My outdoor rock climbing adventure - It's me against the mountain

Truth be told, if I'd known that rock climbing was part of this trip, I wouldn't have signed up.

It was an outdoor adventure in Canmore, Banff and Kananaskis, Alta. Horseback riding, mountain biking and downhill skiing — which already took me far enough out of my comfort zone — were on the itinerary.

I might have declined to climb, but I confess: my competitive nature got the best of me. I was there with two other women my age (mid-30s) who were keen to try it, and I didn't want to be the spoilsport.

My rock climbing adventure begins
At Kananaskis Provincial Park, we met our climbing instructor, Brett. When I asked him why he is such an ardent climber, he threw his arm in a wide arc that encompassed the soaring landscape. "This is why," he said. "It's always an adventure. And I like the view from the top."

Fair enough, I thought. There's no denying that the Canadian Rockies are otherworldly, and I like adventure — to a point. Just not to a point from where I can look down at it.

Brett assured me, however, that I had nothing to worry about: I would be "top-roping," securely strapped into a harness and anchored to the top of the climb with a rope.

I would be safe if I fell — and if I fell, it wouldn't be far. So that's how Tom Cruise managed in Mission: Impossible!

How to rappel
We started with a lesson in rappelling: descending a rock face by lowering yourself down your rope. Brett showed us how to attach the rope to our harnesses and then explained how to feed the rope as we descended.

The objective is to push off the rock face with your feet as you give the rope some slack, repeating until you reach terra firma. So far, so good.

Soon it was time for the real deal. I watched, spellbound, as both my eager first-time climbing colleagues navigated their way up to success, then looked down — all 75 feet down — thrilled. They made it look easy. Now it was my turn.

Frozen with fear
On the rugged rock face, my fingers explored for little ledges and cracks I could use to pull myself up. It was a visceral version of everyday struggles: to make difficult decisions, to trust, to persevere, to overcome self-doubt. It was truly terrifying.

Every step, every tiny advance left me frozen with fear, not knowing how or where to make my next move. "I can't go anywhere," I shouted to Brett.

The rock face seemed so flat and the ridges so far apart! Brett shouted instructions from below. "Do you see that ridge to your left and up a bit? Step your left foot over to it and reach your left hand over to the left and up."

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