I have gone rockclimbing in the gym-no biggie. But Utah has many outdoors, adventurous activities that I always want to take advantage of. Ashley has been climbing since she was 17, and has taken about 12 trips this summer just to climb every mountain she can. Some hikes she has hiked 30 miles in a day with an elevation gain of at least 10,000 ft. She breaks out her ice axe on these trips and climbs ice to the rest of the summit. My point is: I would love to do a fraction of what she does, but I certainly don't ever want to do everything she does...here is one picture:
So in an attempt to do something new, I went rockclimbing up at Alta in the canyons at a rock area? called Secret Stash. I went up with Ashley, Dustin, and a family friend who was visiting them, Johnny. I just have to point out that Dustin just graduate Pharmacy school and is now a pharmacist in the NICU. I'm friends with a pharmacist?? Am I old enough to be playing with him? Well he's 25, so I guess so. ANYWAY, here are some pics:
Hiking to our spot with the gear
Notice how tight my body is? This is incorrect, but I was tightening up because I couldn't freaking find another notch to hoist myself onto. It's a mind game because you still feel somewhat scared that you may fall to your death if your spotter goofs off. But also your muscles are giving out, but you have to keep your balance, and try and find some hole to stick your feet or hands into, and even if you take that leap of faith (a phrase completely overused in The Bachelorette) and go for the notch you were eyeing, there's a possibility your hand will slip. PHEW! That was a mouthful. Now imagine that going on in your head at this moment.
Just keep hold on....ahhhhh.
Okay I am ready to belay down now!! If only my orthopod could see me now...he'd be so pissed. =)
Of course Ash doesn't even need a rope, she was the lead the whole time. She loves the feeling of at any moment she could die...I don't get her.
Ahhhhh my arms are still burninggggggg.
The view of Alta from our rock.Driving up and down the canyon alone was awesome enough. I don't go up there nearly enough during the summer. It is absolutely breathtaking and really is the most gorgeous place. I kept saying, "I can't believe I live here!!" It was an amazing evening, followed by a feast prepared by Ashley's mom. Just a sidenote, I am staying with the Chou family for a couple days until I move into a house-more details later. But I am happy to say that even though I am quite sad to leave my own family in California, it is an enormous blessing to have a second family in SLC. They treat me as their own and are always trying to do more to make me feel welcome. I love every minute I get to spend with them, and tomorrow we are going hiking, swimming, and then to the climbing gym since I definitely need to strengthen the muscles in my forearms and back!
3 comments:
Look at that muscle definition! But what I don't get is how the ropes get above you?!
I was just going to say that your arms and shoulders are looking good!
Haha ya that's what 'the lead' does without a rope...they climb without one and every 5-10 feet up they can hook their rope up higher...very complicated but cool!
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