On being a rope-gun

I have to admit it - I LOVE leading. I feed off of it. It makes me so happy, adds that extra frisson of excitement, commitment, even danger... Although I am NOT a dangerous leader, perhaps even to a fault. I could be faster, and be a better leader. But that is indeed part of the great growing and learning cycle that is rock climbing. There is always room for improvement, but equally there is room for enjoyment and joy in pushing the limits.

As I've gotten more leading under my belt and started climbing with a couple of women who had not done as much, I've become the designated leader. Being put in that position has caused me to grow, perhaps even in a way I wouldn't have if I had always climbed with the same strong partners.

Last summer I got on Roofburner at Red Wing, on lead, without ever having been on the climb before. This is something I can't imagine I would have tried a year or two ago. And I don't think I would have dared had I not had the experience of needing to get on the sharp end. More recently I stepped up to the lead on The Daily Grind at Willow. Admittedly I only led half before I backed off, but it was a huge step for me. I worked for that confidence and it feels great to have it.

I've been doing a lot of climbing lately with a newer woman climbing partner, and I feel that part of my ropegun confidence and supportiveness is going to give her the confidence to do her first trad lead. For me, anyway, being a ropegun goes hand in hand with fostering ropegun-ship in others.