Matt: and what fun it was too. We hit Wafi City's Pharaohs club this weekend, JQ, Celine, Fiona and I, for a little on the wall action. They have a 50 foot indoor climbing wall, with a number of different climbs varying in difficulty as well as a bouldering section.
JQ turns up with all his own gear, harness, boots even chalk, show off - there's me in shorts and a t-shirt with the worst pair of trainers I could have chosen, they looked good but turns out, as they are running trainings the tread ran in completely the wrong direction giving no grip whatsoever.. Soon ditched them and climbed barefoot.
It's great exercise and after a few climbs your forearms really start to feel it. Fiona did well to conquer her fear of heights, it is pretty scary getting up near the top and realising you're only supporting your own weight on small hand and foot holds.
When I first arrived I was a little nervous as the instructor, a nice Filipino lady, was about 5 foot and couldn't have weighed more than 40kgs and this was who was going to be belaying me? I swear, had I fallen she would have hit the roof, literally! But thankfully as I approached to have my turn, she tethered herself to an anchor point at the base of another wall.. Phew!!
We progressed through a selection of climbs which grew increasingly difficult, not solely due to their technical nature, but you have the added disadvantage that you are getting weaker by the minute, clinging to even the largest grips became a struggle after a few climbs. It was really good fun though and we'll certainly try and make it a regular activity!!
JQ turns up with all his own gear, harness, boots even chalk, show off - there's me in shorts and a t-shirt with the worst pair of trainers I could have chosen, they looked good but turns out, as they are running trainings the tread ran in completely the wrong direction giving no grip whatsoever.. Soon ditched them and climbed barefoot.
It's great exercise and after a few climbs your forearms really start to feel it. Fiona did well to conquer her fear of heights, it is pretty scary getting up near the top and realising you're only supporting your own weight on small hand and foot holds.
When I first arrived I was a little nervous as the instructor, a nice Filipino lady, was about 5 foot and couldn't have weighed more than 40kgs and this was who was going to be belaying me? I swear, had I fallen she would have hit the roof, literally! But thankfully as I approached to have my turn, she tethered herself to an anchor point at the base of another wall.. Phew!!
We progressed through a selection of climbs which grew increasingly difficult, not solely due to their technical nature, but you have the added disadvantage that you are getting weaker by the minute, clinging to even the largest grips became a struggle after a few climbs. It was really good fun though and we'll certainly try and make it a regular activity!!
Balderdash!?!? in the wrong footwear..
Fiona triumphs
JQ makes it look easy..
Only the red and yellow? You're kidding right?
Note: Chief Photographer and Crash-Mat loafer, Celine Parle!! a valuable role..
