When I thought about trying bouldering this year – I talked to a friend who is a long-time boulderer and who knows my climbing skills very well. He warned me about bouldering and said that I would really have trouble with aspects like toptouts, etc. He suggested that I rethink getting in the Triple Crown. I took his advice seriously – though I’ve been climbing for a little while – my best climbing has only been this past year, i have to crank hard to get most low grade tens and have to redpoint to get other 10’s. - hardest redpoint to date is 10d and it took me lots of goes to get it. Bouldering is something I had never done well at – in fact I can’t even stick v1 problems set at the gym where I go.
When I bought my crash pad and registered for the triple crown – the sec guidelines said that v0 – v2 was beginner. Not expecting to accomplish much more that having some fun trying something new that’s where I registered. When I got to Hounds Ears – I asked one of the judges about it and he said to try a v0 and if it was easy to try v1, same thing then try v2, etc until u get where you really have to crank your hardest and then start there. That sounded good so I got on my first v0s and didn’t fall, I got on some v1’s and it was a bit harder for me. The v2’s were hard for me. About half of them I didn’t get although I tried really hard. I got only 1 v3 – a slab problem but didn’t get any other problems higher than v3 the rest of the series.
Got to horse pens - same thing pretty much, except I thought bouldering there was a little bit harder. Got the v0’s I tried, same with v1, had to work pretty hard for v2, never got anything harder than v3 there – turned in my score sheet and headed home early that afternoon having had a good time but not really thinking I did very well.
A couple of days later while looking at the triple crown standings I saw I was second overall – I though something was wrong – I really suck at bouldering and wasn’t really doing it expecting more that just a fun time. I asked a few friends if I read the scores right – and was surprised that it was true.
LRC was the same situation only got on a couple of v0’s to warm up them v1, v2. tried a couple of v3’s but didn’t get them tried a v4 (my sisters boobs) was fun to attempt but didn’t get the exit moves. I didn’t think I did very well point wise but had a good time and made some new friends so I got what I came for.
I was really surprised to place that evening. I thought it was cool that everybody accomplished what they did. I still think that too. Next year I’ll get in intermediate but I think beginner was appropriate for me this year.
I concour with paul about prizes
