Family Rock Climbing Outing

[ColporteurK]

This old man is not in the pics but made it to the top of the face. The first picture is daughter in white. She made it almost all the way accepting the last short leg. Son in the last picture made it to the top. The last 8-10 feet look easy as one could go to the right and stair step it right up. However, our church member and rock climbing expert insisted that we not do that because if someone slipped they would pendulum swing because ascending to the right is away from the rope and in a slip a pendulum swing could cause someone to get banged up. Therefore the last 3 steps to the left were the greatest challenge. Daughter being shorter could not quite make that as there are fewer hand hold and foot placing options with the shorter arms and legs. She did great however and surpassed all the boys her size and the two older girls. Not bad for first timers.     In the middle picture our crew ascended another route, anchored and then each repelled down the face to get the idea first of what it is like to come down and depend on the rope and anchor. After that fearful beginning for some all were more brave when we then after started at the face and climbed from the ground up. Special shoes, wedges, harnesses, ropes, and a bag of chalk for the hands strapped around the waist were the tools used.

[Carl]

You didn't teach them to drive pitons and swing on it?

[ColporteurK]

You didn't teach them to drive pitons and swing on it?

No, this was a crash course.  Too many beginners ( all but one) and not enough time. We did get to watch an experience climber fall. Of course the rope caught him but it scared him plenty. We learned a lot in a short period of time but with a dozen people there was not time to get very advanced. Many of the children we pretty nervous ( understatement) therefore they were pretty slow repelling etc..

[newbie]

who says being an Adventist is boring and filled with don'ts?

we can do many things that are exciting and fun and give glory to God in every step of the way

[GraceVessel]

Very nice pictures CP.  Rockclimbing is really fun and a challenging way to keep the body in shape and develops good teamworker on others.

with kind regards,

Gracevessel

[ColporteurK]

Thanks- I never really expected to do that but all it takes is an invitation by someone that is versed in the activity. We took along a lunch and the weather was perfect with a strong breeze to keep the gnats away. We learned to be meticulous in the positioning and handling of our equipment and then to trust in the equipment. There are a lot of object lessons in rock climbing that parallel our spiritual walk / climb.