|
"Belay on?"
“Belay is on.”
“Ready to climb?” Uncle Linc ambled over to check my climbing harness and knots. Satisfied, MK camp's rock climbing instructor answered me.
“Climb when ready.”
“Climbing.”
“Climb on.”
I stood before the 45 foot wall of yellow-gray stone with my knees shaking from exhaustion after three failed attempts to conquer the unforgiving cliff. Behind me the ruins of an old mill stood, covered with ivy, and an old dam blocked the Kupa river, the border between Croatia and Slovenia. I could hear the wind rustling the leaves on the trees and the water rushing over the dam. Uncle Linc and I had just gone through the procedure which made sure of my security to the climbing harness and rope before I started to climb. If I fell from the middle of the wall as I had the three previous tries and Uncle Linc could not catch me, a horrible disaster would occur. This is my last chance until next year, I thought, and then looked up again at the wall. I was determined to make the climb, although my tiredness dimmed my resolution. The rock wall felt cool as I pressed my hands against it, a welcome change from the smothering heat of the August day.
I set my hands into the cleft in the wall that I knew so well from my various previous climbs. I had attempted to climb the wall many times before today, but I had never succeeded. The semi-sharp rock jutting out from the cliff felt hard, cold, and even a little wet because of the sweat on my hands. Mechanically I wedged my foot into the crack, moving my hands first and then my feet as I moved up the cliff. It was essential to scale this part of the wall quickly, otherwise I wouldn't have strength for the hardest section of the climb. When I reached a small platform where I could rest, I knew I couldn't hold on any longer. The rock which had seemed so firm and solid at the beginning of the climb started to escape what I thought was a firm grasp. “I don't think I can make it,” I said. “I'm too tired.”
“Just try. If you fall, I'll catch you,” Uncle Linc told me. Okay... I guess I'll keep trying. I thought. I knew Uncle Linc would catch me, but unlike some of my friends, I did not like falling from 20 feet in the air even when I knew I was safe. As I placed my hand into the hole, the smooth surface of the under cling brought pictures of other climbers slipping and falling from the cliff to my mind. Maybe I can do this, I thought, but I have to make my move soon. I had seen several campers fall from Revelation because they hesitated too long on this step. Looking down to make sure of my footing, I gradually extended my other hand over to the ledge. Slowly, slowly... I grasped the hold firmly as soon as I could reach it. My arms stretched across the wall to their full length, and I knew I had to move my feet soon. The three failed attempts before this one had worn me out, but ever so slowly I eased my left foot off the natural rock platform with small tufts of grass growing on it and ever so slowly lifted it to brace myself against the wall. The rough rock surface would stick to my climbing shoe if I put all my weight on it.
Now came the hard part. I had to stand on my foot “smeared” on the wall only two or three feet below my left hand, pull with my left hand, and reach with my right further up the crevice that served as a handhold. I had never been good at smearing, at pressing my whole foot flat on the wall instead of standing on a ledge. I took a deep breath and then put all my weight on my left foot to stand. It held, contrary to my expectations of slipping and falling: never before had I come this far! Maybe I can actually be the second girl ever to climb Revelation, I thought again. My breath came in short gasps as I stood up, and surprisingly my foot stayed firm! I stretched out my right hand to grab the crevice and found it, groping to secure a firm handhold. My left hand moved up the crack and my right foot found the place it had held to stand on. I moved my left foot up next to my right, all the while “walking” my arms up the cleft, and finally I stood on the ledge after successfully climbing the hardest step of the hardest rock climbing route available at MK camp! Birds chirped cheerfully around me, echoing my joyful reverie. The air gently and coolly whispered on my sweaty face, blowing my hair under the dirty white rock climbing helmet. The plants growing on the ledge I stood on smelled green and wholesome. Nothing existed at that moment to dim my happiness but my own tiredness. My first blithesome thought consisted of three words: I'm almost there! My second came with a sinking feeling: I can't hold on much longer.
The easiest and final stage of my journey stood before me, but could my weary arms and legs take the strain? I needed to find out. After standing on the narrow ledge for a moment, I started to ascend the cliff once again. Move my hands, move my feet. Thank you, God, for helping me climb this far. Slowly I made my way up the giant wall of stone until I stood at the top and touched the carabiner that held my lifeline in place. I had finished my quest! I made it! I made it! The joyful thought exploded in my brain over and over again. I really made it! I leaned back into the rope to look over the trees towards the Kupa river and see Slovenia on the other side of the rushing water. No sight could have refreshed me more than the cool, flowing water and green, bushy trees from the top of Revelation. The knowledge that I had achieved my goal backed the marvelous spectacle and made the view all the more wonderful.
Despite the beauty of the view, I had to come down sometime. Reluctantly I released the rope and braced my legs, ready to descend. I sat back in the harness, allowing my feet to gently bounce off the wall as I descended, and upon reaching the foot of the cliff I nearly collapsed. After letting Uncle Linc untie my knots I walked down the makeshift wooden log stairs of the dirt path from the climbing platform to the van, tired but satisfied. At the start of the climb I didn't believe I could make it, but I kept on going. I thought myself too tired, but I climbed on and succeeded. I am so glad I kept on climbing in spite of my fatigue. I learned a lesson in perseverance that day, a lesson I don't think I will ever forget.
|
