I Ate a Slice of Humble Pie

Failing at something and then going back a second time

If you’ve been following along with my journey with the American Mountain Guides Association Rock Guide program, then you might remember I finished my Advanced Rock Guide Course and Aspirant Exam back in October.

(If you’re new here, get caught up with post directly below)

I am an Assistant Rock Guide Now! (sort of)

You’ll remember that, for the most part, I performed well and received positive feedback from my instructors. But unfortunately, I did not pass the Rock Rescue Drill component of the Aspirant Exam.

Failing at the Rock Rescue Drill, something I spent many months and countless hours preparing, was like eating a fat slice of humble pie.

However, saying I “ate” a slice of humble pie may be inaccurate. It’s more accurate to say I was force-fed a slice of humble pie.

Why? Because the moment I failed the rock rescue drill during my exam, I wanted absolutely nothing of it. I was forced to choke down my failure and swallow it.

Trying to Learn from My Failure

It’s cliche, I know, but when I failed my rock rescue drill the first time around, I took myself back to the drawing board to see what I could learn from the experience.

Between the feedback I received from my instructors, some ideas of my own, and advice from Whitney, I had enough information to begin preparing for a re-exam.

The new game plan was to go slow to go fast. That’s because many of my errors the first time around came from prioritizing speed (there’s a 50-minute time limit).

In order to go slow to go fast, I incorporated pause moments at each critical transition in the drill. During this moment, I would double and triple-check the system and try to take a deep breath. Once complete, I would advance through the drill at a high speed until the next pause moment.

The block and tackle

In addition to this tactic, I learned a new rope trick called the block and tackle. The block and tackle comes from the nautical world, but it can also be instrumental in rock climbing rescue scenarios.

In a rescue scenario, a block and tackle can allow you to “unlock” a loaded system by harnessing the power of mechanical advantage. It’s super simple and quick to set up and break down.

For the rescue drill in particular, the block and tackle can be critical for fixing mistakes. For that reason, it’s a skill you want to possess but never have to use.

Everybody Deserves a Second Chance

In addition to going back to the drawing board, I quickly got to work scheduling a re-exam. Fortunately, there’s an AMGA Instructor in the Gunks. This made it really easy.

Coincidentally, there were three other folks who needed to take a rock rescue drill re-exam also. These folks failed their drill in Seneca Rocks the same week I failed mine in the Black Canyon.

So we combined forces. This meant that we could share the cost of the re-exam fee and role-play as each other’s rescue victims.

The Re-Exam

Leading up to my re-exam, I felt almost more nervous than I did the first time. That’s because now I knew I could fail it. Whereas before, while I was anxious also, I generally felt confident in my abilities and that I would pass.

After all, I had practiced countless times in a variety of different locations and clocked numerous rescue laps well under the 50-minute timeline.

Despite my nervousness (my left leg was literally shaking when the drill started), things went well. I clocked a time of 37 minutes!

Looking back at my previous recorded times, 37 minutes is the fastest time I ever got.

I didn’t just pass the minimum requirement. I blew it out of the water. I literally performed the best I ever had. It felt terrific to hammer out a fast time. But it felt even better to perform like I knew I could. Even better, all the while, I stayed calm, moved efficiently, and somewhat enjoyed the experience.

So Now It’s Official

I have completed my Advanced Rock Guide Course and all components of the Aspirant Exam. I am an Assistant Rock Guide!

“Assistant” sounds anti-climatic, but this is a massive step forward for my education with the American Mountain Guides Association.

If I didn’t understand my imposter syndrome as well as I do now, I would fall into the trap of not celebrating or basking in this accomplishment. Instead, I would immediately start looking toward the next milestone to prepare for (my Rock Guide exam), where I would again experience feelings of inadequacy.

I've got a case of Imposter Syndrome

But there’s time for that later.

For now, I’m psyched about what I accomplished. I’m happy to be an Assistant and for the new opportunities that will come my way with my new training, status, and scope of practice.

What about you? When’s the last time you ate a slice of humble pie?