RRC Archives

So, I have ticked some kinda hard routes in the last year or so. Some routes that were nice to send because of the peer respect that followed and it was nice to put up some numbers. But sometimes, the higher numbers or even harder routes aren't the ones you are the most proud of. Like today, I ticked a route that is one of the proudest sends of my climbing career, but it was *just* a 5.8, muscle shoals. And while 5.8 is cool if you are a 5.8 climber, I have sent 5.11 trad. So, why would a 5.8 be such a proud thing? Because I had to work mentally and physically harder then I have on many routes that are rated much higher. So, while this route won't really stand out in my tick list, it means so much more to me then most of the higher rated ones. There is more to being a proud send then just being rated hard.

Wes

OR maybe it's because you have always wanted to do the route, or maybe you just feel the route is an expression of yourself in some way. Nicorette wasn't the hardest thing I have done but it's one of my proudest sends because I have wanted to do it ever since I started climbing. Sometimes climbing is like art in that way. You see a line you really want to do, and when you do it you get this feeling of great satisfaction and pride.

Mj

Saturday Wes put up Inhibitor, Sunday he crushed Muscle Shoals. I cleaned them both and seriously had way more trouble on muscle Shoals than Inhibitor. That route probably gets my sandbag of the month award. Wes is a total warrior and that was a killer send.

Its all about what makes ya warm and fuzzy inside. One day you send big numbers and you feel good, another day you send a line you've always wanted to do, do it in fine style, works you all around, etc and you feel good.

It's just a number. Climb to climb, not to be able to tell everyone you can climb a certain number. There's alot of easier climbs in the Gorge that I really love climbing.

Nice job on Shuscle Moals wes.

Great Job Wes!

My proudest send was also a 5.8, so I hear ya Wes.

I can relate, I had been obssesed with a certain route for a couple months. I ticked it sat. It just felt good. Sunday I got to witness Wes send. What a great weekend.

wes justs rocks proudly.