#day6 #ontherocks #mountaineering series
I remember staring at the long pitch on the first day and it seemed daunting and ambitious. I wondered what I would do if I was in the middle of it and couldn’t figure out how to go ahead or missed a move. Or what if I figured it out? I smiled to myself. It would be quite a feat if I could complete it.
The day had arrived when we were asked to do the long pitch. This was also a kind of test for our climbing skills and so the instructors would not be guiding us much.
I started the climb and began making my way up. Bring the upper body closer to the rock, reminded my instructor before I started. Keep the knee away, don’t bend, I reminded myself. I was doing well and my team’s cheering kept me going.
There was definitely the fact that the rock face was not super smooth and featureless- this would have provided very low friction and made the climb way tougher. But it was also confidence- on my footing, that the climbing shoes will stay and hold, my hands and fingertips had strength and wouldn’t slip off- that had built over the past few days of climbing.
Then around the half-mark, I slipped. One of my feet was too far from my body. But by reflex action I felt my hands tighten the grip on the rocks and I was able to stabilize.
Phew!
Relief and excitement washed over me at once. The doubts reduced considerably and the ones left retreated to the rear corner of my mind. Okay good Pratima, just keep going, I told myself.
After this began the most enjoyable part of the climb. From there it was a series of continuous and natural moves and my body (finally) coordinated well. I was so immersed in finding the next hold, then bringing my feet and body up, looking at the details of the rock surface, that I didn’t have space or inclination to think about the height or how much was left. I was loving it!
As I came to a ledge and was able to stand, I cast a glance down for the first time. I had completed almost 3/4th of the long pitch! It took me some seconds to absorb that I had actually climbed that distance. Wow, quite an improvement as the first day of climbing and the disappointment flashed in my head.
Super pumped, I made my way to the top and was eye-level with the tree line. The view was rewarding. It was evening already and the sun glowed mildly, lighting up the pine needles of trees and outlining the mountain edges with its golden hues.
Together, the execution in the latter part and the view, rush of energy and silence of the evening, together made it an overwhelming experience!
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