Thread: Indoor Rock Climbing/Bouldering

Well, it was indoor bouldering today for three hours. I hired some shoes and didn't like them at all; they hurt my feet; but it gave me a good idea about how tight I need them. I normally wear an 8 (42) tried a 9 on and then went to a 9 and a half. Apparently the brand (Evolve) are small. I don't want to buy them too tight. I also don't think I want velcro.

I did only the easy problems and the sexy lady with the South American accent was very helpful.

Evolv's are my favorites but everyone's foot is different. Evolv has different sizing as well. With most brands you take your normal size and go 1/2 size down.

With Evolv you keep your same street shoe size (in general).

Hey Carl

I see you have done some caving in the past.
Steel capped gumboots are great for climbing (just ask any caver) although they do get a few funny looks at the flash indoor rock walls.
The climbers don't seem to think it's possible to climb in gumboots and it's always fun to prove them wrong.

Here's my climbing boots just in shot top right...



A mate has cut an old pair down for above ground and manages to do OK bouldering in his gum-crocs.
(Possibly the world's only steel capped crocs - though that's not a bad thing)

Yeah, in the army we went to a place called 'wee jasper' in NSW (New South Wales) I think. It was amazing. I loved abseiling into the chasm thing at night, with candles in coloured glass holders in a circle at the bottom. I did an 'angel dive' thing as we called it; pulling the rope through the figure eight carabiner, facing the drop face first and diving off. I miss judged the distance and pulled too much rope through, I was probably 10 - 15 feet away from facial disfigurement.

Considering what they used to climb in (I imagine) 50 years ago I guess it's not too important to get too wrapped up in shoes. I think I'll trade comfort over performance. My technique really sucks at the moment; I'm still trying to winch myself up with my arms and I do the opposite of 'commit'. For me, it's more like "I can't do that, that's just stupid, how can I do that?". Although, today, there were a few, "Oh, I did it. I guess I can then..." moments.

I need to buy one of those grippy exercise machine thingies and use it between sets in my normal weights workout, I think...

I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun. It's fun trying the awkward techniques until you realize one day that they aren't awkward and actually work.

Everyone uses their arms too much at first as well. Although I don't do it much (bouldering) the fun aspect of it to me is figuring out the problems.

Something seems impossible until you figure out the right sequence of moves.

I need to learn to keep my body closer to the wall and twist my hips, etc. You're right about all the different moves. Today I feel it in my back, biceps, legs, glutes, hips and abs, as well of course as my forearms, wrists and fingers. Even the soles of my feet.

Motivational Videos

Daniel Woods Wins Bouldering World Cup - YouTube