July 28, 2007 Nothing Wrong with a Rainy Day

I woke up this morning at 7 am. I got bored so I started to clean a little around my room, etc. (very gross in there...creatures were stirring...)

Around close to noon, I said screw it...I'm going climbing at the gym...

Well, on the way there, I decided to make a little pit stop at Get Your Gear On in Five Points. So glad I did! I found a pair of climbing shoes.

Online these shoes are close to over $100. New climbing shoes are so expensive. I bought mine today for $40. They are used, but in very great condition!

The guys at the store even let me demo the shoes today. So I took 'em out to Stronghold and test drove em. Awesome! I love em!

I climbed 4 routes today. It was busy in there. I climbed the same wall my previous blog was about...in like so much less time than it took the other night. Then these 2 guys were working on this one wall that seemed too hard for me, but they convinced me to try it out, so I did. I didn't make to the top but I learned a little about this manuever where your fingers grip this ledge and your arm goes straight and you push your feet up high against the wall. The maneuver is called a lie back. It was kinda cool. I feel better with people who encourage me instead of belittling me. These guys were super cool this day. The belayer's name was DJ.

So now I have 3 new goals at the climbing gym. I want to finish that wall I started today getting to the top and learn how to do that maneuver. And I want to climb my other wall I started on Tuesday night faster with less thinking! :)

My belayer made me tie into my harness myself. I had trouble remembering the figure eight follow through, but he was cool and patient and walked me through it again. Just like my friend from Tuesday night said, it takes time learning the ropes and the knots, etc.

I met another cool guy named Brian there today. He checked out my shoes for me. He examined them and made sure they were ok and couldn't believe what a sweet deal I was getting on them. He showed me how to inspect the soles of my shoes, etc. to make sure when purchasing used shoes how to make sure you're getting a good pair. He said I was smart to get a used pair, since I was a beginner. He also gave me some advice on cimbing, etc. as well. I watched him climb a crack. It was friggin' cool as shit! I heard his wife was a pretty awesome climber too.

I met another chic and her boyfriend there today too. It was a fun-filled day! I went back over to the gear store and bought my shoes! They are mine now! :)

I may go kayaking down the Congaree with a group on Wednesday eve. The guy at the gear store was really nice. He told me about this guided kayaking trip on Wednesday. I might go! It sounded like fun. It's just $30. It will have 2 rapids, but he said I could handle it though. We'll see....

I also found a TREK there for under $300. My good friend Jody rides and I want to go trail ridin' with those guys, so...may be gettin' a bike soon too. That's all folks!!!