On a crisp-skied day in Bishop, my homegirl and I passed a guy and a girl climbing as we wove through the boulders looking for our crew. I didn’t know them, but my friend greeted them by name. When we found our group, she asked why those two were isolated from everyone else. Turns out they were from our city.

“She doesn’t like people to see her climb,” someone answered.

Her ego had deprived her of the wisdom of our whole crew. And our crew has some awesome climbers who have helped me beyond measure.

If my homies didn’t watch me and give me pointers, who knows how long it would’ve taken me to learn about matching, high stepping, drop knees? I’ve also learned by watching them climb. They’ve busted moves I probably would’ve never dreamed up. They aren’t afraid to look silly. But they never do.

As awesome as other climbers’ wisdom is their love. That isolated woman’s ego was depriving her not only of the joy of learning but the laughter, the shared snacks, the ball busting and the spontaneous celebrations.

When my homegirl and I were loading our gear into the car to head home, a congratulatory cheer of voices thick with elation rose from the maze of boulders. I knew it wasn’t for the hiding girl.

It was for someone who dared to expose herself or himself for better or for worse. That time, it happened to be for the better.

No doubt that person’s success was so much sweeter for having a hallelujah chorus from the best fans any climber could ever have – climbers they love and respect.

For more from Sarah Jane Alexander visit her website: time2climb.com