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Storage Bin aka Article Database

Looking for an article you wanted to reread? Or saw an post that seemed interesting to you but then it was moved? Here is where my older articles and posts are located so you can find what you need.



Figuring Out the Puzzle: Revisiting Routesetting

“Bzzt bzzt. Bzzt, whirl.” Ah, the sounds of drills in the morning.

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Climbing a Different Kind of Route

Hey friends and family! It's been a minute since I've been here. These past weeks have taken me on a different path to something I wasn't expecting, but it will be an exciting change.

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Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 3: Find Your Stability

In previous posts, you saw how working those feet and legs in parts 1, and 2 of Fancy Footwork and Leg Power make a difference in your climbing. Now, here’s the last piece to make it all come together. In the final post of the series, we’ll work with gravity while up above on the wall. Plus, how you stand position yourself will affect your movement.

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Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 2

So, we found our feet and are starting to use them again on the wall or rock. Yay! Now, let’s expand our knowledge about how we can use those “third arms” better for climbing.

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Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 1

When you watch someone climb, it looks like the arms do all the work. However, that’s not the case. Your legs and feet are the critical limbs to use for working problems. Don’t believe me?

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Hanging On: How to Stay on Handholds

To climb a boulder or wall, one must figure out the best way to grab on to handholds/holds. You might remember this from “Climbing Holds: What Can I Hold?”. However, some holds you hold differently than others. Why? Well, let’s dive in.

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Training for the Virtual Outdoors

I know I’ve been a little quiet on the blog here recently. Life has been a little hectic with work and other things. But I wanted to update you with something I’ve up to lately.

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Climbing Handholds: What Can I Hold?

When one walks into a climbing gym for the first time or first time in months, their eyes are drawn automatically to the brightly colored holds on the walls and structures. As odd or funny as some may look, they serve a purpose to help you become a better climber.

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Rhino Skin Solutions Repair Review

Whose skin is ripped up after a couple of days of climbing? *Raises shredded hand* Me.

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Back to Climbing Again

“Grunt. Ugh, lunge. Reach! Shiiiit! Plop!”

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Black Lives Do Matter

The events that have unfolded these past weeks about innocent black lives lost have put a pit in my stomach. Feelings of sadness and outrage have been a theme lately—people who should still be here but aren’t due to a messed up judicial system and oppression. The images and pictures I’ve seen are present in my mind.

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Coming Back to Summit

Well, that was something. After almost two months of being closed, Summit Climbing, Yoga, Fitness was able to open back up Wednesday, May 20th to members. Yay!

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11 Climbing Videos for Quarantine

Do you need some new videos to watch while you’re #staysafestayhome? Do you want something to keep your climbing stoke up? Or do you just need fresh content to watch because you’re bored?

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Trying to Send This Route: Getting Through the COVID-19 Crisis Without Climbing

Hi everyone! I wanted to update about what’s going on with me since the COVID 19 pandemic and social distancing has ramped up. Some of this may be old news, so bear with me. However, I wanted to dive a little deeper and let you know what’s really happening.

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How to Wash Climbing Shoes

Phew! I notice an odor from my climbing shoes, and they sure don’t smell awesome. I have some extra time, and my shoes need a bath, asap. I can’t remember the last time they were cleaned. So, today is their washing day.

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Climbing (Or Not) In the Time Of COVID-19

Well, this is a hell of a time to be alive.

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Blocworks Bouldering Gym Visit

A new month, a new climbing gym to visit! A couple of weekends ago, I rode with my boss to check out a new bouldering gym called Blocworks that opened in Edmond, a suburb north of Oklahoma City, OK.

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Brushing That Chalk Away: Hold Brushes

Ever grabbed a climbing hold, and your hand slid right off because it was slick? It needs some brushing love.

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Climbing Trip Destination: Climb Tulsa

Ever get an itch to go visit a different climbing gym? It’s been too long since I’ve done that. Well, this past weekend, that changed.

