yes internet, I am still here
Oops. Forgot to post. Things have been good though. Still seeking a way to balance the different interests of my life, but really, who isn't? So the quick summary. Running. I seem to have gone off the deep end with the long distance running. I ran my second marathon of the year and had moments of sheer giddy happiness. I also ran a
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5.10b is just the rating for the hardest thing I can climb. Joe is several levels above, able to climb a 5.11a. The system basically goes walking is class 1. Steep scrambling up hills is level 2 and 3. Level 4 is where it's a good idea to have a rope in case you fall so you won't seriously hurt yourself. Level 5 is like, you'd be stupid to not have a rope because it's vertical or near vertical and death can result from a fall. From there it increases in tenths for more discrimination. At the gym, Joe and I see kids not much older than toddlers, climbing 5.3 up to 5.6. Cool thing about rock climbing is that sometimes the lighter more flexible person will have an easier time climbing a given route than some muscle hulk. Kids are naturally good climbers and it's nice to watch how they move and try to mimic it. When Joe and I introduce people to climbing, they typically start on a 5.6 level. The holds are large and you don't have to have good technique to get to the top. By the time you get to a 5.8 though, you start to figure out how to mve with intelligence instead of just grit and muscle. Rock climbing can actually be a lot like solving a puzzle. If you do all of your lifting with your legs instead of your arms, you won't be as tired at the end of the climb. If you position your hips so they are not facing the wall but sideways to the wall, you can do various leg work with less effort. Anyway, by the time you get to a 5.9 you really need to start applying technique and puzzling out how to get up a route. When the scale reaches 5.10 it further breaks down, to a through d, for more distinction. At this point there are a lot fewer holds, they are smaller holds, and it requires more strength flexibility, balance, creativity and reach. From there things get harder. There might be steep overhangs, tricky sequences, places where you have to have insane gripping power, places where you have to literally jump for your next hold, catch it with one hand and keep climbing. Back to the scale though. The hardest routes in the world are 5.15b, about 20 levels above what I can do and those climber seem like they must've sold their souls to the god of geckos, they are spider-people.
Wow, that's a long-winded explanation. Uh, yea. Really the best way for you to understand is to come climb sometime. It'll be fun. :)
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Not only that, but if you can convince them you're a teacher, there are certain times of the month that the climbing is free - no pass required.
Would love to show you the ropes. As it were.
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