Fun With Ropes!

While training on ropes and climbing systems with Sitka Mountain Rescue, I made a comment to our friend and team leader, Don, that I was afraid to go off a cliff and he said that between he and Troy, they would be able to get me to go off. I was skeptical, but hopeful so today, being a rather pleasant day, we decided to go set up a system and give it a try.

Well, we get to the "baby cliff" (yeah, right!! maybe for THEM!!) and they hook me onto the same rope as Troy so that he could be with me and coach me on the way down. We got as far as the edge of the cliff and I said "forget it!" and despite Troy and Don doing their best to convince me to go, I opted out and promptly unclipped myself from the rope. I am okay with heights unless it is something like THE EDGE and then I feel like I am going to fall off. Today was no different despite the certified rescue technician and the very safe system and my protective husband telling me I would be fine. Yep, I was just fine, standing back, away from the edge! The good thing is the kids weren't influenced by me so they were excited to take their turns.

here is Megan, hooked in with Troy.....

she's doing great!.....

half-way down......

then it was Andrew's turn......

learning the ropes......

mr. cool........

and confident.....

Andrew was totally fine going it alone.....

on the rock face.......

GUESS WHAT!!! I convinced them to let me try going up first to get a feel for it. It was fine and I had no fear. Then I thought that maybe I needed to go alone, rather than with someone, so that I could be in control of my descent and speed. I didn't actually think that I would be able to do it still, but I did it! I got to the edge, felt just enough confidence to go, and went for it. By the time I got to the bottom, my legs were like jello, but after a few minutes, I felt fine and ready to go again. I didn't have a chance to go a second time, but we will set it up again somtime and I will go again. Next time I want to try to LOOK confident instead of like a scared chicken!! But I did it!

so what do you do with the kids while you are climbing?

why, you put them on a ledge somewhere!!.....

megan found her own place to free-climb....

she made it to the "top".....

comfy or what?!!!.....

You didn't see Nelly in any of these pictures because she was at a Pizza Party with her AWANAS group, but I don't think if she had been there you would have seen her more than a few feet off the ground - she is someone who likes to keep her feet firmly planted where they belong!! Smart kid! We had a real fun time and it felt great to soak in some warm sunshine today after days and days and days of rain. But looking at the sky, it doesn't look like it will stick around long! Enjoy it while we can!!