AN ARAPS WRAP UP...................
Well, what can I say I went I saw I bouldered.... nah just being a little flippant..
First off stinkingoat, you have my apologies, I think I now have a better understanding of what you were alluding too, unfortunately my inexperience and lack of knowledge didn't allow me to understand, now I know, a little more.
I can't say that the guide book stayed in the pack, though I honestly did give it go, and promptly took a wrong turn and ended up god knows where. So I made my way back to the pines and played on the rabbit boulder for a while. Over the next few days the guide book came out so I knew where I was going and then I played around on quite a few of the problems. There were some places I didn't get to but all in all it was fantastic.
So what did I learn,
Well I learned that having a guide book was handy to know where you are going and helping to identify the name of the boulder.
I also learned that having a crash pad is better than not having one( I fall into the latter)
I learned discretion is the better part of valour on Superman
I learned nature is a curious thing, a birds egg in a pocket on the Monkey Puzzle traverse, at which time I dropped off and then mosied on.
I learned the value of a heel hook which is awsome fun when you nail it.
I learned popping for pockets and dynoing for jugs can be painful.
I started to understand that it is the problem that is the problem and the grade of it becomes secondary.
I had a great time and tried to remember the things that were discussed on this thread whilst I was there and am beginning to think I have found a little niche for myself, I do enjoy going up a wall but the bouldering was a different thing altogether, it is hard to articulate it properly so I won't try, but I can see why people like yourself (stinkingoat), Dalai are passionate about bouldering. It was great and the VCC people are all fantastic, so I am glad I went.
Now I need a crash pad, cheers
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