Why I’m not a rock climber…yet

That's me, the amateur, bouldering during one of the first few weeks of my rock climbing experience. That was REALLY before I knew what I was doing.

I am not a rock climber. Just like I’m not a cook, or a knitter, or a pianist. I like cooking sometimes, but I wouldn’t consider myself a cook until I know how to sear a steak perfectly, or add just the right spice that makes the stir fry taste like heaven. I like to knit, but I wouldn’t consider myself a knitter until I have a repertoire of impossible patterns that I can actually follow. I love playing the piano, but I’m still practicing the same songs I first learned to play ten years ago. Those aren’t things that really define me. I love climbing, but I’m still working on what the really good climbers would consider easy routes, and I have yet to tackle an outdoor climb. I don’t feel I’m skilled enough yet to give myself the title, “Climber.”

Some things that I am: I am a gymnast, a rower, a paddler, a student, a U.S. Coast Guard officer. What’s the difference between those and the things I’m not? Hmm…I guess these are titles I’ve earned through seriously hard work. Things at which I’m constantly striving to improve, or did at one point in my life. Things that have entwined themselves in my DNA to make up me, not just random things I’ve done in life. Things that have fought back against me and that I defeated. Things that have made me stronger.

I started rock climbing only a few months ago at a local climbing gym, and I usually climb one or two times a week. I have no idea what I’m doing. In gymnastics, I knew how to move my body to nail a skill I’d been working; I don’t have that sixth sense for climbing yet. I started doing it just for fun with some friends, but came to realize that finally reaching that green hold, after weeks of attempts, is an accomplishment likened to an “A” on a final paper.

I would like to earn the title of “Climber.” Unlike cooking, knitting, and piano playing, I’m letting my climbing challenge me, defeat me even…and become a puzzle piece of what makes up me. But its power over me is ephemeral; I conquer routes I never thought I’d be able to do, and then keep doing them until they’re easy. And I let that be an analogy for my life: there’s much more I can do than I ever thought I could. Climbing lets me see what I want to achieve, but has taught me it’s the little steps along the way that will get me there.

To all the experienced climbers, I am more than open to advice on climbing and critiquing of my “climbing language.” I can’t say I totally understand how routes are set and rated. I’m not good at remembering what routes I’ve climbed are rated, or calling them anything other than “the bright pink one with the squiggly,” but I’ll do my best to remember, and to add pictures in the future.

By the way, I’m obsessed with that Citi Card commercial with the climber, Katie Brown, climbing the Corkscrew Summit in Moab, Utah. I found another video of a guy named Jon Richard climbing the corkscrew from the bottom.

I’d like to say I have ambition to climb that someday, but it’s easier said than done…

A challenge for you to ponder: what are you?