Rock Climbing in Batu Caves : Sore Arms

240313 - Today, I participated in an event organised by Redtop, an outdoor adventure club. It is a group in Facebook. I am a member in a few outdoor clubs. No, it is not weird joining activities which you do not know anyone. I just make new friends. Plus, I won't be able to do these stuff alone, even if I have the interest. So, today's activity was really new for me. And what I did today was rock climbing! Held in Taman Ekstrem Gua Damai, Batu Caves. By the way, joining the activity is not free. I paid RM70 for it. A friend of mine told me that it was expensive and she was not going to come along. Well, she says that because she has participated before, and me, nope. So, I rather take the experience than looking at the price.

I am not familiar with Batu Caves, and as usual, got lost, stopped the car to ask for directions and managed to be there on time by 9am. When I arrived, I had no idea what to expect, because never have I tried this sport before. Yes, I mentioned that above. So, one of the guys explained to me what was going on. The organisers were setting up the ropes that are hooked to the metal stuff on the rocks. So, I asked how did the metal stuff get attached to the rocks? He said that someone has set the route and screwed the metal anchor hook to the rocks. Still wondering how they did that..

The event was supported by Hijau Pro Adventure. If you are interested in outdoor activities and would like to know the complete list of do's and don't's, I will totally recommend you to approach this group. Contact number : +60132800622 (Amir). I told of my intentions to do Everest Base Camp and he listed out the training that one has to go through. It freaked me out for a bit, but he said I am doing fine with my jogging and swimming. He asked me if I would like to do a fitness test to check out my level, but I declined because that means money to be spent... *ka ching*

This staircase leads to a higher base for rock climbing. If you see in the above photos, you can see the big hole where people can climb from there too.

Basic equipment for rock climbing.

When everyone arrived, the leader of Hijau Pro Adventure briefed us on rock climbing, and the safety guidelines.

Safety harness to be worn and secured till above your hip bone. To ensure your safety harness fits well, insert your palm inside, and make a fist. If the fist can't be removed, then you are safe.

Helmets to be worn. Unlike wall climbing where you are climbing on a man-made structure, rock climbing is on nature structure and hence, you will not know what comes down falling from the top.

Magnesium carbonate powder to be rubbed on palms for ease of climbing. When you climb, your palms will sweat and so powder helps.

There is a climbing shoe for rock climbing. It is made from rubber and has no padding inside. Its soles are flat. And you wear a size smaller, so that your feet will curl and it is easier to hold on to rocks crevices. In rock climbing terms, those rock crevices are called 'finger pockets' or 'footholds'.

Yes, I am such an excellent listener. Hah!

Once the briefing is over, we put on our gears. And he is going to show us how to do the rope knots.

The leader taught us how to tie a knot. Figure of 8. To be knotted twice. That is the first lock. Second lock is another figure of 8 at the end of the rope. Third lock is to tape the end of the rope. Apparently, the third lock is only for competitive reasons. Not for basic learners like me.

It feels weird to be center of attention.

Next, he is going to teach us how to 'fall' in case we cannot climb further. So, since I was tied up, I get to be the one to climb and 'fall'. When he told me to fall, I was so scared to fall. But nothing to fear because I am wearing a safety harness. How to fall is to let go of the hands and face towards the rock. Not sideways because you may swing and swing back hitting the rocks.

So, as I climbed for a bit, I realised... Rock climbing is going to kill my arms. You think with all the trekking I do, I have the strength.. but I don't. My legs yes.. but not the arms. Apparently, rock climbing is 40% upper strength and 60% lower strength. I believe I have 1% upper strength only. Haha!

There is a buddy system where someone will hold the other end of the rope while you climbed up. So, I have to shout 'Falling' and the buddy below have to bend legs slightly and hunch a bit to fix himself to the ground. When he said ok, I go falling slowly and my feet will push against the rocks slightly, and I lower myself down. Buddy has to be alert when climber is coming down. There is also a technique on how to release the ropes when the climber is falling down. Not to release too much rope and not too quickly.

I climbed the first route twice, and I gave up midway. My arms just can't hold me up. Then, I tried another route (there were 3 routes), and I climbed higher a bit. But still cannot reach the destination. The end of the rope was just a 2 storey building. By then, my arms were lifeless.

I tried to be the 'buddy' too. Not easy when my arms were limp. But good thing that there was someone to help me, because I am doing it for the first time. 

So, the RM70 I paid includes lunch, drink and a certificate. But I was not interested in the certificate because I did not manage to climb at the end of route. 

I had a great time, although my upper arms were gone by then. I could not hold a plastic spoon, snap the photo, zip my bag and lift my upper arms. I was a bit disappointed with myself. I was told to try wall climbing to get the hang of climbing. I may consider that.