Climbing Buddies

Met someone (Michael) at the climbing gym. Turns out he has a daughter (Leeloo) that likes to climb (and learn 2nd (and 3rd) languages) too, so we got the girls together for some top roping this past weekend.

They had some fun. There was some adjustment, some fussing. Maybe even some crying on the route above, but overall went pretty well. Leeloo is a few years older than Abigail, so it’s nice to meet someone who can keep ahead of her appropriately.

Abigail hasn’t had much experience with top-roping and definitely isn’t comfortable going all the way to the top. Hopefully with time and encouragement from Leeloo, we can work through the height issues. Hell. Even I had some issues when I first started top roping this year. She has another odd quirk when it comes to top-roping. Off belay (not tied in) she totally kicks ass with her rock climbing moves. She’ll go 8′ up without a hitch and I have to pull her off the wall. As soon as you tie a rope to her, it’s like she’s never climbed before – even if it’s the route she just did off belay. Very weird. Something else we’ll work on.

Overall much fun and good time spent together. As much as I’d like to actually climb with her, I’ll have to settle for watching/helping her climb while I belay. Either way it’s still good to get out together.

– b