Revelation.

This route took me more tries than any of my recent FAs. I lost count. 35? 40?

After nearly a whole year with countless near-sends, it became a lesson in patience and letting go of wondering, “is it really that hard, or is my method wrong?” and just being happy to have something very challenging and really good to climb on! I owe a huge thanks to Miguel and Larry for their tireless belays and shouts of encouragement!

Of course, when it clicked it felt easy. Just as all the projects do. I infrequently have climbing partners who are able to play with me on my projects in Oman and I am very grateful to have had Axel Ballay visiting.

First, for his magic belay on December 14th 2016, and also his much more experienced opinion on how hard this thing actually is! It was eye-opening to peak over my next-level horizon.

“What will you name the route”, Axel asked on our drive home. “I have no idea”, I replied. I had completely let go of the what ifs – What should I name it? What if I don’t do it before the season ends? An important part of my process was just to find that place where I was so enthused to just try and try again…and again… “It’ll come to you in a revelation, tonight”, Axel answered. And so it stuck.

I had always dreamed of climbing a historic route in Europe for my first 8c. Now I am really pleased that I got to do it on a line that I equipped, and that I offer as Arabia’s first of the grade, too.

“We are what we think” is a quote I read recently that is often attributed to Buddha. It stood out to me. This climbing game keeps on testing me, defying me, to think bigger.