Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Author

Significant events that have changed your climbing


Chuck Norris

9-Apr-2010
5:43:20 PM

I'd say climbing has had more of an affect on the way I view experiences than vice versa.

Though getting old & having kids now makes me (usually) wear a skid lid on any climb that would involve bouncing if I fall. Funnily enough getting old and having kids means I tend to do more climbs that involve bouncing if I fall.


IdratherbeclimbingM9

9-Apr-2010
8:46:48 PM

Chockstone has changed my climbing.
I now live my non-climbing moments climbing through posts on Chocky, and have found some rarefied atmosphere in its lofty heights...
Heh^{X 3}

... ~> but on a more serious note; becoming a father initially changed my climbing.
Up until then the calculated risks I ran were not the potential impost they could have been, had they gone astray, given the fact that no-one depended on me being around long term.
Now having reached a respectable number of years, the kids being independent, and me still not knowing what it is all about, I am again on the tightrope of balancing risk against reward for effort.
I am fully aware that in the long run climbing is just a game, a distraction/obsession that gobbles time and money, but by participating in the game, I feel that it helps me focus in a direct comparison sort of way, on appreciating the more committing aspects of life. A partner, kids, family, health, those sorts of things; ... all of which are more valuable than whether or not I get to go climbing, let alone send the envisaged project/s.
The mental aspect of climbing (fully committed to the task at hand), can be all-engaging. This is as it should be, not only to surviving the moment when in extremis, but also to discovering ones inner self and the limitations that enfolds.
I have learnt to enjoy the process.
Next life, if there is such, I hope we can share the camaraderie of the rope game further.

As a completely different side-note. I have been around Chocky since its inception and probably read every post ever made to it. This thread, although maybe not apparent to many, ... in my mind marks a maturing of this site of sorts. It is hard to explain, as this perhaps is more of a gut feeling that I have than anything I could demonstrate in a court of ~~chocky flaming~~ law; however if I was to kark tonight, I'd be happy knowing that some of the participants in the Chocky-life have a serious side and are prepared to show it, along with perhaps tempered participation, humour and unbridled passion for their participation in the game.


Sarah Gara

9-Apr-2010
8:59:13 PM

>what doesn't kill you etc

That's why I threw in the etc. and keep chin up etc. None of those platitudes help they are just what people say - didn't mean any disrespect was merely trying to acknowledge the sadness of the situation. Didn't mean any offence *hangs head in shame* eek! x


evanbb

10-Apr-2010
7:03:34 AM

On 9/04/2010 Sarah Gara wrote:
>A very cheery post?

I don't think the intent is to be gloomy Sarah, I think it's just the way the mechanism works.

Personally, to improve my climbing I know what I've got to do; do it regularly and try hard when I do. But it's a slow build, the process can't be circumvented with an event.

But, having a negative impact on my climbing is easy and often the sum of a thousand different things being done wrong. Slightly hung over, dehydrated, hungry, sunburnt, stressed from work.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who disagrees, but I can't imagine many cases of an event significantly improving someone's climbing.

adamskii

10-Apr-2010
8:41:53 AM

wow - amazing stories!! here's a few from me, all positive, even the one negative one.

becoming a father has definitely been a huge influence on climbing - firstly, time on the rock is so much more valuable, I no longer care *what* I'm climbing, just happy to get out and really looking forward to the time we're all able to go together. Its enlightening, and enlivening.

having a scary, scary scary experience exploring a new area with David Cameron some years ago, really put the wind up me, basically the turning point from being a c--ky, relatively inexperienced climber to a climber somewhat more mature outlook. Thanks David, it really was a turning point.

moving to tasmania for 5 years - I can climb cracks now! A whole new world is open...

moving back to victoria - I only have to climb cracks if I want to :-)

Cheers everyone, great thread, great reading.


salty crag

10-Apr-2010
10:26:34 AM

Great thread, sad in parts but good to hear/read from others how they handle life's adversities and adjust and move on. I'm another that can relate to WW last sentence.

My predicament at the moment is how to climb with my 15 yr old son. I'm pushing 50, recently returned to climbing after many years away and like others have a very different outlook and expectations to when I was younger. I remember seeing the world through a teenagers eyes and can relate to how my young fella feels ie. fit, strong, keen, almost bullet proof and wanting to push the boundaries. I however no longer tick any of those boxes. The crux for me is comming as he wants to start camping at the pines to meet and climb with people closer to his own age (and check out the chicks no doubt). The climber in me says he's ready, the dad (control freak) say's no-way. Its a problem I will wrestle with.

