Alvaro is my soul brother.
“Is it time to go?” I asked. The route was difficult for me. I wanted to give up but not lose face. So I badgered my belayer about our trip back to Fresno.
“It is. But you need to finish this.”
Damn. Alvaro wasn't going to let me quit.
I was only supposed to be on that single-pitch TR 5.10a for 15 minutes. Which turned into an hour after my becoming scared, tentative and slow.
To make an hour-long story short, I finished most of the route, save a bulge that would have taken me another hour if I had the strength to do it.
But I felt relieved satisfaction in the majority I had accomplished. Most of all, laughter dissolved my fear as Alvaro patiently held the rope and pointed out my ridiculous head space.
I was sc-sc-scared to fall, even on a top rope. Which I forget is there as I struggle. My body instinctively commands: “Don’t fall!”
But that day, when I was stressing and straining, working through that tough section ... I fell.
An inch.
“That was what you were afraid of?” Alvaro asked.
I giggled. Then peals of laugher rose from deep within my soul as I realized the absurdity of my fear.
That climb wasn't the first time Alvaro had pushed me to push myself. That wasn't the first time – even that day – he had belayed me patiently.
He is innately generous, not just with belays. When I told him I was creating this Web site, the first thing he said was: “Let me know how I can help.”
He is an ideal climbing partner because he is always down. We are like two climbing nymphos – scrambling up rocks at every possible opportunity. Whenever, wherever.
The last time I talked to him was a text conversation as we plotted our climb this weekend. I had to express my gratitude for my breakthrough on that 5.10.
“My new motto is: climb till u fall, then keep climbing.” I texed. “I had a mental and emotional breakthrough on that last climb u made me stick out. THANK YOU!!!!!”
He replied: “that's a great motto! your welcome!=) glad i can help better yourself.”
That last statement is the epitome of my bro’s essence.
I hope we will always be friends.
– Submitted by Sarah Jane
Previous awesome climber: Jayne
