Blame Canada

One new (or rediscovered) sport wasn't enough for me last week, so when my friend Tammy invited me to go rock climbing I gladly accepted. Not that I'd ever climbed before - even if I'd had the opportunity I would have avoided it because I hate heights.

Sure enough, I had a few shaky moments climbing the first wall - in fact, the worst part was getting to the top and having to let go so I could be lowered down on the rope I was attached to (see last photo, below). Even the pros are attached to ropes, and you have to let go of the wall completely to get lowered down.

But by the end of the evening I was scaling the highest walls (35ft) and looking down (without fear!) to listen to people's advice. You see, rock climbing is very strategic and if you get the wrong hand or foothold (the feet are the most important) it can mess up a whole section of climb. So other people yell Twister-like instructions at you ('Right hand red!' or 'Left foot blue!') so you get the right holds and make it up the wall.

And when you get to the top, it's the hugest adrenalin rush. Then your arms start shaking because it takes such enormous physical effort. You should see some of the climbers - they have arms like Madonna and backs like Patrick Swayze (and that's just the girls). I don't know about the back, but it would be fun to have muscly arms. Plus it's great exercise in general and you meet lots of new people - so, along with the ice hockey (which I did again on Monday) I think this could be a regular thing.