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September, 2006
Try…Try Again:
by Scott Connors
Perseverance and pushing your personal boundaries are an important facet of climbing. Unsurprisingly, forcing oneself to climb, or live for that matter, outside one's comfort zone is a difficult task. Nevertheless in order to grow and improve it is necessary.
Although I have been climbing on and off for a few years I had not yet seriously pushed my limits as a climber. I had been content to stay within my limits by top roping and choosing to not pursue any more challenging lead climbs. However, recently I have been learning the art of lead climbing and have been contemplating my first real lead climb.
So here I am, rope in hand, with my mentor and peers at the base of Chick Hill in Clifton ready to do it. I began the day with a tricky 5.7+ that while halfway through leading I was shocked to find myself struggling on. Buteo and the Beast required some difficult footwork toward the middle that punished me for my usually clumsy technique. Being young and strong I compensated for lack of technique and managed to pull myself up the climb toward to anchors. At the top, the apprehension I felt throughout the route quickly changed to elation and satisfaction. Yes, I did it.
I continued to push my limits as the day progressed and I chose to climb a difficult 5.10b, Circling Vultures. I could feel the vultures circling closer and closer to my head as I slowly progressed up the climb, ready to dine on my exhausted fingers and toes. Fortunately I had a patient party, and a belayer with almost angelic temperament. As I slowed to a crawl, falling repeatedly on the rope, they began to instruct me telling me to focus my weight to help me balance. Slowly with their help and encouragement I began to balance and shift my weight. The fact that my technique lacks luster is insignificant, the only important fact is that I was building myself up as a climber by trying new and more difficult climbs.
Too often people choose to remain in their comfort zone rarely venturing out and challenging themselves. For me it would have been simple to remain on the ground and only climb on a top rope. However, I have come a long way from when I started climbing a few years back, and I will progress further because I choose to encourage myself and I take on larger challenges. In short, although it is sometimes uncomfortable and at times frightening, pushing your limits and persevering is the only way to progress as a climber.
It is not a shame to be a feeble, inexperienced climber, it is only a shame to not try to become a better one. Sure seems a lot like life!
Scott Conners
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