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2020 Bouldering Goals

Who wants better foot techniques for climbing? I do! Who wants to get stronger for bouldering? Me! Who wants to climb harder grades? Yes, please!

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Bat-hangs and Bicycles Part 2: Cycling Up the Wall

One technique that can lead to or from a bat-hang is called a bicycle. The bat-hang problem from Part 1 forced a bicycle move to stay on the holds until I came down. Does this technique sound vaguely familiar? I mentioned bicycling in my Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 2 article.

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Bat-hangs and Bicycles Part 1

Na na na na na na na na na bat-hang!

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SBS Plano Competition

“Crickets, crickets.” Those are the sounds from my blog recently. My work has been keeping me busy and honestly, making me stressed. So, I haven’t had time to write for a while.

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Show Off That Elbow Strength Part 2

So, you’ve worked on your elbow’s mobility and it’s doing better. Now what? Once you have gained that full mobility, you should strengthen your muscles within your acquired range of motion. You don’t want to use it because it isn’t as easy to get it back.

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Exercising the Elbow Part 1

After researching what’s wrong with my elbow, I need to take preventative measures to keep it healthy. So, I looked at what exercises I can do and here’s what I’ve come across.

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Tendonitis: Elbow Muscles Gone Bad

When it comes to pain, you gotta listen to your body. If you don’t, it’s going to come back and bite you.

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Clothing Review: Tera Kaia Toura Baseware

Sports bras: either you love them, or you hate them. But they are necessary to support your chest while being active. And trying to find a good one is hard. However, I’ve found one that works.

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Clothes For Climbing

Whenever I get ready for climbing, “what am I going to wear?” goes through my mind. Unlike other sports, climbing doesn’t require certain clothing to perform in. You can wear whatever you want within reason.

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A Little Drive Down to Texas

“On the road again…”

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7 Climbing Podcasts Worth Listening

Summer means traveling season. Getting on the road and driving to wherever you want to go for your trip. I know I’m down for one. As you move through, sometimes the radio doesn’t cut it. That’s when podcasts come to the rescue! Need new stuff? I have some recommendations below that you might want to check out whenever you need something to listen to in the car or at home.

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A V-Scale Refresher

In my previous Return to Competitive Bouldering article, I said I competed in the intermediate category. However, I realized that I didn’t explain what that meant. So, I’m clarifying what I wrote and jogging your memory on the bouldering V-Scale.

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A Return to Competitive Bouldering

What do you get when you have a large bunch of people in a big room with a ton of plastic holds drilled onto walls to climb on and only a limited amount of time? A bouldering competition.

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Would You Pay This Much for a Chalk Bag?

The last time you bought a chalk bag, how much did it cost? $15 or 20? Probably a not a lot of money, I would bet. Your average chalk bag costs anywhere from $5-35, depending on the brand and how fancy it is.

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Injury Prevention for Your Hands

Ow, that hurt! Almost a month ago, I might have strained a finger tendon in my right hand. How you might ask? It’s very likely that I didn’t warm up enough before hopping onto the route then got hurt.

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Know Your Digits: Finger and Hand Anatomy

A couple of weeks ago, I was toproping a route and felt quick and sharp pain running down my hand as I grabbed a sidepull. I stopped and shook it out but didn’t feel any pain for the rest of it. Came down to rest then started to get ready for another route. As I put my hand into my chalkbag and curled, it hurt to do so.

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Climbing Lower Mount Scott

Last week, I carpooled with a group of friends for a climbing day trip at Mount Scott, a mountain just outside of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in south-central Oklahoma. I’ve climbed Upper Mount Scott in the spring of 2017 but not the lower part. So, it’s been a while since I’ve done roped climbing outdoors.

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WCF Musings

Overall, I felt it was a good and full weekend at the Flash Foxy Women’s Climbing Festival. I would come back and participate in the festival again and recommend it to anyone who can buy a ticket. I do wish though they weren’t so competitive to get. However, I understand why there’s a limit.

