I used to climb obsessively and stopped suddenly for no reason what so ever. I want to get back into it again. 2 years ago

I’m not sure if it’s the way life was when I was into climbing or the actual climbing that makes me want to get back into it. Back in those days I was living with a tiny amount of rent, going to school, and without a care i the world. Everything was climbing, books, magazines, touching the rough concrete walls as we walked around, trying to do pullups on any edge we could find. We’d head up to Squamish first thing Saturday morning and stay all day, or maybe all weekend, throwing down a tent off the side of the road and not really caring cause it was just a place to lay our heads for a few hours until the sun rose up the next morning and we could get back out on the rocks and on to the next climb. We didn’t think about counting calories, exercising, or “stagnent lifestyles”, case we were too busy living and having fun.

Now it’s 15 years later, and I’m 35 pounds heavier in weight, heavier with a mortgage, weife, cats, bills, and an 8-5 job with a 3 hour commute that, well, lets say it’s not what I was imagining doing with my life 15 years ago. Course, back then I used to dream about being the guy that could go to Yosemite for the summer and live out of the back of a van without a care in the world.

I want to get back to that life, and climbing represents a part of that. Fit, fun, sun, friends, and feeling alive, instead of this daily grind that stretchs into weeks and months and fucking years that all seem the same. 2 years ago

It’s been almost 20 years…and unfortunately much more than 20 lbs ago. Time to get back on route. 3 years ago

Not just yet! But just as soon as I’ve had the baby & recovered a little… should recovery be necessary… perhaps “adjusted a little” is more correct… 4 years ago

Another one of those things i used to do. I spent a lot of time in high school rock climbing, rappelling, caving, and hiking. After high school I was even an instructor on a high angle ropes course. Along with most things in my life, though, some how it got away from me when I went to college (I’m starting to wonder if college was such a great thing… lol). Anyways, I’m going to inspect all my gear to see what kind of condition it is in, buy a new rope and harness, and get out and do some climbing! Used to be at 5.11. We’ll see where I’m at now (5.5? lol). 6 years ago

I got back into climbing about four years ago, when my girlfriend (now my wife) asked me if I’d go climbing with her.

I used to climb a little (In the English Lake District – where I live) when I was about 16.

Back then, it was a rope tied around the waist, belaying around the body, and green flash tennis shoes.

I have to say that I hated it. I was climbing with more macho friends, and frankly, I was scared most of the time, so I stopped doing it.

Fast forward 26 years, and I tried again, with more modern gear, and older friends who were encouraging, safe, and enthusiastic.

So for the last four years, I’ve been doing some climbing, and making slow progress.

Things ramped up a bit, when a bunch of us took a week off in October ‘06, and went climbing in Spain. To get fit we did some climbing wall sessions, and continued after we returned.

Now, in the English spring time, we’re back out on rock, in fact I was out climbing last night, on a crag about 12 miles from home.

I’m delighted that I re-found climbing – there are lots of benefits:

It’s a great social scene – especially for meeting new people
I’ve lost about a stone
I get to see views from places, only climbers get to see.
The beer in the pub afterwards takes great …

I’d recommend climbing to anyone – it’s not all about strength, more, a balance and head thing, sort of “dancing on rock” – women especially seem to be good at it. 6 years ago

hmmm… 25 pounds lighter and a whole lot stronger… it’s got to be more fun now…

this was an amazing way to lose myself in a moment…

loved it and miss it! 7 years ago