause a kerfuffle, but my belayer was great. He held me steady and helped guide the ropes over to the wall where I could get a hold again. I made it past that spot, climbed up a few more steps, and got “stuck” again.
I wasn’t ready to give up, but I saw my arms trembling and let go again. I was frustrated with myself, and didn’t want to let the wall get the best of me. I got back to it, and my belayer hoisted me up a smidge to get me past the hold that stymied me. Each time I was able to step and reach helped rebuild my confidence, and I finally made it to the top.
Rebuilding Confidence
It took a few days for my arms to recover, and I’m not sure my ego has recovered yet. I know the only way I’ll get better is if I go back, so I’ll have to swallow my pride and hope I can climb the wall without swinging from the ropes and causing a kerfuffle.
Today’s Wednesday Word is kerfuffle.
Have you caused a kerfuffle lately?
Have you tried indoor climbing?
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I haven’t tried indoor climbing, although I’d like to. And I’m sure just like SUP, it’ll make me REALLY nervous.
You kept at it, and you didn’t stop at the beginner “hill” — I’m SO impressed. Great job!
I’d be scared to try climbing! I’d probably cause a kerfluffle!
Hah! With all the strength training you’ve been doing you’d fly up the walls!
You rock for even trying!!! Yo did great to go right up the easy wall 🙂 It is new to you, there are going to be challenges, it is good that you tried.
My latest kerfuffle was probably kings Dominion when I did the bungee jump flying thing! I screamed so loud, I had an audience 🙂 but I did it!
I’d cause a kerfuffle on a ride like that for sure!
So I have had the same experience of my brain not letting me let go and try to grab for the next hold. I think I am afraid of heights. I knew I had the ability to do it I just couldn’t let myself.
I actually love rock climbing but I haven’t done it in YEARS upon YEARS! Such an awesome arm work out I should try out again!
I do enjoy indoor rock climbing…one of my coworkers has started up a group meetup to get people to go. I’ve only done it a couple of times and definitely find it challenging, moreso mentally! Nice job trying something new!
I was totally supposed to go climbing once, but then I didn’t follow through. Darn me!! I need to try this. It looks like so much fun.
I really want to try indoor climbing. I think it’s great that you tried it!
Nice! I’ve never tried rock climbing, but it doesn’t look easy. Were you sore the next day? I’m afraid of heights, but I wonder if I focused on the wall rather than looking down if I’d be okay…
Thanks for linking up!
I was sore for a few days! There’s really not much chance to look down – you are looking up at the next holds on the wall. 🙂
There is a climbing gym in town I really want to try. However, I keep letting my weak arms and fear of heights hold me back. Someday…
It’s really not supposed to require ^^that^^ much arm strength if you do it correctly, which is hard to do!