Is this experience for you too? My first time rock climbing (in Italy) [ENG / ESP]

Once lockdown got less strict, I was looking for new hobbies to try out. I was craving for some outdoorsy thing that involved fellow human beans (hiking is fun, but can get lonely). I was moving countries so I was also looking for an activity that would help me meet new people.

Sooo... I decided I wanted to learn climbing.

Once I settled in Italy for a semester of studies, I found a climbing gym close to home and signed up for three months of courses. Main purpose: learn how not to die or fall when climbing. It was an all-italiano speaking course with very good intended people.. so it ended up being a full language immersion experience too.

I was hoping to learn Italian and get a six pack while at it.

This is a joke, btw. I achieved none, of course. But I learned the basics of climbing which makes this experience totally worth it!

If you are not sure if this is a sport for you... Don't discard it right away. I was not sure it was for me either, as I am very scared of falling. This is why I don't go on any rollercoasters. Even thinking of the sensation you get when falling is sickening to me. So climbing frightened me.

Bouldering offers the possibility of climbing indoors in a friendly and safe environment. You won't need a harness or any equipment, other than maybe optional ones such as shoes (if you think you want to continue practicing the sport) or the "chalk" (for when your hands get sweaty and slip). Additionally, when bouldering, you will have routes with different levels of difficulty marked accordingly to chose and try as you wish.

Look for climbing gyms up on the internet and maybe you will even find them beautiful, like I do... with all those colorful holds and with climbers coming for daily feats.

If you have the chance to find instructors to learn the basics, do so! You will have so much fun. When taking a course you will learn things like: What to do with your hips? Keep your arms straight and concentrate on your leg power. How to move from one place to another in the best manner to get tired as little as possible. Use your eyes before you move! And so on...

Really fun and not that hard (to start off) if you put the hours of practice into it.

I noticed the initial pain in my arms and butt and legs was diminishing as my body got a bit stronger. I could also see how many more difficult movements I could do when I improved on my technique. Only my hands kept getting worse.. though I have been told that the longer you climb, the harder your hands will get and it will no longer hurt.

After weeks went by I started feeling more confident and eventually tried climbing with rope too (indoor) and then on rock with other more experienced climbers. They were super nice (because they lent me all the equipment I needed, and also) because they had infinite patience to climb with me the more beginner routes too.

Climbing people are great. They are! Really! Cool and nice! I think this might be because of what climbing entails: tons of trust and co-responsibility.

The people I went climbing with were thrilled to show me stuff I had yet to learn: "how to do this knot", "try this, it works a little different than that other security device", "try this route, you can totally do it", "use that rock as a hold" etc...

After so many months away from home, open and friendly welcomes are something I have learned to appreciate so much.

We went close to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Saiano. Routs with varying difficulty levels were available for climbers and much needed shadow to avoid the sun.

I leave you with final pictures of my first day climbing on rock! I am so thrilled! I know there is no going back on this cause I loved it!! Give it a try too if you can! Some gyms offer a climbing trial class you can check out, or maybe you have a friend who is already into climbing and can show you a bit to see if it is for you.

A big latin hug full of warmth for you, dear reader.