|
taraus_de_bull
Oct 15, 2003, 8:51 PM
Post #1 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 1, 2003
Posts: 282
|
So, i'm doing a report for the gym i work at, nothing serious or anything, just sorat a fun survey for us bored employees. Here's the question:
What was the biggest contributing factor that helped you improve your climbing skills? Also, how long have you been climbing and when did this event take place? A rough estimate at your skill level too would be helpful.
my answer is:
Reading about the mental side of climbing. Once i read about it and learned how to really allow myself to climb at my peak, my level jumped fast. It took me about 3 months to practice different techniques to open my mind up, but it was the best training i've ever done. I've been climbing for about 5 years now, and it happened about a year into climbing for me. I'm roughly a 5.11 climber, give or take a little.
|
|
|
|
|
dalguard
Oct 15, 2003, 9:37 PM
Post #2 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 1, 2003
Posts: 239
|
Losing weight and getting stronger. I know they say strength is rarely the limiting factor, but sometimes it's the limiting factor.
|
|
|
|
|
maculated
Oct 15, 2003, 9:39 PM
Post #3 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 23, 2001
Posts: 6179
|
I definitely notice when I lose weight i have a better time of pulling harder stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
overlord
Oct 15, 2003, 9:45 PM
Post #4 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 14120
|
taking the time to learn proper footwork. im still learning.
|
|
|
|
|
trenchdigger
Oct 15, 2003, 9:52 PM
Post #5 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 9, 2003
Posts: 1447
|
One of the biggest enlightenments that really helped my climbing was when I realized that the obvious hold is not always the best hold. When you're learning to climb, you look for big holds that you can pull down on. Sometimes you need to ignore the bigger edge that your hand wants to reach for and use that little crimper that's in just the right spot. Other times you'll need a little side pull, or even an upward pulling hold so you can get the right body tension to stick the move.
Once I realized this, I started thinking about what kind of body tension I needed for the next move and looked for a hold (no matter how big or small) in the right position and direction to make the next move.
~Adam~
|
|
|
|
|
overlord
Oct 15, 2003, 9:54 PM
Post #6 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 14120
|
trenchdigger: thats some gr8 advice.
|
|
|
|
|
petsfed
Oct 15, 2003, 9:55 PM
Post #7 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 8599
|
Breaking up with my girlfriend. Suddenly there was clarity and I could climb so much harder.
|
|
|
|
|
jookyhead
Oct 15, 2003, 9:57 PM
Post #8 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 2, 2003
Posts: 667
|
Climbing.
|
|
|
|
|
dynoguy
Oct 15, 2003, 9:58 PM
Post #9 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 6, 2003
Posts: 730
|
those madrock finger condoms are what helped me push my limits :lol:
|
|
|
|
|
slablizard
Oct 15, 2003, 10:38 PM
Post #10 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 13, 2003
Posts: 5558
|
In reply to: What was the biggest contributing factor that helped you improve your climbing skills?
1) leading
2) Climbing with stronger guys (and girls, when I met my wife she was leading 5.12b)
3) improving footwork
4) good climbing shoes
5) climb on different terrain
6) Be open to learn from others
5.11b OS - 5.12b worked
|
|
|
|
|
alpinerock
Oct 16, 2003, 1:05 AM
Post #11 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 17, 2003
Posts: 600
|
probaly my biggest thing would be starting to boulder with new partners, I climbed with the same partners for 4 months,(we started together) so we all learned from eachother... pretty soon though we had learned all the things that we could from each other. so i started going with new partners, WOW, i was looking at like 10 new ways to do the same problem, it was very enlightening(i lead 11b, and boulder V7)
|
|
|
|
|
alpnclmbr1
Oct 16, 2003, 1:41 AM
Post #12 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 10, 2002
Posts: 3060
|
addiction
|
|
|
|
|
muncher
Oct 16, 2003, 3:27 AM
Post #13 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 5, 2003
Posts: 454
|
By far the best thing I've done to imporve my climbing was building a woody in my then bedroom, now it's located in my garage.
Being able to train whenver you feel like it is very helpful. All those times you can't get to the crag or gym you can just stay home and crank on, smoke dope and listen to some tunes at night, when it's raining etc.
Another thing was reading an article on interval training. Losing a bit of bulk left over from my football playing days also helped a bit.
Climbing with people better than you helps alot. I recently linked up with a new training partner who is stronger than me and has better technique and plenty of motivation and have noticed a marked improvement in my climbing from my attitude to my technique. strength and endurance.
|
|
|
|
|
lifeguard4
Oct 16, 2003, 4:27 AM
Post #14 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 11, 2003
Posts: 140
|
Experience...
|
|
|
|
|
rkhali
Oct 16, 2003, 5:13 AM
Post #15 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 66
|
- Finding partners with the same level to work on problems with (a little competition never hurt anyone).
