The Joys of Guided Rock Climbing
Each year, especially in the summer months, we get a unique opportunity to share our passion of rock climbing with a variety of individuals, families and groups through guided outdoor rock climbing. For me,as a long time climbing guide, I still enjoy the many aspects of my guiding prep and day of activities. From preparing my gear, to talking with my clients on the phone and through email and hearing their enthusiasm prior to the trip, to being their for those moments of utter joy and self confidence when they reach the top. Observing, and in some ways choreographing , that moment of personal victory for people never gets old. One of the transcending qualities of that moment is that it knows no age, no bounds to education, socioeconomic status, childhood upbringing, or any other other measure that we place on our lives each day.
The rareness of rock climbing, especially outdoor rock climbing, is that it requires your utmost attention. The natural consequences are promptly apparent when your focus is elsewhere. With out much prompting or coaching, my guided clients seem to quickly realize that rock climbing begs of their singular mind on the task at hand. Often times all of our days are full of multiple, overlapping thoughts and tasks to couple with each of them, never feeling like we are truly focused. In climbing that option to multi-task with your mind and body is quickly eliminated by necessity.
What I get to observe is the “a-ha” moment that is a product of that focus. A “can’t” becomes a “can”, a debilitating thought becomes one of confidence and belief. A tangible result is then produced, leaving the climber yearning for another challenge, and leaving that day with, at minimum, an ounce more of self belief in the things they once thought they “could not do.”
If you have never climbed outside, from a “somewhat” biased opinion, I encourage you to put it on your bucket list. Wether it is with one of our BRG rock climbing guides here in NC, with a friend or even in some other world class climbing area, you won’t regret it!
