My experience with rappelling has been very very limited and it's been a whole decade since the last time I was on a rope.
We began our adventure way before the sunrise, then started our hike on the "Rock of Ages" canyon, and everything was going fine....just enjoying the beautiful scenery and the thrill of hiking...
BUT THEN.............
THEY MADE ME RAPPEL OFF a (nearly) 200 foot cliff!!!! I definitely needed a warm up or two before this big one...and Luke had assumed the smaller rappels were before the big one. As I started the ascent I was petrified. I had to physically and mentally force myself to breathe, let alone take steps down the rock face.
After I got on the bottom I made this direct quote, "The last time I was that scared I was getting an epidural for my first childbirth" and I sincerely meant it.
But look! This is me!
Luke is a seasoned pro by now. He thought it was a cake walk compared to some he's done.
After recovering from the trauma I was able to successfully get down another 100 foot and a 50ish foot rappel.
When we were finished with Rock of Ages we went into Arches National Park and climbed "Elephant Butte" which is the highest point on Arches. It had a lot of uphill scrambling and some tricky climbs up the slick rock, then it topped off at the summit for a breathtaking view......... followed by more rappels.
It was definitely a Valentines day date to remember!
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