On my last travel day, I’ve been invited by new South African friends, Carly & Garron, to go rock climbing. They are both experienced climbers and we set-out early for a climb they haven’t done. Garron picked this climb as the guide book says it’s supposed to be a fairly easy low grade climb, for a newbie like me.
It’s hot the sun burning down as we take a 40 minute heart pumping hike up the side of Table Mountain until we reach a vertical cliff wall, which to me appears impassable. Sweat drenching my shirt, we gear up in harnesses and helmets and Garron scampers up the wall like a spider fingers going into crevices and amazingly finds footholds out of the smallest bump. He’s placing anchors (not sure of correct technical term) between rocks and crevices along the way. To him this is a pretty easy climb, although he comments it is much more difficult than he had expected and definitely more advanced that what the guidebook had said. It’s not the ideal spot for a beginner to attempt. But hey, the adventure nut I am and not having done this before, let’s give it a go.
Garron has made it to a rock shelf above and acts as my safety belay, while Carly stays below and gives me advice and instruction on how to make it a go. I start my way up not sure exactly what to do other than I have to find places ever so small for a finger and foothold. As I make my way up Garron keeps my safety line tight. I make it several meters up and now I’m not sure how to pass. If only I were more flexible I might be able to stretch my legs more. After resting in my harness dangling against the sheer wall to give my arms a break I give it a go. I’m not quite sure how I got a finger hold or even where I placed my feet, but amazingly somehow I make it around and above an outcropping to find myself perched on a 3 inch wide ledge, just barely wide enough for my shoe to fit as I press my chest into the wall. The view is spectacular, my instinct is to try to jam my fingers in a crack and hold on, although to rest I merely need to sit in my harness and relax. Looking up all I can see is rock and my safety line disappear over another outcrop. Below more rock and I’m in awe I’ve made it this far. Looking out I can see Cape Town and a fog filled coast rolling into the edge of town. I rest here some more. My arms and legs are sore. I start up this section and am told if I can make it over this next section it gets much easier. I try several times and am exhausted, my forearms are burning and my hands and legs are starting to shake. I’m not used to this level of exercise. I give it another try and on this attempt my foot slips, as I loose my grip, bang my knee and road rash my thigh as I slip/fall a mere foot or less. The split second drop of inches sends an instant sense of peril running down my spine. Determined to not give up I rest and try several more times. After 30 minutes or so, I succumb to the reality I’m not making it on my own.
Swallowing my pride, the down ride was grand as Garron lowered me to our starting point. What a sport. I could see myself getting into this and building the knowledge and muscle tone to excel. I’m on solid ground and my hip is sore, not sure how I tweaked it in the process and realize I may never be able to do this again. I’m thoroughly exhausted happy and glad to experience this at least one time. It was the perfect way to spend my last day on this adventure trip. I got to complete the Africa section of my round the world trip and I’m already dreaming about finishing the other nine months I missed.
