(Above: Anything that dude can do, I can do better. Kidding. But that IS the gym I visited. Pretty cool, right?)
This was my favorite adventure so far. I suspect I may have some serious, undiscovered skills in the rock climbing department. Which is great, since my lack of coordination means I'm quite hopeless when it comes to most sports.
I took a two-hour class in "top roping" at a rock climbing gym here in Brooklyn. The first thing you learn is how to tie a series of rather complicated knots. (That are intended to prevent you from plunging to your untimely death.) I have to admit, I got a little nervous. I usually stink at anything requiring spacial intelligence. But I surprised myself once again! Turns out I'm pretty good at tying knots. (I was probably channeling my grandfather, who must have mastered a few knots during his time in the Navy. Odd, unrelated note: He took part in the search for Amelia Earhart after her plane went down in the Pacific.)
Once I was all harnessed-up, I couldn't wait to scramble up a wall or two. And boy was it a blast. I was climbing so fast that my belayer could hardly keep up. Granted the wall was only ten or twelve feet high (there were a bunch of four-year-old kids climbing it as I was leaving), but I could have kept going higher and heigher. (I've never suffered from acrophobia.)
I can't wait to go back. Next time, maybe I'll take a class in "bouldering." You don't use ropes when you boulder. And now that I've discovered my inner daredevil, I plan to find out how far she's willing to go.
I've even started thinking about practical ways to put my new skills to work. My apartment is on the third and fourth floors, and the windows could use a good washing. Maybe I'll just hook a rope to the chimney and . . .
Let's just say this could easily end up being my very last blog post.
12 comments:
That's awesome. Rock climbing is SO much fun. I used to climb a horizontal wall every week with my friends.
I really enjoy reading about your adventures! you are a true adventurer! just keep on havin' fun in life!
That's really cool and fun! I love rock climbing, even though I am afraid of heights! Sounds fun! I love that feeling when you get to the top!
Hey maybe your inner dare devil would appeal to Parkour? That would be a great way to get through the city in a slightly frightening riske way...
rock climing is so much fun! too bad i'm no good. and i also thought you would enjoy this link from the rookie website:
http://rookiemag.com/2012/03/ltbte-deep-sea-creatures/
When is darkness dwellers coming out?
I love rock climbing, its my favorite thing to do. I feel like a true irregular when I am climbing :)
live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love reading your adventures and check pretty frequently for new posts. After clicking on your link about acrophobia, I finally know why I can never get off the ladder in P.E. after climbing to the top. Or swing my leg over the top to climb down the other side... Thank you for heling me diagnose my fear! Plus, it's pretty awesome!
Please come back and post!!!
It's sad to hear that this is your last blog post, but I really appreciate all the wonderful, weird, and wacky information that you've shown us all these years. I really am! I remember ever since six years ago, I would eagerly anticipate each of your blog posts to the point I would check your blog every hour. With each new post, you've shown me a piece of the world that I would never have been able to experience on my own. Your adventurous, positive approach to life really helped shape who I am right now. Thank you so much for all you've done!
...should we be worried???? she did say she could say this could be her last post...
has anybody told kitty that Kirsten is still blogging? She sounded sorta depressed about it.
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