The Challenges of Rock Climbing

Hands slapping holds, fingernails scraping against rough, textured walls. Shouts as someone drops 15 feet, and is lowered to the ground. This is what my afternoons are like, surrounded by stinky feet and sweaty backs. I started rock climbing over two years ago, during fifth grade. Rock climbing challenges me both physically and mentally, and I love it.

When I walked into Portland Rock Gym in November 2011, I didn’t expect anything but a basic belaying class. Although I was too young to do the actual belaying, my mom would learn, and I would climb. The class was taught by someone who, at the time, also coached the junior team. As I was scrambling ungracefully up the walls, she informed me about the team. I was intrigued. Just three days later, I was at a practice, and I was fully hooked.

Physically, rock climbing is very challenging. It always challenges me to push a little harder on the route I've been working on. At the end of a good practice, my arms and abs are super sore. The workouts I do at practice are really hard for me, and they require a lot of physical strength. Getting this strength has always been and will always be a challenge for me, whether I end up at a national competition or just climbing for fun.

 

The mental part of rock climbing is one I didn't expect. I really have to believe that I can do something if I'm ever going to achieve it. I've learned to trust my belayer and spotter, and because of this I've made great friends that I trust more than almost anyone else. Committing to moves was another mental aspect, and accepting that sometimes you fail. Sometimes you have to really prepare yourself to jump to another hold and risk falling 10 or 15 feet. For example, I once was on a climb of a difficulty I had never done before, and at the last move, I committed myself to the move, and I didn't make it, and I fell almost 20 feet. This was a disappointing learning experience, it taught me that I really had to believe in what I was doing, although sometimes I might fail. All of these things, trusting my belayer, believing in myself, and commiting are all things that have mentally challenged me

Overall, rock climbing has helped me grow and and become stronger. After I started rock climbing in fifth grade, I discovered lots of physical challenges with my strength. I also found lots of mental challenges in the sport. I think rock climbing has helped me step out of my comfort zone in many ways. I really love the sport, and I love facing the challenges that it brings.

Here is a YouTube video of me climbing