Category Archives: Rock climbing

Climbing Video #1

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So, as usual we are behind on writing about rock climbing. Maybe it should be our New Year’s resolution to not only climb more, but write more about it.

For starters, here is a short video of one of the routes at our indoor climbing gym. I think this was the first time I attempted the route (I forget the name), so I hope you will take that into consideration when you notice the sloppiness of my moves! At least I managed to finish it on the first try! This route was one of our favorites, since it includes some horizontal movement that makes you feel like a real climber! Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible, look out!

I say it “was” one of our favorites, because it no longer exists – the gym is now under new management and there are all new routes to try! The downside to that is that none of these auto-belay devices are set up anymore, and with Eyegirl and I being only two people, we now will have a hard time holding the camera for more videos! Of course the upside is that we have lots of new projects to work on!

I believe this route was rated 5.7 or 5.8, although ratings vary from gym to gym. For more information on getting started rock climbing, we previously linked to this page from REI, which discusses the rating system (copied below) and other helpful info. (Also mentioned in our post “First Climb“)

Climbing Route Classifications
Class 1 Walking an established flat, easy trail.
Class 2 Hiking a steep incline, scrambling, maybe using your hands.
Class 3 Climbing steep a hillside, moderate exposure, a rope may be carried but not used, and hands are used in climbing. A short fall could be possible.
Class 4 It is steeper yet, exposed and most people use a rope due to the potential of long falls.
Class 5 Climbing is technical and belayed roping with protection is required. It is not for a novice. Any fall from a Class 5 could be fatal.
Class 5 sub-categories
5.1-5.4 Easy Climbing a steep section that has large hand and foot holds.
5.5-5.8 Intermediate Small foot and handholds. Strength and rock climbing skills required. Low to vertical terrain.
5.9-5.10 Hard Not for beginners. Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required.
5.11-5.12 Hard to Difficult Not for beginners. Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required.
5.13-5.15 Very Difficult Not for beginners. Technical, vertical and may have overhangs. Rock shoes required.

No need to turn your sound on unless you are interested in hearing “I Love Rock and Roll,” which happened to be on the radio at the gym. Not quite as motivating for climbing as when “Back in Black” comes on!

My favorite thing about climbing

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If I could only run, bike, or climb for the rest of my life – it’d be close, but I would choose climbing.  Why?

Other than crossing finish lines at races, climbing has one advantage over running and cycling – climbing builds great confidence.  After a tough day at work or a day where I feel less than awesome about myself, I try to work in a climb.  There is no better feeling than getting to the top of that wall. Finishing the routes after a crappy day reminds me that no matter what  I’m bumming about, there are great things I can do that many other people don’t even think about.  It gives me something to be proud of and helps me remember I am not defined by my job or my responsibilities in life, but rather by my choices and by what I love.

Climbing is a mental, physical, emotional workout that just fills you up.  Of course there is a reason you feel all that pride when you get to the top, which is that for me at least, it took a lot of training and determination to get there.  It took at least a month or two before I could even finish a route, and as many of you know, I still cannot do a pull-up.  (Working on it though!)  But, I am light years ahead of where I was a year ago.

For anyone who is interested in getting started rock climbing, I highly recommend it, especially if you are trying to lose weight.  For most people, weight is more of an emotional issue and not just a health issue, and so if your doctor gives you the green light, rock climbing is a great mood booster.  (Another thing it would be great for would be for kids who are being bullied.  Maybe in the future, rbc can get involved with putting something together to offer kids like that a chance to climb.)  Most gyms will offer belay and safety lessons and the staff there will be happy to help you get started.  In fact after our first few visits, Pathguy and I commented on how positive everyone seemed to be at the gym.  Probably not an accident!