I had the most amazing experience through the Joshua Tree Climbing School. If it weren't for my…read morefriend Lea, who introduced me to indoor climbing, I probably would have never tried to enhance my skills through an Intermediate class up in J.T. This would be my second time climbing outdoors, my first time in Joshua Tree, and one of the best things that I've ever done. Steve was our instructor and he was a no B.S. kind of dude. He was extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy, and pushed our group to go above and beyond their capabilities--not to instill fear but more to show us that we're so much more capable of what we think we can do.
Day 1 started with Steve teaching us several knots that we would need to know to create slings, extend ropes, and tie in and set anchors. Then he showed us all of the anchor devices and techniques. Once we were schooled on the tools we needed to set anchors, he set us free to set up some anchors around the boulders around us. He always checked our work and critiqued what we did right, wrong and how we could have improved it. After about a half day of anchor lectures and practice settings, he set up some top ropes for us to climb for the rest of the afternoon. I'm a 5.9 climber in the gym, and he set up some 5.7 cracks that I found really difficult and challenging, but a lot of fun.
On Day 2 we drove to another part of the park. This was the real test. Not only did we have to scramble up the side of a mountain with gear, but we also had to partner up and set up anchors, and then repel off of them. Again, he always checked our work and safety was always a priority. I never felt jeopardized, but always challenged. Once we repelled off of our first anchor sets, he let us top rope off of them.
The second part of Day 2 got even more interesting when he led us back to the top of our first anchors, showed us how to tear them down, and then led us to even higher ground "free soloing" it up the mountain (i.e., scrambling without rope) to set up another set of anchors. I have to admit that I was scurrred, but I put all of my faith and trust in Steve and my group. Steve would remind us that if there was something we felt uncomfortable with to let him know so he could rope us in or spot us from behind. Our group was cohesive--we looked out for each other, checked each other for safety and never left anyone behind.
It was pretty gnarly (the best descriptive word for this) to sitting at the top of a mountain, setting up anchors, looking over the edge for accuracy and then having complete faith in your work by repelling off of it and then top roping it over and over.
I really had no idea what I was in for when Lea invited me to go with her on this weekend excursion, but it was worth every penny. Not only did I improve my climbing skills, but I also walked away with some pretty cool mountaineering survivor skills, a new set of friends, and last but not least, bruised and scraped knees and knuckles.
In short, Steve RAWKS!!!!
