climbing

so this last week I went rock climbing for the first time. it was pretty much what I expected- and yet some parts exceeded my expectations. visually it was quite over stimulating with the 35’ walls and coloured pieces all the way up and coloured ropes hanging down and what looks like crowds of people on the ground. we took a lesson, which was so informative and really interesting…and within the first hour I was already up at the top of the wall (ok I was about 4 feet short, but when all you’ve got is a rope like an umbilical cord, and its only the third time you’ve been on the wall I figure that’s pretty good). our instructor was awesome, not only info about climbing, but also about the equipment we were using, communication and little lessons... and they had us climbing on this sort of back wall where for lack of a better description, its private…so you can focus on the task at hand and not worry so much about looking like an idiot, or having your ass get stared at.
I will be going back- which in some ways surprises me, but I think rock climbing fits my non-competitive sport criteria: I just have to focus on me, not falling, being strategic, pushing myself, and I can stop when ever I want.
It was not so much like the gym with the multitudes of meat-head guys, but there were still a few of those jock dudes. lucky I just have to look at the wall.