First outdoor climbing trip

Before I realized, the end of summer is moving near...........and one thing I told myself that I need to try when I knew I was moving to Tahoe was some REAL outdoor rock climbing.......

I have been waiting for this for a long time and finally this past Sunday I was able to go out............

Being a city climber (i.e. indoor gym climbing), I have never climbed outdoor before...........OK be that one time in high school...........but that was it, so I was really excited and nervous at the same time!

After some practice at the little gym in Sparks last Monday.... I thought I would be ready for some real climbing, but.....................


Sunday Morning:

Bright and early, BTE and I left KB and headed for Truckee River Canyon (see link).........There are so many places you can go in Tahoe, but BTE wanted to check out my skills and stuff so we picked this place where there are less people so I can get some practice......

It took us a little while before we found the place...........and when we looked up..........we knew this trip would take us longer then we intended :P

Imagine hiking up some pretty steep terrain mainly composed of big and small Basalt....and some major bushwhacking in FLIP FLOPS.......... Yeah, that was how we did it.............I have to tell you, I will never ever forget to bring shoes when climbing ever again!!!

And on our way up to the cliff..............a little accident happened..........I was holding on to some rock to balance myself and of course, stupid me...............I grab one big rock that was just barely sitting there..................and what happened when I pull on it?..................It fell..............on my chest and then continue its way down the mountain.............Good thing was, I didn't fall with the rock but it sure was scary ~~~>.<~~~

So before we actually started climbing..........I already have one bleeding chest......and two scratched-up legs........

By maybe around 11:30, we finally managed to set our rope down and get ready for some toproping (well when i say we, i really meant BTE cause I have no idea how to do all that........but i was there to learn!!!)...............It was running late as both of us need to be back home in the afternoon. However, we still managed to squeeze in a few climbs before we had to go..................

I have to say real rock climbing is hard.................and it is really different from the gym.................I didn't do very well at all but it was sure really fun............Plus BTE is a great instructor.......informative, patient and really encourging........so I guess that made the experience really enjoyable

Too bad I don't have a camera anymore, or else i would have taken some pictures.... Oh well, next time.... I am sure or I hope we will go again sometime soon :)


To all the city climber out there, (e.g. Natasha and Pete)................you guys should really try to get yourself out there.............even better, you two should come to Tahoe and join me :)


Anywaz, for the time being............i will have to tend my chest so I won't be scar for life.......and await for my next climbing trip