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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Havachatwithhexy... 22-Dec-2004 At 6:26:17 PM HEX

Message

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A5--->M8--->6ULDV8?...& Muncher get all philasoficool, as they cut-sick together, as another ethical-set-wave rolls thru the Chockstone cauldron...

muncher
22/12/2004
12:02:53 PM

Sure climbing has a huge mental aspect involved but as M8 pointed out it is not the only activity that does. Just thought I would point out that in surfing big waves (at least paddle in) it is not just about riding the wave. You have to be switched on the whole time you are out there, paddling out, trying to locate and stay in the take off zone, trying to avoid getting caught in by bomb sets, forcing yourself to stand your ground and wait as a huge set is approaching and turing around and taking off. Trying to stay calm as a huge set breaks right in front of you and puts you through the whole wash cycle before you grab a few quick breaths and get pummelled by the next ones can be extremely hard but as in climbing a scary route, absolutely essential as panicking can have some pretty scary consequences.

Whilst there may be moments of relaxation it is usually a pretty intense experience for the whole session and is only over when you are standing on the dry sand, and fu#$ doesn't that come as a relief sometimes.

I guess you could compare it to climbing a long, scary, multi pitch route with little option of bailing.

M8iswhereitsat
22/12/2004
12:15:10 PM

I have done both (at a level some would consider foolish).
They are similar in some ways, but completely different in others.

Due to having more experience in the surf (arena), provided I had appropriate equipment (read rhino chaser gun-board), I generally did not feel 'out-there-uncomfortable'. Perhaps this was because its a dynamic medium and the relatively calmer times between sets allows a degree of recouperation.
On the other hand I find a long runout on thin pro (particularly with the timeframe involved in aid or solo), a different kind of fear !
The savouring of the moment when it becomes extended allows the mind to dwell on the consequences with much more detail ... ?

muncher
22/12/2004
1:46:43 PM

Hard to disagree with you there M8, I guess there are few things like a ropelength of bodyweight placements to truly keep you focused and in the moment for hours at a time (not that I would know being mostly a sport climber/boulderer).

As you pointed out, they (scary climbing and big wave surfing) are worlds apart, perhaps the only similarities can be found in what you get out of them, which can be even harder to explain...
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