Trying something new – rock climbing
So, rock climbing. Even though I only made it half-way up the wall each of the three times I tried, I thought I should still share the experience with you. I think it is important to try new things – even if you suck at them the first time!
We went rock climbing at the University of Northern Iowa (where my sister is a student) Wellness and Recreation Center. They have a 38.5′ wall that is double-sided. In the photo below, the “easier” side was on the right, and the harder side was on the left. I stuck to the right side, but my sister (who has done this before) climbed once on the left and made it to the top!
To indoor rock climb, you wear a helmet and a harness that straps around your hips and each leg. At the top of the rock climbing wall is a pulley with a rope going through it, and the spotter connects his harness and your harness to the opposite ends of the rope. Confusing, much? You can see the spotter (in the bottom right) in the first photo below, and the pulleys in the second photo.
Steven made it to the top!
Will and Kim climbing
We asked the spotters for tips on how to rock climb. The told us to push from our legs, rather than pull with our arms, to use the sides of our feet to grip, rather then the front/toes, and to keep our bodies (especially hips) close to the wall.
In this photo, I am using my right foot the way they told me to, and my left foot the way they told me not to.
So, what did I do? Apparently, I tried to pull with my arms. My forearms were killing me a day after we did this. They still hurt. I can barely open a car door. I opened a mint the other day and it hurt to tear the wrapper.
Like I said, I tried this three times and could only make it half way up. And it wasn’t really because my legs and arms were tired! I just got up there, and felt like I didn’t know where to go. The spotters were really helpful about suggesting each move (“Move your left leg to the brown hold by your hip”), but I would try and I kept slipping. My hands were EXTREMELY sweaty. I guess that is common, and the regulars use gymnastic chalk to keep their hands dry. I will have to keep that in mind next time.
You want me to put my leg where?!
I wasn’t scared of being up so high (even though I kept thinking about Tom Cruise in the beginning of Mission Impossible II). The spotters paid really good attention to us and kept adjusting the rope as we went up and down. If we wanted to take a break, we could tell them and they would let us hang there for a bit.
Hanging out a bit
Maybe next time I will make it higher! I do want to try it again! Have you ever tried indoor rock climbing? If you have, did you like it? If you haven’t, would you like to try?
Click “more” to see a few more photos!
My sister Christina going up, to the top, and back down.
My brother Nick made it to the top!
Steven climbing
My sister-in-law Courtney climbing
My Aunt Sue climbing
Christina’s friend Will climbing
Themocracy
I have tried both indoor rock climbing and while in Alaska I was able to do outside rock climbing too. I really enjoyed it. Our guides/instructors said that women have an easier time with rock climbing because we catch on about using our legs where men want to use their arms to pull themselves up. I don’t remember how sore I was the next day but I’m sure I was.
Thanks for posting this! I’ve always wanted to try one of those indoor climbing walls, but to be honest, I’ve been too scared and nervous! It’s good to get a newbie’s input on it! Sounds like you had fun (and a great workout) overall!
I did the rockclimbing thing all of once. They had a small wall at the university where I used to work. Killed me. Obviously, not literally. But you get my point. I’d like to do it again, but I think I want to lose a lot of weight first. 😉
man I do not think I would even be able to make it like 10 ft up!
I love the pic of you hanging out!
Woohoo!! That’s so awesome!! 😀 My brother used to rockclimb all the time, but I was always too chicken! Then one time during my freshman year, I braved a rock wall. As much as I—yes—really stunk at climbing, it was still one of my most exhilerating, funnest moments.
I think it’s great to try new things. You’re such an inspiration! 😀
I’ve tried rock climbing a couple of times. It’s hard anyway…but if you’re at all afraid of heights, like me, it is even harder! But I felt very proud of myself when I did it.
That’s such a great post, thanks! I also like trying new things especially if I suck at the beginning because it makes me even more determined to get better. When I started learning snowboarding I spent most of the time of the first day on my behind. 🙂
I can’t wait to go climbing again!
I have been wanting to try rock climbing but haven’t found a place to try. It looks like so much fun! Was it fun? Even though you were sore the next day?
At my son’s party last weekend they had a rock climbing wall (small, for kids). If there wasn’t always such a line of kids wanting to do it I may have tried that even though it was not very high. I think it was high enough that I would have been able to tell if I liked it so I would know if I should keep looking for a place for adults.
Very Cool! Looks like good a great cross training workout.
Congrats on rock climbing 🙂
I’ve only done it a few times but it was when I was much younger. I just remember being scared that the person holding my rope was going to let go!
Wow, great job – I’m sure that is a great upper body workout! My boys did a weeklong climbing camp a couple years ago at a club here, they really enjoyed it!
How fun! I would love to try rock climbing and going repelling outside somewhere is on my to-do list as well. I would have been really frustrated with myself if I didn’t make it to the top, especially if Scott did because he can do anything! I definitely would give it another go and I’m glad that you are going to try again!
Stretch out those forearms! Extend your hand straight out in front of you, palm up, then with your other hand pull your fingers down toward the ground. That should make a good stretch for your arms. 😀
I was once the co-leader of a group for girls focusing on empowerment and self-esteem building. We took the girls (teenagers) to a rock climbing gym. I was scared because I get vertigo. But some of the girls were not participating out of their own fears so I got up there and climbed the wall to the top. I was trying not to freak out! But I did it. And after? A bunch of the girls who were afraid did it too. 🙂
I love that you made rock climbing a family affair! I’ve been outdoor rock climbing in state parks, but not since high school. My old gym has a huge rock climbing wall on the outside of the building. They run the wall much like you described in this post. That’s awesome you tried and I love how you talk as if you will do it again sometime. So cool!
