Rock climbers are awesome!
I'm not saying that just coz I love rock climbing. I'm saying it coz they're such a nice bunch of people. Well I'm not saying there aren't a couple bad eggs in the mix but all in all, it's been such a fantastic experience. Everyone's so eager to share their little tips, so eager to commend you on good technique, and so willing to share stuff like chalk, crash pads and tape.
I had my first outdoor bouldering experience out in Santee today. It was so beautiful this Saturday. We started bouldering around 4:30pm. The boulders were a little warm but nothing drastic. We chalked up and I tried my hand at the Carousel. I'm not going to lie, it was really hard. Especially with trad shoes. The edges on the boulders were tiny and when I say tiny, I really mean tiny hairline lips. None of that easy jug holds and footholds one is used to at the gym. I was greatly humbled. I finally got up after 5 tries. K was right, Santee's all about footwork. My footwork's there but my shoes weren't sticky enough so I kept slipping. It was really frustrating!
K asked if I wanted to boulder again on Sunday. I said I would love to if I could get a hold of a pair of bouldering shoes. (Currently lusting for a pair of La Sportiva Katanas but alas, the REI where I'm at has sold out.)
On my quest for my new Katanas, I ended up with a pair of Vibram Fivefingers. I've been lusting for those for a whole year and finally found a place I could try on for size.
I LOVE IT! I also bought one as an anniversary gift for my favorite man. He was waiting oh so patiently for me as I tried the shoes on. I told him to try one on too. He did and he fell instantly in love. Our eyes met and I smiled. I told you it was worth the wait. The one he has is black and red. He's flamboyant like that. I stuck with the blue/grey. They only came in a couple colors but since I've found my sizing, there's definitly a better selection online.
I walked to work in them this morning, about 20 mins. Holy heck. I didn't know I even had those muscles in my feet. I mean my ankles and calves had a great workout. Oh and it's amazing how much surface you can feel when you're wearing them. If you step over gravel, you're gonna feel them. The shoes feel like a snug neoprene glove with a thick callused foot pad.
The website says one can rock climb in them but I don't think they meant bouldering in Santee. There's no way the Vibrams can scale any of Santee's little treasures. But Vibram's definitely got it right. Oh... for all you single people out there. Those shoes are definitly a conversation starter. Make sure you get them in bright colors if you're leaning towards the social aspect.
I had my first outdoor bouldering experience out in Santee today. It was so beautiful this Saturday. We started bouldering around 4:30pm. The boulders were a little warm but nothing drastic. We chalked up and I tried my hand at the Carousel. I'm not going to lie, it was really hard. Especially with trad shoes. The edges on the boulders were tiny and when I say tiny, I really mean tiny hairline lips. None of that easy jug holds and footholds one is used to at the gym. I was greatly humbled. I finally got up after 5 tries. K was right, Santee's all about footwork. My footwork's there but my shoes weren't sticky enough so I kept slipping. It was really frustrating!
K asked if I wanted to boulder again on Sunday. I said I would love to if I could get a hold of a pair of bouldering shoes. (Currently lusting for a pair of La Sportiva Katanas but alas, the REI where I'm at has sold out.)
On my quest for my new Katanas, I ended up with a pair of Vibram Fivefingers. I've been lusting for those for a whole year and finally found a place I could try on for size.
I LOVE IT! I also bought one as an anniversary gift for my favorite man. He was waiting oh so patiently for me as I tried the shoes on. I told him to try one on too. He did and he fell instantly in love. Our eyes met and I smiled. I told you it was worth the wait. The one he has is black and red. He's flamboyant like that. I stuck with the blue/grey. They only came in a couple colors but since I've found my sizing, there's definitly a better selection online.
I walked to work in them this morning, about 20 mins. Holy heck. I didn't know I even had those muscles in my feet. I mean my ankles and calves had a great workout. Oh and it's amazing how much surface you can feel when you're wearing them. If you step over gravel, you're gonna feel them. The shoes feel like a snug neoprene glove with a thick callused foot pad.
The website says one can rock climb in them but I don't think they meant bouldering in Santee. There's no way the Vibrams can scale any of Santee's little treasures. But Vibram's definitely got it right. Oh... for all you single people out there. Those shoes are definitly a conversation starter. Make sure you get them in bright colors if you're leaning towards the social aspect.