Reach

Climbed for the first time today! But too bad i don't have any pictures. Was too preoccupied with the experience! Heheh.

My high school friend & fellow dancer, D, decided to teach me as a favour for performing with B at the Law Ball his uni held about 2 weeks back. We didn't really perform well, but it was okay because none of the people there are dancers, so they didn't notice our major screw ups (i hope, heheh).

So anyway, upon arriving Camp 5 @ One Utama, i had to fill in a form for their membership application (although i wasn't applying for a membership), pay RM 12 (rental fee) because the entry fee for a first-timer is free and then collect my shoes & harness from the nice guy at the counter. The shoes squeezes your toes until you can't even move an inch, which i was told to be good, because it means you have a firmer grip.

So yeah, D took me around and was a very good teacher because he was very detailed about everything and knows quite a bit about the place (he used to work at Camp 5), so he taught me all about the different kinds of walls, belays, knots, grades etc. Well, i can't remember them all, but it was nice to have a chance to absorb the knowledge.

I climbed 4 walls in total, the first one was easy because, well, it was my first time. The second time D asked me to only use the blue-coloured rocks and i managed it without much difficulty. The third wall (also only blue rocks) was much taller, i think it was a 5A. I managed to do it but i could feel that i was getting tired, and some parts were slightly harder because i didn't trust my grip enough to hold the features of the wall instead of the coloured rocks. Was kind worried that i'd slip or something.

The 4th time, i climbed the Vista Wall. No grade, because i was allowed to use all the handholds, but i found it really tough, because my arms started losing energy halfway and i didn't know where to put my legs & hands and i was afraid i couldn't grip properly and i slipped a few times. Hahah. Had to rest twice, but i managed to get to the top in the end.

At the end of the session, my hands felt kinda raw, but D told me that was normal. It was a fun experience though, and i wouldn't mind doing it again. It's quite enjoyable to test your limits, challenge yourself and see how far you can go.


I bet i'm gonna feel this tomorrow, though.
Jwen.