The "Big Climb" Story
It was an ordinary day. We are headed to Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. Jerry, Just Sue, Carol and I plan to climb the falls! Yeah, right! Our bus arrives at our resort, The Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, and transports us towards the sea. During our bus trip we observe armed guards standing at several street corners. What are they for? No one seems to know. Glad we haven’t rented a car and tried this on our own. We arrive at the base of the falls, just where they enter into the Caribbean Sea. Just so beautiful! They climb 980 feet from the ocean to the top of the falls. And we are going to climb them!! The whole way to the top!! Yeah, right! I have my water shoes on at least so I won’t fall 970 feet as I come close to the top. We have assembled into a
group of about a dozen tourists and are assigned to a guide. He explains what we are about to do. He will lead the way and we will form a chain of people behind him. “Just follow the same stones I climb on and everyone will be fine,” he announces. Carol and I make sure we are at the front of the line so we can at least see the stones he is climbing. The four of us must be at least twice the age of everyone else in our group. We are told there are various stages going up the falls that we can opt out of the climb if we care to. Here we go! He grabs Carol’s hand and she interlocks with me as I take Just Sue’s hand. We climb around the edge of the water for a short distance until we reach a group of about 30 climbers and our guide feels we can avoid them by heading out into the middle of the falls. The water is COLD coming down from the top. Hold on tight! Up the falls we go. After about 300 feet we reach a plateau and stop for photos and to stand under one portion of the falls. REALLY COLD. We may stop our climb at this point if we care to he tells us. He is looking right at the four of us when he says this. “I’m fine,” I announce. “Me too,” Jerry replies. Off we go again. You have to remember that the only activity we have had for over 
a week now is walking to the beach, lounging in the water, sitting down, napping, eating and tipping our drinks with our hand. We now look up the side of the falls and realize this could be grueling. And it is!!! 700 feet and still going. We’re starting to get the hang of it now. As long as he doesn’t fall down, I think the rest of us can hold on to him. One more photo opportunity under another part of the falls. “Anyone want to call it quits yet?” he asks. Water seems to be getting warmer now
or maybe we are starting to get numb by now. We have reached the top part of the falls and stop for one more shot. We have climbed DUNN’S RIVER FALLS. What a feeling. Just don’t look down. But, what we feel like tomorrow? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
group of about a dozen tourists and are assigned to a guide. He explains what we are about to do. He will lead the way and we will form a chain of people behind him. “Just follow the same stones I climb on and everyone will be fine,” he announces. Carol and I make sure we are at the front of the line so we can at least see the stones he is climbing. The four of us must be at least twice the age of everyone else in our group. We are told there are various stages going up the falls that we can opt out of the climb if we care to. Here we go! He grabs Carol’s hand and she interlocks with me as I take Just Sue’s hand. We climb around the edge of the water for a short distance until we reach a group of about 30 climbers and our guide feels we can avoid them by heading out into the middle of the falls. The water is COLD coming down from the top. Hold on tight! Up the falls we go. After about 300 feet we reach a plateau and stop for photos and to stand under one portion of the falls. REALLY COLD. We may stop our climb at this point if we care to he tells us. He is looking right at the four of us when he says this. “I’m fine,” I announce. “Me too,” Jerry replies. Off we go again. You have to remember that the only activity we have had for over 
a week now is walking to the beach, lounging in the water, sitting down, napping, eating and tipping our drinks with our hand. We now look up the side of the falls and realize this could be grueling. And it is!!! 700 feet and still going. We’re starting to get the hang of it now. As long as he doesn’t fall down, I think the rest of us can hold on to him. One more photo opportunity under another part of the falls. “Anyone want to call it quits yet?” he asks. Water seems to be getting warmer now
or maybe we are starting to get numb by now. We have reached the top part of the falls and stop for one more shot. We have climbed DUNN’S RIVER FALLS. What a feeling. Just don’t look down. But, what we feel like tomorrow? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
No comments:
Post a Comment