Lead Magazine 1 | Page 29

climbing outside is – unless you’re bouldering – there are no top ropes. You have to be able to lead, unless you go with someone else and second everything. And then there’s learning about all the gear. Which rope do I use? Will this stay in? Shouldn’t I be wearing a helmet for this? It can all be a bit nerve racking. But that doesn’t make it unsafe. If you want to climb outside, then why not? As long as you know you’re gear – or at least climb with someone else that does – there’s no real danger. Plus, when you climb indoors, the route is highlighted for you by the lovely coloured holds. When climbing the set routes, each hold is placed specifically for a reason. You still have to work out the moves – especially in competitions – but it’s nothing like it is outside. Outside, you have to find the holds yourself. Sometimes you’re not entirely sure where the next move is. You don’t know if that hold’s a good one or not, and quite often people are made to use a lot smaller holds that they’d never use indoors – because that’s all that’s there You have to already feel conformable enough with the gear and safety elements in the first place to find the confidence to commit to the moves. It’s a very different experience. But that shouldn’t put you off. Different is not a bad thing – well, not always. And sometimes, suffering is good. Deep down, we all like to suffer. Then when we finally come out on top, we feel amazing. After all, isn’t that why we climb? To feel that kick when you finally send a project that’s been beating us for days on end. We all need to break out of our comfort zones now and then, and if that means going outside instead of the climbing wall, then why not? With an increase in competition climbing, it’s no surprise younger climbers especially prefer it indoors. If climbing ever makes it to the Olympics, the competitions will be on indoor walls. Although, it’s not as if you can have competitions outdoors easily anyway. You need people to set the routes, and have it all in one space, which is just better done on an indoor wall. Competitions like the climbing world cup is always indoors. That’s just the ways it is. And now, with the amount of younger climbers that are members of youth squads and clubs, all taking part competitions like the BRYCS, they are all used to climbing indoors. Most young climbers rarely climb outside nowadays. But does that make them any less of a climber? Of course not. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Top rope or lead. A 4+ or 7a. As long as you climb, and you enjoy it, that’s all that’s important. Maybe the game has changed, but climbers have always been the outcasts of society, seen as reckless adrenaline seekers. We’ve learnt to get on, do our own thing, and just: climb. And that’s exactly what we will keep doing for years to come. Photography credit: Efren Carrillo 234 p28