Rock Climbing in Salt Lake City, Utah

I had an opportunity to do a bit of rock climbing in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’d say it was one of the highlights of my US trip! It was so much fun, challenging, terrifying and satisfying. My good friends from Utah took me climbing with them, they have complete equipment and made time – for this I am SO grateful.

First try was at City Creek Canyon with my friend Jeremiah. We did ‘sport climbing’ which is similar to climbing in an indoor gym. I enjoyed this so much I did it 3x, and we had the most beautiful view of the sunset painting the mountains right before us. It was AMAZING. It was also pretty easy, despite the sharp rocks, but it got too dark and cold towards the evening so we had to go home and call it a night.

Preparing
Preparing
This is what I call 'silent excitement'.
I don’t know why I was frowning like that…I was happy!
Can't help but stop and look
Can’t help but stop and look

Second time was at Big Cottonwood Canyon to try East Dihedral with friends Alison and CJ of Cotopaxi. This was really challenging because we did 3 pitches (climbers call this ‘multi-pitch’) and I had no time to BACK OUT lol. I was not scared about my safety, I trusted my friends, but more for not being able to complete it, especially that I was with experts. They were kind enough to wait for me while I took time being superscareddd looking for footholds.

Eeeeek
Eeeeek
I want my own helmet!!
I want my own helmet!!

Third time, and my first time to see crack, was at Bushwhack Crack in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I failed to go up even an inch. It was too difficult for my weak arms. Haaaa. ENEMY!

Bushwhack Crack
Bushwhack Crack
SLC is the home of pretty
SLC is the home of pretty

Because of these experiences, I feel motivated to try out our very own rock climbing destination in Wawa Dam, Rizal. I am actively seeking climbing partners!!

Feeling legit (but not really legit)

Before this, I have only tried wall climbing in gyms. It’s ENTIRELY different from the other but both are super fun to do. Do you enjoy climbing?

Wall Climbing: Don’t Look Down!!

It was back in 2014 when I discovered that wall climbing is SUPER FUN. It still makes me scared when I go but I think the key is simple: just keep climbing and don’t look down (easier said than done!). I am NOT an expert, I don’t even climb regularly. But when there is a chance, I go, and last week there was a chance so I went with work mates and I had SO MUCH FUN.

Getting ready

One reason why I can’t get serious with climbing is I don’t have the right gear. My shoes are too big (which I have sold yesterday, by the way) and I don’t have my own harness. *I hope to score some good ones soon.*

Those pink socks
Those pink socks

One thing I would like to try in the near future is outdoor climbing. How I wish I can do this in Yosemite, but I’m not ready!! There are a few places in the Philippines that offer that but I haven’t been to any of them.

So far, these are the walls that I have seen and tried:

Sandugo Basekamp in Market! Market, Urban Peak in Imus, Urban Peak in MOA

I also got a chance to visit the wall in Kadlagan Wall in Bicol. It was raining hard then and I had an upset stomach from eating laing so I didn’t climb.

That final hold
That final hold

Try it if you haven’t! Belayers are always willing to teach and will take care of you while you’re up there. I have fallen many, many times but I still love it!

Oh and I found this nice blog about rock climbing in Rizal: http://www.outsideslacker.com/rock-climbing-wawa-montalban/