The centre had various rock climbing walls ranging from a straight up and down wall through to a wall that curved around similar to the letter "C". This was geared for the more advanced climbers so most of us went to the less challenging walls.
Some of the walls also had a retractable lanyard system so that instead of using a climber and a helper feeding the ropes, there was a device that fed the rope for the climber. These demanded much courage to lean back when coming down and hope this lanyard will lock off and slow your descent down to floor level.
Along the middle of the walkway were various climbing systems such as the cargo net, ladder and a rope. The cargo net and ladder were easily climbed but the rope made you dig deep to reach the top.
It was the American PE class rope where it was attached at the top but not to the bottom resulting in the rope flaying around as you as you start to climb.
When climbing the rope it was important to lock your legs off so you could get some sort of holding to pull yourself up. This really made you use all your energy and at 15m in length it was a long way by the time you got three quarters of the way to the top.
When I was about another 2 or 3 pulls from the top my muscles experienced a burning up sensation and I did not want to quit and moreover I did not want to waste all that energy and then not reach the top and touch the roof.
By reaching down and using my last zap of strength I managed to reach the top - a great moment of relief.
This showed to me, that in life when struggles push us down and unable to reach a certain top, and after all efforts have been exhausted and strength is failing - this is when God comes in and gives a boost, a helping hand, to reach the top.
Just like the rope system he is always there to catch us and will be there to provide a good foothold in life
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is an under-graduate student.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at
www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html