In which the narrator confirms her fear of heights.

Via rock climbing.

Our first day in Chiang Mai Molly and I booked a little rock climbing adventure. Might seem like a strange thing for someone who is scared of heights to do… Let’s be honest, I didn’t quite think it through.

Our guides came and picked us up at our guesthouse and took us to get situated. Both of our guides were young, fun, and skilled climbers.

We drove about 40 minutes outside of town to Crazy Horse Buttress, a very popular climbing spot.

Our guides began to set our course… and I began to sweat. Thankfully Molly cheerfully volunteered to climb first… but my turn did come.

For the record, I very proudly made it up to the top of 3 routes. The fourth course was a bit tricky for me. Just shy of the top, I suddenly felt stuck! The guides called out to move my right leg, left leg, and left hand… all at the same time! Or some such nonsense like that! Pretty much I panicked a bit and whimpered that I needed to come down. But you know… for someone whose limbs are uncontrollably shaking as she’s scooting up a mountain… nearly 4 courses is pretty impressive!

Then there’s Molly… this is how it went. Our guides would spend about 15 minutes setting up a course. Molly would climb said course in about 5. I timed it. Both guides commented on what a skilled climber she is… especially for a beginner! I think maybe she’s found a new outdoor activity…?

All in all, I’m very proud of my achievement. I’ve been working on challenging myself (hello, moving to Abu Dhabi!) and rock climbing certainly qualified as a challenge. Then you know, there’s the other side of me that’s still asking, “What were you thinking?!??!”

xo, jill