Really like this contemplative videos. I often think on why I (still) climb, when other pursuits would be easier, less faff, less stress on myself. But I can't seem to loose the bug, with all it's waxing and waning.. Holding tight!
can totally relate to this, mate. I was considering a short term transition into trail running and then as I started to climb again, the bug crept back in under my skin and I'm as psyched as ever
Such a great video. External achievements sometimes leave a person feeling empty because there is always something else to achieve. But doing something for the sake of it, for the joy of it can be a wonderful journey and the end of it is having gone on that journey. Even without a win or a fail it can be fulfilling.
Things are different in climbing, but when I was doing martial arts I remember entering a full contact fight knowing for certain I would lose. I still wanted the experience and pressed on through. I also realised that in competitive sports, the value of winning is directly related to the performance of the loser. So being a good loser is something to be proud of: without this person, winning would be worthless. Not sure how this relates to climbing, but there is value in putting aside ego, expectations or goals, and just giving it your best for the sake of giving it your best.
100% agree with you there. The gracious loser is being positive in defeat when we don’t send. And if we work hard and finally get up the climb, we want that time to be spent on a line that motivates us. That challenges us. That dangles the carrot of a dream. An experience that gives us the doubts and belief that we may one day be better
Whenever I'm in BC I have a crack at my long-term project, Dreamcatcher. Will I ever send it? Hell no. But the draws are always on, it's fun, and there's nothing lost in trying. Great vid mate.
With you on this. I've been on Vasil Vasil, 9b+, when my level is a few literal light years away. Then again, no better way to understand what superhumans can do than try it for yourself.
That's an incredible looking line. Would imagine it would feel pretty damn insane to be hanging there in the middle of the overhang on the big rails and crack. Enjoy your time on it. Do a few moves for me :)
I was so convinced I'd failed these exams, but I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do more than keep studying. I don't know if that means I'm irrational or just focused. I've come to the conclusion there's no difference: if you happen to succeed, survivorship bias kicks in. I suppose that if the shiny thing was something at the end, like a degree I'd have found something else ages ago. I've failed a few times and its so shit. But I just want the Shiny. And I passed.
For me (an old man at 48, equally wise and stupid beyond my years), this question is existential in nature: what would you do with your life, knowing you were going to die anyway? My own answer is that I want to do what I enjoy. And what I enjoy is not a matter of thinking, it's a matter of following my desires. Which I don't generally try to rein in, unless illegal, hurtful or nefarious 😂. In climbing, my having long term, precise goals is hampered by the fact that we move country every 3 years or so. I've been thinking lately that it stops me latching on to an insane proj that I could go back to whenever I wanted. Maybe it's a bad excuse, but hey. As a result, I'm more into trying to climb better, as in refine betas, make a line feel easier due to technique and so on. So I'm in it for the journeying, the destination is hazy and will be what it'll be, I'll be happy with whatever it turns out to be. Just so long as I enjoy the process. I know I'll fail at living at some point. That's why I enjoy what comes before, whatever shape it has. By the way, I didn't get why you dropped the bolting proj? Too easy, too hard or?
The overall improvement is a great approach. Easy to get sucked into one narrow lane (which can be fun) but the idea of being good enough to climb all the routes at a particular grade where ever you end up in the world, that's pretty rad. Bolting proj wasn;t going to add anything to the wall. And I believe, especially on the multipitch style routes, less is more. You go there to find a beautiful path up the wall and have a sense of freedom. Not see a wall covered in bolts, not adding anything special or unique. At that point, it's the climbing gym. That line was going to end up being too easy on the arete and actually not end up being on the arete. You'd be climbing a meter to the left on the slab, making it about 6c climbing with the potential of your rope cutting on the arete. Up the overhanging, there was not quite enough holds. The sequence looked about V13 for 2 moves plus blank on the outro and at this point in my life, bolting it, wrangling belayers down there while I work it etc to try and boulder that hard 70m off the ground and nearly 100m from the top. I have low motivation for that. Plenty of other things to climb for now. It just wasn't going to add anything to the place.
as someone with a healing A4 who's been forced into drags for two months, they are criminally underrated and as strong as crimping if you really lock them down
Imo depends on your finger morphology . I have much longer middle three compared to my pinky and if I want to have all 4 fingers engaged on a hold I have to twist my wrist . Three is much more natural for me and my best grip by far@@Sparky210-11
I recently posed this question to a friend of mine. "If you could take a pill and climb 33 the next day, would you?" We both agreed, the answer is no. We'll never be pro climbers, its not about the goal, its about the relentless pursuit.
