If belaying isn't suicidal enough for you, dispense with that partner and try rappelling solo instead. The main benefit is that you won't suffer the humiliation of someone watching you die. The drawback is you end up in a weird Schrödinger's cat sort of situation.
The final tier of adventure is free climbing, where it's you against the rock. No equipment, no friends. Skill against skill alone. If you lose, you get to spend the last few seconds of your existence thinking about how you were outsmarted by a rock.
Now, it's entirely possible that you'd like to experience the thrill of free climbing without becoming a statistic smeared over the rock below. And--fortunately--your wish can be reality.
It's called bouldering.
Take a wall that's no higher than 10 feet or so, put a cushy mat below, and the worst that can happen is a sprained ankle. It's still a thrill, and kind of addictive besides.
I admit it, I went rock climbing today for the first time, and it was immense fun. The Portland Rock Gym is a fantastic indoor arena with options for belaying, rappelling, and bouldering. My brothers and I had a blast, and--two pieces of good luck--the first week is free, and I have next week off from work.
It might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to my upper body.
Oh, and the best thing? You get to make "Cliffs of Insanity" jokes as much as you want.
Until next time,
- Daniel
There's a really cool site for bouldering in the real world - it's called Horse Thief Butte, close to the Dalles - the name alone made me go there. Check it out if you get the chance. I've been twice, it has old indian relics, and a flat top perfect for either laying down to recuperate from the climb, picnic lunch, or a really spectacular 360 view of the gorge.
ReplyDelete~~Hannah