climbing that mountain

"hey man, think you can climb to the top of that rock there?"

"i'm not sure, but lets see!"

this is how i imagine the first set of rock climbers got their start. crazy- yes. frightening- yes. absolutely amazing- yes.

for me, rock climbing is more that knowing where to put your hands and feet, its overcoming the very practical part of my brain that's saying 'your insane!! please, step off the mountain!' i've never been a daredevil or risk taker (the most i gamble at casinos is $5) but i've always looked at my aunt and uncles climbing pics and thought how amazing that would be.

so there i was, hugging a mountain for dear life while completely harnessed into gear that could hold at least 5x my weight (and in my new snazzy climbing shoes, of course!). although ray kicked my butt at climbing (he even lead a climb for the first time!), i feel a sense of accomplishment, and hopefully, now that i have the most expensive pair of shoes i've ever bought, encouragement to keep 'climbing that mountain..'

here's the climbing pics, later i'll post some nature pics (you already know i love 'em!)

did i mention, crazy?

aunt ml uncle dave

an amazing climbing friend of theirs

cousin mason cousin addie

and me! a little out of focus..but look at that view!

and the result of me climbing

(this is not what it's supposed to look like)

and the two first time lead climbers! (a lead climber is the first one up that mountain who, along that way, sets up the rope for the rest of us to climb of off. it can mean a potentially longer fall, but these two did great!)