Pulling my right thumb over my crimped fingers for a little extra power off a tiny plastic ledge, I put all my focus on getting to the next hold. I looked up to what lie ahead in order to obtain the on-sight (first time climbing a route without any info, then finishing on your first try without the aid of a rope). You got this… three more moves, I thought as I pushed through the feeling of my power quickly draining from my forearms like mercury escaping a broken thermometer. Two hands on the top hold moments later freed my brain power to refocus on the crew that had joined us for a Flint City Climbing night at Planet Rock.
When my feet touched down onto the felt-topped pads I untied the retrace figure 8 knot from my harness and asked myself, where is everybody? Scanning the gym, I didn’t see any of our group on the bouldering wall, nor on the ropes. Where did everyone go? I do one climb and they all scram? Then, across the crash pads outlining the 15-foot-high bouldering wall that runs the length of the building, I spot Gio, Dylan, and the rest of the crew… not climbing some extreme route that challenges their climbing muscles, nor were they eyeing a bouldering problem questioning how to get past the crux that had them stumped. No, they were just sitting; sitting in an ameba-shaped circle along a small patch of vacant padding talking. Talking about their day, talking about future plans, talking about life.
The way the climbing was going it didn’t surprise me that this group in our carpool back to Flint wanted to stop off at a Wendy’s or DQ for some food and more hang out time. Ending up on a blanket on a patch of grass in the far corner behind a Wendy’s parking lot and inhaling some Frosties and hot fried food, we continued to chat it up about whatever came to mind. There are some moments in my life that I can distinctly remember eating with some friends in obscure places—on the curb by Green Lake just north of Seattle, WA with some friends after my truck was stolen in Canada earlier that day. I once cooked a meal with my wife outside of Washington DC behind a fast-food joint, and I’ve cooked pancakes all over the place; usually somewhere with a view and even better company—quality fellowship speaks volumes and binds people together.
These are the moments in life that we cannot manufacture, they are moments that must fall into place at the right time, with the right people. Mastercard had it spot on with their “priceless” commercials back in the 1990’s and I’m not too proud to hijack it again right now: One ticket to Planet Rock through Flint City Climbing - $10. Harness, shoes, and chalk bag rental - $5. Late night snack at Wendy’s - $12. Making memories with new friends and talking into the night behind a fast-food restaurant at 11pm on a warm summer night? Priceless.
When we started Flint City Climbing we dreamed of a method for organic friendships to be developed, lives to be shared and the gospel to be presented simply through followers of Jesus talking about their lives. It’s not a program, a lure, or a Christian club. It’s simple: humans climbing structures, eating, and spending time together. It’s not complicated. Unashamedly our goal is to make climbing accessible to all while building a healthy community… a big thanks to all those who have been joining us on Monday nights to simply be human with us and for building that healthy community. I started climbing in the early 2000’s and was quickly drawn into a unique community from all backgrounds of life. All that time on the wall, pushing to the top through strict discipline and tons of practice—it has all come full circle—a simple way to continue the process of being human…together.
-Matt
Comments