by Belinda Jabore
This was an article that the Lord showed me to take a look at for the year ahead, and I feel this year prophetically for each of us this has a significant meaning as to how and where the Lord wants us. I found it quite sobering and funny. As you read this there are many different analogies for all of us, it’s typical too how the Lord speaks to us no matter what level we are at. And I am finding out that what ever I thought I knew or have learnt seems to get wiped or stripped away. .It’s like starting on a new white board to start to learn on many different levels once again. It’s like the things I learnt from the year before get downloaded in a file in my head but I am aware that I can’t do things the same as I always have. As I am finding that to have new things from the Lord you have to have a clean board (no clutter or distractions) for Him to write on. And the things I have learnt from the Lord are sitting in the file. As I need them and when the Holy Spirit directs to use them then I can use them.
The Lord emphasised to me the prophetic word Tim Cassidy brought at the 2008 conference at Forerunners International. Tim was saying that we were at the base camp of the mountain of the Lord and we were to rest there and there would be refreshing for the task ahead. So I was thinking and asking the Lord what was next? If we are going to be at the base camp of the mountain of the Lord then we will have to climb that mountain sooner or later. And the Lord directed me to a rock climbing site and this is what I found from an article of a guy (very prophetic) what he said about starting out in rock climbing a site on the internet.
The rest of this word is pretty self explanatory. (It will probably make you laugh and cry) and I believe it is what we have to look at for the year ahead………
The first time one looks at a picture of a rock climber or goes to the local gym the item that stands out the most is the shoes. Sure we expect the harness and the helmet, the other two essential items in this article, but why are there special shoes? The answer, so I’ve learned is a combination of both power and stickiness! I will tell you what you basically look for in a shoe and then explain why which will also reveal how power and stickiness come into play.
THE SHOES - Ephesians 6: 15
As a beginner the one thing you need to realise is that your shoes are going to get trashed. You’re going to beat them up because you haven’t quite learned about the special soles and you are using them a lot without much technique….i.e. you’re falling and slipping all the time. Significantly which shoes you pick is important.
Here are some of the things to remember when buying shoes:
1. Price does matter- You’re first pair you trash and they wear out quickly as you (go cheap) haven’t got you’re technique right yet.
2. All day comfort- the more you progress and the more technical climbs you do, you will need more technical shoes, which will cost more money and be less comfortable, (until you get use to them) But right now, while you’re feet are learning technique and getting use to the shoes, all you care about is a shoe that provides all day comfort.
3. Shoe size- when you first try on a shoe start half a size smaller than your current shoes size. You’re feet should be nice and snug inside with no moving room. Your toes should be pushed together side ways, all your little toes pointing to your bigger toes, but they should not be curled up. They need to lay flat like they normally do …..(you’re toes that is). But by redirecting your toes into a sharper point the power from them is transferred much smoother and you are able to hold onto smaller bumps and ledges with you’re feet.
He goes onto say do not get one with an arch in the shoe straight away. As you have a natural arch in your foot and arched shoes over exaggerate your natural arch and are used for fine and power work….basically technical climbing. If when you try on these shoes, they meet the criteria and feel comfortable then go down half a size. If that feels comfortable then keep going down half sizes until you reach an uncomfortable level. Once you reach that level go up to the previous level where your shoes feel good. The analogy of this is to fit into a smaller shoe, as small as you can.
4. Synthetic vs leather- The only significant difference is that leather will stretch a little around your feet while synthetic will not. It’s up to you, but would be better if it stretches a little bit.
5. Velcro vs Tie- I bought shoes that you tie. As a beginner I do not recommend these and here’s why. When you are getting use to your shoes after climbing a route or two, you’re going to want to take them off to give your feet a chance to relax.( sounds like a lot of hard work to me) It’s about 100 times harder to do if you have shoes that you tie. Velcro is much quicker to relieve pain. When you progress and you climb longer and want to be able to snug up your shoes a little better then go tie.
6. Look Weird- When you try on your shoes they may feel fine when you stand up. But remember you are not going to be standing up when you are climbing, so put your shoes to the test. Hold onto a wall- stand on your tippy toes. How do they feel? Stand on the side of one foot. How does that feel? Remember that when you are climbing you will use the tips of your toes a lot and you usually don’t have much to hang onto, (except Jesus).
