How my love for rock climbing started

I have always been an active outdoorsy person, mainly because this is how I was brought up by Mum #wonderswithmama.

Netball, tennis, rowing (8s), yoga, swimming, hip-hop dancing, snowboarding, running...

I love sports.

I love the hardship it puts you through and the positivities you get thereafter.

I love the friendships and spirits you build from being in a team.

I love the soreness the day after, reminding you how you have lived life to its full.

Sports has been an integral part to my life.

I thought I was in love with Sports.

Not until I met rock climbing, I realised I did not know what true love feels like.

In 2015, I was working and living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I was fortunate to be given the chance to work in an emerging economy. It was an eye opening experience, but it was also the year I learnt what loneliness felt like.

When I was having a mentally tough time in PP in June that year, I decided to gatecrash Mum and UP's climbing trip in Krabi. Although that was not the first time I tried rock climbing, my first experience counted all the way back to year 2000, but I didn't really get into it as I was still studying in the UK and totally addicted to rowing then. Trip in Krabi was, however, my first time tasted real rock climbing: climbing on rocks, not on plastic holds.

I can't recall the feeling of my first climb, but I recall the chats took place during this, three days two nights, trip was all focused on climbing. How to trust your feet, diagonal reach for efficient movements, learn to climb knowing where the rope is, the standard communication protocols with your partner.... the list goes on.

Totally absorbed in the time and space capsule of rocking climbing, I realised I had wash the troubles away. Every moment spent was filled with gratification either from conquering the crux or the fear from each routes. Every other moment was spent talking about routes with Mum and UP who could relate to the experience. Back then I was a total novice, the joy of sending projects was yet to be discovered. However, I was initiated into the climbing essentials quickly by the folks: nothing can beat a good cold beer over supper after a long day out climbing.

On the flight back to PP, I have taken notice how I would replay those climbs in my head. In fact, now I know, I was already doing what a climbing addict would do: climb in our heads!

A few months after this trip, I was relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with work. A budding ground for my passion, love, addiction to climbing.

Looking back, I have come a long way! This was one of my first climbs at 123. Look at the (lack of) footwork, the (lack of) body tension, the (lack of) body weight awareness, the (lack of) flexibility, the (lack of) match-matchy climbing gear, I was clearly on a 5c!

But, and a big BUT, it is not about the grade. Despite lacking on all of the above, I enjoyed the climb enormously. I remember I went onto this route for three times, one per day, and on my last try I finally managed to pass the crux and top the route. It was a result after two days of practicing and two evenings of receiving tutorials by UP. Now, this is what matters the most in climbing: the journey towards the conquering of your own crux.

Isn't this what life is about? Kudos to the climbing wisdom.