How to.. Each week, ET entertainments reporter Duncan Hall tries out a new activity. This week, Duncan tries out:
Indoor climbing
WHEN
I was 11 I developed a fear of heights after abseiling down a 40ft cliff
on a school adventure holiday.
So when I agreed to try scaling the heights of the Peterborough Climbing Wall it didn't strike me as the best decision I had ever made. Walking in and seeing the climbing room next to the Edith Cavell Hospital sent my heart flying to my mouth.
I don't think I have been as nervous since I first stood at the top of that cliff in front of all my schoolmates 15 years ago. But now I can confidently say I have conquered my fear of heights and can't wait to get back to that cliff!
As he helped me get harnessed up, my instructor Tad talked me through the equipment we were using - essentially a strong rope which was harnessed to Tad that he would use to support me if I got into trouble. And after I tested out some of the hand and footholds, he had me climbing up my first wall.
I know full well that climbing 20ft does not sound like much, and to be honest, when you're on the ground looking up it doesn't seem that high. But when you're up there looking down, your perspective changes and it certainly feels a lot higher.
That initial hoisting of my not inconsiderable bulk up on the wall was probably the hardest bit, especially knowing that after I got up a few feet I wouldn't have the luxury of being able to lower my foot on to the ground. I clung tight to the wall initially, but I soon found the methodical nature of looking for the next hand or foothold and pulling yourself up quite fun, and before I knew it I was less than three feet from the top.
Then disaster struck. Despite the encouragement of Tad I could not find a foothold to get me up that last tiny bit so I could touch the ceiling. I could feel my hands slipping, and all of a sudden I found myself falling back.
And hanging suspended safely up in the air, just feeling slightly stupid. As Tad lowered me down I was feeling a sense of elation.
My arms and hands felt light as air, and I could already feel little-used muscles were preparing to give me gip, but once Tad had shown me how to shake those out I was fine. And ready to go up again.
I climbed to the top of another shorter wall, and managed to abseil down it too, finally conquering that fear. My mistake was being too confident and agreeing to go up the stalactite - which dominates the whole room - partly because of encouragement from a certain photographer who said it would make a good shot.
Once the rope ladder leading up to it started swinging around, all I wanted to do was get down again. That said, I really enjoyed scrambling up those heights, and could feel the next day what a benefit it had on my arms and legs - normally used to pulling me up out of easy chairs. The climbing wall was opened in 1995 and offers tutoring organised by the Peterborough Mountaineering Club, whose chairman is Clive Osbourne.
Tad said: "It is not restricted to any age or ability, as long as they are not below 12 years old.We can also cater for the disabled. "It is a good form of fitness. You probably get more people wanting to climb inside than outside, because you are not dealing with the weather."
The club caters for all abilities, with events such as bouldering competitions for more experienced climbers. The wall itself has lots of different routes and features to make each climb different.
Certainly, if you want to try something different which works your whole body, this is something you should go for. Ê