Back in July, I had the pleasure of trad climbing in the Gunks for the first time. Here’s a recap of my experience–now LIVE on the Women’s Bouldering Festival Blog!
Here’s a snippet to get you hooked:
It’s not coming out… or is it?
I was fiddling with a nut that was wedged into a crack. My brows furrowed as I yanked on its wire, taking care not to damage the surrounding rock. It was a misty, cool Tuesday morning (abnormal for early July in upstate New York) and a sleepy day at the crag (abnormal for where we were, a location typically packed with climbers from all over the Northeast).
The pressure wasn’t on, per se, because I was on top-rope. But it was my first time following someone who was trad climbing… and I wanted to get it right!
“See if you can move it in the direction that it would’ve been placed.” Our guide called out to me, his voice a reassuring presence cutting through my mental static. “You can also use the nut tool I gave you.”
High above it all, I was at the edge of my comfort zone… yet again. But in that moment of brandishing the nut tool, carefully analyzing the nut’s placement, and successfully cleaning each piece of protection above me, I knew: Today would be a day to break new ground, pushing my climbing and confidence farther than ever before.