Problem

Indoor rock climbing is one of the most adaptive sports out there. Maybe because there’s no “right” way to scale a wall, maybe because you always need a friend to belay you and they will inevitably help you solve a challenging section. At first I assumed I could never really do it because of my damaged palm and my lack of grip strength.

There are amazing adaptive climbers with upper limb differences and it made me realize that I would be more able if I had no hand at all. But giving up the rest of my hand is not a choice.

Solution

Instead of getting rid of my hand, what if I tucked it out of the way so I could use my wrist and forearm?

Although I was never much of a climber, I grew up in the Rockies so it still took a lot of relearning for me to feel comfortable even showing up to the climbing gym. But then I started to get better. And then I learned a technique I could use to safely belay my friends with just my left hand and fully participate in the sport. I finally felt like I belonged!

Now I even take my leather gauntlet with me whenever I am hiking in a rocky place so that I may climb and descend safely no matter where the trail leads.