I know the Practice Wall intimately. I probably spend a day or two a week there – introducing new climbers to the ropes: learning movement, how to belay, and the essentials to climb safely and confidently. The Practice Wall is a great venue to introduce climbers to Mt. Lemmon and the art of rock climbing.
Climber atop Hitchcock Pinnacle, Windy Point, Mt Lemmon - Tucson, AZ
But, I’ve realized over the past couple of weeks that the Practice Wall is a great teacher and instructor as well. While I work to help guests translate the metaphor of climbing to their own personal lives – this year guests have reflected on their own and shared lessons they have gleamed from the Practice Wall.
1. Breathe - Relax and breathe into your body, drop your shoulders and release the tension and the noise in your head. Taking a moment to breathe to clear your head and relax your muscles affords mental clarity and is a physical gift.
2. Trust - Trust is a neither earned nor granted – it is experienced. Trust is a gift you give by fully engaging – trusting your feet and using technique to place your foot on holds you couldn’t imagine would work, trusting your belayer so that you can focus on the climbing and allow your belayer to concentrate on safety, and trusting in your physical ability to climb.
3. Remain Present to Possibilities - The next hand hold is out of reach and it appears impossible to move upward. Your left leg is bent and resting on a foot hold as you scan the rock and reach for holds that are beyond your grasp. Staying focused only on what is within your grasp, what is right in front of you (not the holds out of reach) you realize that you can gently step-up on your bent leg and then reach the holds that moments ago where out of your grasp. Remaining present to what is right in front of you and not what is out of your grasp you continue to climb upward with grace and confidence.
View of Catalina Highway from Practice Rock, Windy Point, Mt Lemmon - Tucson, AZ
Curious about Inner Passage? We work with individuals and organizations to excel and lead by facilitating once in a lifetime adventures. Learn more at www.innerpassage.net and contact us at 520-360-1465 or matt@innerpassage.net – Adventure in Everything!
