Rock Face

Give me your hand
No!
I can’t!

Give me your hand

No!

I can’t! 

Give me your hand

No. There’s no point

I've got you

Don’t worry

Jut stay calm

Don’t panic

No!

I can’t!

Yes, you can.

Just lean into the rock-face

That way the wind

can’t catch your baggage

and take you over.

No!

I can’t.

I'm stuck. 

I can’t move.

I can’t go up 

I can’t go down

My legs are shaking

I can’t hold on much more

Yes!

You can...

Breathe calmly,

Quietly

I've got you

No!

The rope. It’s frayed.

If I move it will give under my weight.

No, it won’t.

Can you see my feet?

No...

Yes, you can.

Look up.

There. One foot above you.

That’s how close I am.

Now breathe quietly

Remember?

Like we practised back down in the hut?

Remember the principle?

The tip of a fingernail

to a rock climber

is an anchor to a ship.

I've got you solid.

And even though that rope looks frayed

It’s not.

And even if you did slip,

You’re not going anywhere

You’ll drop no more than ten feet.

The carabinas are all in place.

You’re anchored.

I'm not sure.

I am

Now look quietly to your right and down an angle

There’s a clump of heather

It’s half a meter to your right.

… … … …

a very long pause

a hesitant gaze

a wind blast

face into rock in fear

a shaking up through the rope …

That’s it.

Stay calm.

Be at peace.

Remember the breathing exercises?

Oh, fuck!

Why am I in this mess?

You’re not.

Now look to the right – that heather

… … … …

… … okay … got it!

Good.

To the left of it is a seam line

It’s two centimetres...

Enough to take the welt of your boot

Side on…

Before you move

Bring your left hand up towards me

No!

Yes. Feel the ledge

Feel the edge of my boot

But if I fall you'll come with me

No, I won’t

I'm securely anchored.

And anyway, I don’t plan on falling

And you’re certainly not falling!

You know the drill.

We’ve been through it a million times

But why am I stuck?

It happens to us all

I've been where you are too

A hand tentatively, nervously

traces the vertical rock surface

Spider-like, but hesitant

The ledge is felt

Nervous fingers brush against the boot

Oh, God!

You’re just there!

Yep, sure am.

Always have been

Always will be

Like my motto, hey!  (A giggle)

Now take a firm hold of the ledge

Feel it

Enjoy it

Feel the grass

The smoothness

Now with your right leg just

Feel out for that seam

I've got your weight...

When you find it, take two...

And then to your left by your waist

Is another seam

Just the same

It will take your boot side on

--- --- --- ---

The strain through the ropes

The shaking

The becalming

The resonance returning

God!

I've got it.

Right. Now remember the drill

Move like the spider.

Once you’ve got your point

don’t hesitate

but go for the next two in quick succession

Like… point, point and point

The triangle

Remember?

Yep.

Okay here goes.

In an instant the fear released

The energy restored

The reflexes perfect

Ledge right,

Ledge left

Summit attained

Stomach into edge

Breathing heavy

As a hand reaches down to the belt

at the back

And takes the final weight

Roll over onto seat

Oh fuck!

Oh shit!

Why did that happen?

Shite! Shite and shite!!

Ha-ha!

We’ve all been there

Thanks

No I mean that. Thank you.

I've not known that fear before.

That’s good. You’ve mastered it

You have a new benchmark

A new summit too

God! What a view!

3 June 2023
All Rights Reserved

© 2023 Kenneth Thomas Webb

First written 2012

Digital Art Work by © 2023 KTW

Hjalmar o Ogledd Norwy - Wyneb roc ~ Hjalmar of Northern Norway Rockface