UKC

Staring from the ground full of energy and enthusiasm,
Target in mind a clear goal set!
Each tentative step, the safety of earth is further away!
No longer secure, no longer grounded!
The body is able if the mind is willing!
Inhale deep to keep the nerves a way!
The mind is clear, the body strong!
Carrying on up, just me and the rock!
Feeling exposed, feeling determined!
Start to relax and embark further on the vertical journey!
Each grip and each step an achievement of their own!
The feeling is calm, I am still in control!
The end is in sight,
Now isn't the time to fail!
Another deep breath and push through the fear!
Trusting my feet, reaching up!
That moment of elation is mine!
I set my goal
I reached my target!
This moment belongs to the stone and to me!
The achievement is my own!

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Great post.
Not just for new climbers. All climbers go through the same kind of process on a route near or at their limit.

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Excellent. Well done and I hope you have many more moments like this. After 50+ years of climbing I can still identify with your words every time I climb a route.

Dave

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Its a weird old world is the climbing forum. I personally thought your post was worth a few more encouraging responses compared to some of the drivel people spend their time posting about.

You still can't beat the feeling of climbing outside though - keep going!

Dave

In reply to Toprope-Tanya: Well done on two counts: Firstly completing your first outdoor climb - you will remember it for ever. Secondly on choosing to share your experience in a well written piece of verse. A post like this is worth 100 of those from the whingers & protestors that lurk on UKC.

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Excellent!

Not climbed in Malta, I suspect the experience in South Wales may differ aesthetically - although there's many a good route near Cardiff.

Thanks for sharing.

I

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Superb! Magnificent!

Brilliant piece of literature!

Totally and utterly inspiring!

In reply to Mountain Spirit:

I did my first outdoor climb pretty recently but I wish I could articulate it like that. Nicely done

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:
Brilliant! loved it

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Excellent post.
That's another person hooked on our great sport, then
Hope you have many more experiences like that, and feel free to share them on here. As others have said, so much more uplifting than many of the posts on here.

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Nice post! keep on climbing, keep on writing about it

In reply to Toprope-Tanya:

Christ, well I never, Tim Chappell in a female guise