Rock Climbing - Things to Try

Due to COVID and Quarantine, I have had to change up some of my 100 Things Project for 2020.

Rock Climbing was on my list of “Things to Try”. I really do believe in manifesting, and I wrote this down back in January. A month or so later, I was contacted by Dan with Denver Climbing Company to collaborate on a Rock Climbing experience. I was so excited since that was an activity on my list….. nothing like writing it into existence. We had planned to go climbing back in March and my best friend Gab was going to come up to join me! I was so excited.

Then COVID-19 hit (cue the depressing music lol), and rock climbing was all of the sudden not an option. I was bummed for sure, but I am an extremely optimistic person, and believed it would work out. We initially rescheduled for April because COVID was ‘supposed’ to be gone by then. (LOL in hindsight). COVID didn’t end, and we had to reschedule again this time for June 6th. Gab was also able to come up on June 6th so like I said, I thought it would all work out.

Dan was incredibly thorough with everything we would need, and where to meet him. Gab nor I had rock climbed outside before. I had maybe climbed a rock wall 10 years ago in a mall with my dad (LOL!). I don’t think it’s possible to be more inexperienced than we were. I, however, was not stressed or even worried about it at all. I didn’t think about too hard, and just trusted that I would figure it out. (LOL overly optimistic). Gab was a little more nervous which meant she Googled a lot more details and prepared. I really only thought about my outfit, hair style, and snacks (HAHA, priorities).

The morning of June 6 rolls around, and we are excited! The weather for June 6th had rain in the forecast so Dan emailed me early that morning and switched locations a little so we could do a short climb with less of a hike. Gab and I both were relieved. I really don’t know if I would’ve been physically conditioned for 6-8 hours of a climbing experience. We drove up to Boulder to hike and climb in Gregory Canyon.

We parked at the designated area around 8 am. Then we walked to meet Dan where he provided Gab and myself all equipment we would need (other than our waters and personal backpacks we brought). Dan was very thorough about everything we were doing, what we needed, what he was giving us to use, and really spent time teaching us about safety procedures and protocols. We hiked to a spot to climb, and that’s when the real fun began. We at first climbed a small distance so we could repel down what was called the Amphitheater. I climbed first then Gab was behind me, but for repelling we did it in the opposite order. Gab loved repelling, I however, didn’t love it that much, for me not always being able to touch the wall made me uncomfortable. I think that is where the controlling part of my personality played a part. The views were incredible from repelling. Once, we all were safely on the ground, we did a couple solo climbs. I LOVED the climbing part. I felt like such a kid. I didn’t really think about falling at all. I just enjoyed climbing and felt strong which is incredibly empowering. While we were doing our solo climbs Dan let us be the “belay” person for each other, so we were able to learn about that process and the safety procedures through our own experience. He had us tie our own figure 8 knots (with some practice beforehand of course), and man the belay with the appropriate rope pull through method for the person climbing. There was one point where Gab slipped a little and I was able to secure the rope so she wouldn’t fall, and she and Dan both said I “saved her life” ha! We both were so thankful that Dan was thorough and made sure we knew exactly what we were doing throughout the morning. We ended up starting to hike out around 11:30am. I was beat by this point and felt so accomplished which meant I was ready to go home and shower.

Gab and I really enjoyed our time learning to climb with Dan. I would highly recommend Denver Climbing Company to anyone who wants to learn to rock climb or who wants a guide. I don’t think it is possible to have a better experience than we did. His company offers all kinds of climbs with varying difficultly and trainings for folks wanting to learn some new skills with climbing.

After our morning of climbing we spent the rest of the day overeating (or at least me, LOL! I had two dipped cones that day! Ha!), and relaxing. I am so glad this opportunity presented itself, and Gab was able to join me. Two of my absolute favorite things are adventures and quality time, which this activity accomplished both. If you are thinking about rock climbing, make sure to check out Denver Climbing Company, and reach out if you have questions!

XO,

Madison