Imagine this. You are climbing up a 75 foot sandstone cliff at the Red River Gorge on a beautiful fall day. You are three quarters of the way up the wall when the natural hand and footholds seem to disappear. You can see chalk marks from previous climbers but the holds they used seem impossibly difficult.
Your forearms start to fatigue as you tightly grip the rock and scour over every inch of stone in front of you searching for a possible avenue. Even though you are safely secured to a rope, falling from over 50 feet up in the air can be scary, especially when your partner belaying you seems so very far away.
The sun is beating on your back and sweat begins to drip into your eyes. You have been stuck at this part of the climb for 20 minutes. You have two options. Give up and be lowered down to the ground, route unfinished, or make a move in an attempt to complete the route.
The rock in front of you is like a math problem with multiple correct answers leading to the top. One way up the rock might be technical and require precision and nimble hands and feet. Another may be burlier, and require pure muscle and strength. You evaluate the situation and decide to make a move.
As you work through a problem, you make a strong move up and almost lose your balance and fall. You manage to hang on, stabilize your body and keep climbing. You reach the top, and adrenaline spreads from your head to your toes. Before you descend back to the ground, you turn your neck and look at the beautiful valley below you. You conquered the climb.
Following the publication of last week’s entry, many people, including my family and friends, assumed that I had given up on my dream of opening a climbing gym in OTR. My discussion of sacrifices and the lack of time I had to pursue the gym implied a tone of defeat. I apologize for the confusion because that is the exact opposite of what I was trying to convey.
In the act of listing my current obligations and lack of time necessary for wholeheartedly pursuing the gym, I was attempting to explain that I was conscious that sacrifices will have to be made, including giving up things about which I am very passionate. Sacrifices are not made in an instant. It would be unrealistic and irresponsible of me to quit my job as a track coach and give up all hobbies in pursuit of the gym. What I had hoped to express was that I can make those sacrifices as soon as I come up with a feasible and realistic plan.
Right now, I’m half way up the rock, stuck at spot where the possibilities to the top are countless. I’m evaluating my options, my strengths and weaknesses, and I’m about to make a move. The most exciting thing about climbing is finishing a difficult route and feeling the rush of adrenaline after possible defeat. There is no way I’m going to give up and settle for a half-hearted effort.
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