A Rockin' Climbin' Time! By: The Boss No comments

Need I explain more? Yup, we certainly had a awesome time cranking up our muscles, climbing from wall to wall! On the 31st of May, a total of 26 E-Rangers, commanders and friends made it for the E-Rangers Rock Climbing outing. It was a great day to be alive...public holiday, had BKT for breakfast (being a true Klang-ite!), and everyone was looking forward to a fantastic afternoon. Some even started the warm up by climbing over their house gates and up every pole available...

We arrived at Summit USJ at around 1.30pm, got a bit confused which elevator to use as there are quite a number of them...after finally getting on the right elevator, we were there. Wow, things have certainly changed since the last time we were here (about 2 years ago). New walls, fresh coat of paint, new staffs, fresh air, new faces...everything's changed! After going thru the formalities of signing the 'I-wont-sue-you' forms and registering, we were ready to rumble! So we thought...:)

Practically all of us had to go for a refresher course on the basics of rock-climbing...it was a good time of learning how to use the harness, the carabiners, the harness device, trying the double figure-eight knot, how to keep your friend alive, what not to do, etc etc etc. Finally at around 3.30pm, everyone was finally given the greenlight to start climbing Mt. Summit! Woo hooo...! It was like...chaos! Everyone were racing and giving their all just to be the first to the top. Some went from wall to wall, conquering everything this place had to offer. Some even decided to take it to another level by doing the crab-walk climb...climbing sideways! Esp the older ones...afraid of heights...:)

Never knew rock-climbing was this fun. It was great to be back here again. But fun always comes at a cost...man, our arms were aching and fingers shaking! Not to forget the cramp on some of our toes...:) But hey, at the end of the day, its all worth it! All in a good day's work, I would say. Once everyone was pretty pooped out and flat-out, we decided to call it a day and head home for dinner at about 6.30pm. Its been a fantastic, fun-filled day...combination of adventure, thrills and spills! Classic rangers style, eh? More great days like these to come...

You all enjoy the pics, friends. Hope this will spur you on to achieve greater heights in everything you do, literally! Enjoy...

It was truly a day for the young at heart, and also for the golden oldies...:)

Phaik Joo...deep in thought...wondering if she'll ever reach the top. Let me tell you, friends...she DID!

The section of the wall where we conducted our refresher course! Man...the wall looks tempting!

Now everybody face the wall and move ya' body! (sorry for the blurr pic)

Kyleen, Andrew and Lisa going thru the motion of getting the double Figure-8 right...

Andy, PJ, Grace and Shaun getting it done under the watchful eye of our very own Malaysian version of Major Payne! Or was it Major Pain? :)

Cmdr Wei Chuan and Shie Yee...slowly but surely they got there! Nothing can replace years and decades of experience...:)

Sheila and Kyleen all strapped up and ready to go...

And up she goes! Sheila...blazing the trail ahead of the pack!

I've learned a new term...its called 'bouldering'! That's exactly what Lisa is doin...

She couldn't help but get in the act too! Man...I'm telling you...she's got feet like a household lizard! She can practically hang from the wall using her feet! DiGi's new superhero - Cicakwoman...

Shie Yee and Laura reaching the top! Now here's a good reason whey they're your commanders! Haha...

Andy couldn't take it anymore...he wanted to show us who's da man! And he did...

And boy, was he heavy! Just to be safe, we needed 2 guys to belay Andy safely back down to earth!

My name's Mowgli...from Jungle Book!

After lots of climbing, it was time for both of them to do some facial exercise with the camera!

Even Wai May made it to the top! Amazing stuff, ppl!

Best thing to do while waiting for your turn to climb is to act cute, and smile for the camera! And you'll eventually end up on the blog...:) Btw, thats Grace, Amy Joy and Mr. Real Sports Benjamin Hean!

Here's Cmdr. Reuben together with some really fine lookin' women...! Million-dollar smiles on their faces, eh?

Our original Cicakman, Cmdr. Benjamin Yee! He followed the footsteps of the legendary Alexander the Great..."I came, I saw, I conquered"!

Simon Kong going up, up and away! Trust me friends, the life of the climber rests in the hands of the belayer!

Finally, time to call it quits and head back to Klang. One last photo shoot before we got our Certified Belayer's Card signed and stamped! Well done to all the rangers and commanders for successfully passing the belayer's test! It's been a fantastic day...Look forward to more days like these ahead!

It was great to have spent the day with these excellent bunch of rangers and friends. Everyone showed courage and the will to succeed and conquer the toughest of walls. Though we failed at times, we still picked ourselves up again and tried till we made it. Now that's worth writing about! Hope you've enjoyed the story as much as I've enjoyed posting it up. It always takes me on a journey back through time...thinking about what we've done as rangers and writing about it. Its been a pleasure sharing this with all of you. For those who missed it this round, look forward to our next trip coming soon in 2009! Haha...

God bless you all!