We had a group event today for celebrating a release. My previous manager sent out a survey asking about what we want to do for the team event. Most of people voted for rock climbing. So we went to Planet Granite this afternoon.
It is my first time trying rock climbing; I was pretty nervous and excited. We took the beginner's lesson, which teaches us how to belay and how to tie the ropes. I am always a fast learner, so I grasped everything very quickly, faster than all my coworkers. :P
I did surprisingly well in rock climbing, I think my co-workers were impressed by me. I'm actually surprised by myself too. :P I thought I won't be able to do rock climbing at all, but I'm actually the second best among the whole team, and I didn't even fall once. The level of rock climbing ranges from 5.1 to 5.11, I started from 5.2, which is very easy for me. Then I tried 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 and did two 5.8 at last. 5.8 was pretty hard, because sometime you only have one point to hold on -- like you have to put all your weight on your big toe of your left foot and you have to try to step on some tiny rock which is about your waist high with your right foot. Then you have to push very hard, free both of your hands, you are kind of in a jumping mode, then you switch all the weight to your right foot, free the left foot, and grab some rock above your head. I did that a few times, it was very exciting. One of the 5.8 is very interesting, it has a big prominent rock, like those you see in magazine, so you have to hang with your back facing the earth and climb over it. Conquering that one makes me feel like a real rock climber. :D I had lots of fun especially when I beat most of the guys in the team! :P
Thinking of going back there again and trying out more sometime soon!
