Have you ever had one of those times when someone makes a comment about your child, and for some reason or another, the comment gets tucked into your memory?

When Pascaline was two or three, a friend made the comment that he could picture Pascaline being a good rock climber someday. He noticed how aloof and pensive her personality was, and it reminded him of his sister’s temperament who was an avid climber herself. Never having rock climbed myself, and being quite terrified of it all together, I made a mental note and tucked his comment away.

Over the years, I feel like her developing personality confirms our friend’s thoughts more and more. Pascaline feels most relaxed when Brian takes her by the wrists and lets her hang in the air. Feeling her body’s weight hang calms her down instantly. She also feels most exhilarated when she does pull ups on the swing set. Pascaline’s frame is lanky, and yet her upper body strength is mind blowing.

Needless to say, I’ve been so excited for her to try rock climbing here. This spot is one of the top ten places in the world to rock climb. Pascaline’s experienced the indoor climbing gym a couple times, but to be here, and climb these rocks! Nothing compares.

I wasn’t sure how she would respond. Would she be scared? Would the gear bother her? Would the language barrier stress her out? Would she be afraid of heights? As our guide brought us to our first climbing spot, we all took the surroundings in.

Pascaline didn’t hesitate, she wanted to go for it. And go for it she did!

A handful of local climbers watched her climb and said she moved with more ease than most adults. I couldn’t help but be proud. When Brian and I only had energy for three climbs, Pascaline did seven or eight climbs. She said that night that she loved the feeling of having to find the right places for her hands and feet, pulling herself up with her legs, holding on with her upper body. She loved feeling every muscle work to stay on the rock, and then she loved floating down.

Can you see the man below her? I can’t believe that’s my girl WAY up there! She was not about to let that guy catch up with her for one second. 🙂

I love this shot that Brian got of us both climbing at the same time. You know what is so funny? I have a hard time with heights but rock climbing feels totally safe to me. Isn’t that strange? I think the ropes make all the difference.

And it just feels so good to give someone a high five when you’ve finished a climb after having made it to the top!

At one point the tide came in, and we were climbing over the water. You can see our awesome guide, Jane, support the rope while over the water! 🙂

If you look close, to the side of the boat, you can see where we were climbing from.

Like her dad, there is so much that comes easy to Pascaline. So when something is challenging, Pascaline can struggle with wanting to walk away instead of working at it. This was one of the first times where I saw her take on the challenge and want to beat it. Even when the instructor had said she could start back down, she yelled down and asked if she could keep going. 🙂 As her mom, I loved watching my little girl find her way.

Blazey gave it his own go, and stole the hearts of everyone watching. 🙂

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