How I Got Started With Rock Climbing for the First Time.

Dive: Athlete - Climber
Description: Loves rock climbing
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Has taken a rock climbing class or has climbed before
Certified On: Feb 2, 2024

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Bety Taneas Break Diving Level: Level 1 Number of Certified Dives: 11 From: Indonesia In: Indonesia

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I dreamed of hiking the Himalayan mountains. In June 2018, I decided that I would go hiking to Annapurna Base Camp as a solo traveler. As I never did any hiking at all, I started to do rock climbing nearby in preparation for my trip for an upcoming multi-day hike.

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

It took three months until I found a suitable destination for me to do rock climbing as a first-time climber and possibly to do it as a solo foreigner.

I met someone at the hostel while traveling in Kuala Lumpur then she recommended the with-locals website with one local guide to do a short hike including rock climbing in Bukit Tabur Hill, Kuala Lumpur and I did it.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

1. The preparation for having good stamina, I had to train myself physically before and manage my time well to be able to do it daily.

2. Being ready to do it alone. At first, I almost canceled the trip as finding friends who have the same interests as me and doing it in a group is really hard.

3. To travel on a budget! Hiring a local guide for a solo traveler will be more expensive as it’s considered a private tour.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

Firstly, being fearless! I can overcome my fear of climbing. It’s impossible to achieve it if I am scared and not confident about my ability to do it. Secondly, I can find guidance about climbing for the first time/beginner online easily and prepare well.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

1. You must be healthy and have a good stamina.

2. Learn and find as much as possible information about the safety precautions of the place you will hike or do rock climbing.

3. If you are a beginner, go with someone more experienced and familiar with the terrain.

4. To be mindful and focus on the moment, take a breath!

5. Be ready to sweat a lot, carry plenty of water and a spare shirt.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

Here are some resources I recommended.

Resource 1: Expert Advice - Climbing techniques and moves

Resource 2: With Locals - With locals – To book travel experiences guided by locals

Resource 3: Trip Advisor - To find the travel guidance and reviews of the destination

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

In March 2018, I booked a hike to Bukit Tabur Hill in Kuala Lumpur through the with-locals website, the local guide was a Malaysian Chinese, who was passionate about adventure in life. He was very healthy in his late 50s and a friendly person. I started to hike at 4 am and unfortunately, it’s just been raining so it was wet. I had forgotten that it was still dawn and needed to prepare for the flashlight as it would be dark. I was in the forest alone with the local guide and I didn’t bring a flashlight. He helped me with his headlamp to show me the way but I had to walk in front of him, lady first!

I was a little scared but had no choice. Oh really, I kept hoping that the sun would come up quickly. I felt like I was doing a guts test in a spooky forest instead of rock climbing. There were several sections of the trail where that required me to use both hands and legs to climb up, I crawled along the way up. In the end, I had to do a short of rock climbing with a rope and step on the rock slowly with extra caution and concentration to reach the top.

I completed a hike up after 2.5 hours. It’s an amazing view at the top with a beautiful lake plus a rewarding sunrise too. However, it will be my first time and also last time hiking Bukit Tabur Hill! It was an unforgettable experience that I had, fun yet dangerous. Lately, I found out that Bukit Tabur Hill is one of Malaysia’s most dangerous day hikes, it’s not recommendable for the beginner or unsteady hikers at all. It has already been banned for hiking and closed down due to the high number of fallen hikers to their deaths. It’s illegal to trespass. Well, the lesson that I learned is that I should search for information about the destination carefully.

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

Here are some photos of my rock-climbing moments.

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

I am not sure that I will do rock climbing more in the future. Although it gave me a rush of adrenaline and adventure which is good to me, I prefer hiking to rock climbing.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules, No Excuses, No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Bety Taneas is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Athlete - Climber - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 197

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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