Reflection #1

This week I learned a whole lot! The first thing that I learned this week was how to nail a sign into a tree. But not just any tree because some trees have bad bark, are dying, or will blend with the sign-you need to find a just right tree. Not only did I learn how to properly hang up signs in the Proctor woodlands I also learned how to lead climb/clip in. In the gym Calista and I along with the help of Rosanna practiced lead climbing. To lead climb you have to clip into multiple carabiners as you climb up the wall. It’s important to practice holding onto the wall with one hand and using the other hand to clip in the rope. Along with practicing your balance on the wall we worked on falling when lead climbing. We went a little bit above the carabiner and then practiced falling. When you fall from lead climbing you fall further than you would with normal climbing because lead climbing has more slack in the rope. 

I really enjoyed rock climbing this week. It has been a while since I last bouldered and Calista and I had a great time bouldering together. Especially in the gym when we were climbing with Rossana, we were both working together and learning a new skill. Everything for the most part has happened as expected. The only thing that was unexpected was the amount of signs we have to put up in the Proctor woodlands. I think the amount of signs were a little unexpected and forced Calista and I to think more about the route we would take to hang them up. By mapping out a route it will help us not get lost and make sure we are putting the signs up in the right places. We also have great support from our mentor and Josh because we know if we have any questions about the signs we can simply ask them.  Along with that there is the hot weather that has made it harder to be outside for more than half the day. I will benefit this week by putting up most of the signs along with improving my climbing skills. I hope to improve my lead climbing skills as well as learning how to lead belay. I want to be able to do both confidently so that I can pass my test on lead climbing and belaying. 

Calista and I have been making a plan every night for the day to come that will help us be more efficient with our time. As well as putting up the signs in an orderly fashion by chunking out sections of the map to do at a time. This week I’m going to get more hours and achieve our goals of putting up signs and rock climbing.