Climbing Outdoors: The Full Post

So on July 30th I got the chance to finally try climbing outdoors and it was absolutely amazing. This post is a long time coming because I had to wait for my Mac to get back from the repair store and it's finally back today. So Malek took Stu and I up to the Kingston Mills which is just below the first lift lock on the Rideau River System. It's a cliff face that has slowly been eroded away over eons by the river and the elements.

Climbing outside is a spetacular experience. It really puts your gym climbing skills to the test and forces you to learn a whole new series of skills. Reaching the summit of your climb is also much more rewarding then in the gym. You get a real feeling of acomplishment when you reach the top and look out over the River from 60ft + above it. I suppose you could relate it between 20 minutes of training on a Treadmill versus running a marathon.

I climbed a 5.4, a 5.6 and repelled down two routes as well. It was a very education experience and I can't wait to try it again. I have a chance to do it this weekend for 2 days and learn how to set up outdoor climbs myself however it costs money that I don't have. I'm debating between cutting into my savings or not.

Pictures from the Climbing:
The View:

Stu on the Rock:

The 60ft 5.4:

Me on the Rock:

Everybody looks stupid in Climbing helmets: