Climbing in Queenstown - views, rocks and world records (not ours)
With her wiry frame, bubbling energy and infectious smile, Emma reminds me of an energizer bunny. As our rock climbing guide for the day in Queenstown, Emma is setting us up for a climb high up the side of Lake Wakatipu. We ask her if she’s doing much climbing herself and she replies that she’s more focused on her running these days. We ask her what type of running - “I’m training to run the length of the UK”. Uhm, what??? Apparently, she is trying to break the World Record for running the length of the country in less than 17 days (the current female record).
Emma showing us the ropes of outdoor climbing
“Have you done anything like this before?”, we ask, visibly impressed. Yep, she apparently has. And apparently it’s always involved countries, continents or both. Like running across Africa and cycling across Australia, among others. She is also an experienced climber and she teaches us to pay attention to our foot placements and passes on wisdom that she’s learned along the way. But my favorite part about Emma is her spunky spirit - here’s an interview with Emma on “She went wild” that I found that best captures her adventurous attitude.
Lisa belaying Brent
It’s our first time climbing on a natural wall and we like it. I like feeling the texture of the rock and really working with a number of possibilities as opposed to pre-set brightly colored plastic holds that someone has placed in a specific location. I also like the ability to do smaller steps and to explore different ways to balance myself and get up the rock. The best part is getting to a point and trying to see in your mind the next few moves and where the feet are going to go. Initially, you don’t see any obvious holds but as your eye spends more time searching the surface, options start appearing like little Christmas lights. As I lean against the rock, I can feel it being alive and breathing with me - a very different feeling than climbing on an indoor artificial wall. I think I’m hooked!
Lisa on her first outdoor rock climb
Brent on the rock
In addition to introducing us to outdoor rock climbing, Emma is also teaching us a lot about anchors and knots. At the end of our day, she also sets up an rappel down to the car from a rock outcropping. It’s fun and exhilarating!
FYI, if you’re interested in being an individual sponsor of Emma or finding a corporate sponsor for her world record attempt in the UK, check out her website and read about her adventures at www.emmatimmis.com.
View from the cliffs - the TSS Earnslaw steamship, which we were on the day prior