7. Breaking In- After you have finally brought your first pair of shoes, the first thing you will want to do is to wear them around the house, so your feet start getting use to them. I could only wear mine for 10 mins before the sides of my feet started to hurt. Rock climbing shoes have sticky soles.
8. The Harness -
When buying a harness look for something not to expensive, a Swinging Rock Rhythm Harness for around $45. You can either try to figure out how to put the thing on, or you can ask the professionals…..By far the easiest way. A general rule learned is that when ever you are putting something on, a harness or a rope, you always want 6 inches left over. If you try on a large harness and you only have 2 inches of the harness strap left over, then you need to remember Safety not vanity, and go up to an extra large harness. The most important aspect of buying a harness however, is how it feels when you sit in it. The harness needs to be comfortable as you will be spending a lot of time “sitting” in that harness. Don’t forget to try before you buy it.
9. The Helmet -
A helmet is a helmet. They all basically fit the same way and all have to meet certain standards. When you try on a helmet I suggest making it snug, like you would if you were climbing. Move your head up and down a couple of times, as this is the major motion being conducted when you climb. When you start climbing you shouldn’t be in any situation high enough where you need a helmet, however the helmet has protected and saved many climbers, it also protects from falling rocks up above. When you start getting good and start taking bigger chances it only makes sense to wear a helmet because you’re destined for a bigger fall and a greater chance of permanent head injury. Ephesians 6:17.
10. The Chalk Bag -
Finally the chalk bag. Not to expensive and is a matter of preference. If you don’t like one it’s easy to replace. When you buy chalk, loose chalk is easier to put on. The purpose of the chalk is basically to absorb the sweat from your hands and allows you to stick to the wall better.
So there you have it the quick and easy guide to getting the gear you need to start climbing.
Oh and one more thing to buy is a belay device, which allows you to hold somebody on the rope just incase they fall, and a corresponding carabineer but do not buy these things until you take an introduction to climbing coarse because other people besides yourselves rely on these devices so understanding them is best done from a teacher in person.
Introduction to climbing courses are available and are a must and mandatory, they last about 45mins and teach proper belaying techniques and how to tie in as a climber.
Ephesians 10-20 Happy climbing!
This was an article that the Lord showed me to take a look at for the year ahead, and I feel this year prophetically for each of us this has a significant meaning as to how and where the Lord wants us. I found it quite sobering and funny. As you read this there are many different analogies for all of us, it’s typical too how the Lord speaks to us no matter what level we are at. And I am finding out that what ever I thought I knew or have learnt seems to get wiped or stripped away. .It’s like starting on a new white board to start to learn on many different levels once again. It’s like the things I learnt from the year before get downloaded in a file in my head but I am aware that I can’t do things the same as I always have. As I am finding that to have new things from the Lord you have to have a clean board (no clutter or distractions) for Him to write on. And the things I have learnt from the Lord are sitting in the file. As I need them and when the Holy Spirit directs to use them then I can use them.
The Lord emphasised to me the prophetic word Tim Cassidy brought at the 2008 conference at Forerunners International. Tim was saying that we were at the base camp of the mountain of the Lord and we were to rest there and there would be refreshing for the task ahead. So I was thinking and asking the Lord what was next? If we are going to be at the base camp of the mountain of the Lord then we will have to climb that mountain sooner or later. And the Lord directed me to a rock climbing site and this is what I found from an article of a guy (very prophetic) what he said about starting out in rock climbing a site on the internet.
The rest of this word is pretty self explanatory. (It will probably make you laugh and cry) and I believe it is what we have to look at for the year ahead………
The first time one looks at a picture of a rock climber or goes to the local gym the item that stands out the most is the shoes. Sure we expect the harness and the helmet, the other two essential items in this article, but why are there special shoes? The answer, so I’ve learned is a combination of both power and stickiness! I will tell you what you basically look for in a shoe and then explain why which will also reveal how power and stickiness come into play.
THE SHOES - Ephesians 6: 15
As a beginner the one thing you need to realise is that your shoes are going to get trashed. You’re going to beat them up because you haven’t quite learned about the special soles and you are using them a lot without much technique….i.e. you’re falling and slipping all the time. Significantly which shoes you pick is important.
Here are some of the things to remember when buying shoes:
1. Price does matter- You’re first pair you trash and they wear out quickly as you (go cheap) haven’t got you’re technique right yet.
