With each foot hold and hand hold, you move slowly up the face. Careful, to make sure you safely ascend. But also know that you are attached to a rope, but even with the safety, falling can still scare the hell out of you.
It’s a great sport, one with an amazing challenging, both mentally and physically. The wall is like a puzzle. There are right moves, wrong moves, some better than others. You learn what works and learn what your body can handle. And while your mind is racing to find the next step, your body works to keep you going.
There is an ache in your fingers from clinging to the rock. There is a shake in your legs as you use them to balance and to push from one hold to the next.
You build trust with your partner who is your lifeline. You are literally connected and you work together to keep each other safe.