I love climbing

"I've got blisters on my fingers!" - Ringo Starr

I went climbing today. I went shortly after noon and played around on the bouldering wall and then went back to the dorms for a bit. I managed to piece together the parts of two V2's, but I did not do them successfully in one go. I also did most of our V1's and all of the V0's/V(fun)'s that were new to me (there were about four).  It was a blast, but my arms were dead.

This evening I meandered around the top rope wall, managing to complete a 5.10a with difficulty and easily completing a 5.8 and a 5.7 before heading back over to the bouldering wall to attempt more V2's. I failed miserably, because I really am out of shape.

Despite the pain in my fingers, forearms, and back, I am content. I missed being able to climb every day without having to spend twenty dollars on gas to get to the wall. I missed the excitement of climbing with friends who are as good or better at climbing than I am.  I miss the feel of my fingers blistering, cracking, and even bleeding. I missed the difficulty of the puzzles, the satisfaction of figuring them out, and the final rush as I reach for the last hold.

Climbing is a fun sport, one that sets me free and makes me feel very good. I still have to write about trains, which are the opposite in my book. :(