Experiencing Trust-Building at 500 feet

I am a phase 4 student at Mountain Lake Academy. I’ve been here a year and a half now and throughout my time here I’ve gotten to go on plenty of beautiful hikes, climbs, bike rides, and canoeing trips. My favorite activity has always been rock climbing. When I first heard about the possibility of MLA facilitating a multi-pitch climb, I knew I wanted to do it. It sounded like such a fun challenge to me. Nearing the end of my stay, I talked to one of MLA’s Wilderness Guides Gary, about setting the trip up. I knew if I did it I’d feel a sense of accomplishment, and if I didn’t, I would always regret passing up the opportunity.

Gary worked with the principal, Mr. Mariano, to quickly get a plan together. Gary and I set off for the slab a little before noon. When we got there, we met up with a local climbing guide, Mark. After the short hike to the base of the climb I started putting my shoes on while Mark and Gary got all the ropes and gear ready to go. Mark led the climb, placing gear as he climbed and setting anchors at the end of every pitch. Being my first multi pitch climb, it was a little scary putting my life in the hands of a little piece of equipment wedged in a crack, but I trusted the knowledge of my guides. After getting to the top of first pitch I could already tell I was higher than I’d ever climbed before. On the second pitch I belayed a lead climb for my first time. Surprisingly, belaying that way was physically more challenging than the climb thus far. It wasn’t until about the 6th pitch that I ran into a difficult section. It was definitely nerve racking, feeling like I might fall with only a cam to catch me, but I made it through with the coaching of Mark. Lucky for me, it didn’t start to rain until right after I got through the difficult section. The view after that was spectacular, the clouds just added to the nature feel that day. After getting to the top the clouds were covering the top and bottom of the mountain in front of us offering a really cool view through the middle. Shortly after that the clouds completely engulfed us, which left everything visible before, now completely blank. On the hike back down it truly set in, I had just climbed a MASSIVE cliff. I couldn’t wait to tell my family and friends. I felt I had accomplished something the past me never considered a possibility. I am extremely grateful to Mountain Lake, Gary, and Mark for allowing me to experience something I will never forget. I am definitely looking forward to what I might climb in the future. - Student E.C.