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"... you can be sure that this is one day... they'll never forget. This has been Claire Redmond reporting live on the scene - Jim and Dana, back to you."

Jim and Dana, back to you was one of Claire's favorite phrases. As much as she loved bringing important news to the people, she loved getting back home even more. Getting home so early was one of the best perks of being a morning news reporter, she thought, even if it did mean she had to get up ridiculously early. A quick ride back to the station with the tech guys, a thorough hose-down in makeup to get the pancake off her face, then a re-application of something more sensible, and she was back on the road home to Ashdown, the day hers to do with as she pleased.

Her drive didn't stop at home today, however - well, no longer than it took to change into something that wasn't her business suit, anyways. She was heading to the gym today, to use their indoor climbing wall. She'd been up and down that wall a good few times, but her familiarity with it didn't mean it wasn't a great workout - and besides, she hadn't quite mastered the largest overhang yet. On her way into the gym, she waved to and chatted with a few of the other regular faces. After the usual check of the harness, rope, and rings, she approached the wall. Then began the familiar ritual of checking with her belayer;

"On belay?"

"Belay on."

"Climbing."

"Climb on."

Claire flexed her hands and surveyed the wall in front of her. What path to take to the top today?

(Un?)fortunately, fear and uncertainty were common reactions for first-time climbers. Definitely fortunately, the belay team were all very calm and supportive. Another fact of questionable fortune; it was impossible to do anything quietly in the climbing room, because it echoed like the dickens in there. Definitely unfortunately, Claire was also there, and she was perhaps a little too enthusiastic to be reassuring.

"Oh - hey there! Falling, Kyle," she called across the room, first to Zac and then to the man on the other end of her rope, who eased out enough slack to let her ride gently to the floor. She trotted towards the newcomer, movement slightly limited by her still being tethered to the ceiling. "First time in here with the climbing wall? C'mon back, no need to fear. My name's Claire, it's nice to meet you."

Claire laughed softly. "Oh, no, not too often. Just when I wanna get to the floor in a hurry - and only when I'm on belay. You don't do that kinda stuff if you don't have safety equipment, and someone you trust on the other end of the line." She paused to give a thumbs-up to her belayer. "If you've got those two things though, and you're sure to communicate with your climbing partner, it's perfectly safe.

"So, you wanna try on a harness, or maybe get a closer look at the wall? You can start as slow as you like."

"That's right," Claire replied with her winsome, news-anchor smile. "They can't haul you up on the rope, no - it takes a lot of clever tricks to make it possible for them to hold you steady on it in the first place, and pulling up would take a lot of muscle. Not that they would, even if they could," she added. "These guys are professionals."

Claire walked towards the flattest part of the wall, and beckoned Zac closer. "C'mon, I'll show you how to read the path up the wall."

Claire shook her head. "Ahh, not too often. I'm not in here every day or anything. just come by every now and then when I want to shake up my workout routine.

The spiderman comment made her laugh again. "It does take a fair bit of strength," she confirmed, "but I'd say give it a try anyways. You might be stronger than you think! Over here's the beginner's path - all the holds for it are this green color," which she indicated by tapping on one of the holds, "and they're really large so you can get a good grip. You can use the other holds, too, if the green ones are too far to reach, but the green ones are the easiest."

The green path went just about straight up, maybe a little bit to the right. It was a sizable wall, too - maybe about 25 feet high. Reaching the top of even the easiest path would be a feat to be proud of.

"Well, really," she said, tapping her chin, "your hands and arms basically just keep you near the wall. Most of the upwards work is done with your legs, and they should be strong enough for that, since they carry you around all day anyways. And the harnesses are pretty simple! A belt around the waist with metal rings for the ropes, and a belt each around the thighs," she said, pointing to her own harness to demonstrate. "We've got some that go over the shoulders, too, with an extra ring on the back - those ones are more secure, definitely the better ones to start with. One of the guys can help you into it, and show you the ropes of... well, the ropes," she concluded with a laugh, gesturing to the belay team. Someone who wasn't on a rope waved and smiled encouragingly.