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Bouldering in Bishop Part 3

Sunday! My last day at the festival. I get up, get ready, and head back to the brewery for breakfast. There we can sign-up to volunteer for stewardship projects near the area. It’s recommended to us to pick one near where our clinics were to help with carpooling and getting back to them.

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Bouldering in Bishop Part 2

Saturday is the first day of clinics. I get up early and walk to the Tri-County Fairgrounds where the Flash Foxy organizers were hosting breakfast. Volunteers from the Lions Club served us pancakes, muffins, and other goodies.

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Bouldering in Bishop Part 1

Hello, Bishop!

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Prana Halle Pants Review

Finding a good pair of pants is hard to find.

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Skin Care for Climbing

Whether you realize it or not, your skin goes through a lot. Especially during the winter, cold air dries the skin on your hands, leaving them chapped and dry. Climbing during the winter months doesn’t help either.

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Heading to California: 2019 Flash Foxy Women’s Climbing Festival Preview

“I’m going to Bishop, baby!”

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Fingerboard Exercising for Training

Today’s the day. You’re starting a new training routine. So, you’re warmed up and ready to get on the fingerboard. To begin the session, I will mention exercises one can do during it to help your grip and fingers get stronger.

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Hangboard DIY

Yay, it’s hangboard day! Well, we’re at least going to put it up. As some of you may already know, I received a hangboard/fingerboard for my birthday a few weeks back. We’re finally getting around to mounting in my office.

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Hanging for Training

Training is something I’m still slowly progressing on in my climbing schedule. With the holidays, it’s hard to stay with it. But I want to keep it up. Also, I’ve wanted to incorporate finger strength in my routine to help improve my climbing. Well, to my surprise, I recently received a Metolius training hangboard for my birthday!

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7 Ways to Become a Better Boulderer: A Parody

So, you wanna get better at bouldering? Think your routine isn’t enough? Feel like you’ve hit a plateau? Feeling like you’re not crushing hard or sending enough? Well, I’ve got some solutions for you.

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12 Climbing Gifts on a Budget

Ah, the season of giving. As you probably have figured out, the holidays are just around the corner. Are you looking for a gift for the climber in your life, whether it’s a friend or a loved one? But also, one that’s in your budget? I have a list of 12 items that any climber would want and won’t break your bank. These would also be good stocking stuffers as well.

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Fixing My Climbing Shoes Part Two

Climbing shoes take a beating when you’re on the rock or the walls and will show it. In “Fixing My Climbing Shoes Part One”, I covered the parts of a climbing shoe you should know. This information is helpful, especially if you need to send them in for repairs. That leads us to the big question.

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Fixing My Climbing Shoes Part One

Crap, this sucks! I’ve noticed that there’s something wrong with one of my climbing shoes. There’s a hole in it. The rubber has worn through, and you can see a little bit into it. The rubber on the other looks worn too. Not good.

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Bouldering: Why Climb on Rocks?

“I love the complexity of trying to fit my body around a piece of rock. There are so many different moves and shapes involved that I don’t think it ever gets old.” ― Jamie Emerson, professional climber

What is it?

What’s this fascination with climbing big rocks? According to Peter Beal’s Bouldering Movement, Tactics, and Problem Solving, “bouldering is a form of climbing that focuses on relatively short routes, typically unroped and often, with the pursuit of difficulty as its primary goal.” However, the difficulty of the climb isn’t a requirement. The challenge is what makes it fun.

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Climbing and Advocacy

A wise woman once said, “our land, air, and water are not partisan issues.” I completely agree with this statement. One part of this quote I want to focus on is the mention of our land. With the upcoming elections, people are going to the voting booths with ideas, values, and people in mind to vote on. Our land should be one of them.

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How to Crack Climb

“Right hand in and sticking, left hand sticking too. Now to bring my foot up and… Crap, I just popped off the route.” – Me trying to crack climb.

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How to Make Tape Gloves for Crack Climbing

Your hands are useful tools, but they’re not indestructible. They take a beating while climbing: scrapes, cuts, and bruises come with the territory. Some see them as battle wounds. One type of climbing, crack climbing, does a number on them.

