Climb ON!

Enjoy this first time climbing story! I know I always like to hear about situations where individuals try something new, and maybe a little scary and gain enjoyment and confidence from doing so.  Have a story to share? Email me at beth@gotrainingwithbeth.com and I will post your adventure.  Pictures are great too if you have one!

I was in college and felt I needed to live on the "edge" as I was the type of person who played it safe and weighed my risk. 

My friend and my brother introduced me to rock climbing and both said it was fun. I said I had no desire to be climb walls like a monkey. My brother said to come by Planet Rock (in Pontiac, Michigan) to see what this was all about. 

Planet Rock was an old GM plant building, dinky on the outside but super spacious and tall on the inside. Once inside, I looked to the top and thought, no way am I going to climb 70 ft let alone 3 ft. I had my first lesson on belays and tying knots for anchors (lasted 30 mins) I then had to practice "catching" or belaying the climbing instructor who climbed 10 ft or so. Now picture this, I was 96 pounds at the time and I was belaying a 189 pound dude. Thankfully I anchored myself to the floor for who knows where I would have been. Anywho, I used all of my body weight to guide my instructor to the ground and safely. Boy, my arms were sore (and here's my brother climbing like a monkey).

So after the instructions, my brother belayed me as I climbed. On the wall there are ratings listed on tape, so I stuck to 5.7 (easy) and started my journey. I didn't know the technique so I climbed my way, using my upper body strength... Boy oh boy, big mistake. I got so tuckered out, I couldn't go anymore (20 ft high). After my quick talk with my friend and my bro, I said I would try again and this time I made up to the top, at 60 ft high! I came down the wall as if I was a part of a SWAT team. 

Despite being sore to my upper body, I did climb 6 more times that day and absolutely LOVED it! (To tell you how sore I was I couldn't grip my steering wheel to drive home!! I had to massage my forearms for 20 minutes EACH to grip my wheel safely) That day, I bought a membership, I got my own shoes (super tight fit) and harness and have been climbing ever since. It is not as often as I want to go now but I got my 6 year old daughter to like bouldering 4 feet off the ground.

Such a thrilling experience! My friends think I am crazy :0) Well, I now I consider myself a climbing monkey...

Belay on!

By Shabana B.

Thank you, Shabana!  Way to be so strong and determined!

Check out this link to Planet Rock in Pontiac, MI.  I have been to this facility!  Staff is helpful and   They also have a place in Ann Arbor.  If you want a little more guidance with sharpening your skills, they also give lessons!

Planet Rock CLimbing Gym, located in Pontiac and Ann Arbor, MI!