RRC Archives

What's the best way to get around a climbing plateau?

time off, and then actually train when you come back. quit all this nonsense about having fun and numbers don't mean anything. numbers matter. 85 is hot, 5.12 is cool, 65 is the speed limit, 311 rocks, and 35 is old. numbers are milestones and markers of where we've been. use them, don't worship them.

Not around. Through

One thing to do is change your style of climbing. Like if you are mostly a trad climber, start doing more sport routes. Also, maybe start dedacating part of your climbing time to *training* type days, where you just work on harder stuff. Stuff you may have to aid/stick clip/have someone else put up. Then there is the gym, which is a great way to get stronger. Time off can help, but only if you have been really climbing at your limit for awhile, and need the rest.

Pigsteak,
Well then, 85 no that's not hot-1.000 degrees is, 5.12 everyone does that out west as a warm up, speed limits are made to be broken, and I guess I'm getting old (notice the getting old). But I will agree on the milestones.


Sport climbing--ah, now that's hard to stomach. Thanks for the advice.

snowpuppy.....lol...

just trying to get ya thinking. the actual numbes I cited are irrelevant...so let's make it 5.13..that better? or 5.11 if you choose. it's your number, cause it's your game...get the idea?

don't worry, I am old..

I get the idea. No worries-it's all good.

You're pushing your limits. Maybe it just seems like you arent getting better because you arent sending,but you are learning new moves and things all the time you are climbing. the numbers will come with the expearience. It's cool to see your enthusiasm while climbing. Wes is right.
Bouldering will help your sport and your trad. sport will help your trad.
I wonder if ice is good for something? I always wanted to try it.

ynot is right on...I assumed you had years of experience already...that's my mistake if you are new to the sport. just putting in lots of mileage on a variety of rock and mixing up as much as you can(trad, sport , boulder)....that stuff will open your eyes to what is possible. and truly, just enjoy the people you are with...climbing is merely a means to enjoying great friendships.

I've only been at this for about 2 years. I started sport and in about 6 months (was hitting 5.11bs) on top rope. Got bored with sport climbing and almost quit climbing period. Then have been trad ever since and like it much better (it's like putting a puzzle togther). Mileage-been doing alot of that. On the enjoy part-well that is fun-I get to hang and climb with some really awesome guys and gals and views are excellant from the top.