This week I managed to fit in another outdoor climbing session in! Even though I only got to climb one route, there is still a ton to be said about it. This weeks adventure took place on Mt. Wells in Sooke, a place I didn’t know existed. This route I climbed was fun, but scary all at the same time. It was fun in the sense that the route itself was easy, being agraded at a approximately a 5.7 on the Yosemite Decimal System.
The Yosemite Decimal System ranges from a 1 (hiking) to a 5 (technical rock climbing). In the climbing world a 5.4 to 5.7 is considered easy, 5.8 to 5.10 is intermediate, 5.11 to 5.12 is hard, and 5.13 to 5.15 is for the crazies of the world. To put it in perspective at the olympics they would ever put a lead route in the competition that’s graded a 5.15 because it would be too hard and nobody would be able to finish the route. The people that have completed a 5.15 route usually practice and attempt the route several times before they can finish it. This process can take up to months or years to complete.
The route on Mt. Wells although easy scared me in a variety of ways. Firstly, it was an area I’ve never been to before with some people I had never climbed with before. Immediately I had some insecurity about climbing there, feelings of I wasn’t strong enough, being embarrassed because these climbers had more experience than me ect. Nonetheless, I powered through and went anyways. Secondly, the route I climbed felt really exposed. What I mean by this is that it felt as though I was climbing with nothing beneath me, this is not the most comforting feeling. At a certain point on the route I looked down I could no longer see my belayer, which meant she could no longer see me. With all these factors combined, I felt more unsteady in my abilities than I should have. I no longer trusted my strength or my feet to keep me on the rock resulting in a massive mental struggle.
The exposure and mental struggle I experienced on this single route positively made me feel more confident indoor climbing. Nothing indoors will feel scary like the exposure on this route did.
Hey Jayda,
Wow! That’s awesome. I don’t think I would ever be able to do that. Proud of you for pushing through and doing it. I love the selfie by the way!!
Hi Jayda! It is so inspiring to see you leaning into and facing your fears! I’m curious when your on the rock and you get those anxious feelings, do you have any tricks, or sayings to help change your mindset?
Jo! thank you so much for your comment! While I am actively climbing on the wall and feeling super scared of the height or a big move I usually take deep breaths, I never look down, and I remind myself that the worst thing that could happen is I could fall and that I am completely safe.
Jayda!!! This is insane… I am not even afraid of heights and this gave me wicked vertigo. What a wonderful pass time you have become (clearly) very skilled at. I will definitely be keeping up with this blog of yours.