“As I was walking up to the cliff, I thought that it was going to be a piece of cake. However, as I came closer to the cliff, I began to second guess myself because I did not realized how big it was. “You really want me to climb this thing?” I said out loud. No response. “Great!” I sarcastically muttered. After being taught the basics of climbing and repelling, we were left in charge with the lives of one another. Being back-up belayer for two other people had given me enough time to think and reconsider my capabilities.
Before I knew it, my turn had arrived and I was unprepared. I began to climb with full on confidence, but as I got closer and higher, that confidence dissipated. Doubt and fear took control of my mind and my body pressed against the cliff’s surface. I was stranded high above the ground, half way up the cliff, slowly losing my hold. My feet hurt and arms were tired, hands were sweating, tears were flowing. No matter how hard I tried and wanted to climb further, my body wouldn’t budge and I was brought down to safety by an instructor.
When I reached the ground again, I ran off frustrated and disappointed in myself. I kept my distance from the others because I felt ashamed for being the only one who didn’t climb to the top of the cliff. I began being anti-social with everyone and rarely spoke because my thoughts kept me occupied. As the day comes to an end and people were wrapping up their last cliff climbing, I realized that I didn’t want to be the only person who was not able climb the cliff. I got up and put on the rock climbing gear once more and began to climb the cliff again. I kept climbing and climbing and within moments I reached the top and repelled back down to safety. “
– Jose Aguilar
