On a hot July morning, certified rock climbing instructors Doug Ferguson and Dustin Portzline meet Thomas Smith at the trailhead for the West Trapps in the Shawangunk Mountains. The trio meets with a group of adventure camp kids from Green Chimneys, an organization that introduces youth to eye-opening experiences with animals, horticulture, and the great outdoors. They head up the trail, where Dustin teaches everyone the basics of belaying.

Everyone gets Dustin’s much-wanted approval before belaying. “I won’t let you do it wrong,” he says, as the children tie follow-through knots. Credit: Thomas Smith
Doug, the instructor, is the first one to go down. Below, Doug will encourage and motivate the children as they rappel and release them after they safely land. Credit: Thomas Smith
Thanks to Dustin and Doug, I had the privilege of belaying alongside the group. The view was stunning. Credit: Thomas Smith
The cliffs of the West Trapps are most ominous in the beginning, where the rocks angle outward. Credit: Thomas Smith
Isabelle Messina gets off to a great start. As she rappels, Green Chimneys group leader Ryan Bocchino (not pictured) motivates her. Credit: Thomas Smith
About halfway down the 160-foot rappel, the rope is far enough from the rock that climbers do not need to kick off. Here, Isabelle Messina rides down the rope with ease. Credit: Thomas Smith
Green Chimneys camper Gabrielle Johnson is next to rappel. She makes it look easy! Credit: Thomas Smith
Eventually the campers get into a rhythm. Nicole Shad finds her footing in between two layers of rock. Credit: Thomas Smith
Duncan Spatz, the last camper to rappel, is skeptical at first, but with Dustin’s guidance and cautious pace, Duncan begins to rappel down the cliff. Credit: Thomas Smith
Duncan holds the rope and steadily feeds it through the belay device. Group leader Ryan Bocchino (not pictured) is extremely proud of Duncan and the entire camp team for conquering their fears and completing the mission. Credit: Thomas Smith
Dustin Portzline points toward the vista from the West Trapps in Gardiner. Credit: Thomas Smith