A couple weeks ago my friend Tierney offered me the chance to go climbing in Acadia National Park if I would be a “guinea pig” for a rappelling course he scheduled with some university students from Western Massachusetts. The plan being, if the weather held, we would climb on our own following the course. After a year off the rocks I jumped at the opportunity to improve my climbing skills, take in some breathtaking scenery, and push myself physically and mentally. Honestly I was also pretty curious about how my time away from the rocks would be revealed in how I approached a route.
The early part of the day at Otter Cliffs went well with a few short, somewhat challenging mostly just fun routes. Late afternoon we hit the South Wall, wrapping it up in three pitches just before dusk. On flat ground at the end of the day I felt I had lived an amazing day out of my element, completely trusting myself, Tierney, the rock, and gear. Climbing has always helped me vanish any sadness, become more aware, and alive. I was still myself after entering the vertical world, but more full and focused.
Second photo from top Jose Azel (Aurora Photos) for Acadia Mountain Guides.
