My Dad invited me to go ice climbing a few weeks ago, and without really thinking about it, I said I would go. I had no idea what ice climbing was, what equipment is used, how far away the place would be, or what adventure awaited.
Let me tell you about my ice climbing observations. It is rock climbing and dodgeball and exhausting all at the same time. You have spikes on ski boot like shoes, two ice axes and a daunting cliff of ice you are told just to go climb. Yesterday, I thought it was the hardest sport I had ever tried. I made it half way (sometimes not that far) up the route before I was so exhausted and afraid that I asked to be let down. Although I was recovering from a knee and shin injury that I sustained as I saw an ice ax that was dropped, coming fast straight toward my head, I panicked and dodged, but a huge waist high rock impeded my quick escape and took me out, I tumbled, fell and flipped over the offending boulder painfully landing on my back. A couple people came over to help me up and I told them I would just like to lay in the cold snow for a few minutes. The oncoming ice ax stopped and stuck in the snow 10 ft in front of where I was standing, so there was no need for me to even move. Also, 60 and 70 year old men scaled the mountains with ease, and I just sat at the bottom discouraged and dodging large ice chunks.
That was yesterday.
Today was different. I made it to the top 3 times, had them take a lot of pictures. A stark contrast from yesterday.
I am amazed at how much a little confidence influences performance. I guess that is why we need to start small and get little victories under our belts. Especially when we have big goals
If at first you don’t succeed, try starting small and remember “baby steps”. By the way, Liam learned to crawl last week, and it is awesome to see how on Wednesday he couldn’t crawl and then on Thursday he could and a week later he is moving all over. It is cool to learn from your own children- they don’t seem to get discouraged, they fall and then try, try again.
Also- any of the cool looking climbers pictured here- not me.