Rock Climbing in Spain-A Perfect Sat

At UNT every first Wednesday of the month the rec center offered free rock climbing on a huge fake indoor mountain with nicely colored coordinated hand and foot holds.  I tried my best to make it every wednesday and succeeded at finding something I really enjoyed at the rec center other than swimming and yoga.  I guess I liked it because not only is rock climbing a physical challange  but it's mental one as well.   I think that's why I hate other forms of exercising, the treadmill or lifting waights, that type of exercise is so repetitive and boring to me.  Of course at the rec center being able to see clearly the brightly marked hand and foot holes makes fake rock climbing a cinch.   Real rock climbing is not so easy.

Today me and Tad woke up early and met our new friends Ruben and Pablo for some real rock climbing in the foothills outside of Motril.  I was very excited and ready for the challenge of climbing a real rock instead of the fake colorful one I was used to climbing back in college.   Once we got there we started our journey across the road down a steep embankment (which climbing down it scared me more than what I was about to do) and across a cold stream.   Yes, miss city girl was looking for a bridge to cross the stream while the boys were taking off there shoes and crossing it barefoot.  It was such a small steam I'm a little embarrassed.  The water wasn't as cold as I thought it would be so I slowly made my way across hoping not to slip on the algea covered stones.   Finally we were at the base of a huge rock ledge off the side of a mountain and it was my turn to face my fear of heights.  Afraid of heights yes, but not afraid of the rock that was right in front of me.

Slowly I made my way up and every time I looked down I had butterflies in my stomach, it was a great adrenaline rush to say the least.   Sadly I didn't make it to the top, my arms were hurting and I couldn't find any more holds for my feet or fingers.  I was definitely high enough for my first go around.  The boys were so helpful, they lent s some rock clibing shoes and taught us everything we needed to know including how to say carabiners in Spanish, "mosquetones."  After a small break and a PBJ  I made my way up a second time on an easier part of the rock.  I was able to climb a little higher this time, it was great!  I had so much fun and I'm looking forward to going again hopefully soon.

Pictures below of course!