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A Tale of Two Climbing Gyms

Not sure if you have heard but there’s a new climbing gym in town.

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Forerunning What You Created

To make sure something works, you test it first. The same goes for routesetting. Setters go through a process called forerunning after finishing their routes/problems. Setters climb each other’s routes so if need be; changes can happen. They test and tweak before people climb them.

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Creating Problems: Learning Routesetting

What if you could climb on a problem or route you created? Would you do it?

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Adventures in Adulting

Wow, these have been three crazy months! You’ve probably have been wondering where I have gone? I know the blog went quiet for a period, but for a good reason. My husband and I have moved through another stage of adulting, and we’re still adjusting to it.

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My Bouldering Bucket List

“Where to do I want to go?” This is a common question that gets asked around this time of year. Traveling during the summer is a favorite activity and one I enjoy a lot. I got to thinking if I could go anywhere and boulder, where would I go? So, I came up with a bucket list of places I would want to boulder and visit.

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Homemade Crag Granola

Have you ever found yourself wishing for a snack while resting during a session or at the crag? I know I do if I haven’t eaten in a long while. Today, I think I have found a solution for that issue.

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My Training Sucks but I Still Do It

I have a confession to make: I’ve been slacking off my training and not doing it as often as I should.

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Learning to Climb Through the Adaptive Climbing Initiative

Can you climb without your hands or feet? Sounds hard to imagine, doesn’t it? Well, it’s possible, and people do and make it happen.

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Why We Need More Women in Climbing

Sasha DiGiulian, Nina Williams, Alex Puccio, and Melise Edwards, these are just some of the awesome people who rock the climbing world. In my mind, they symbolize a great feat in womenkind; the growing number of women and people who identify as female in the climbing community. Despite the increase, female climbers are still underrepresented. Here’s why I think this needs to change.

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Why I Find Bouldering Fun

What if someone told you they liked grabbing plastic holds and moving upward on a relatively short wall or feature? Or grabbing tiny pieces of a rock wall and forcing their body to climb in particular (sometimes painful) ways up a small distance? Would you find it fun? Not many do.

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Rolling Out for Recovery

After a good bouldering session, your muscles may feel sore and tight. How does one fix this? There are multiple ways to relieve the tension, and one of them is called foam rolling.

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How to Avoid Climber’s Back

As I continue to climb, I’m becoming more aware of how it affects my body in both good and bad ways. Climbing can be hard on your back muscles and spine. With time, it could lead to mediocre posture. There’s a name for this actually; it’s called climber’s back or climber’s posture.

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6 Climbing Podcasts Worth Listening

Are you looking for something to listen to for your next road trip? Or on your way to work? Does your podcast list need new content? Check out these climbing-related podcasts to expand your knowledge and interests. Don’t just listen to the episodes I mention; please explore more of what the creators have to offer.

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How to Beat the Dreaded Pump

“Ow! My arms are tight. I wanna climb higher, but I can’t hang on much longer!” – Me

What I’m describing in the quote is what’s commonly known in the climbing community as the dreaded forearm pump. This isn’t what Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to do. This kind is what climbers wish to avoid.

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Finding a Dream Job: Working at Climb UP Gym

As you may or may not have heard, I started working at Climb UP gym recently. It’s the climbing gym where I do my sessions. I’m excited about my employment with such a great business!

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Fear and Me: Experiencing Fear While Bouldering

“Crap, crap, crap! I’m not stable; I’m way high up. I’ve got to come down.”

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Pants for Bouldering: Boulder Denim Review

When you’re shopping for bouldering pants, do you buy for function or style?

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6 Climbing Books to Read on Rest Days

“There are two motives for reading a book; one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.” ― Bertrand Russell

Some days make you want to stay inside and curl up with a good book. Or at least that’s what I would want to do. Something you may not know about me is I’m an avid reader. Books are what I pursue if I’m not bouldering. Here are some climbing or bouldering related books I’ve read or am in the process of reading if you’re looking for something to pick up or download.

