First lead climb Horseshoe canyon

sarah · 10-22-2003, 12:38 PM

I'm on my way to get my first official lead climb under my belt. I've been learning for awhile now, but finally get to test my skills. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Wish me luck.

Kaiser · 10-22-2003, 02:49 PM

Best of luck. Move smoothly and confidently. Be solid and let us know how it goes.

sarah · 10-23-2003, 12:05 AM

I haven't gotten the pics out of the camera yet, but it was great. I was much more methodical and confident than I expected, and my friend Nema was an awesome coach. He totally encouraged me the whole time.

I just worked my way from 5.7 up. I ended up leading a 5.10 at the end. Apparently, sports really do transcend into other sports. I clipped into the bolts easily and didn't have any problems with the daisy chain and knot tie at the anchors. A couple of times I did actually kiss the anchors, though. It was a blast and totally worth the drive. I'm gonna go collapse in my bed now. I'll post pics soon.

Kaiser · 10-23-2003, 10:11 AM

Congratulations Sarah! For those who don't climb, lead climbing isn't easy and requires a lot of confidence. Something you should be proud of accomplishing. And on some 5.10 to boot!

It's great to have a supportive and instructive climber with you. What kind of name is Nema? Never heard that one - it sounds less common than Kaiser/Keyser/Ceaser/Cesar, etc. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Looking forward to your pics.

sarah · 10-23-2003, 11:37 AM

My friend Nema is a freelance photographer from Iranian descent. He spent a few months traveling the US with a peace runner who ran from Coast to Coast this year.

I wasn't worried about the equipment, but in the beginning, I was a little shaky on my skills. Then I realized that I was prepared, and I couldn't let myself get psyched out. Focus and concentration.

Of course, he was on the ground, "Trust it. Get your foot up and trust it." "Stick it. Stay with it." "You got it, it's gravy now." He amazed me as much as I amazed myself.

A couple of routes were really shallow and a little flat. Once I got the initial experience out of the way, I was totally stoked and ready for the next route.

sarah · 10-23-2003, 09:14 PM

Okay, I have a crush on the climber boy!

Kaiser · 10-23-2003, 09:17 PM

Which climber boy? Nema, JP, me, Spiderman, or the guy in the picture in JPs post about climber girls?

And where's the proof, umm, I mean pics?

Kaiser · 10-23-2003, 09:31 PM

Oh, I get it, Scott Cory climber boy. Listen I don't know about Arkansas, where you and little Scott may be perfectly legal, but in at least 38 of the 50 states of the union, you'd go to jail for a long time for the 'belaying' your thinking about!

[img]tongue.gif[/img]

sarah · 10-23-2003, 09:56 PM

Quote:

And where's the proof, umm, I mean pics?

I'm working on getting the gumption to post them. Please be patient with me, I'm really self conscious about putting pics showing a 10 lb weight gain out into the world. They're coming.

I think I may be getting a little crush on Nema. Maybe. Although, it may be his ability to maintain an aerobic state for longer than 30 minutes and the way his a$$ looks in a harness

Kaiser · 10-23-2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Although, it may be his ability to maintain an aerobic state for longer than 30 minutes and the way his a$$ looks in a harness

Hell, with that description, I think I like him. [img]smile.gif[/img]

And we're interested in the climbing part of it, so put up the pics. I put up my pics, and I don't have the prettiest mug in the world. Besides, 10 lbs ain't gonna hurt the way you look - you're too pretty. So put 'em up.

Jeez Sarah, it's just us.

[img]smile.gif[/img]

PS: On a serious note, I'm glad to see that you're coming along...it looks like you are back at full speed. You certainly sounded healed the other day.