Kike, talk to me...

climbing can be sport

There are many fascinating climbing stories and this one ahead is no exception, although is by no means epic like, say, Touching the void. It lacks perhaps height, tricky overhangs, ropes, chalk and other typical gear, but not mental strength or those familiar dramatic moments that make your fingertips sweat.

Vili Guček

Years ago two friends Kike and Ivica in good spirits went for a stroll around Marjan peninsula – green park extending few kilometers west of the old town where we all go for walking, running, cycling, climbing, kayaking, swimming, relaxing, etc...it is a beautiful place. Young and in good mood they were walking through nature, having conversations about...something...different things...and a bottle of wine (I like to think it was red) was accompanying them. Finally they were at Šantine stine – magic south-west side of Marjan with little churches and hermits' dwellings from centuries ago walled up into the vertical limestone cliffs – home to local rock climbing community.

a hermits' dwelling and St. Jere church - south side of Marjan

Kike and Ivica weren't themselves climbers but be it the surrounding, wine, view to the sea and islands, their philosophical moment or simply all blended together, they went to climb what they saw as their route (not a bolted one) without climbing shoes or any piece of equipment. They were soloing parallel to each other placing their feet, finding holds, getting higher and higher when suddenly Ivica got stuck and couldn't get out of it – coming down didn't look good and other directions appeared impossible too. As seconds and minutes were passing his body got nervous and the mind was following, everything he tried was useless except for losing energy and thus opening door to panic. Muscles were getting tired, one leg started shaking. Sweat. They had already passed a point of no safe return down. Kike being two meters to his right was unable to help, or at least it might have seemed so. Time was dripping and with it Ivica's odds were getting smaller, yet just before the situation switched from desperate to hopeless Ivica said these right words: „Kike, talk to me“. Kike could talk, both of them actually can talk, and so Kike started to talk...gradually Ivica calmed down and found his way up. Thanks to him asking his friend to talk and this one talking back they both relaxed and reached the top, stood on flat soil above the rocks happily and walked back to the town...

Marjan and Split

What would be the moral of the story If we were to look for it? Well, to start, drinking and driving aren't to be mixed, so don't do it that way, go climbing with friends who know or take a course with a club, hire some outdoor agency, whatever. Be safe during the activity.

safety not third...

But even by doing things by the book, (not at beginner's level), sometimes the goings get tough and then you if you get yourself together your chances will grow.

But when we scratch surface we'll also see how this really is a climbers' story, because despite getting themselves in a serious trouble facing fatal outcome they remained focused and calm on the inside which saved them and that was their only option, best and only card to play. I'm glad they did...

...just a perfect day...