I absolutely don’t have a chalk problem.
Hi, Gravity
High gravity days. We all have them.
Fingerprints
This happens to all of us, right?
Belaytionship
I love my climbing partner. Just not like THAT.
Chalk Up
You can never have enough chalk.
Going For It
I'm not going for it.
Rest Day
WHAT IS THIS "REST" THAT YOU SPEAK OF?
Regional Dialects
When I visited family in Singapore a year or so ago and decided to tour the local gyms, I discovered that the language of "generic bouldering encouragement" is not, in fact, universal.
I felt so provincial with my pedestrian "COME ON!" shouts....
Noobris
I always try to be welcoming and non-judgemental when I see new climbers in rental gear, because I remember how nervous I was when I started climbing and how encouraging the gym regulars were to me. HAVING SAID THAT... there are exceptions.
Seriously, dude-bros... don't try to out-climb the girls.
Focused
One of the things I love about climbing is how my mind quiets down as soon as my hands touch the wall.
Jammed
I've gotten better at dressing my knots over the years, but this still occasionally happens:
Slang
Climbing is a very slang-intensive culture. Some terms are technical in nature and should be learned and used by newcomers to the sport. Others... others are best picked up organically.
Gym Rat Outside, pt. 3
Gym climbing might have the edge over outdoor climbing when it comes to safety and comfort... but is definitely lacking in other departments.
Gym Rat Outside, pt. 2
I'm super-excited to get outside on some real rock tomorrow in Colorado! However, I've heard that smeary, non-existent footholds are the order of the day out there, so I'm expecting this scene to play out a lot:
Gym Rat Outside, pt. 1
I've only climbed on actual rock three times so far, due to Southeast Michigan's crushing lack of vertical terrain. So far, this has been my biggest challenge making the transition from gym to crag.
Mortal Coil
The first time I tried to coil a rope, I nearly strangled myself. It's gotten better since then... mostly.
Climbing Holds
Holds that I like: Jugs
Holds that I dislike: Everything else
Eight-Eyes
My climbing partner and I are easily the coolest-looking people in the gym...
Whipper Will
Flashback to when I finally took the lead test at my gym, after about two years of postponing it because I was scared of taking the fall.
Reader... I took the fall.
Communication
I try not to be one of those climbers who is super-chatty while they are on the wall... but there have been occasional lapses.
I'm still annoyed about those leggings, especially because the kneebar ended up not working anyways.