Fun at the Crag
Last weekend I had some goodtimes at the climbing crag. I led a 10b and 5.9. Ironically I fell on the 5.9 as I veered left (where there were no holds) when I should have stayed right (plenty of holds) and one would think I would have noticed the chalk marks but no...
I find with sport climbing, as long as I know the fall is clean ie: I won't bounce off a ledge, I'm not too worried about falling. I don't think one can progress that easily as a sport climber if you don't want to fall. Which is an opposite mind-set of the trad climber, who for very good reason is adverse to falling. And then taken to the next level, the ice climber who would avoid falling at all costs since even a small fall could end up with a dislocated hip, shoulder etc if your pick or crampon catches on the ice as you fall. Scarey business.
I find having to shift mindsets like that an interesting thing to do and I really believe it builds more neural pathways in the brain, which perhaps has no intrinsic value at all but its' still cool. :-)
I am really looking forward to this Sunday as Shannon and Pat and I are heading to Grassi. I really want to try and lead a10c that thwarted me last weekend. I have a strategy of getting on it when I'm fresh and stronger and all grrrrrrr arrrrgggg. Shannon has been climbing strong and Pat is now leading in the 11's which provides me with opportunities to second those bad boys and also the inspiration to keep striving. I firmly believe that one gets better when they climb with people who are better than you. So far this strategy has worked well. Having said that, I think us climbers also owe it to give back and give other climbers the same chance from time to time. I had lots of fun taking out newer climbers this winter or even just kicking it down a notch for my buddies who appreciate a rope-gun. I think its that whole "pay it forward" concept.
I'm not sure what is happening with my "objective that shall not be named" The window of opportunity is now closing for me as most of my August is booked up. It gets tricky when trying to coordinate schedules with 4 people. I have to admit to having lost some of my zest for training. I'm still staying active but I haven't been hitting the stairs as much as I should be and didn't put in an endurance day last weekend like I should have either. However having said that, Nathan the trainer punished me like nobody's businees last night and I'm feeling strong and fairly lean which is good.
So the weekend is looking very good, enjoying some music at the Folk Festival this friday evening, Saturday getting ready for my annual retreat and the Sunday getting on the rock again. Good Times
I find with sport climbing, as long as I know the fall is clean ie: I won't bounce off a ledge, I'm not too worried about falling. I don't think one can progress that easily as a sport climber if you don't want to fall. Which is an opposite mind-set of the trad climber, who for very good reason is adverse to falling. And then taken to the next level, the ice climber who would avoid falling at all costs since even a small fall could end up with a dislocated hip, shoulder etc if your pick or crampon catches on the ice as you fall. Scarey business.
I find having to shift mindsets like that an interesting thing to do and I really believe it builds more neural pathways in the brain, which perhaps has no intrinsic value at all but its' still cool. :-)
I am really looking forward to this Sunday as Shannon and Pat and I are heading to Grassi. I really want to try and lead a10c that thwarted me last weekend. I have a strategy of getting on it when I'm fresh and stronger and all grrrrrrr arrrrgggg. Shannon has been climbing strong and Pat is now leading in the 11's which provides me with opportunities to second those bad boys and also the inspiration to keep striving. I firmly believe that one gets better when they climb with people who are better than you. So far this strategy has worked well. Having said that, I think us climbers also owe it to give back and give other climbers the same chance from time to time. I had lots of fun taking out newer climbers this winter or even just kicking it down a notch for my buddies who appreciate a rope-gun. I think its that whole "pay it forward" concept.
I'm not sure what is happening with my "objective that shall not be named" The window of opportunity is now closing for me as most of my August is booked up. It gets tricky when trying to coordinate schedules with 4 people. I have to admit to having lost some of my zest for training. I'm still staying active but I haven't been hitting the stairs as much as I should be and didn't put in an endurance day last weekend like I should have either. However having said that, Nathan the trainer punished me like nobody's businees last night and I'm feeling strong and fairly lean which is good.
So the weekend is looking very good, enjoying some music at the Folk Festival this friday evening, Saturday getting ready for my annual retreat and the Sunday getting on the rock again. Good Times
posted by Lise B at Friday, July 27, 2007
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