2. All day comfort- the more you progress and the more technical climbs you do, you will need more technical shoes, which will cost more money and be less comfortable, (until you get use to them) But right now, while you’re feet are learning technique and getting use to the shoes, all you care about is a shoe that provides all day comfort.
3. Shoe size- when you first try on a shoe start half a size smaller than your current shoes size. You’re feet should be nice and snug inside with no moving room. Your toes should be pushed together side ways, all your little toes pointing to your bigger toes, but they should not be curled up. They need to lay flat like they normally do …..(you’re toes that is). But by redirecting your toes into a sharper point the power from them is transferred much smoother and you are able to hold onto smaller bumps and ledges with you’re feet.
He goes onto say do not get one with an arch in the shoe straight away. As you have a natural arch in your foot and arched shoes over exaggerate your natural arch and are used for fine and power work….basically technical climbing. If when you try on these shoes, they meet the criteria and feel comfortable then go down half a size. If that feels comfortable then keep going down half sizes until you reach an uncomfortable level. Once you reach that level go up to the previous level where your shoes feel good. The analogy of this is to fit into a smaller shoe, as small as you can.
4. Synthetic vs leather- The only significant difference is that leather will stretch a little around your feet while synthetic will not. It’s up to you, but would be better if it stretches a little bit.
5. Velcro vs Tie- I bought shoes that you tie. As a beginner I do not recommend these and here’s why. When you are getting use to your shoes after climbing a route or two, you’re going to want to take them off to give your feet a chance to relax.( sounds like a lot of hard work to me) It’s about 100 times harder to do if you have shoes that you tie. Velcro is much quicker to relieve pain. When you progress and you climb longer and want to be able to snug up your shoes a little better then go tie.
6. Look Weird- When you try on your shoes they may feel fine when you stand up. But remember you are not going to be standing up when you are climbing, so put your shoes to the test. Hold onto a wall- stand on your tippy toes. How do they feel? Stand on the side of one foot. How does that feel? Remember that when you are climbing you will use the tips of your toes a lot and you usually don’t have much to hang onto, (except Jesus).
7. Breaking In- After you have finally brought your first pair of shoes, the first thing you will want to do is to wear them around the house, so your feet start getting use to them. I could only wear mine for 10 mins before the sides of my feet started to hurt. Rock climbing shoes have sticky soles.
8. The Harness -
When buying a harness look for something not to expensive, a Swinging Rock Rhythm Harness for around $45. You can either try to figure out how to put the thing on, or you can ask the professionals…..By far the easiest way. A general rule learned is that when ever you are putting something on, a harness or a rope, you always want 6 inches left over. If you try on a large harness and you only have 2 inches of the harness strap left over, then you need to remember Safety not vanity, and go up to an extra large harness. The most important aspect of buying a harness however, is how it feels when you sit in it. The harness needs to be comfortable as you will be spending a lot of time “sitting” in that harness. Don’t forget to try before you buy it.
9. The Helmet -
A helmet is a helmet. They all basically fit the same way and all have to meet certain standards. When you try on a helmet I suggest making it snug, like you would if you were climbing. Move your head up and down a couple of times, as this is the major motion being conducted when you climb. When you start climbing you shouldn’t be in any situation high enough where you need a helmet, however the helmet has protected and saved many climbers, it also protects from falling rocks up above. When you start getting good and start taking bigger chances it only makes sense to wear a helmet because you’re destined for a bigger fall and a greater chance of permanent head injury. Ephesians 6:17.
10. The Chalk Bag -
Finally the chalk bag. Not to expensive and is a matter of preference. If you don’t like one it’s easy to replace. When you buy chalk, loose chalk is easier to put on. The purpose of the chalk is basically to absorb the sweat from your hands and allows you to stick to the wall better.
So there you have it the quick and easy guide to getting the gear you need to start climbing.
Oh and one more thing to buy is a belay device, which allows you to hold somebody on the rope just incase they fall, and a corresponding carabineer but do not buy these things until you take an introduction to climbing coarse because other people besides yourselves rely on these devices so understanding them is best done from a teacher in person.
Introduction to climbing courses are available and are a must and mandatory, they last about 45mins and teach proper belaying techniques and how to tie in as a climber.
Ephesians 10-20 Happy climbing!
