Climbing in Australia ::: Adventure and Tours ::: Singles Events Directory Australia

You're on pitch 10 of a 15 pitch climb. Your partner's leading. Out goes the rope. Around the corner he goes. Then comes that pause. You know the one... that 10 minutes of Twilight Zone where you wonder what parallel universe, what convoluted worm hole, what fugue state your partner has gotten himself into this time (we all have these kinds of partners from time to time; Hell, we've all been this kind of partner from time to time!). The rope simply remains motionless.

Desperately trying to drag up 8 pounds of rope, your other arm quivering in anticipation of failing, thousands of feet off the deck and the Grim Reaper herself cackling in evil welcome, when you finally get the rope up into the mess of gear hanging down between your legs and you snap that rope through the binder and... hear no click at all? You just know the gate has closed on the runner, or on the rope, or on the edge of your harness or, most fortunately of all, has clipped itself (avoiding any hint of personal responsibility in the process) back on your harness and missed the rope entirely. That is the opposite of comfort. In fact, shameless whimpering and loud invectives, coupled with tears, is the only appropriate response at all!