The land of cracks and slab... more commonly known as Squamish, BC... is a beautiful place of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, ocean views and the most glorious granite rock you can find. It is a rock climbers heaven, complete with thousands upon thousands of routes for the beginner and advanced climber. Thanks to the best boyfriend ever, I was privy to three amazing days of climbing in Squamish, this past weekend. As climbing always is for me, it was a weekend of extreme highs and lows... all of which stretch me to the limit. It is a combination of breaking-down confidence just to build it back up. It is to lean on unknown strength within to overcome fears and panic that my own inner thoughts create - all while fighting to find deliverance in the little focus and skill I actually have. What a ride!
And therefore, it was a great weekend of successes, and (dare I say it?) failures. I sent my first 5.9, my first 5.10b (although it was only one move of 5.10b!), and even led a super chill 5.4 on trad! ... I also cried on a 5.8 (hate that!), fell a ton of times on a couple 5.10s, wouldn't do a 5.8 because it looked to scary, and was told by a climber guide that I have boyfriend syndrome (aka, I use Jesse as a climbing crutch) Ah. Basically the guide told me that I should lead everything from now on. Yeah right! No way! I have a new appreciation for leading. Baby steps, I guess.
Regardless, it was a fantastic weekend, leaving me with more bruises, scrapes and determination to continue this road of becoming a better climber. And I'm looking forward to every new hand jam, finger lock, heel hook, and layback along the way.
