RRC Archives

How long have you been climbing? Do you remember after what amount of time you had certain "breakthroughs"?

Going on 9 years steady.
I was on a plateau for the past 3+ years but now that I'm bouldering regularly I've been able to pull through it. I'm really stoked about my recent breakthrough.

It will be 2 years in June. I feel I have hit a bit of a plateau lately, but I think it's more of a lack of focus. That's ALL about to change next weekend though.

Mj

4.5 years. Started send 5.10 trad fall before last, which was a big deal to me. Another big breakthrough started last spring when I started bouldering more.

Wes

5th year for me without much climbing last year due to video-taping, and the year before spending a lot of time taking a couple of people out and trying to show 'em the ropes.
Hit a .10c plateau but really broke through it after taking Arnos course at DerbyFest last spring.
I'm climbing in the low .11's now and can't wait to keep raising my limits.
This year is all about MEEEEE , and my partner of course!

7 years. Took me forever to get past 11s, now it's taking me forever to get past 12s. But I'm having fun and that's all that counts!

3 years. Amazing progress the first year.I havent raised my numbers since then but have become a well rounded and safer climber,and I have a pretty good time of it.

I don't think breakthroughs have as much to do about time as they do with situations and circumstances. Case in point is a climb called "Roar" in the now closed portion of Clifton Gorge. This was the first 5.10 route there. This was at the time when ratings were just starting to break the 5.9 barrier. Many people were working the route. Then, finally some one put it together. Within a month, myself and about 30 other people had bagged the route. In more recent Static history, taking a lesson from Jason & Tiffany Campbell was a turning point. Also, reading and taking to heart the book Peformance Climbing and Eric Horst's books.

I think big gains come when you start pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This does not mean that you should go out and lead the first .12x that you find (in less that is what it takes to push you out of your comfort zone). Maybe you could start by leading something that you find challenging on top-rope, and then work your way up from there.

I've been climbing off and on for about six years, but seriously for a little over a year now. Last year was my first steady season at the red. I started out workin on 10's then got into 11's and started workin 12's around last fall. I bouldered through the winter and sent my first 12 at the beginning of this season.