Rock climbing, Will and Bailey

Ben took me down to Wollongong a couple of weekends ago and he and Steve took me for my first rock climb. Rocks are not my most favourite thing. Last encounter with a large slab of rock (in 2000) resulted in my talus (middle of ankle) being fractured in four places. So you can imagine how keen I was.

Ben and Steve lured me into a sense of security with their ropes and years of experience. They showed me how an easy climb was done, bounding up it like spider-men. Then it was my turn.

1. Couldn’t figure out how to get myself to the base of the rock

2. After a little coaching and being told where to place my feet I got onto the bottom of rock

3. Received lots more coaching and managed to heave myself up approx 3 metres (which took at least 10 minutes)

4. Got to a ledge and couldn’t figure out how to pass it

5. Rested for a while (hanging off the top rope) while trying to warm up my fingers which were numb with cold (and exhaustion)

6. Was still unable to pull myself up above the ledge

7. Giggled as I got winched up the cliff by boys below pulling top rope

8. Managed to climb about 50 centimetres further before proclaiming that I could go no further

9. Received lots more coaching

10. Found more hand-holds but had run out of enthusiasm for the sport of rock climbing

11. Persuaded Ben to let me down

So, as you can see I was a natural. Steve took some pics of me during this rather long ordeal.

Ben & Steve then moved their gear to a cliff wall (that didn’t appear to have a single hold for a good four metres) and proceeded to climb it one after the other. Ben did a ‘dyno’ (dynamic move) where you have to jump from tiny footholds up the cliff to reach the next handhold. Scary stuff.

View all the pics here.

I left the boys with friends in Wollongong, stole the car and headed down to Gerroa to see dad’s girlfriend’s son, Will. Will has a new dog called Bailey (strange, I used to have a dog called Bailey). We took the dog for a long walk on Seven mile beach and watched a beautiful sunset.

See the other pics of Will & Bailey.

After a fun night with Ben’s mates in Wollongong and the most amazing breakfast (thanks Steve!) it was time for me to receive more adventure sport coaching. We headed down to the beach, wetsuits and surf/body boards in car. Cold water is also not one of my favourite things but I was willing to give it a go. I was saved by the beautiful tranquil blue sea. Not a wave to be seen.

Lovely weekend.