Why do I climb? My friends asked me that question the other day. Why do I, willingly, place myself at the mercy of a few carabineers, and strands of fibre twisted into a rope? Why do I climb a cliff, or wall, just to be lowered to the ground again? It’s not the destination as much as it is the journey. The simple answer “climbing is fun” doesn’t really suffice. There is something more to it then that. When you are on the wall, or cliff, and even more so when you are at the crux, nothing matters, not school, nor work, nor money or girls; Nothing except sticking that move. Climbing can’t be done if you are worried about something. Your mind needs to be clear, it needs to be empty. For me, climbing is like a massage for my mind, climbing rejuvenates it, refreshes it. This I believe is worth the risk we take in the ropes, in the protection, and in the anchor. Climbing is so much more then an enjoyable past time. It’s a stress reducer; it undoes all the stresses of the day. Pulling yourself up a vertical wall may be physically exhausting, but it rests your mind.

So many teenagers have no escape from the very real stress, which we face on a daily basis. That’s why so many young adults turn to smoking, alcohol, and drugs. These harmful substances let them forget their problems, even just for an instant. Lighting up is an escape from the real world. No one worries about their bio mark when they’re plastered. The problem with these actions, is that it’s unhealthy, it’s destructive to your mind, and body. There are so many constructive ways to deal with the mental fatigue that we face. I know climbing isn’t for everyone, but we all need a practical, healthy escape, when we just can’t take it any more. That pass time could be, jogging, lifting weights, or even reading. So, what’s your escape from the constant anxiety we face everyday?

Next time when someone asks, “Why do you climb?” I will have an answer. I will say, “Because I have to. Just like I have to sleep and eat, I also have to rest my mind”.