No other sports represent trust like rock climbing. Trust is one of the key on a successful climb. From estimation to making the next height, trusting your gears (harnesses, ropes, carabineers, etc.), and most of all trusting your partner at the bottom base that he’s belaying you securely. By having faith in the person at the bottom holding the rope, creates a rapport between the climber and the belayer; and for those of you that were unable to come to the trip, you missed out on opportunity to gain knowledge from two experienced climbers Josh Hoke and Ryan Allday from Compound Crossfit. With the help of these two guides, I was able to put my trust and confidence and I finished two routes in which one level was a 5.8. This level consisted of vertical climb on small holds. Moves can be technical as hand grasps and foot grips come to mind.
Our youth group did an amazing job. No rock wall was too high or too hard for our youngest climber who is five years old. Josh has an innate ability in making a person feel comfortable with their own physical ability and educating them that climbing stirs the physical strength and challenges the mind while the person figures out a puzzle when they are in tough spot and keeping self-assurance simultaneously. Fear is a natural feeling but complacency is inconceivable.
I wish I could provide more constructive criticism but my experience was centered mostly on the positive. I learned plenty of techniques that will require a whole lot of time to master and that climbing on natural element is a different beast than going to a rock gym. We had a blast at The New River Gorge in West, VA. The sight from the top of bright yellow, red, and orange leaves indicates that autumn is in full bloom.
I’m already looking forward to the next trip. Thanks again for a wonderful weekend!
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| Josh Hoke |
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| Ryan Allday |
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| Ryan, Josh, Aaron |