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Raising the Rank: Climbing Intermediate at WSGOK

“Oh my god, it's a mirage. I'm tellin' y'all; it's sabotage!”

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Climbing Through the Winter State Games of Oklahoma

The end of January is here. Do you know what that means? It means it’s time for the Winter State Games of Oklahoma! I’ve registered again for the event, and I'm looking forward to climbing in it.

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Gym Climbing in Austin

The Lone Star state might not seem like a popular place to find climbing crags or gyms. However, Texas has a large climbing community and many places for climbers to send. One of them is Austin, Texas.

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The Battle of the Nerves

“You are not falling from here!”

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Bouldering and Competing with Fear

To compete or not to compete? That is the question.

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Training for Climbing Part 3: Yoga for Climbing

You would think that with all the training I’ve started recently, it would be enough. However, I think I’ve found the final piece I’d like to add to my routine. For my third and last training article (for now), I’m covering yoga.

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Training for Climbing Part 2: Core Development

When you hear “core muscle development,” what comes to mind? Six-pack abs? That’s a perk, but it’s not the only thing one gain from it. One component climbers focus on developing is their core. It's from the shoulders to the lower torso. Why is this important to have?

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Protecting Your Hands: Metolius Climbing Gloves

Rope burn is painful in your hands. Especially, after a long day of belaying at the crag. Having sweaty hands while belaying isn’t fun either. Wearing climbing gloves would help prevent those problems from happening

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Climbing Quartz Mountain Part 2: Sending Snakes Head

Little did I know what was ahead for me as the day went on at the Fall Gathering. Later that afternoon, we’re rounded up and told head to Quartz. We’re also asked to bring our climbing shoes, harnesses, ATC, and headlamps with us. We'll be participating in a Quartz Mountain tradition; we’re ascending Snakes Head.

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Climbing Quartz Mountain Part 1

Fall Gathering, here we come! Last Friday, my friends Jenny and Ashley picked me up, and we drove west to Quartz Mountain nature park. We’re attending the Quartz Mountain Fall Gathering, an annual gathering of fun rock climbing and camaraderie. This year’s event is our first time going, and we’re excited to be there.

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2017 Quartz Mountain Fall Gathering Preview

Ropes, routes, and climbers, oh my! This weekend I’m attending the annual Quartz Mountain Fall Gathering event hosted by the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition. It’s a three-day event starting Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon at Quartz Mountain nature park or also known as Baldy Point. The park is in western Oklahoma, northwest of the Wichita Mountains.

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Training for Climbing Part 1

Lately, I’ve been finding myself wanting not just to be stronger but also get better at climbing. Becoming stronger helps for climbing, but it can only get you so far before you plateau. When I’m at sessions, I try to climb harder and do well. Over the past couple of years, I can tell I’ve progressed with my climbing, but I don’t think it’s enough.

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Liquid and Solid: Finding Chalk That Works

You’ve probably heard the saying “everything must come to an end” at some point in your life. Well, that phrase also applies to the chalk I’ve been using.

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My First Real Bouldering Attempt

“Those must be them,” I think as I spot a pair of boulders at the entrance to the nature trail. We pull into the parking lot at Robbers Cave at Robbers Cave State Park and park the car. One of the boulders looked like the one I saw on the Mountain Project website while researching the area.

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Crashpads: A Boulderer’s Best Friends

Christmas came a little early for me this year. I recently bought a bouldering crashpad. Does this make me a real boulderer? I don’t know, but I think it’s very cool.

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Crag Snacks

Yay! You’re going on an outdoor climbing trip. Likely, you’re spending the entire day at the crag. Eventually, you’ll get hungry and want food. No one wants to climb hangry. So, what should you bring to drink and eat?

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Where to Boulder in Oklahoma

Sendtember is finally here! It’s that time of year where the temperatures start cooling down, and there’s more time to climb outdoors. At least, climbers don't have to wake-up super early to get to the crag before the heat of the day hits.

