Reach

I have always strived to reach to greater heights. This summer I was able to put myself to the test in the very literal sense. I went rock climbing in lake Louise. I learned a lot about myself, my companion, techniques of rock climbing, philosophies of life, trust, and what it really means to push yourself to reach for the top.

When we first arrived at the base of the rock wall, there were three people clinging to a small ledge about 3oo feet up. I was in awe. Wow! I was so impressed with the abilities of these climbers to reach as high as they did. Of course I thought to myself, "some day I want to be that good of a climber".

In preparation for the climb, we geared up with climbing shoes, harnesses, helmets, and gadgets such as carabeeners, grigris and of course, rope. There are three points on my harness that my companion has to check every single time, I start to climb, as well as check his own. I looked up the rock face and began to doubt my abilities and ask myself, "why am I here?" My companion read my emotions well, and began to assure me I could do it. He had prepared me well, with two trips to the climbing wall in Edmonton, and a small climb in Waterton National Park. We had even practiced on the lawn of my foster parents home the night before. Twice we went through the routine of the climb: the responsibilities of the climber and those of the belayer, (person below the climber), when to take up slack in the rope and when to let it out, as well as my knots, and calls I need to know to communicate with my companion during the climb. Still, self doubt began to find it's way in. I wasn't exactly in the comfort of my usual elements.

My companion took a small practice climb and then it was my turn. I got half way up the first pitch, or section, of the climb and then got stuck. I couldn't find anything to hang onto. I was about to quit and ask my companion to lower me. I started to get scared, which in turn made me angry. Instantly I visioned myself in a sparring match. Too often my emotions take over. If I get hurt, I get scared, and then I get angry. I am of no use to myself or anyone else at this point. It was this realization that forced me to get myself in check. Then I heard my companion's encouraging voice again. "Take your time-feel around for something and you'll find it-it's there." I felt around and sure enough there was a tiny notch to grasp and a minute wedge to stick my toe into. I didn't think it was enough to hold me, but I gritted my teeth and made the move. I did it! This small accomplishment was enough to give me the strength to get to the height of the pitch. I repelled down with a new sense of determination. I was overjoyed that I had not let myself down by quitting before I reached my goal.

With my companion leading the way, we started up a new section of the rock wall. This time climbing to the top of the first pitch seemed so much easier. I quickly learned that the tiniest notch in the rock was enough to dig my toe into and push myself up to the next one. I began to trust it.

Once we both made it to the top of the 1st pitch, and anchored ourselves in, my companion wanted 100% assurity that I was comfortable belaying him to the top of the next pitch. We would be attached by ropes as he climbed, and I would remain anchored to the wall, but I no longer had solid ground under my feet. If my companion fell, I would have to manage the equipment so that he fell no more than 3 to 5 feet. I was a bit nervous, but how could I stop now when I had come this far.

After some time, my companion reached the top of the 2nd pitch. Now it was my turn. This section looked a bit harder than the 1st. I debated on whether to go ahead and climb, or be happy with as far as I had already come. It was like wanting a black belt, but being satisfied with blue. Again my companion showered me with encouragement. This time the climber on the wall next to me, a total stranger, also started to give me encouragement. I started to climb. I didn't find it all that hard as I thought it would be, and the constant encouragement and reassurance from my companion made it all that much easier to bear. At the times I thought I was stuck, I felt around with my hands instead of with my eyes. I found the holds I needed to make it to the top. As my companion and I stood on an 8 inch ledge, 300 feet above the ground, I was lost for words. My companion beamed with pride of what I had accomplished. No more than I, for this 8 inch ledge was the same ledge that I looked up at hours earlier and marvelled at the 3 climbers clinging to it then. Now, here I was-here we both were. For the first time since the start of our climb I looked down. Wow!! I did it! The view was magnificent!

This climb is so parallel to life everywhere, no matter what you are doing. When we look at others and marvel at what they can do, what is our reaction? Do we put in the effort to get it ourselves? Do we fail to recognize the hard work that people put in to get where they are? The only thing stopping us from reaching a goal, is ourselves.

Every day, whether we are working, training, or driving in the car, we need to have trust. This is very hard for me. Once you have lost it, it is no easy task to just gain it back. I rarely trust anyone or anything anymore. On this climb I was forced to trust my companions abilities as well as his encouragement, the equipment, the holds in the rock, and myself. I got a close look at my strengths as well as some of my weaknesses. You can't attempt to climb without trust.

Climbing takes complete focus on both the part of myself and my companion. Whether on top rope or as the belayer, we must be aware of each others moves and emotions at all times. My companion was an extreme example of this. The slightest hint of hesitation or doubt on my part, and I could feel him pull up all tension on the rope and braise himself in case I fell. As in all aspects of life, self doubt usually leads to disaster. On the mountain, disaster involves life and death.

Climbing also took complete focus on what I wanted to accomplish and how. I had to try to always keep that in the forefront of my mind. Sometimes we run into obstacles in life that we don't think we can handle. With the right attitude and focusing on the solution and not on the problem, we can prepare ourselves and overcome anything. Often, the obstacles aren't as tough as we first think they are. While biking out to Lake Chickakoo a few weeks ago, we came across a lot of hills which you don't really notice in the prairies unless you are on a bike. From afar, they would seem huge and impossible to ride up, but when we approached closer, they weren't really all the huge, and we managed them without too much effort.

There is a lot I could say about preparation, but will just say this. Don't underestimate the power of being prepared - emotionally, physically, and financially. As this time of the year approaches and individuals will soon be taking the black belt grading, I think of the many hours of preparations they have made to attempt to accomplish some of their personal long term goals. Without proper preparations prior to my climb on the mountain, I would not have made it. I know that my companion would not have even let me try. It would have been dangerous for both of us. Kung fu has been a huge asset in helping me to prepare for rock climbing, as it has in many areas of my life.

Not enough can be said of the gratitude I feel for the encouragement of others in my life. Often, as was the same on this climb, it was the encouragement of others that saw me through to the end. Many times it has stopped me from falling. To have support of people around you is a huge factor in the extent of what we can accomplish in kung fu, in our family life and in our many adventures in life, whatever they may be. I know that it is sometimes hard to trust the encouragement of others, but it is so very important. I need to listen and to trust the encouragement of people around me, and to give honest encouragement to others as well.