Health and Happiness Club

How fast can you scale a wall?  Do you long to fly through the air with the greatest of ease?  I may have the activity for you: indoor rock climbing. 

Indoor rock climbing?  Yes, that's what I said.  Since moving back to Albany in August, I have made hiking a routine part of my life.  I love the fresh air, the woodsy scent and the freedom of a long and winding trail.  All that is just lovely ... when it's warm.  Call me crazy, but once the temperature falls below 60 degrees, I'd rather just stay home.  Thus, indoor rock climbing. 

At the request of one of my friends and my hiking buddy, we ventured to the Albany Indoor RockGym.  I was nervous at first: am I physically strong enough? what if we hate it? will the harness make my butt look funny?  All valid concerns; all proved wrong ... except for the harness concern, everyone's butt looks funny in a harness. 

We harnessed up, put on our special smooth shoes and were given a few instructions on how to climb and belay each other.  First James, then Liz, then me ... eek!  My heart started racing, my palms were sweating and then I was there - at the top, I mean.  Apparently, I was really fast; I was a natural. I was like Spider-Monkey! (Quick Clarification: I'm not talking about actual Spider Monkeys, I'm talking about the monkey version of Spider-Man ... Cooler outfit).  After about 8 additional climbs on walls of various difficulties we dubbed ourselves: Team Spider-Monkey.

It was such a great feeling to reach the top of a climb and to assist your friends in their efforts by belaying them or with words of encouragement.  The afternoon ended with a group of happy friends, all proud of themselves and each other for achieving such great heights. 

I highly recommend indoor rock climbing and I can't wait to get back to A.I.R.!