They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I don't have a picture, as I was busy belaying, so I will write a thousand words. Richard accomplished his 2009 goal today! Up and over the roof and all the way back again. I call it the Alley Oop Route.
He has been working on this for awhile, the he took a break toward a more difficult goal, the long roof. After working on that for about a week, he returned to Alley Opp and did it!
He was climbing strong no problems, all the was up and over, settled and focused. He took a break halfway down the far side. He headed back up and instead of his beautiful and what has become typical swing around at the top, he hooked the rope on his chalk bag. I could see his goal was well within reach, so I encouraged him to just keep going and not to fall. Richard freed the rope once he was vertical again. It was all downhill from there, very controlled. All the clips were unclipped and a exuberant Richard did a victory dance as he collapsed on the floor of the pit, exhausted and happy.
Congratulations are in order if you see this mighty strong climber! Good job Richard!
Lesson taken? If you are challenged by your goal, try something harder, then step back.
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