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
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