Climbing Over Cancer | Elevation Outdoors Magazine

Twenty-One rappelling with Longs Peak in the background. Guides, volunteers and participants all have First Descents nicknames that they use during programs.

Last week the battle with cancer went vertical. Young cancer fighters and survivors from across the U.S. came to Estes Park, Colorado with First Descents? Rock Climbing program to engage in healing through outdoor recreation. Over five days, participants learned rock climbing systems and techniques, shared life experiences with their peers and explored Rocky Mountain National Park. The trip culminated in a multi-pitch ascent to the summit of the Thumb on Prospect Mountain.

Chief Care Bear won the chicken hat on day one for his contagious enthusiasm.

First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors from ages eighteen to thirty-nine an outdoor experience where they can challenge themselves to reach new goals in a healing, supportive environment. Building community through sharing, empathy and humor are as essential to the program as the activities of kayaking, surfing or rock climbing that participants engage in.

The difficulties encountered on the Rock Climbing program were both physical and psychological. On day two Mare Bear inched her shaky legs up the steep, loose trail that lead to the climbing area. With an arm to lean on and encouragement from the group she steadily pushed her way up the rocky terrain. Rainbow Digi-Cat managed her labored breathing in the thin air by playing her Native American flute during rest breaks.

Roped up and on the rock, the group cheered each other on as they climbed out of their comfort zones. Twenty-One had made it five feet off the ground the day before when she had been overcome with sobbing and came down. ?I had a bit of a meltdown,? she said. ?But then I came back and did it later.? Twenty-One received a stuffed-monkey award for overcoming her fears, which hung from her harness, a medal of achievement.

Biner topping out on the hardest route of day two.

Rappelling brought climbers to their mental edge as they hung their bodies out over space and descended a steep face overlooking the Estes Park Valley. A back-up belay and instructional guidance from Li?l Bit, a Colorado Mountain School guide, helped allay some of the nervousness felt. Others calmed themselves with song, a slow pace or a firm grip on the brake hand.

Many participants faced fear and uncertainty while on the rock, emotions not unfamiliar from their battles with cancer. Empowering young adult fighters and survivors to face their uncertainties and grow through their fears is a major component of First Descents? mission. Rainbow Digi-Cat admired the courage she saw in her peers. ?It?s amazing how many of us are in cancer or going through cancer and how strong we all are.?

For more information on First Descents and their programs, visit firstdescents.org

Source: http://www.elevationoutdoors.com/blogs/rock-hopper/climbing-over-cancer/

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