On Monday I went rock climbing… but not to the climbing gym as usual. The owner of the gym, who I am always talking to, took me out on a private, and better yet free - all equipment included, tour to climb a real rock face. We drove up to Nago to a place accurately dubbed as The Lost World. After about 20 minutes hiking through the jungle up a river bed we finally came to the rock face that shot straight up for about 60 meters. Since this was my first time ever climbing a real rock face I wasn’t sure what to expect, but looking up at the rocks that seemed to slant towards me as if I would have to climb on a ceiling I started to have doubts. This was no easy climb for beginners. My guide just said to not worry, and that I am a very good climber that should be able to make it. He then plotted 3 courses.. each progressively more difficult. After I struggled my way to the top of the first one I sat on the small ledge and looked out. It was like a Lost World. I started in the jungle but now was up above the trees looking out around the valley as a bird flew beneath me. Looking from below it didn’t seem that high, but once I was up there it reminded me how much I love heights. This is something I would love to do again.
![](http://www.andysensei.com/blog/wp-images/pictures/Japan/Okinawa/rockclimbing01.jpg)
My guide and I.
![](http://www.andysensei.com/blog/wp-images/pictures/Japan/Okinawa/rockclimbing03.jpg)
Plotting the next course.
![](http://www.andysensei.com/blog/wp-images/pictures/Japan/Okinawa/rockclimbing04.jpg)
![](http://www.andysensei.com/blog/wp-images/pictures/Japan/Okinawa/rockclimbing05.jpg)
The one section near the top was pretty difficult, I had to do something called a layback to get over it.
![](http://www.andysensei.com/blog/wp-images/pictures/Japan/Okinawa/rockclimbing06.jpg)
The third and most difficult. For most of the way my back was facing the ground. Yet, I was able to get to the top. I even surprised myself with what I was able to do.
![](http://www.andysensei.com/blog/wp-images/pictures/Japan/Okinawa/rockclimbing02.jpg)
As an extra bonus my guide showed me an edible plant that was growing in the area. Called Nigana, it was very bitter but supposedly quite healthy. As seen in the corner I took a big bite out of it.