1. Go Climb! This one is obvious but the quickest way to advance through the grades is to climb as much as possible. No matter how many pull-ups you can do, if you lack technique you ain't gettin off the ground.
2. Climb Outside! Gym climbing is a great way to build strength and develop technique but 9 times out of ten what you are doing in the gym just does not translate to outdoor climbing; don't believe me? ask a super strong gym climber to go climb a crack or crank a hard mantel and watch the results.
3. Make Friends! That is, make friends that climb. Finding a crew of friends climbing at a similar level helped me stay motivated, push grades, and have more fun.
4. Get Good Shoes! One of the things that frustrates me most when I read about shoes and sizing is that beginners are constantly advised to just get some comfy, cheap shoes as they learn to climb. The people in this camp would argue that since good climbing shoes are expensive and beginners have sloppy footwork and may not fall in love with climbing they should start with something cheap. BULLSHIT! I followed this advice and after a month and a half of regular climbing I had a pair of sloppy, cheap, blown out shoes. If you get serious about climbing you will start to out climb those comfy shoes in a couple months, then you'll just end up buying the shoes you've really wanted all along. So if you are getting started climbing and you feel like this is something you want to pursue, do yourself a favor and buy some decent, tight-fitting shoes (My recommendation, the Five Ten Moccasym. See my earlier post regarding these killer slippers).
Happy thirsty Thursday and keep the mind state Golden!
Can't learn that in the gym. Nick mantels on Carousel Rock.
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