Due to my early mornings the poodles have come to expect being fed bright and early, or maybe not so bright currently being before first light has come in. In truth it feels like they have trained me into an early breakfast. This morning as the ritual was being performed a Marbled Gecko (Christinus marmoratus), who had been hunting for a fed itself, scurried up the wall. Magically holding on, assisted by millions of microscopic hair-like structures on their feet, called setae. A feature that would be most welcome for today’s destination:
Marbled Geckos, as with many reptiles and some amphibians, can shed their tail if it is grasped by a predator. This is called autotomy derived from two Greek words of auto and tome meaning self and sever. They can also, along with a smaller number of reptiles, drop their tails when they are stressed. Something called caudal autotomy and used to distract a potential predator that has not yet attacked them. Allowing them to get out of the way and hide. Once the tail is gone they can regrow a new one. Taking approx. eight months for a Marbled Gecko:
Regeneration or healing of damaged or lost body parts is another aspect of this little creature that would be oh so great to have. And one that would result in the injuries I’ve been sustaining and then needing to rehab over the last few years being much quicker to resolve. Enabling me to simply get on with climbing. Not that any of them have ever truly stopped me. Slow me down maybe, but it is a rare thing for my rock antics to be put on ice. Moses Rocks was our destination today. Chosen due to someone else’s long absence from climbing:
And also because this person needed to take it reasonably easy, as they are still recovering from an injury way worse than any of mine. Moses Rocks in my opinion offers a bunch of fun, short, and lower grade lines that would be perfect for Jessie’s reintroduction to climbing. She just so happened to have successfully helped me better understand and rehab my latest ailment. So when I found out she was an ex-climbing and keen to reengage with rock, it felt kind of right to offer her the opportunity to get out, which she jumped at:
Not having visited many of the crags in the area before, she was in for a treat. Lapping up one and then two lines. After which she admitted it would probably be best to rest up and leave it at that for today. Practising what she preaches, which was good to see. Applying self-control and listening to her body. The climbs had ignited a desire to work on her own rehab with a greater focus on climbing, so I am sure she will be joining us again. Josh also tagged along, so as Jessie kicked back and took in the wonderful Moses Rocks atmosphere, we cranked on:
He managed a clean ascent of a line that had alluded him on our last visit here. And shortly after suggested a keenness to have a go at another line that has beaten him twice before. A very short but steep and pumpy little number. Taking my time on the route I pointed out all the crucial holds, including a few body position hints for the best way to tackle the crux move. Jessie meanwhile took advantage of my pace to snap a few images. As such while I am usually the photographer on my trips out, here is a rare shot of me on lead:
Try as Josh might the climb once more had him beat, but not for lack of trying again, and again, and again. While feeling pretty pooped he hinted at having at least one more route in him, so we moved into the sun for another line. Here there were some much easier options that I pointed out to Jessie, and her mind starting whirling. Keen for another climb but before committing she tested her body, which once again told her not today. Josh however opted for one more, even choosing the line. Somehow I think he too should have listened to his body:
