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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Armchair climbing 26-Nov-2004 At 12:12:05 PM Kanya

Message

I don't mean traversing laps of your sofa.

Many years ago when I was consistently climbing I could sit in my armchair and visualise climbing routes
I had done or was trying. Associated with the visualisation were bodily changes - sweaty palms, increased
heartrate, feelings of apprehension. But I was still able to flow up the climbs.

Now that I am older I no longer have the associated bodily changes. I just flow up the climbs. This is very
disappointing as I cannot climb as often and probably do more armchair climbing than real climbing.

Even when I was climbing consistently, reality was always completely different from the armchair
experience however. Armchair climbing never took into account the exposure, the pump, the mental
torment, the "what the f*** am I doing here?".

So I am seeking help from you Chockstoners. How do I get the sweaty palms again? Indeed, how can I
make the armichair climbing experience a more vicarious reflection of real climbing. I know there are
people out there that can help me. The armchair climbing experts. You can pick them easily. They talk the
talk. They know every move on every climb. They confidently talk about half grade differences in climbs.
They own all the good gear. They frequent climbing forums. Sometimes they even own climbing shops.
But they hardly ever hit the cliffs. These people must be having orgasmic armchair climbing experiences
or they would hit the cliffs more often. Help. What are your secrets?