From the Dubois area, it was about an hour and a half drive into Lander. We didn’t plan on getting into town until Tuesday or Wednesday but we were making good time. And a lot of the hikes we were really excited to do were on the other side of the mountain range. We couldn’t get to them from the road we were on. So we will hit them up when we move north from Cheyenne in August.
We found a short hike to a waterfall and a swimming hole just south of town. It was a fun trail. Not too much elevation gain and right along the river here. The swimming hole was a really nice temperature and we hung out there for a good while.
It was exactly what we needed but we were both feeling a little anxious and tense I think. Amanda had a few different friends that we were going to meet in Lander. It can be a bit stressful when friends that have never met each other get together for the first time. Of course, you want everyone to get along.
From there we just chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. The park in town allows camping for free so we set up shop after the hike and played on the slackline for a bit. It’s not the biggest park and a lot of the events for the festival will be there. It’s going to get very chaotic there.
In the evening Amanda’s friend Alex got into town and met us at the park. I had spoken with her a few times over the phone over the last few weeks. She was having some electrical issues in her van. So I was helping her out a bit to help fix the issues. It was really fun meeting her.
The next day we drove up to the Wild Iris climbing area and established a camp. There’s a lot of space here. We waited until later in the afternoon to go down to the climbing area. You can’t climb when it is too hot or sunny because the rock is too hot to climb.
I had all my gear and I got on the first climb. A 5.8 which is a sold climb for a beginner. I was able to complete it. I was pretty proud of myself. My first outdoor climb and I was able to “send” it.
I got on a few harder climbs but I was only able to get up halfway or so. I wasn’t discouraged or anything – I wasn’t really expecting to be able to finish them. They were two levels above the first climb I did so they were true intermediate climbs.
I learned two things. One, I can have my belayer (that’s the person the manages the rope for you while you climb) hold me up there around the more difficult parts of the climb. You can study the wall and figure out what kind of path you want to take while you’re hanging there. When I fell the first day I would just get back on the wall and try again without coming up with a game plan and that became frustrating after a while.
Second, I can put my feet in smaller holds on the wall. My first few climbs I would look for foot holds and I wouldn’t consider some because they seemed so small. But Amanda and Alex would tell me I could use them. I need to become more comfortable and gain a better understanding with what can be used.
I will say, and I don’t want to sound vain, but I am not scared of falling or of the height. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it but it’s not a mental block for me at this point. It definitely helps when you are surrounded by experienced climbers. It makes you feel safe.