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Topic Date User

TR: The Obsidian Depression (Bare Rock Projecting) 30-Aug-2016 At 8:50:38 AM technogeekery

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Paul - I think the mental aspect of climbing is what has kept me coming back to it for so many years, when other things have dropped away.

I've never climbed at your level - but used to climb a lot closer to my own limits than I do now. Have also spent a lot of time thinking about why I climb and what I really get out of it (and not just that "oh god why did I take up climbing" feeling we all get when run out and scared!). Very interesting to read about your own thought processes and how ticking a route affects your sense of self-worth.

On 29/08/2016 PThomson wrote:

>It was a hard blow to my ego to really invest time in trying to take a
>big step forward in the technical difficulty of my climbing (on a route,
>and in a place that inspires me) -the sort of time 99.9% of climbers can
>never afford to expend- and then come away empty handed. Trying to swallow
>that pill was particularly bitter (but only for egoistic reasons). It's
>really forced me to consider what I really want out of my climbing, moving
>forward.

You've obviously come a long way in your introspection - that damn ego, eh? It serves is evolutionary purpose, but sometimes seems that life is an endless battle to tame the excesses of the ego! Arno Ilger's Rock Warrior's Way irritated me with the whole warrior metaphor - but had some very useful guidance for me in understanding my own motivations and focusing on how to get the most enjoyment / learning / personal growth from climbing.

You write well too - keep it up, its great to read about your adventures mental and physical :-)