Gumby on the Wall

Orono Maine might not be one of the most exciting towns in the world but it does have the MAINEBound Adventure Center on the University of Maine Campus and it was there that I climbed my first rock wall. 

Yes, that's clumsy me up there dangling on that wall, a true Gumby (which I just
learned is the term for an inexperienced climber).   

(click on the pic for a larger view)

My hands were quivering under the strain of pulling and reaching for grips above my head and I had to stretch my legs farther than any lunge I've ever done in aerobics class, to go from one foot anchor to the next.  But I did it.  Twice!

What I think I loved most is the feeling of lifting my full weight, against the pull of gravity, with only the power of my arms and legs.  Having been a competitive swimmer, I know the feeling of propelling myself forward.  And as scuba diver, I've used fins (and weight belts) to drive myself down, but never have I used my own strength to lift myself up, way up. 

Thankfully  Nicole was playing the role of belay slave and even though she was half my height and less than half my age, she was on the ground, tethered to me with ropes and a harness of her own to protect me from a potentially painful fall.   If I wanted to go higher though, the best she could do was point out a good-looking anchor and yell up encouraging words.  To actually climb, well, that was up to my arms, legs and whether my brain could convince my limbs that the next move was a wise one.

Nothing was fast. Each move was methodical, a strain and an achievement.  After each move upward, the feelings of safety and curiosity battled for decision making power.

I never fell (or needed Nicole to save me) so safety clearly won the fight (twice). Yet, I never made it to the very top of the wall and now that I'm on the ground again, I can't stop wondering whether I can flash one of the other walls at the MAINEBound Center, by making it all the way to the top in one try. 

My curiosity is winning out now so I know I'll definitely be on that wall again soon.  I can't wait!

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Comments

[Bridget]

hey go aunt cath!!!!
like omg..this sounds totally cool...and wow, don't i sound a valley girl!
can't wait to read your other trips and adaventures!!
c ya soon!!

[c...b...]

Rum would have definitely done me in, Mike. Although it would have helped the my trembling hands afterwards. Give it another shot sans rum...and write about it for Time Out!

[c...b...]

Yosemite sounds a bit above my level but I hear there are some climbs in the Catskills that are good/easy. Maybe I'll rope you and your fam in.

[Mary Jeanne]

Yeah Cath!!!!!! You certainly look like you got to the top of the wall! It looks like a pretty formidable climb, unlike some of the walls I've seen at amusement places. Next stop, Yosemite!!!

[Mike]

Congrats Cath! I tried this once on a cruise ship and couldn't make it more than three feet off the ground while kids and moms zipped up on all sides of me. I like to think it had to do with all the rum in my system. Yeah, that's it. The rum ...