Depends. If I could take a pill to take me up Silence and return to my mediocrity the day after, I defo would. Not to say I did it, but to taste otherworldliness in the flesh. How amazing would that be! But if it was to stay at the 9c level thereafter, it would probably feel like cheating. But then again, I could try to climb 9c+ with a lot of work, so who knows. The fact is, at whatever level what we would be looking for is a challenge, the need to work out how to send a proj. So that pill would just be a wee push in the back for exactly the same thing, just at the top level. So yeah, now I know: I'd take it. 😂
yep, I'm with you there Alexander. For sure happy to go on the journey and see where it take me. Althogh having said that, I would take a pill to always have good skin haha. I don't need to go on that journey every day
I did wonder that. All good though. I'll re-test on the same stuff and see where it lands. Maybe I'll try again after a few hard redpoints and onsights
Starting to get a Dave Mac feel to these videos. Much love
Next video is Tom heading to Maccas and getting 16 patties with no bun.
haha I hope i'm not heading towards keto. I love carbs too much haha
You can do ANYTHING, but you can't do EVERYTHING.
Nice message, Tom.
It hits home. I had to remind myself of it again today. Hope it was helpful
Really like this contemplative videos. I often think on why I (still) climb, when other pursuits would be easier, less faff, less stress on myself. But I can't seem to loose the bug, with all it's waxing and waning.. Holding tight!
can totally relate to this, mate. I was considering a short term transition into trail running and then as I started to climb again, the bug crept back in under my skin and I'm as psyched as ever
Such a great video. External achievements sometimes leave a person feeling empty because there is always something else to achieve. But doing something for the sake of it, for the joy of it can be a wonderful journey and the end of it is having gone on that journey. Even without a win or a fail it can be fulfilling.
Yes, completely. I love asking myself what I’d want to do if no one was to ever know. Or if I was the last person left on earth
Things are different in climbing, but when I was doing martial arts I remember entering a full contact fight knowing for certain I would lose. I still wanted the experience and pressed on through.
I also realised that in competitive sports, the value of winning is directly related to the performance of the loser. So being a good loser is something to be proud of: without this person, winning would be worthless.
Not sure how this relates to climbing, but there is value in putting aside ego, expectations or goals, and just giving it your best for the sake of giving it your best.
100% agree with you there. The gracious loser is being positive in defeat when we don’t send. And if we work hard and finally get up the climb, we want that time to be spent on a line that motivates us. That challenges us. That dangles the carrot of a dream. An experience that gives us the doubts and belief that we may one day be better
Whenever I'm in BC I have a crack at my long-term project, Dreamcatcher. Will I ever send it? Hell no. But the draws are always on, it's fun, and there's nothing lost in trying.
Great vid mate.
With you on this. I've been on Vasil Vasil, 9b+, when my level is a few literal light years away. Then again, no better way to understand what superhumans can do than try it for yourself.
Can't wait to be good enough to even try dream catcher lmao good for you
That's an incredible looking line. Would imagine it would feel pretty damn insane to be hanging there in the middle of the overhang on the big rails and crack. Enjoy your time on it. Do a few moves for me :)
I was so convinced I'd failed these exams, but I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do more than keep studying. I don't know if that means I'm irrational or just focused. I've come to the conclusion there's no difference: if you happen to succeed, survivorship bias kicks in. I suppose that if the shiny thing was something at the end, like a degree I'd have found something else ages ago. I've failed a few times and its so shit. But I just want the Shiny. And I passed.
