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rockstar
Aug 2, 2002, 6:56 AM
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Registered: Jul 17, 2002
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I am a beginning climber (only been climbing for 2 mos) and I was wondering if you were forced to pick only three essential skills to becoming an excellent climber what they would be?
For me, it seems like I have progessed the most in these past two months by (a) pressing my hips closer to the wall on steep grades and roofs (b) shifting my weight from foot to foot when I want to execute a move and (c) trying to keep my legs bent so that I can push more with my legs, rather than pulling with my arms.
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okieterry
Aug 2, 2002, 1:50 PM
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to me, the most essential skills are:
1) an intense desire to climb all the time
2) mind control, to be able to focus and not fear
3) the ability to quit when you're hurt
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rock_climbin_06
Aug 2, 2002, 3:10 PM
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1) Definitely the desire
2) Pushing your limits
3) Having fun is always a helper!
-Adam
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hishopper
Aug 2, 2002, 3:40 PM
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Well, you've figured out for yourself what most gyms tell all new climbers - exactly, actually!
Great progress!
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overlord
Aug 7, 2002, 9:03 PM
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man, dot push your hips to the wall on roofs/overhangs. that way you LOOSE strenght. just keep those arms straight and lift your legs, try some knee dropping, toe hooking and stuff. DONT pull your hips up on overhangs. try to use as little strenght as possible. oh, and WELCOME
CLIMB ON
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marcel
Aug 7, 2002, 9:20 PM
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Registered: Jul 30, 2002
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#1. Belaying. (Proper belaying technic for the climb.)
#2. Knots.(Proper knots for the job.
#3. Then worry about technic.
Always think safety first.
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number7
Aug 7, 2002, 9:44 PM
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Registered: Oct 4, 2001
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Rock climbing is the greatest sport because it perfectly blends brains with brawn. You've mentioned some things that have to do with brawn, but what about the brains.
As others have mentioned, good belay is A#1.
Rope and gear management, I would put at #2.
Technique doesn't keep you alive, so I would put this at #3.
It's good to be skillful, but being safe gives you the confidence to climb better.
Rock On! M
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aelita
Aug 7, 2002, 9:59 PM
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Registered: May 21, 2002
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1. Safety skills! (always a must... there is that little gravity thing and that uhh it hurts to hit rocks thing to worry about
2. Ability to be acutely aware of my body and my mind on the rock (not letting fear throw me off balance)
3. Being able to take laugh at my own mistakes and have a great time no matter what!
Cheers and climb on!
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mtnjohn
Aug 7, 2002, 10:38 PM
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Registered: May 17, 2002
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Worry about only two things -
An exteremly powerful and skilled climber once told me
"there are only two reason you fail a climb
1.you aren't good enough or
2.you aren't strong enough
deal with those two things and you have it made"
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metoliusmunchkin
Aug 9, 2002, 2:41 PM
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Registered: Apr 7, 2001
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James (rockstar) wrote:
Quote:(a) pressing my hips closer to the wall on steep grades and roofs
Whoa there chief! I have found a slight flaw in this technique. Firstly, allow me to make myself personally clear that I am not disregarding your technique in any way (as your other technique comments were very good), merely pointed out a flaw within the technique quoted above.
"Pressing [your] hips closer to the wall on steep grades and roofs" is a great example of what not to do whilst climbing upon such terrain. While climbing overhangs, and especially roofs, one should keep their arms as straight as possible, allowing their torso (the basic hip area of which you speak) to hang perpendicularly to the ground.
If you were to press your hips inward toward the wall, you will be wasting quite a vast amount of arm energy, a manoeuvre completely unnecessary and unyielding. This also takes much of your body weight from your legs, which, should be the concentration of weight distribution among the rocks.
This will become crucial whence progressing toward higher, more difficult grades - places where brute strength will not account for a route's ascent. A perfect mix of both technique and strength will get you there.
At your beginning stage of climbing, I would concentrate more wholly upon your climbing technique rather than much else (as you are doing now). I do think however that there are more fundamental basics than simple one's climbing technique. Concentrate now upon technique, then add all sorts of climbing aspects to your now good-technique style.
I would say that the fundamentals of climbing are (in no particular order):
A good finger strength to body weight ratio.
Impeccable climbing technique (meshed with the perfection of energy saving tactics).
The focus and mind frame of a climber in love with the sport.
If you acquire these fundamentals, you are bound to become a great climber...
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