Underscore Boys Reach New Heights.

10th September 2007..

 

About 15 meters below me at the end of a very long rope, John and Alex shouted words of encouragement. Every finger ached with pain as I feverishly explored the surface above. This time I was determined not to let the wall get the better of me. I took a deep breath, ignored the pain and attempted one last time to pull myself up to the next level. I held on with all my might and will, told myself I could do it, but it was no use�my fingers started slipping and my left foot was shaking uncontrollably. It wasn�t the idea of being 20 meters above ground clinging to a wall that scared me – it was the thought of failure. I defied every last warning of insufficient strength and energy until I was finally defeated. All of a sudden my fingers slipped and gravity got the better of me. It was like my entire body automatically switched itself off and shut down. The second my fingers lost their grip I was flung outwards away from the wall and was left suspended, hanging in the air. I moaned and cursed to the boys below which highly amused them (and probably everyone else in the leisure centre). �Come on, you can do it Try again� they encouraged. Meanwhile, I�m dangling, swaying to and fro without a morsel of energy left within. I had enough. John lowered me down and congratulated me on my efforts.

I did actually make it to the top of that climb in the end. It’s amazing how powerful the mind is. It really was a case of mind over matter. Maintaining a positive metal attitude was definitely the key to success. And maybe not just in rock climbing (my deep thought for the day). We eventually finished our climbing session with a competetion. John suggested seeing who could climb to the top using the least amount of hand grips. It was as much hilarious as it was challenging. Great fun guys! Same time again next Wednesday?