South West Life

This article was written by Akita Olsen.

Recently a class from the school I work at ventured down south (Margaret River area) to abseil, as a part of their Outdoor Education Studies.

I was required to support as a staff member but not required to go down the cliffs - but ended up doing so, to my anguish, yet sheer delight!

Our group was lead by Brett from Outdoor Discoveries, who are professional people (fully trained) and remarkable at learning people’s names very quickly. Brett and his team led the group down to the Wilyabrup sea cliffs, once we had all been harnessed up and gone through the safety training.

After a run down on the safety and equipment, our group gathered together (for strength and encouragement) before one by one lowering ourselves down some small cliffs – for practise and confidence.

With these smaller cliffs we had three people descending at once, on three separate lines/ropes, so it didn’t take long until it was my turn. I waited to the end, and then it became quite obvious that it was my turn to walk/crawl to the edge, towards the trusted instructor.

Once attached to all the ropes and given the all clear I had to start moving. My right leg was shaking like a leaf but I continued to make my way to the cliff edge. Leaning back into the harness. and out into the open, is one of the hardest things I found. Trust is an interesting thing. Bit by bit I manoeuvred down until there I was standing on the precious ground.

The whole group completed these cliffs, even those with fear of heights! And then we then moved to a larger cliff, around 40 meters high... aughhhh! It is a weird feeling standing on top of a cliff on our stunning south west coast, looking down, way down towards the ocean and knowing that you are up high, and there is only one way down.. .the ropes.

Again I found myself to be one of the last “participants” to abseil down this very large cliff, funnily enough. This time my legs did not shake, and I must say I felt quite good going down this mammoth rock face/wall, until I got half way when I thought it would be good to look down and see how far I had to go until the floor. I thought I was nearly finished and got quite a shock to see how much cliff was left, I can not recall being able to see the bottom but am sure it was there. So my second half was a bit slower but I got the job done and was safely at the base.

The teenagers had a truly great day and learnt things about the outdoors, abseiling, and about themselves. I was very scared but proud of myself to do such a thing. I keep getting older and there is so much to do in our part of the world - even stuff that is out of my “comfort zone”.

If you have a small or large group that may wish to challenge themselves, then check out Outdoor Discoveries’ website at www.outdoordiscoveries.com.au.