competition in climbing?

Post by **One-Fall** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:44 pm

I don't consider myself competitive though. But that is different that being sized up by every tool you run into - krampus

This is what I feel out at the crags sometimes, and I just dont understand why it needs to be projected.

An example of the opposite. I sent a route that was hard for me, and Ray sent me a pm saying great job. It was a grade that is within his onsite ability. So where is the competition in that?

Does Rob McFall read this site anymore? I would like a headshrinkers opinion on this type of behavior.

Post by **ahab** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:46 pm

that definition is exactly what i'm talking about. you may be competing against yourself maybe someone else. directly, indirectly, consciously or subconsciously you are competing.

like meadows said, we are mammals. it's what we do.

Post by JR » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:02 pm

I have felt strangers being more competitive trying to drive through Cincinnati at 8am on my way to the Red than I have ever felt sport climbing.

Having said that, I have noticed that I do enjoy a little competition at the crag. If there is no one to compete against, say I am climbing with someone way above me or way below me(in difficulty). I will start competing with something completely arbitrary. I want to send this route in x amount of tries, I want to get on x amount of routes today, I want to get them points today, I am going to really try to onsight something difficult. Start little competitive games with myself.

Little did I know, I had started a competition with SCIN when he wasn't even there. I read that he had sent Taste the Rainbow in 2 tries. So I tried it on Monday only to fail bitterly on my second attempt. I got super agitated. On my way home that night I was trying to figure out why I felt so shitty about the experience. All I could come up with was that I had attached a more than normal(for me) expectation to the route.

Damn you SCIN. You beat me again.

Post by **pigsteak** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:04 pm

and lee...ray merely sent you that email to rub in the fact that he onsites your projs....subtle I know, but it helps keep the pecking order intact.

Post by JR » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:15 pm

As if this http://www.redriverclimbing.com/RRCGuid ... scores.php wasn't enough for SCIN to keep the pecking order intact.

Damn you SCIN!!!

Post by **captain static** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:50 pm

I am outwardly competitive at the gym but inwardly competitive at the crag. At Climb Time I like to sit on the bench and watch some young kids working on a problem and then flash it after they give up. When they give me kudos I like to gloat on the thought that I could be their father yet I just showed them up.

At the crag I don't want to be near anyone I don't know and get nervous if strangers are watching me climb. But I do feel competitive with my partners if they are climbing around my same level.

Post by **ahab** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:51 pm

lol, brentucky you better enjoy that lead while it lasts...i got some pent up rage ready to unleash on the unsuspecting sandstone this weekend...better bring them guns boy!

Post by **Brentucky** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:30 pm

ahab, didn't you go tard climbing last weekend? In that case I really don't see that you have a chance! 8)

The competition factor is one of the good ways I use to push myself. Like someone else kinda said, if I'm around much stronger people I get all moody and don't want to push it. If I'm hanging around weak sauce like ahab, same thing. Tis best for me to push myself when climbing around people who struggle and succeed at about the same level so I guess that is something to do with the competition factor. I also climb WAY harder on my couch when I'm not standing in front of the route in mind and all of a sudden need to drop a massive load!

Post by **krampus** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:45 pm

and now I am worried that brentucky is going to get better than me so I really have to try now.

yeah, competition can be good an necessary, but this isn't basketball so don't overdo it

Post by **ahab** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:02 pm

Brentucky wrote: ahab, don't you know that i have been juicing lately? In that case I really don't see that you have a chance! 8)

The competition factor is one of the good ways I use to push myself. Like someone else kinda said, if I'm around much stronger people I get all moody and have to resort to using drugs to cheat. That way when I'm hanging around weak sauce like ahab, i feel all warm and fuzzy about myself. I also climb WAY harder after shooting roids straight into various body parts. Then all of a sudden need to drop a massive load!

brent, i'm worried about you. that stuff is for losers.