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How to Wash Climbing Shoes

Phew! I’m noticing an odor from my climbing shoes, and they sure don’t smell like roses. My shoes need a bath, asap. So, today is washing day.

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The 2017 Summer Games of Oklahoma

My stomach ties itself into a knot. Or butterflies hit the lining at record speeds. Either way, you imagine it, I’m anxious as hell as I walk into Climb UP gym.

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A Preview of the Summer State Games of Oklahoma

Hi everyone! I have a few updates about how the Summer State Games competition is going to go tomorrow. I also wanted to give you a little update about how I’m doing before the big event. Plus, what I expect at the comp.

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The Winter State Games of Oklahoma 2017

This was supposed to be “the most chill comp I will ever attend.” This past January I participated in the first Winter State Games of Oklahoma at Climb UP gym in Norman. This was also my first climbing competition. I didn’t know what to expect walking into the gym that day. I’ve never been to a climbing competition before so this was new for me. It felt like the first time I stepped into the gym.

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Pain and Competition

Threshold Climbing Gym and Yoga stands tall as we walked towards the front doors. The building had the "new" smell inside the entryway. To an onlooker, it was organized chaos. People huddled around the check-in desk where staff members directed them where to go and passed out raffle tickets. Others were walking in and out of the doors. We waited our turn to receive our tickets for food and the drawing after the competition.

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How to Train for the Summer State Games

A question I keep asking myself is how am I going to train for the upcoming summer State Games? I’ve got a little over a month to do so. Plus, I will be traveling some also in that time. I think I’ve come up with a list to keep track of to help get me ready for the competition.

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The Summer State Games of Oklahoma

Recently, I registered for the Summer State Games of Oklahoma. Woohoo! It’s being held at Climb UP gym in here in Norman at the end of August. I’m excited because this will be the second climbing related competition I’ve participated in.

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Not Sending Today

We those days where you try and fail at something you know can be done. I have those too. There are sessions where it seems like I can’t send anything. It feels frustrating.

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Shorty Beta: Help for the Vertically Challenged

“Are you kidding me? I can’t flippin’ reach that. This is a tall person’s problem.” The thoughts occasionally go through my head climbing harder boulder problems or routes. These are also the times where I wish my arms and legs were longer.

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Seeing My Thoughts: A Boulderer's Tale

Want to know what I’m thinking when I’m climbing problems? Check out the video description below and enjoy.

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Chalking Up: Keeping Your Hands Dry

Bags of climbing chalk at crags and climbing gyms are an ordinary sight. White powder covers the hands of many climbers alike. Who knew this fine or chunky substance would help improve grip on rocks?

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How Do I Feel: Climbing Pitches

My Intro to Outdoor Climbing class was an experience for me for numerous reasons. You could sum those up into these 6 feelings.

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Climbing Pitches: Trying My Hand at Outdoor Climbing

(Writer’s note: this article is much longer than previous ones. It didn’t make sense to split it up.)

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Real Rock Climbing

Tomorrow is going to be a full and exciting day for me. I am driving down to Mt. Scott near the Wichita Mountains wildlife refuge near Medicine Park, Oklahoma to attend my first outdoor climbing class. I am super excited!

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Roped Climbing or There Are Other Ways to Climb Besides Bouldering

I’m diverging from bouldering for the next couple of articles. Shocker, I know. I’ll be covering roped climbing because there are more ways to climb in addition to bouldering. Besides, roped climbing is just as fun. Many techniques seen in bouldering are used for it too. The main differences are how much gear you need and you’re climbing higher routes too.

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Me, Body Image, and Self-esteem

I want to talk about a few subjects some find uncomfortable to discuss. They are body image and self-esteem. Why? Because I’m reading articles about climbing and how women are portrayed in the sport.

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Warming Up

Just like any other sport, it’s good to warm the muscles up before participating in the activity. The same goes for climbing. Climbing itself can be used as a warm-up but from what I have found, I feel better if I did something else first before climbing. Rather than going in cold.

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Meet the Meathook

It recently has been bought to my attention that I had missed a useful arm technique for my Holding On: How to Stay on Handholds article. So, I am going to remedy what I forgot to add to the post.

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Climbing Lingo

When I started climbing, I didn’t realize there was a lot of lingo that comes with it. There are some I’m even still learning how to use. In this post, I hope to help you interpret a handful of common terms and understand what’s being said. Maybe you’ll want to learn a few and start using them yourself.

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Climbing Skin Care

Like any other sport, climbing can do damage to your body. One particular part climbers have to be aware of is the skin. Especially on the hands.

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Climbing Attire: What to Wear

Twice a week the thought “what am I going to wearing for climbing?” runs through my head. Unlike other sports, climbing doesn’t require certain articles of clothing to perform in. You have the freedom to wear whatever you want. I think within reason.

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Lead Day

Now for something completely different.

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Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 3: Find Your Stability

In the previous posts, you saw fancy footwork and showing off that leg power in parts 1 and 2 of Fancy Footwork and Leg Power. Now all we need is the last piece to make these come together for better climbing. In the final post of the series, we’ll work with gravity while up above and how you are standing or positioned on the wall or rock will affect your movement.

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Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 2

In the previous article Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 1, I explained why using our legs more while climbing is better than depending on the arms. Plus, I mention what the feet can do on the holds. Now that we have the footwork down, how else do they help improve climbing? Here in Part 2, there are leg and foot techniques climbers use on holds and rock or give them better stability until he/she can make the next move. Those are according to Peter Beal in his book Bouldering Movement, Tactics, and Problem Solving:

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Fancy Footwork and Leg Power Part 1

It appears in climbing that the arms do all the work and the legs are only secondary to them. Actually, the legs and feet are the primary parts to use for working problems. This is the first in a three-part series focusing on the need to develop good foot and leg techniques. Here are a couple of reasons why they are important:

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Holding On: How to Stay On to Handholds

To move upwards whether on a boulder or wall, one has to figure out the best way to grab on to handhold/holds. I covered some of this in Climbing Holds: What Can I Hold On To?. However, here’s where I would like to explain more on the topic. Some holds should be held onto differently than others and I’ll tell you why.

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Climbing Handholds: What Can I Hold On To?

When walking into an indoor climbing gym, one of the first things a person might notice is the different shaped handholds on the walls and boulders. As odd or funny as some of these may look, they actually serve a purpose to help you become a better climber.

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Bouldering V-Scale

V0, V5+, what the heck is a V14? These numbers are grades that one would see at the start of a boulder problem. They represent in numerical form how difficult a problem could be for a climber. In general, the numbers are part of what’s known as the V-Scale. According to Learning to Climb Indoors author Eric J. Hörst, these measurements are from an open-ended scale for grading the difficulty of boulder problems.

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Bouldering: Why Climb on Rocks?

“Bouldering isn't really a sport. It's a climbing activity with metaphysical, mystical, and philosophical overtones." -John Gill

What is it?

Now we’re finally getting into my favorite part about climbing, bouldering. According to Peter Beal’s Movement, Tactics, and Problem Solving, “bouldering is a form of climbing that focuses on relatively short routes, typically unroped and often, with the pursuit of difficulty as its primary goal.” However, the difficulty of the climb is not a necessary requirement for it.

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Climbing Day

Now that I’m hooked on climbing, what do I do when I’m at Climb UP? How often do I go? I’ll give you an idea of what a typical climbing day looks like.

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Sore as Hell

So what did I think of climbing? I absolutely loved it. I caught the climbing bug. Don’t get me wrong, most of my body was sore the next day. I was hurting in places I didn’t think I could be.

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Learning the Ropes

Part 2

We pair up at the anchored ropes as Cruz gives us our first belaying lesson. Cruz explains when belaying, there’s a climber and a belayer. Starting out, the climber clips one end of the rope with a carabiner attached to it. It’s a metal loop with a spring-loaded gate.

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Learning the Ropes

Part 1

It was on a mid-September night in 2015 when my husband Tim told me about a conversation he had with our friend Mack earlier that day.

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