Life of Megan: Rock Climbing and Skipping Class

I am loving this weather!! It is so beautiful outside I can't keep myself inside for more than a few hours. Soak it up before the rainy week comes!! Anyways, since it was so beautiful, I decided to skip class and read in a garden instead with Kiley. Also, going for runs in this weather reminds me why I love the sun - I don't need under armor, thick socks, tank top, t shirt, sweatshirt/wind breaker, headband, gloves, and a snow suit to go running! Oh, I also did something awesome this weekend with my friend Aaron - ROCK CLIMBING!!

Find Beauty in Nature.

We went to Devil's Lake State Park for climbing and hiking. I highly recommend going there if you haven't been! I can't believe I went my whole life without ever going to Devil's Lake; it's an insult to Nature!! Anyways, we hiked to our first climb and Aaron set up the anchor and got everything ready whilst I stood there watching. Then he taught me how to rappel down the rock face, to tie a few knots, get clipped in, belay, gave me special rock climbing shoes, and told me go rappel down. By the way, just sitting back in your harness and trusting the tree/anchor and yourself not to fall, is kind of freaky at first. But once you get going it's pretty fun! I'm an adrenaline junkie so I was all for it!

View from Fungus!

This is my anchor for rappeling!

Action shot!

The first rock we climbed was called Fungus. Total coincidence! I really liked that climb! So first I went up the rock and then I belayed for Aaron (after we tested to make sure I knew what I was doing in case he fell). Then we moved to Dirty Chimney and did the same thing. We left our gear there and free soloed a different path up to the top to clean up his gear. I also really really really really like free soloing - I could do that all day!! Then we finished the hike around the lake. Talk about a great way to spend a day! I'm definitely joining a climbing/mountaineering club in Raleigh!!