Rock Climbing - I Think I Can ...... I Think I Can......

We have been wanting to post this experience for some time. After Christmas Chad, Angela and a few of our homies went to the quarry for a workout. We really had fun watching the kids climb.

Here Rachel and Richie are racing to the top. Richie has not climbed before so he fell behind to the spider women also called Ray Ray.

It was fun to watch Chad teach everyone how to climb. He is a great climbing coach.

Rachel is helping Angela reach the top. Angela was fearless as she climbed the wall. I don't think as an old person I have the courage or stgrenth to climb like this. We had no such gyms in our younger years.

Rachel can be seen making a jump to some hand holds. Way to go Shi Shi. As you may know Rachel has many nick names.... all stemming from her volleyball teammates.

The master from the Pacific Northwest put on a clinic for the younger climbers.

Chad and Rachel climb together. Chads upper body strength and high levels of testosterone makes him a serious climbing specimen. Rachel, I was impressed with your fearless climbing curiosity.

Chad takes a moment to teach Richie some knot tieing skills. Of course if you are going to rock climb, knot tieing is as important as feathers are to birds (without they would fall to the ground.... get it). I know an interesting comparision but it works for me.

Impressive Angela, great foot placement and concentration.

Angela shows here upper body strength as she pulls her self up and navigates through a few difficult hand holds.

I think I can I think I can......... go spaz.

Richie negotiates a difficult outcrop but soon succumbs to lactic acid build up in his forarm.

The frog technique can only be performed by an elite soccer player like shaggy.

Come on Richie pull.....you can do it.

Oops ..... watch out below.

Chad made quick work of this outcrop and was on his way up to the top. This climb was rated as a very dificult series of hand holds. One thing I observed was the problem solving that goes into a climb. Chad stopped various times to survay his future holds. The strategy of the climb was fluid and not neccesarily predetermined but constently in flux basied on his ability to stay focused even though he was extremely fatigued.

Rachel also tried this extreme climb and made it towards the first outcrop.

Here she survays her future hand holds but soon determines she has had enough. Next time lets try the hard stuff first. I believe you can make it next time Rachel.

Chad continues upward towards the summit and successfully reaches one of the hardest parts of the climb. His body is burning as he anerobiclly recharges energy storing compounds to power his flexing muscles.

Getting around this point was an awesome combination of upper and lower body strength.

Once past the extreme outcrop, Chad makes his way up to the top. He can see the top as his eyes gazed up the side of the cliff.

Just a few more red hand and foot holds and he has it. The top.....

Almost there Chad, you are doing great. All of us are watching him and cheering Chad on.

The top is now only inches away. The pain of exerting his muscles at such a high level of intensity is starting to be more than he can bear. He continues as Angela incourages him to press on but the inevidable occurs and his mortal body can no longer maintain grip on the little red synthetic pegs protruding from the cliff.

Chad plummets to the ground in a controlled descent as we congradulate him on a climb well done.

Angela helps Chad get out of his gear and we look on with admaration. Thank you all for a wonderful activity. We need to do this again. In all seriousness I have an intense apprecation for the physical prowess that is needed for rock climbing. Ok Dan we need to get you come and show off your skills next time. Thanks Chad, Angela, Rachel and Richie for a wonderful afternoon. We love you all, Mom and Dad