Went out to Reimers Ranch with Dominic, Kiara and Darcy (my daughters), and Travis Newman on Saturday. This was Travis's first time ever climbing outdoors, and he did great. I tell ya, what a pleasure it is to teach new climbers, especially those as attentive as Travis was. Anyhow...by the time the day was done, Travis had toproped a 5.8, led a 5.7, and learned how to safely belay. Yes, I did say that he LED a 5.7. No, leading a 5.7 isn't a big trick, but yes it's pretty good to do that on your first day of climbing. Great job, Travis.
It was also a huge pleasure to have Dominic out on the rock with us again. Dom taught me so much of what I know now, and it really brings my spirits up to have him out there, even if (as was the case Saturday) he doesn't end up climbing very much. I always enjoy listening to him teaching others (he taught Travis about backclipping and how to flake a rope). I hope he and his girfriend, Rebecca, will be able to make it out more often as soon as the weather starts to cool off.
I always love having Kiara out with me, and Saturday was no exception. What was new was having Darcy out there this time. She came out one other time last year, but more to watch than to climb. This time we actually put her in Kiara's harness and let her climb a bit. She was able to make it about 6' up a little 5.7 route before she ran out of things she could do. That's cool though. I'm SO proud of her and excited that this is something she wants to do. Will she and Kiara stick with it? Heck, I dunno. Don't care either. For now, I'm just enjoying the thrill out taking them out with me.
As always, the post-climb consisted of slow-cooked dead animal. This time it was at the FM620 location of Rudy's BBQ. Yum yum yum yum yum. And man did a big ol' iced tea hit the spot after what was a typical Central Texas furnace summer day.
Mark
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