The second stop on our tour landed us in the breath taking Queen Creek Canyon; just outside of the sleepy little town of Superior, Arizona. This area is rich in mining history; the volcanic landscape is dotted with the remnants cast off from the copper boom which at one time brought prosperity to this region. Old wooden structures stood upon the hilltops like weathered sentries, while the steel of modern equipment continued to remind us that industry has not yet lost its influence on the fragile desert environment.
With a blanket of clouds sheltering us from the blistering sun; we met our group in the campgrounds of Oak Flats. After introductions and laying out a roadmap of our day; we began a ground school session to prepare the incredible group of industry professionals for our day of climbing.
Immediately folks were able to see the incredible ability climbing has to build trust amongst people; while also bringing out the insecurities and fears which lurk in the deeper recesses of the psyche. Our platform continued to build up, exploring these questions of trust and communication until everyone had learned the skills necessary to keep each other safe and was empowered to accept the challenge of climbing.
At the top of a rock outcropping looking down to the creek below; we were asked the question; “What if I refuse to rappel down there, what would you do then?” This question though presented with whimsy was alluding to a true anxiety. In the classic Aspiro fashion; our facilitator assured that this rappel is possible and whatever support was going to help create success would be offered with arms wide open, without judgment, and total commitment to the individual needs of the participant.
This scenario is quite common while on trail with our students. They are in a new place and asked to take on a challenge unlike any other they have faced before. These are golden moments for utilizing and practicing new coping skills, building a healthy relationship through mentorship, finalizing in a feeling of accomplishment which can be generalized toward any struggle life throws in your direction.
With all our new community members safely and ecstatically at the bottom of the cliff the conversation drifted toward topics around trauma; the power of climbing to bring one back into their body. Mindfulness, the ways climbing replaces self injurious behavior like substance abuse among adrenaline seeking individuals, as well as the monumental effects accomplishment brings to building one’s self efficacy.
A huge highlight for me was a moment when sitting fifty feet up at the top of a climbing route when one of our group completed her first rock climb ever. She stretches her arm out smacks the anchor and yells; “I did it! I didn’t think I could ever do that; what can’t I do now!” Holy smokes; this woman helps folks battle through the dregs of eating disorders, trauma, and doubt daily, creates life changing experiences for young men and women, succeeding when others would cringe at the prospects of working with this delicate population. If someone who is already so strong and full of fire can find empowerment through climbing; imagine the experiences our students must have.
We hope to see our new friends from Tucson Transitional Living, Mirasol, and In Balance Ranch again soon.
–Shane Maxson – Director of Adventure Programming
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