Although I have always enjoyed skiing and was far
beyond the bunny slope and comfortable on
moderately difficult trails, my first four attempts to
conquer the wall left me wondering whether or not I
had the skills necessary to make it down the trail.
Having convinced myself of certain success, I
launched, only to find myself arms flailing as my skis
escaped from my boots to proceed merrily down the
mountain without me. Terra firma rushed to
greet me as I tumbled in the snow for several feet.
As my buddy laughingly observed my fourth failed
attempt, he decided that the best advice he could
give me was to lean forward. He stated that I was
trying to hold back too much which was taking away
the momentum I needed to make it down
successfully. At the time I thought, "He's crazy! More
momentum is the last thing I want or need." I
decided, however, to take his advice because I wasn't
having any success doing things my way.
On my fifth attempt, I made the jump while leaning my
entire body forward. I could feel the wind buffeting
me as I passed the points of impact from my previous
failed attempts and landed much to my amazement
on my feet (which were actually still on my skis!) The
shock of having landed the jump caused me to fall but
at least I made I made it to the bottom of the mountain
still gripping my poles and skis attached.
Once I reached the bottom, I immediately went back to
the top and spent the rest of the day making several
successful runs down the mountain. I had conquered
the wall.
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