Rock Climbing with my family
It all began innocently enough. I was visiting Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) with my nine year old son - Blake - to check out their selection of kayaking gear. Blake noticed that their rock climbing wall was open for use and wanted to give it a try. The store was busy and a long line of kids had already formed. After standing in line with Blake for ten minutes I decided that, if I was going to stand in line for all this time I might as well give it a try myself. The three short climbs were a delight and afterwards the assistant supervising the climbs suggested we try a visit to Texas Rock Gym (TRG) - just down the road at Bunker Hill.
We soon became regular visitors to the rock gym - a great place to learn new skills, develop technique, and build up muscle strength. The climbing walls at TRG have a rock like surface with holds bolted on to create the actual climbs. The holds are different colors so that several climbs can co-exist in a small area. Climbs are 'color coded' and rated according to difficulty so it is easy to select climbs which provide a challenge for your own particular skill level.
For beginners all the equipment you need can be rented at the gym for a modest price so there is no large outlay involved in discovering just how much you like climbing. The gym provides a short introductory course when you first enrol to ensure that everyone is familiar with the equipment and can climb safely. There is a big emphasis on safety, safety, safety. And most fellow climbers are friendly and helpful.
You can learn a lot by watching someone else tackle a climb you just struggled with. Or ask advice from the rock gym staff - they are all dedicated climbers. Having developed skills and muscles on indoor climbs I soon discovered an urge to climb on real rock. There isn't a lot of it about in Houston so it became necessary to look further afield. Austin offers a variety of short limestone climbs in and around the city but I felt drawn to Enchanted Rock.
When climbing indoors at a rock gym all the equipment is set up for you - all you have to do is climb. Outdoors you have to be much more self sufficient - which is an important part of the challenge- so there were new skills to learn. I enrolled for a weekend course at Enchanted Rock with Mountain Madness - one of the guide services that offer regular classes there. As a forty nine year old recent convert to the sport of climbing I felt some apprehension - expecting myself to be climbing with a bunch of much more agile youngsters - but I need not have been concerned. I was teamed up with a seventeen year old from South Africa and a Houstonian in his early thirties. The three of us soon formed a team and found oursleves to be remarkably well matched.
The Mountain Madness guides were superb and the climbs they selected for us provided a great learning experience. Enchanted Rock provides a delightful variety of climbs. There are the more 'conventional' climbs where the face is more or less vertical with crevices and indentations that provide hand and foot holds. There are crack climbs where cracks ranging from a fraction of an inch to four feet wide ascend the face to provide the climber with a variety of challenges. And there is friction climbing.
Much of the granite at Enchanted Rock is somewhat less than vertical with very few crevices or knobs to provide hand holds. With care minor indentations or protruding crystals provide a tenuous hold for the high friction soles of your climbing shoes but there is almost nothing to actually hold on to with your hands. This is often a totally unnerving experience for anyone who is used to using their upper body strength to haul themselves up the rock face. Instead it all comes down to delicate footwork and careful balance.
Over the next year or two my kids and myself did almost all of the courses that Mountain Madness had to offer - building our skills in climbing and our understanding of the equipment. Soon we bought our own ropes, harnesses, shoes and assorted odds and ends so that we were able to climb independently.
One of our early ‘independent’ climbing experience at Enchanted rock included a climb of around one hundred and twenty feet. I led the climb, belayed by my daughter (Luan) and setting anchors on the way up. At the top I found a narrow ledge where I tied in to fixed anchors and belayed Luan and Blake while they climbed. After lowering them down I had to reset the rope for rappelling, remove all the gear and rappel down the face in three sections leaving no equipment at the top - a satisfying challenge.
We then moved on to some more severe top rope climbs. The sun was shining from a clear blue sky. The air was fresh and cool. My fingers clung to a couple of tiny crystals while the friction soles of my climbing shoes gradually lost their fight for traction. My mind was totally focussed on identifying new positions for feet and hands in the few moments left before contact would be lost. Nothing there - just a hint of an indention for my right foot and a dubious crystal for my left hand. Go for it anyway. The new grip held - for now - and my eyes searched around for the next move. Onwards I moved towards the top of the climb - a constant fight against gravity - whilst on the ground seventy feet below my fourteen year old daughter worked the safety rope that my life depended upon.
Trust and confidence are easy words to use but situations like this teach us what our families mean to us and give us a sense of confidence in ourselves and each other that continues to help us learn and grow as we move through life. Most young people respond very positively to this kind of responsibility.
I reached the top of the climb and called back down "Take!” Luan took up the slack and locked off the rope. I leaned back on the rope and relaxed for a moment surveying the landscape which unfolded below me. The trees were somehow greener; the hills on the horizon etched more clearly, the sun warmer. After a few moments drinking in the feeling of achievement I called down "Dirt Me!" and Luan lowered me down to the ground. "Good climb Dad! My turn now!"
Climbing is a great way to stay fit. It exercises almost all the muscles in the body and if a climb doesn't get your heart and lungs pumping you can soon find a more difficult climb that will. Climbing is great exercise for women who often make excellent climbers. Climbing enables you to improve muscle tone, strength and definition without turning you into a 'Hulk Hogan'. It improves your balance and co-ordination. Climbing allows you to set your own level of challenge and always provides you with another level to graduate to. It is a great way to meet people and provides an excuse to visit some beautiful places in the country.
Steve Roberts, July 2001. All rights reserved.