The Force is strong with this one

I've always told people that the road to being an experienced (trad) climber is like an apprenticeship - a Padawan to Jedi road, if you will. At some point in the climber's career, they need instruction in the way of anchors, safety and gear placement along with all the movement that's basic to each climber. On that road the inexperienced climber (the Padawan) will eventually cross paths with a more experienced climber (A Jedi) to take them under their wing and train them. Eventually the Padawan will learn everything the teacher can offer and will leave them only to find their own padawan at some point. The Jedi teacher will eventually pick up another padawan and the cycle continues - one student, one teacher.

Last night at the climbing gym I crossed paths with a new climber. A tall, lanky guy with a 6'10" wingspan. From his footwork, I could tell he was new, but he was still good with his feet (later on I find out that he's a dancer which explained it. Dancers, Yoga practitioners and gymnasts make the best climbers). He seemed friendly enough and I gingerly started giving him some tips for the evening - "try moving quietly" or "hold your arms straight when resting". That kind of thing. For those 2 or 3 hours I had my padawan (incidentally, I "knighted" my last padawan - Johnnie - after she successfully onsighted her first jtree 5.7 trad lead so I'm currently padawan-less) and he was strong in the ways of the climber by soaking up everything I said immediately.

Eventually the evening came to a close and he left to take care of some things back home. I was left in the climbing gym, musing over what had just happened. I, Obi, introduced the young new climber to the ways of the rock. And his name was Luke. Luke and Obi(-wan). OMG - that was so cliche....