Safety is always paramount when I'm on rock, agree and relate to Wendy's comments. I just found I bordered on paranoir when climbing with my son and daughters and it's taken a long time to unclench the butt cheeks and simply enjoy the experience. I'm getting there slowly.


porkpie

10-Apr-2010
8:44:19 PM

In reply to old salty. I think it's awesome your son is climbing with you - I hope my boys get into the sport too. And you never know your son may not discard you at the crag - I remember seeing Tommy Caldwell climbing with his Dad in 1995. Tommy would be redpointing 5.14 (at about 17 years old) then he would belay his dad on a 5.11. They were the best of mates, enjoyed numerous roadtrips and Tommy still got the girl in the end.

For me the biggest events in my life happened two days apart three years ago. My father died of the same brain cancer (Glioblastoma Multiforma) as Cruze's Mum, the very next day my first child Lachlan was born. Talk about emotional turmoil. Grieving and exhuasted I stopped all exercise. I gave up on climbing and had no motivation for the outdoors. But after 6 months of getting fat I thought it was time to do something. I packaged up the baby and went bouldering at Northmead Quarry (not a place to inspire ussually). Instantely it felt right, I started eating better, riding the bike and even did some wieghts.

Now I am stoked with life. I have two beautiful boys who I look forward to sharing the outdoors with. Climbing got my mojo back - I don't want to be a fat bastard talking about the 'old days- before kids', I look forward to sharing a rope, coaching the Rugby team (or what ever pursuits they choose) and being part of the boys life. Thanks climbing for saving me!!!!!

I also think climbing saved me from many scary woman (relationships wise), booze and pot when I was young and silly - thank goodness I avoided those evils for weekends at Nowra/Mountains. Otherwise I would have 14 illigitamite children, and alcohol problem and a massive 'gock' (thats a gut that hangs over your c--k - not to be confused for a 'gunt' - sorry to downgrade such a good thread)

Nice thread Cruze. Sorry to hear about your mum - all I can say is with time the pain fades and the happy memories shine. It takes a long time but life canbe rich again and simple tasks such as climbing in the mountains offer a sanctuary for reflection and appreciation. Enjoy your family, enjoy your friends and enjoy every day at the crag.

Estey

11-Apr-2010
3:19:01 PM

Jesus Cruze, this is the most soppy thread ever. Maybe it is time you and Marta started making babies.

Funny how emotional stress can affect your climbing. Some climbers who usually get scared when their feet get level with bolt can turn into absolute nutters. Others who are usually comfortable well above gear turn into quivering messes.

Reminds me of a week I spent with Pommie brother in law in the mountains. After a few days of constant fighting with his wife Rob disappeared. His wife informed me they were getting divorced and that he had walked up to the station to get a train to the airport to go back to England. I drive up and find him wondering around Katoomba in a daze. I convince him to get in the car and eventually to go climbing to take his mind of things. About four pitches up he decides to look down and his reason for feeling sorry for himself suddenly changed and he started fighting with me. He made up with his wife that night and they now have two children.

I'm not sure what you can take from this but what I learnt was that if you choose to go climbing with someone under severe emotional stress don't expect a good belay.

gfdonc

12-Apr-2010
12:39:26 PM

I drifted away from climbing for a while in the 80's after a friend was killed on Everest. It was not really that single event that caused it, some other interests and a slight shift in priorities also took hold. I never 'gave up' climbing, it just took a back seat for a while.

Prior to that I had a potential life-changing incident when a groundfall knocked me out (I was wearing a helmet). Curiously, I stopped wearing a helmet sometime after that. It makes no sense at all, I know, but these days I'm a compulsive helmet-wearer.

Being the father of a daughter (and now two) made me decide to give up soloing. I was never a compulsive soloist, and never did anything worth reading about, but I would solo to within a grade or two of my lead-limit. With kids I acknowledged the consequences weren't worth it, although I still eye off some middle-grade routes from time to time.


billk

12-Apr-2010
1:01:38 PM

On 9/04/2010 Sarah Gara wrote:
>>what doesn't kill you etc
>
>That's why I threw in the etc. and keep chin up etc. None of those platitudes
>help they are just what people say - didn't mean any disrespect was merely
>trying to acknowledge the sadness of the situation. Didn't mean any offence
>*hangs head in shame* eek! x

No, not at all. There was nothing disrespectful to anyone in your post.

There are 30 messages in this topic.