Haha nice one. Yeah it’s easy to get in the spiral of what’s coming from where. One foot in front of the other ✌️
For me (an old man at 48, equally wise and stupid beyond my years), this question is existential in nature: what would you do with your life, knowing you were going to die anyway? My own answer is that I want to do what I enjoy. And what I enjoy is not a matter of thinking, it's a matter of following my desires. Which I don't generally try to rein in, unless illegal, hurtful or nefarious 😂.
In climbing, my having long term, precise goals is hampered by the fact that we move country every 3 years or so. I've been thinking lately that it stops me latching on to an insane proj that I could go back to whenever I wanted. Maybe it's a bad excuse, but hey.
As a result, I'm more into trying to climb better, as in refine betas, make a line feel easier due to technique and so on. So I'm in it for the journeying, the destination is hazy and will be what it'll be, I'll be happy with whatever it turns out to be. Just so long as I enjoy the process.
I know I'll fail at living at some point. That's why I enjoy what comes before, whatever shape it has.
By the way, I didn't get why you dropped the bolting proj? Too easy, too hard or?
The overall improvement is a great approach. Easy to get sucked into one narrow lane (which can be fun) but the idea of being good enough to climb all the routes at a particular grade where ever you end up in the world, that's pretty rad.
Bolting proj wasn;t going to add anything to the wall. And I believe, especially on the multipitch style routes, less is more. You go there to find a beautiful path up the wall and have a sense of freedom. Not see a wall covered in bolts, not adding anything special or unique. At that point, it's the climbing gym. That line was going to end up being too easy on the arete and actually not end up being on the arete. You'd be climbing a meter to the left on the slab, making it about 6c climbing with the potential of your rope cutting on the arete. Up the overhanging, there was not quite enough holds. The sequence looked about V13 for 2 moves plus blank on the outro and at this point in my life, bolting it, wrangling belayers down there while I work it etc to try and boulder that hard 70m off the ground and nearly 100m from the top. I have low motivation for that. Plenty of other things to climb for now. It just wasn't going to add anything to the place.
Realy good video and great message thank you!
Brw I see your bolting with a hood, is it against the sunburns?
Glad you enjoyed, mate. Yeah it’s cooking in the sun down there. Always try to cover up in those situations
@ i heard the sun is especially dangerous in australia with more UV. So i can imagine !
Dude what is that wild second squeeze called that looked awesome
What time stamp?
My man!
Thanks ✌️
What a drag at 1:18. Note to self, need to train 3 finger drag.
as someone with a healing A4 who's been forced into drags for two months, they are criminally underrated and as strong as crimping if you really lock them down
@@ampmboulderno there not lol
Imo depends on your finger morphology . I have much longer middle three compared to my pinky and if I want to have all 4 fingers engaged on a hold I have to twist my wrist . Three is much more natural for me and my best grip by far@@Sparky210-11
@@Sparky210-11 sounds like you need to train drags more
@@ampmboulder they are more than perfectly fine lol
Tom Kant, because Tom can.
I recently posed this question to a friend of mine. "If you could take a pill and climb 33 the next day, would you?" We both agreed, the answer is no. We'll never be pro climbers, its not about the goal, its about the relentless pursuit.
Depends. If I could take a pill to take me up Silence and return to my mediocrity the day after, I defo would. Not to say I did it, but to taste otherworldliness in the flesh. How amazing would that be!
But if it was to stay at the 9c level thereafter, it would probably feel like cheating. But then again, I could try to climb 9c+ with a lot of work, so who knows. The fact is, at whatever level what we would be looking for is a challenge, the need to work out how to send a proj. So that pill would just be a wee push in the back for exactly the same thing, just at the top level.
So yeah, now I know: I'd take it. 😂
yep, I'm with you there Alexander. For sure happy to go on the journey and see where it take me. Althogh having said that, I would take a pill to always have good skin haha. I don't need to go on that journey every day
Ae
I did wonder that. All good though. I'll re-test on the same stuff and see where it lands. Maybe I'll try again after a few hard redpoints and onsights