Tyler Phillips

Denver, CO

I remember looking up at my friend who was being lowered off of the rock route he just led. I remember watching him climb the entire way, being excited for him and faking being excited to go up after him on top-rope.

"I hate this sh--.", I thought.

"I hate heights. My brain just can't handle it."

I had climbed once before, and all I could think about was shaky legs, sweaty palms, and the constant feeling that I would fall off and get hurt, even though my belayer was perfectly competent.

As I looked up the rock, I told myself "Just tie in, climb to the third bolt (maybe 20ft up) and then you can get lowered and you can go home without feeling like a TOTAL chump."

As I tied in, I remember the tunnel vision set in. I remember being encouraged from my friends, but I don't remember processing it, because my brain was completely focused on the terror that lay before me.

I started climbing and I noticed something interesting... I was having fun. The tunnel vision in my eyes opened up a little and I began focusing on the moves in front of me, piecing them together in a way that felt smooth, natural, and... fun.

In a few moments, I heard a metallic rattle in front of me and looked up to see the chains and the anchor.

Wait, but what about the third bolt? I looked down to see it almost 70 ft below me.

I couldn't believe it. I climbed the whole way up the route, and had fun while doing it.

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Since the I have had the privilege of climbing big wall, ascending glaciated peaks in the Andes, and crushing hard. Give'r your all, people!