What is climbing to you?

[Climbingjunky]

I'm sure this has probably been brought up before. Just wondering what part of your whole being does climbing affect you most? Physical, mental or spiritual? Are you just in it for physical challenge and exercise. Do you think of climbing as a puzzle that requires problem solving skills? Or do you feel at peace out there, feeling that climbing transcends both the physical and mental for you? Do you climb to pass time or escape the world or your life? Anyone care to share?

[goat]

perhaps this may leave the real world for the dream...

I feel kindred to the earth, rocks trees water wind fire - the very essence about me - drives me forward...

the rush of wind full in the face as my foot falls away from the strut in the wee cesna prop stalled gliding in the air, the tempature of the wet suit before my body warms the layer of water within that will protect me in the depths of the dense waters, the pierce of the ice crystals as my metalic edges cut a clean streak across the ice of a turkey shoot, the dry burn of the flames consuming a pitchy larch... the rock provides me a deeper sense of accomplishment something under hoof and paw, true depth and sensation - I am embracing the earth as she allows my access... if you will..

I have often looked at the climbers on their simple spider strands caressing with care and steady want up the rock faces whilst a gentle stream pulls my body ever closer to the ocean...

...I have always wanted to top every mountain I have seen, perhaps in youth on the wee 100cc kids motorbikes with decent power bands travelling the selkirk ranges with my father, uncles and friends sparked a desire for the flesh and rock marriage, or perchance the hikes up kokanee glaciers base... perhaps even growing up in the kootenays hath given me some greater sense of wanting...

some inner drive to, taste, feel, experience what ever gravity may still...

I have found some great sports to allow me to enter such a fine zone...

skiing brings on a zen only matched thus far in my life by meditation atop a mountain I have hiked and conquored as that of fighting fully clad in armour in the sca(medieval society) as I have found on rock.

Perhaps one day I shall pen my zen experiences and what happens when I pass that door way of the common world for the calm within it... where fears subside and only the top remains to be reached.

for me it is emotional... spiritual if you must, strength etc are always a part of it - mental is well needed - you must truely be on the ball for a climb outside... the gym is one thing - outside - is another.

I only climb when I feel good and ready to do so.

bb93!

[Climbingjunky]

Whoah, that's pretty deep goat! Thanks for sharing.
Honestly for myself, on a good day it's all 3, on semi good day it's physical and mental, on really bad crappy, getting pumped out, frustrated, falling, missing footholds kinda day, it's just physical. So I guess it varies for me. But when everyone does come together perfectly, it's a great feeling, definetly transcending, more than just me on a rock going up. When I'm out there climbing, I feel free and I feel very thankful that I'm able to climb in a beautiful place like we have in Canada. It's very humbling to be out there on a rock, realizing how small we really are in the big scheme of this universe. It's also a great time to reflect inwardly and at the same time just live for the moment. Not worrrying about the past or the future. Life can get so busy and hectic sometime that it's difficult to just stop for the moment to 'smell the flowers' so to speak. Climbing is also such a great way to spend time with friends and family. It's a vehicle for bonding and building relationships. Thank God for climbing!

[J Mace]

Finding free gear on the apron on Monday

[XXXX]

I like that feeling when you're soloing and you make a move that you KNOW you can't reverse, and you're too hgh to jump off. No options. Crank or plank.

[stick]

Hey J

It wasn't on calculus crack was it? hahhahaha sorry AndrewMc..... what goes around comes around, easy come easy go.