Longnecker has a fear of heights and today she still marvels at making it up the peak. As the two groups split, she joined Ramras’ group to hit the trails, not knowing they were about to ascend this particular peak. “The peak has a real steep part relatively early,” Ramras said. As part of his job, he makes sure to evaluate the climbers as they ascend the peak. Some are natural climbers, others need more assistance.
her future. Ramras said she willing opened up about her life and expressed her nervousness about the climb. “I was concerned that she was going to quit school. It seemed she wasn’t giving herself enough credit,” Ramras said. “At the time I wasn’t shy about projecting my own values at people. I took it as a part of the job to challenge the students on Rob’s trips.” So, he kept her talking.
Picking up that Longnecker was showing signs of nervousness and fear (she was tense), Ramras went to offer assistance by spotting her (a technique used in climbing for accident prevention) and talking her through. He carried on a conversation with Longnecker about her doubts of staying in college, her current relationship and
They talked about her options and different possibilities for her future. “I think he knew my fear of heights. We talked about some intense things, about things that were just really at the time were difficult. I was living a life that I wouldn’t live today
after learning and maturing,” Longnecker said. “I had low self-esteem and I was going to quit school. It was just a really intense conversation and I figured he was doing that to keep my mind off of looking down.” Longnecker described climbing the peak as a labyrinth. It was a struggle. They climbed the peak without gear, relying on their balance, footing and grip to make it to the summit. On one portion of the climb there is a slickrock, a part of the rock that forms a ledge, that gave Longnecker a particularly hard time in keeping the right balance. If she leaned forward, she would slide but if she were to lean back, she’d fall down the peak, losing the progress she had made. “You just have to have this perfect balance. I started to fall back and Ramras caught me and pushed me up against the
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Jenny’s
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