Cliff

10-24-2008

By: Brendan Novak

Ms. Mich's 5th Grade Class

I dedicate this to my mom and dad, Laura and Micheal Novak

I heard the bell at 6:30am. I passed my groggy but awake tent partner Wilson on my way to breakfast. At 8:00am after breakfast, (soggy instant oatmeal and water) we started to make our way to the cliff.

When we got to the cliff, I couldn't peel my eyes off the scene. I could see the vast mountains and steep valleys, dotted with trees. I must've stopped walking because my counselor was yelling my name.

When we got to "the bowl"(a pit on top of the cliff) they came up with the order. I was third to climb and last to repel. As I got my helmet on to climb, I gave my counselor my camera to take a picture.

I hooked my rope to the carabiner as my counselor put me on belay. I hopped onto the cliff and started climbing. At first it was easy but when I got to the "wall" there were no handholds!

After a couple minutes of struggling, I decided to jump. As I soared up, I grabbed for handholds left and right. When I got as high as I could, I got ready to make a second attempt.

I had a lucky break as I spotted the perfect handhold. I grabbed it and started climbing. When I got over the edge, I felt as though I won the lottery. The scene was more beautiful than before. The afternoon sun was sparkling on the lake.

When they called my name, I got up to go wait in line to go repelling. I strapped my harness on as the line inched forward.

When it was the person in front of me's turn (Wilson) they clipped him in and he muttered bye, and jumped.

After Wilson was done descending, they called my name. I walked over and they started hooking me to all kinds of carabiners. After they were done, I backed up to the edge.

I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I could feel my legs pushing off the edge and myself plummeting toward the ground. As my feet touched the ground I knew, I was doing that again.