Tuesday, July 23, 2013

YOLO

You only live once, right? Well, I have some friends here who have got me into doing something crazy, but absolutely awesome and that is rappelling. It all started when my friend Tyler invited me to go on a trip to southern UT with him and some of his friends. Since I'd never rappelled before in my life, he figured we should have a practice run up Rock Canyon. And the rest is history. I've gone rappelling a total of 4 times this month. The first three were about 90 foot rappels (I think) and the last one was a two stage 197 ft rappel. My favorite by far was rappelling down Battle Creek Falls. That was a dream come true in so many ways. I've always had the urge to slide down that waterfall as if it were a water slide, so this was as close to that I could get. However, the next rappel we went down Lisa Falls and on the second section I took the joyful opportunity to literally slide down the waterfall. Now I really have fulfilled that dream.

No matter how many rappels I go on, the scariest part is just going over the edge. After that it's a piece of cake, almost. There are definitely surprises and tricky parts, but that's what makes it fun. I'm getting a little more courage to go faster and jump a little, but it's still super scary for me sometimes. :) The other fun part about these adventures is the bouldering and climbing that's involved. I am more cautious that most so I go a lot slower sometimes just because it's kind of scary, but at the same time I love it!! Here are pictures from my latest adventures. My next adventure is back at Lisa Falls but repelling an approx. 200 ft cliff to the right of the falls. So scary, but awesome!

First rappel ledge in Rock Canyon
Using my camp stove for the first time!


Little did we know how much more swimming we would do...

Going down the sneak slot to Upper Black Box

2nd time rappelling!


Got a hug from the smelly mud monster!
This is where I SHOULD have put away my camera



Battle Creek Falls-1st dry rappel ledge

Yeah, you can't really see me, but that's because I'm IN the waterfall

First time belaying!

Tayla went a mission less than a week after doing this! So cool!
Lisa Falls






Some other fun things I did this summer:
Watched Stadium of Fire with friends in an awesome spot




Went to ID for the first and second times- one of my best friends got married

Boating at the lake with the ward and hung out with these cool friends. :)



My Garden