My buddy, who recently got a job and has more money than he knows what to do with, bought me a 90 day pass to a Rock Gym. So I bought shoes and a harness and chalk and all that and I've been going as much as I can (like everyday) climbing for 2+ hours. It's really a lot of fun.... working on problems, building strength, and there are a ton of really nice people who go there on a regular basis.

I still kinda suck.... the best climbers are usually the skinner guys, so I thought I'd do pretty well. But I really just don't have enough muscle yet to do some of the moves. I'm taking protein too and I've gained maybe like 3-5 lbs since starting, which is good, but I'm really only marginally better. guess I gotta stick with it.

Anyways, I always have these short-lived fads lol, but this is actually really fun and a super good workout. Was just wondering if anyone else has gotten into it or tried it. I invited Kluya to go with us today but he hasn't called me!!! Bastard. Like he has anything better to do.



[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=k45v4pLBaqs[/youtube]

I don't have enough spider monkey in me to pull that youtube stunt lol. wtf!

I thought you invited me tomorrow? (Sunday). I have to workin the morning, so I may be able to go depending on when you are there.

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I've been climbing regularly for about 2 and a half years now. It's a really great sport for building strange muscles, but you have to make sure and mix climbing up with other sorts of exercises that develop muscles that climbing does not utilize. I've heard of quite a few people having problems because such and such muscle was overutilized for climbing and the neighboring muscles were underdeveloped leading to all kinds of pain. Anyways, stick with it denchi. Here's a pic of me climbing recently ( I was top-roping because we had forgotton quick-draws.)

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OMG!

Wow that scares the hell out of me lol. I wouldn't be able to do legit rock climbing. I have a friend who does it often and he is buff and cut. That's the only workout he does.

I go to the gym often, not to get big, but to maintain really. I'm thinking about kicking it up and getting a little bigger. I don't want to be huge though.

I could definately put what I have to use doing that rock climbing at the gym. I like pulling myself up onto shit (like trees, houses, etc lol) just to fuck around. Rock climbing gym would be fun. I sent you a text Denchi btw lol.

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i have a friend who is a master at climbing. its unbelievable some of the stunts they can do.

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RIP Shiloh - I'll never forget ya

Well I went rock climbing today with Denchi. First time meeting somebody from ffxi lol. He's a cool guy irl.

I fail miserably at rock climbing haha. It was pretty fun though.

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Yeah meeting people from FFXI is weirdness for sure, especially when they're twice your size and could break you in half (see: Kluya). Cool guy, just hard to recognize without the sweet mustache.

But yeah we stayed a bit after you left and I just jacked my arm up more lol. Going again tommorow whoo. Also definitely join us up in Flagstaff this weekend. Drinking + Hiking is the ultimate combination. We're hoping to get a big group going too so invite people if they're interested.

Yeah I'm gonna go. I've been wanting to go to Flag bad lately. I'll see who I can drag up there. I really want to make that hike.

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Yeah Flag isn't gonna happen. Not enough money :-( story of my life. I gotta stick around this weekend and work. Total bummer. We'll have to head up there another weekend when I have some cash money.

And squintz, how does outdoor climbing compare? I've still only done indoor, and only just recently got the ins and outs of lead climbing (got certified, still fucking scary compared to top-rope) I have all the gear, we just don't have any ropes or clips, so once we get those we might venture out to some natural faces.

Outdoor is definitely a different sort of monster altogether. First, holds are not as clearly marked out--it's a good rule to follow the previous chalk marks if you can. Second, lead is scary, yeah. I've never climbed out west, but the limestone faces that I usually climb on don't give great footholds. So, I'm pretty sure whatever you will be climbing will have more traction than what I'm used to. I've never done trad., so I can't say anything about that. I really want to go out west and just climb, but finding a climbing partner out there would be a different story. Anyways, you should go for it when you get the gear.

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OMG!

No prob Denchi, I was gonna tell you I'm staying here anyways. Octoberfest at Tempe Town Lake, and a drag racing event Saturday I forgot about.

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Lol yeah my roomate was just convincing me to go to Octoberfest this weekend.

Someone just recommended me This book on climbing. gonna go look for it now. I'm kinda in a rut, or progress is really slow. I can do 5.9's, I'm just having a hard time making a full jump to 5.10's. I can do some 10 and 10-'s sloppily, but it feels like my finger strength is still lacking. Climbing is so calculated.... gets frustrating lol.

I'll be there Saturday night drunk as shit. Send me a text if you end up going.

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I think the highest I've ever done was around the 5.12b-c range. I haven't climbed in a rated gym in a while though.

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OMG!

That's pretty good. Even 5.11 you need some serious finger strength and be able to do a whole route with good technique so you don't wear yourself out. How long have you been doing it again? I'm still only like 3 weeks in.... and most people I know are like 2+ years into climbing, so I have a long ways to go. I've been going everyday, though.... the book says not to do that. Lame....

Also it's funny to see how people do when they first start climbing. Just depending on your body type you can get up on 5.10's no problem. Some people have trouble with 5.7's and 5.8's.

Edit: Nvm 2 1/2 years. Sick.... I wanna be like you.

Denchi, are you still climbing? I've been climbing more regularly than usual and am thinking about trying to do a competition next year. We'll see.

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OMG!

Yeah I'm still at it. I've been bouldering more than anything. I haven't top-roped in probably a month, and even though I'm still bouldering I'm not getting into the gym as much as I'd like to. I go maybe 2-3 times a week.

I did my first V1 bouldering the other day, which I'm pretty stoked about. I don't think I'm at any sort of level to be doing competitions. What are competitions even like? And where would you be doing yours?