I never been rock climbing. My gym has a rock climbing wall, but I never was really interested in trying it out. Very interesting that you should use your legs more than your arms. I would’ve thought the opposite!
I LOVE rock climbing!! I haven’t done it in years but there is a place by my house and now I want to go!
You looked like you were having fun.
That looks like such fun — I would love to try that sometime!! I think I have done it before, but it’s been years and years since then…
<3 <3
Jason and I did it once at the State Fair. I totally failed and cheated by having the spotter “pull” me to the top. Jason, however, made it to the top all on his own. I tried it again in college at our rec center and, again, didn’t do so well. My current gym has a rock wall but I don’t really have an interest in trying it again. So many other things to choose from!
I have tried small rock climbing walls before, and they’ve been okay. I’m not a big fan of heights, so I don’t know that I’d try a tall one. Mike was a pretty avid rock climber when he was younger, so he’s been trying to get me to go with him. Maybe I’ll have to get over my fear and go one of these days…
YOU ROCK (ha ha, get it)! No way, have I tried rock climbing. I bet that sorenesswas insane- what a cool reason for it though 🙂
Lawrence and I LOVED indoor climbing when we tried it. I was apprehensive at first, but when I realized that I wasn’t going to fall to my death, I got more aggressive. I thought it was really fun, and a great workout. My arms/shoulders hurt for a couple days after, even though I tried to remember to push from my legs. I think my arms/shoulders actually hurt most from manning the pulley system when Lawrence was climbing. Anyway, we’ve been meaning to do more of this. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
haha! This looks like fun. I went rock climbing once. The height thing definitely gets to me though!
I enjoy indoor rock climbing but have typically found that I don’t enjoy it enough to pay the going rates around here.
how fun! i’ve done indoor walls a few times and had a great time 🙂 i think your forearms will get sore & tired no matter HOW well you use your legs, though, because even if you’re pushing from your legs, you’re still hanging on by your fingers, and that takes a lot of finger & forearm strength that most of us do not have already!
Yes, Rock Climbing is Tons of fun. I haven’t been in a long while.. but one of our 2010 goals is to go once a month. The problem is we have way too many hubbies to be able to keep up with it all. Photography, Cooking, Cycling, does eating count… I think the list is long enough that I probably can write a post about it lol.
I am going to try rock climbing soon! They have an indoor climb place near me, though it is not nearly as high as that. They do have different walls with different levels – rest assured, I’ll be stickin’ to the easy stuff. That looks intense!! Thanks for sharing…this makes me really excited to try it. 🙂
I haven’t, but I really want to! I found out they have a rock climbing facility in Crystal Lake (where I live). Have you heard of this place? http://www.climbnorthwall.com/
I’ve never done it but I want to so badly! I’ve had TWO opportunities to do it and guess what, I backed out BOTH times. Needless to say, I’m really wishing that I’d not backed out.
that looks like so much fun! i really want to rockclimb! i’ve done a challenge course oustide and sort of scrambled? up a rock face, but to be in doors and do a rock wall? never! and i really want to try it!
looks like you rocked the rock wall!
oh man, we both have too busy of minds at night! AUGH!
You look GREAT!! What a fun thing to do. I can’t wait to try it some day. Good job sista!
We used to go indoor rock climbing all the time when I was younger. Everyone did it for their birthday parties for a few years. Then I went again in high school. I LOVE it. My boyfriend and I were just saying the other day how we should find a place around here and start going every now and then.
Look at you go – I wish I could do this, but I don’t think I have the arm strength!
wow, way to go – looks like a fun experience!
I love rock climbing!! Haven’t done it in a few years, but now seeing the pics it makes me want to go back and try it!! 🙂
Never have tried it. I’d like to … in a room along…only me and the spotter.
When we were looking at equip. for the gym, we saw a rock climber. It wasn’t that high but it tilted and moved when you adjusted the settings. It looked so cool but I can’t imagine having that in your home….you’d need a very tall ceiling for one thing. 🙂
i have never done rock climbing (i’m not really a “challenge myself physically” kinda gal) but i do love watching people do it! uber impressive!
I’ve always wanted to try indoor rock climbing. I’ve climbed a few rocks outside but probably not enough to qualify as real climbing.
Should’ve tried indoor climbing when I lived in FL where they had a rock gym, but I was too nervous to walk in. Which sounds/was so idiotic, but I got sidetracked by the details & expense.
Now, there’s no walls nearby. Least that I can find.
You might get a kick out of this author’s blog:
http://matociquala.livejournal.com/
She climbs pretty regularly as part of her exercise regime including swimming, running, yoga, and sometimes archery. And she has the most adorable dog. I’m intrigued by the climbing talk, and following along as she gets better at it.
fun!!! i’ve been a couple of times (my little brother even had a birthday party at an indoor climbing place once!) it’s such a great workout
E. and I always wanted to try rock climbing at our old gym but never got around to it. And neither Bally’s nor the new gym have a climbing wall. Boo hoo! I have no idea if I’d be any good, but whatever, it still looks like fun!
I have wanted to rock climb for ages but just haven’t had a chance. This looks like SO much fun! I bet my arms will kill me afterwards!!
I have rock climbed, in h.s. A few years ago, wink wink 🙂 I would love to do it more..love these photos you shared!!!! cooolness!
Rock climbing is really HARD! Good for you for trying it!!
I’ve got pics of Data’s look alike on my blog today! 🙂
I have never tried rock climbing but I’ve always wanted to. It looks so hard, though, and I have a big fear of trying new things in front of people. Good for you, Kim, for giving it a try!!
Well, you read my blog post on it, so you know I have tried it. Haven’t been since December. Hoping to hit it up again sometime this month!
Wow, that’ so cool! I’ve never tried rock climbing before but some of the girls I went to Belize with work at a rock climbing place and told me I should try it…I definitely will some day!