- Being surrounded by better climbers
Went from V0 to V4 in 6 months (and still going).
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
jt512
Oct 16, 2003, 5:17 PM
Post #16 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 12, 2001
Posts: 21904
|
Joining a climbing gym, climbing with stronger partners, some mental improvements.
|
|
|
|
|
trillium
Oct 16, 2003, 5:37 PM
Post #17 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 13, 2001
Posts: 172
|
Losing weight and following someone who was a much better climber than I was.
|
|
|
|
|
howdidshedothat
Oct 17, 2003, 4:44 PM
Post #18 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 15, 2003
Posts: 171
|
All very good advice!! 8)
|
|
|
|
|
robmcc
Oct 17, 2003, 5:14 PM
Post #19 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 1, 2003
Posts: 2176
|
In reply to: Losing weight and getting stronger. I know they say strength is rarely the limiting factor, but sometimes it's the limiting factor.
I think one of the dirty little secrets of climbing is that the people who say this HAVE the strength.
I got a big wake up call. I climbed extensively 10-13 years ago and was, imo, pretty darned strong. I said the same things. It's not about strength. If you can climb stairs, you can climb rocks. Then I quit for 9 years, came back with relatively little strength, but still remembered the technique. I couldn't climb for crap. Now, 6 months later, some of the strength is back and I'm climbing a lot better.
|
|
|
|
|
dalguard
Oct 18, 2003, 5:28 PM
Post #20 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 1, 2003
Posts: 239
|
I think there are some techniques that require strength first to learn them. Once you're strong enough to fake your way through the technique you start to get a feel for it and it no longer requires that strength. Then it feels easy and you tell other people they don't need to be strong if they have the proper technique.
An example that anyone can try is to do a long move on an overhanging wall close to the ground. Can't pull it off? Have someone push your back towards the wall slightly as you try so that you can do it. Once you've done it a few times with assistance try again without and you may be surprised. Your body learns the technique of staying in towards the wall thanks to the push and once you've learned how it feels you can probably do it yourself even though you haven't gotten surprisingly stronger in the last few minutes.
|
|
|
|
|
shnobe
Oct 18, 2003, 8:05 PM
Post #21 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 12, 2002
Posts: 85
|
For me what really helped was learning that a well-placed piece of pro will hold you in a fall, and on the other side of that learning how to take falls while sport climbing. Those two things helped me move my climbing up the scale. For the strength part of climbing, a finger board helped with that.
|
|
|
|
|
rockclimbr
Oct 18, 2003, 10:55 PM
Post #22 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 28, 2003
Posts: 132
|
breaking up with a girlfriend who doesnt like to climb help..damn, i dunno what i was thinking when i went out with her..o well, we all make mistakes right?
|
|
|
|
|
andypro
Oct 19, 2003, 12:34 AM
Post #23 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 23, 2003
Posts: 1077
|
The deciding "event" that improved my climbing skills was when I realized that chasing numbers sucks. Now, I could care less if I ever climb 5.13. Dont care too really. Instead of being a sketchy 5.12 climber I'm now a happy and content 5.8/9 climber who can climb 5.11, and more enjoys an easier backcountry/alpine climb than a roadside crag 5.13.
|
|
|
|
|
nwrestler03
Oct 19, 2003, 2:16 AM
Post #24 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 19, 2003
Posts: 29
|
taurus...what books did u read?
|
|
|
|
|
chossmonkey
Oct 19, 2003, 2:52 PM
Post #25 of 28
(1549 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 1, 2003
Posts: 28414
|
I read how to climb 5.12 by E. Horst. It pretty much pointed out the obvious to me but it helped me go in a straight line instead of wandering back and fourth between improvements. The one thing that helps me most is working my weaknesses. What ever they may be, strength, endurance, mental, not climbing enough, over training. I guess what I'm saying is there isn't one thing that will make you way better, except maybe taking a good look at what you aren't good at and wanting to improve on it. I don't agree totally that chasing numbers sucks. Chasing numbers sucks when you do it to impress other people. Chasing numbers is good when you do it for yourself. It's about self improvement. Personally I like being able to go to any crag I want and being able to climb pretty much what ever I want. I don't climb a route because it is rated 5.whatever or V blah blah blah. I climb the cool looking routes. Whether they are 5.7 or 5.12+. Yeah it's cool to on-sight 5.12. It's also cool to go to a crag and climb all the routes, even if the hardest one is only 11a. By best friend and climbing buddy redpoints 11a after working it on a good day. I don't look down upon him for this. I do however feel bad when we are climbing our third or fourth day on on a short trip with limited time and he's a belay slave because he's to tired and I'm ripping the place apart climbing everything in sight ,on sight. I changed my mind, the thing that improved me the most was a lust for climbing what ever I want, especially the really cool lines that most people just look at.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
